Atom“Growing them Up and Sending them Out”
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
The past year of ministry at First Lutheran followed a familiar pattern: worship…teaching of children and youth…adult gatherings…Women’s Bible Studies and luncheons…retreats…Youth trips… Bible Camp …and Christmas at Our House. We planned, we welcomed, and we initiated new worship tools for projecting and webcasting our worship life. We had baptisms and confirmations and weddings and funerals. It is the normal activity of life in the church…equipping the saints for the work of Christ in the world.
What made the past year of ministry particularly significant for me was that it coincided with my 10th anniversary as a pastor of this congregation and the final year of High School for my youngest, Bryce. Like many of your children before and like many to follow, Bryce will be heading off into a new community come Fall and we will be entering a new place in our parenting and family life. Reflecting on that, I found myself more and more appreciative of the equipping ministry we share here at First Lutheran. Our various ministries touch the lives of all ages in worship and Bible Study and service. But there are also particular ministries to groups of people.
Although not exclusive to the older population, we visit the sick, bring communion to the less mobile, and do funeral worship for our loved ones. We grieve, but not as do those who have no hope, when we say, “Until we meet again” to those we trust into the eternal keeping of our Risen Lord. Our report numbers will show that this was a busy year of funerals. We are aging and that does not stop this side of heaven.
Our numbers show, however, that we are also welcoming new life at FLC. The number of baptisms this year has been noteworthy, particularly as we entered the New Year. Many of you feel as if you are memorizing the baptismal service as we have been using it nearly every Sunday! This is a reminder of our active children and youth ministry opportunities: Sunday School, Faith Friends, Friendship Company, Keeping the Promise, Confirmation, Breakfast Club, Sunday Night Waffles with Grant, Service over Self trip to Memphis, Bible Camping are all ways that we teach and equip and prepare our young people to be sent. And send them we do…off to college and to new work places and to new families and to new churches, where – we pray – they will continue to follow Jesus and engage in the ministry of His Church.
I am thankful for the ways that First Lutheran has helped me to parent my own children and prepare them for their future beyond First Lutheran and Detroit Lakes. I believe the various ministries listed not only have equipped them, but also helped me as a parent. Thank you for all you do to support and lead these equipping and faith building ministries.
Ten years of ministry also means that I have begun to see some of the fruit of that ministry as those in confirmation programs when I first arrived are now coming back for marriages and baptisms and to take on their own roles as ministers in the Church. This has also been a blessing of the past year!
Changes of life and changes in the economy have meant some changes in our personnel and staffing structure at FLC. We said farewell to Tanzy Kratzke, Twylla Vickmark, Paul Heisler, and Carol Lambrecht. We welcomed Erin Jepsen, Jessi Gronwold, Kathy Larson, and Denise Gaard. When Jessi moved on, we welcomed Tanzy back in a part time position!
In the midst of this change, I am thankful for continued partnership with Dave, Judy, Joy, Grant, Mary, and Karen…and with our congregational leaders! It has been a particularly busy year for the Vision Council – especially the Personnel Committee. We have had many an early morning or evening pot of coffee in making these transitions. Thanks to all these leaders for their commitment to Jesus and to First Lutheran…and to the congregation that worships and equips and serves Jesus in this community and in God’s world.
You are a blessing!
Pastor Wade
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