As I have on several occasions this past month, and as I have shared with a few of you, I find myself reflecting on the somewhat awesome fact that, with the start of my 10th year of ministry among you, this is, by far, the longest I have ever spent in any one place in my life. Yes, given life as an Army brat, my years of college, seminary, and the two previous congregations I have served, the mark has now been made. I am no longer the seeming wanderer that Abraham (or my father) once was. I have … arrived!

Being the more contemplative sort that I am, this has caused me to reflect on a couple of things that I would like to share with you this month.

One, a thought on just how gracious you all have been. Your generosity this past year, is just an example of how supportive you have been as we continue in ministry together in this place. From helping me and my family get “home” for my mom’s funeral, to blessing us the way you did our 25th wedding anniversary, and then again at Christmas, I am continuously amazed at the wonderful tapestry that is LCW – thread crossing thread in a work of beauty, created, redeemed and sustained by precious Savior, Jesus. Your prayers for me and my family, your openness to minister to me, your servant’s heart and hands when it was needed most, demonstrated to me and to each other is something to be treasured. So, for each and every blessing, for each and every card, for each and every kind word, how can I adequately thank you for all you’ve been? How can I adequately sing the Lord’s praises as His miracles are even now being manifested in our midst … as HE is being manifested among us?

I’m sure that for some, it has not always been easy to accept the “new guy,” with new ideas, new directions, and a guitar from time to time in the pulpit (on that last point, let me assure you that my homiletics professors would agree!). But let it all be a testimony to the song that is in my heart, and the song we sing together as a congregation. For we are in ministry together, and the notes we produce together by God’s grace sound more like a symphony with each passing day; and those notes of mutual care, love and forgiveness are sweet to the ear.

But as I begin a 10th year of ministry, another matter comes to mind … a series of them, really:

FIRST, please continue to pray for me and our mutual sharing of the Good News of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Please continue to pray for our congregation and its ministry, especially recalling that it’s not all about us. Rather, it is about Him … and more specifically, Christ – enshrouded in human flesh, manifested to the nations, crucified in time for the world, raised for our justification, and ascended on high so that His gifts may rain down upon us in abundant measure.

SECOND, and along the lines of what the season of Epiphany is all about (albeit a shortened one), invite your friends to “to come and see” what great things God is doing through this congregation, and the things that will be by His Holy Spirit. I so desperately want them to “come and see,” like Andrew invited Peter.

THIRD, and along the lines of what this upcoming season of Lent is all about … please forgive any sins that I may have committed against you. Let us rejoice together in the forgiveness and joy of knowing that all of our sins are forgiven – mine and yours – covered by the blood of our Savior, Jesus! And let us, then, treat one another thusly.

And FINALLY, rejoice! For there is much for which to be thankful in our assembly. Me, I’m thankful that each passing day among you is a reminder of just how good the Lord is to me, and to us all. Me, I’m thankful to be a pastor in Christ’s Church, in this place. Me, I’m thankful for the mutual ministry we share together. And, as I shared in a sermon on Sunday, what is this ministry but a reflection of the grace and love of God, and of each other? Above all, this is my prayer:

May
I
Now
In
Simple
Truth
Reflect
You

So let the 10th year begin! “A wandering Aramean” no longer, but a son who is home – at home with you, at home together in the arms of a loving God – praying that by our continued witness and worship, others will find their way “home” as well. Let us, together, point them in that direction!

At Home in Him,