March 3, 2010Dear Members and Friends,
Some time ago I read a church sign that said: "The sign of God is that we are led where we did not intend to go."
I've had cause to ponder those words this week.
This past Sunday, I received a call to serve the congregation of Advent Lutheran Church in Mentor, OH. Linda and
I have been in prayer for the past few months trying to discern God's will for our lives. Although I accepted your
call with the hope that this would be the last congregation we would serve, we believe that God has other plans for
us and for First Lutheran in Shelby.
Although the nature of my profession sometimes requires relocations, Linda and I have found leaving to be a
painful process. We have a tendency to become firmly entrenched; moving away means ripping out routs that
have grown deep.
This is especially true as we leave First Lutheran. We have thoroughly enjoyed you both as a congregation and as friends. Over the 20 years
I have know many of you (12 as your pastor), this church and this community have become home.
There will still be time to say good-byes and I want you to know that our moving away will not end the affection and hope we have for you. You
will continue to be in our prayers daily and I am
confident that God will provide you with continued excellent pastoral care
and leadership.
My last Sunday at First Lutheran will be April 11, the second Sunday of
Easter. May the good news of the Easter Season remind us that God
continues to bring us the gift of New Life.
Grace and Peace to you,,
Rev. Steven C. Bond
Senior Pastor