It feels a little strange to be writing my last article for the Spirit Update. This Sunday, November 26th will be my last day as pastor of Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church. It will be the end of a 39 year career of preaching and teaching. It's been humbling. It's been challenging. It has captured my heart. So many of you have said, "I'm going to miss you", and whether I verbalized it or not, my heart says "I'm going to miss you too". How many vocations allows one to walk beside so many people at one time? It has been such an honor. I can't help but laugh when I hear people tell stories about me. I love meeting new people. Behind every conversation I'm thinking, why did God bring this person to me? It's like holding a wrapped present, in anticipation. Each of you carry a beautiful mystery, and over the years it felt like I was celebrating Christmas weekly adding another unique gift to my life. So, thank you my friends. Thank you for forgiving me when I disappointed you. Thank you for being willing to spar in our differences. Thank you for loving me through the good times and the bad. You have given me many memories, memories that I will cherish forever.  

Our Thanksgiving Eve Service will be celebrated tonight at 6:30 p.m. This service will be a time where I will reflect upon some of the things that I am thankful for in the hope that it will spur your thoughts upon how God and others have touched your life.  

 

Walk To The Altar Weekend will be lifted up during the services on November 25th and 26th. Each of you will be asked to make a pledge to God in what you think you can share in financial offerings in 2018. I want to encourage you all to give electronically if you are not already doing this. If you need assistance, call the church office and they will connect you with someone who can help you. I also want to remind you that our Church Council wants a unified budget for 2018, meaning that you combine your pledge to ONE fund, the General Fund. We have been blessed with generous contributions to various funds (currently $95,000 in designated funds) but this locks the money up, and puts pressure on paying our General Fund expenses like electricity, salaries and supplies. Pledge forms will be available at all services.

 

I want to thank all those who participated in decorating our church building last Saturday. It was also fun to see Member Brian Blad attacking our bushes outside as people worked inside. It warms my heart to see so many people willing to step-up when tasks need to be done. Please know that I think God smiles gently when people function with a servant-heart.  

Too Big for Starbucks Bible Study is going to continue. This is a great group. The format might change a little, but be on the look-out for this class in the coming weeks.

 

Many of you have asked about Lee's (my spouse) health. Her bladder cancer has returned which means that she will undergo another surgery on November 27th. The good news is that the surgeon will only be dealing with two tumors versus twenty as he did in the first go-around. I suspect that she will undergo another round of immunotherapy. Her doctor has reassured us that we are getting on top of this and that her prognosis is good. But like all diseases, we trust that God will guide the doctor's care to put this behind us. Your prayers are appreciated. Lee's surgery has pushed my retirement date up to November 26th, so that I can function as full time nurse, head cook and bottle washer.  

There will be no Spirit Update on November 29th. The Spirit Update will return on December 6th.

So, how does a guy say thank you and good-bye to over 500 significant people whom he has grown to love? You have shaped and molded my life. We have laughed together and cried together. We've had the privilege to share God's love. It's time for Spirit of Hope to step into a new chapter. I suspect it will be different and I ask that you will embrace those differences trusting that God is at work. Never forget how special you are. Never forget that God chose each of you. Never forget that you are never alone. Martin Luther had a phrase concerning your baptism. He said, "Walk Wet"....always remembering whose YOU are.  

 

Peace & Love,

Pastor Glen

Thank you to everyone that helped with the Seniors Rock Bake Sale this past weekend. A big thank you to everyone that bought and enjoyed the baked items. We made $470, which will help to purchase items for the Justa Center. You may click here to see all they do to help homeless seniors and vets. We are looking for items for this project, so if you can help us out, we would greatly appreciate it. With the holidays coming, many of these items will be on sale. 

Items in need include: Twin Sheets, Pillows, Pillow Cases, Can Openers, Cooking Utensils, Coffee Makers, Cups, Drinkware, Dishes, Bowls, Plates, Dishtowels, Kitchen Knives, Silverware, Pots with Lids, Frying Pans, Bathroom Towels, Washcloths and Shower Curtains with Hooks. They are requesting all items be NEW. You may start bringing these items to the church, and placing them in the special bin set up in the Narthex. We will be collecting items until January. 

If you have any questions, please email Wendy Sontag at: [email protected] 

Thank you one and all!

God's blessings,

Wendy and Seniors Rock