A Note from Pastor Steve,It seems as if I've been saying "good-bye" for two months now. With that much practice, you would think I'd be
good at it by now. I'm not. So, instead of saying good-yes yet once again, allow me to say "thank you!"
Thank you for the privilege of serving a second time as your pastor. Thank you for allowing me to walk with you
through some of the most joyful as well as some of the most painful times of your life. Thank you for calling me
to proclaim God's Word on a regular basis
and to administer the sacraments whereby we experience God's
grace. Thank you for the opportunity to serve side by side with you
as you've fed the hungry, visited the sick,
shared good news (and financial
assistance) with the poor in this community. Thank you for being a
congregation
that has reached beyond the needs of our own members and local community
to serve those in need across this
country and beyond to foreign lands.
This has always been a congregation that has cared for all of God's
children. You opened your doors and
welcomed the Shelby Senior Center when they
needed space for their programs. You continued to meet a
critical need of this community by your support of our Day Care and Early
Education ministry. You've consistently been there for Shelby Help
Line and the Community Christmas Program. You've enriched our lives
and praised God through sharing your wonderful musical talents - voice
and instrumental. You've brought great musical talent (even when the
style of music was unfamiliar to most "traditional Lutherans") to be a
blessing to many both in and outside our congregation. Your
Christian Education program (Sunday School, First Communion Preparation,
Confirmation, Mission and Servant opportunities) and commitment to youth
through Prayer Partners, Activities, and participation in Church
Gatherings is a model for the Church at large.
Much of the ministry that takes place though you is often un-recognized
and un-sung. You volunteer in our local hospital, at the library, and
in
our schools. You serve in the workplace, in city government, in
local service and civic groups. You do your work in this congregation
early in the
morning, late in the evening, in the basement, on the grounds, from your
home, enlisting volunteers, reaching out to individuals in need, cleaning
and preparing and repairing - often when no one is around to notice.
You served on Council, committees, task-forces, circles, and guilds.
You've taught, modeled, mentored, and nurtured.
And through it all, you've fought passionately, forgiven regularly, and
worked at being the Church...the family of God and the Body of Christ in
this
world.
For all, this and more, I thank YOU!
And I wish to say a special thank you to my
staff over these past 8 years - Linda, Lana, Ron, Miriam, Paul, Gaye, Gail,
Brad, Dick, Bob, Doris,
Denise, Danette, Sarah, and all the girls (and occasional guy) at the ABC
Center! You all are The Best!
I love you all. I will miss you greatly. And, I will not say
"good-bye" because, though I will cease to be your pastor...I will continue
to be your
friend.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Steve