The Pastor’s Piece, Pastor Kevin Cernek – FCFI Chaplain

Village Voices
March 23, 2025

While on vacation last week, my wife and I took in a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Ft. Myers, FL. Thousands of people converged on the brick-paved streets of the downtown area that had been barricaded off for people, rather than cars. While we did not imbibe in the carnal aspects of the celebration, we did observe human behavior. Here’s what I saw: People were milling about having a good time. At the center was a band and the crowd loved it.

The band consisted of two saxophones, a trombone, trumpet, drummer, keyboard player, and lead singer. They mostly played instrumentals in a jazz sort of way, and the crowd really got into it, loving every minute. There’s something about people playing their instruments with so much vigor and heart that it looks like every blood vessel in their oversized-red-faces is going to explode. They were good. People from all backgrounds and creeds were together, religious and political, easily identifiable by the messages on their hats and t-shirts, (and sandwich boards) – and we all enjoyed each other’s presence.

There was also a guy walking around carrying a billboard about being born again on one side, and avoiding hell on the other. My overall summation was that we can celebrate life anytime and anywhere and while the world may not know God, we do. And we can enjoy the talents and the gifts He’s given others to turn our attention to Him in praise.

As you maybe aware, there is a lot going on in the political world. Last week, in Illinois, a Homeschool reform bill (HB2827) was passed in the State Senate and will move on to the House for a vote soon. Since Covid, homeschooling has exploded across the country and a battle has ensued on who has regulatory control – parents or government? I’m on the side of parents. Please pray that God’s will be done in Illinois.

Also, there is an important election coming up in Wisconsin on April 1st. This is important because the people of Wisconsin will be electing a State Supreme Court justice who will serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for 10 years. Supreme Court justices are not supposed to be partisan, but they are anyway. Currently the conservatives are in the minority 4-3. This election will keep that the same or switch it, depending on who gets elected. Emotions are running high once again. The letters to the editor pages are full every week. Partisan politics is exhausting. People attack those they disagree with – without ever having met them or being acquainted with their personal character and integrity – or lack thereof. My message: go out and vote and hopefully the happy and optimistic people who have vision and love for each other and for our country no matter who is president, will win.

In the meantime, Resurrection Day is almost here – that great day when we evangelicals celebrate the greatest event in human history. In 1 Peter 3:22, the Apostle writes this soaring statement about our Lord “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him.” In the Bible, the right hand is the position of honor