As I was putting my thoughts together this week and preparing to write this, it finally hit me that this is the last time that I will stand here and preach. This is the last time that you will hear my sermons, or sleep through them, and this is the last time that I will worship with you.

This place has been my church home for almost 14 years and Glenn’s too. We’ve both invested a lot of ourselves in this place. Whether it’s been scrubbing floors or going to camp with the youth - it’s been the center of our lives. When we came here I had no idea that I would end up in ordained ministry - the thought never entered my mind - but obviously God had other plans for me. It’s been a long and winding road, with a few bumps along the way!!

Some of you may be feeling sad, and some of you not so much. I know there are hurt feelings, there is anger, there is probably confusion as to what in the world happened here. There is also divisiveness in this congregation and lines have been drawn in the sand. I’m feeling all of these emotions as well, my emotions have run the gamut, but sad is right up there at the top. And I’m disappointed that it turned out this way.

When I accepted this call I felt that my purpose was to guide this congregation to stand on it’s own two feet - to not rely on the ‘pastor’ whoever that might be to do it all. Because in spite of whatever you may have heard or think - what happens here is the responsibility of everyone of you - you the congregation will be here long after the pastor of the day is gone.

If you stop and think about the history of Immanuel, this congregation has not been without a pastor (except for a summer between Pr. Brant & Pr. Chris), since before Pr. Brant, about 1986 or 87, aproximately 25 years. The time between pastors can be a rich learning experience. So hopefully my leaving will provide you with that. But that requires a singular focus - and that focus should be doing what God has called this congregation to do - not what one or two people might think are important.

Stewardship - of your time, your abilities, and yes, even your money - and outreach and evangelism and hospitality and welcoming are your responsibility. That is what you as a congregation are called to do. The pastor’s job and mine, as I saw it, aside from preaching and leading worship, is to teach, empower, encourage and point you all in the right direction. You all are the ‘ministers,’ you all are the disciples and followers of Jesus. You are the ‘priesthood of all believers.’

Some of you accept that challenge. The ministry that you have done, and continue to do here, is good ministry. From the little things like sending cards and calling to check on each other - to the bingo and preschool, LWR and Sunday school and choir and funeral lunches. This congregation has a long history of ministry in this town. 140 years worth. We celebrated 140 years of ministry 2 years ago. 140 years of ups and downs, of good times and not so good times.

But all of that is in jeopardy. And not just because of budget is in the red. And not just because the attendance is dow or the Sunday school is smaller than it was once. This isn‘t the 1950’s or 60’s. You can’t go back to ‘the good ole days’ because they don’t exist anymore. These are different and difficult times.

And these different times require a different approach. What that approach is will be up to you and who ever comes after me.

I read recently that there is no such thing as a successful church. And to a point I agree with that statement. Success for a church is not determined by attendance numbers or a large fully supported budget. A church is only successful when it truly, both individually and as a congregation, puts God front and center of all that is done. When everything that is attempted is for the glory of God.

But a ‘church’ is always in the process of becoming, as individuals we are always in the process of becoming what God intended for us. Success, however you define it, will never be achieved. What God created at the beginning was ’very good’ but not perfect and at least in our lifetimes, won‘t be. Perfection is out of the question because we are only human. But that does not mean you should be complacent and not try.

And while God calls all of us to be God’s hands and feet in the world, the success of what we do is not up to us. The success of what God calls you to do is not up to you - that‘s God‘s responsibility.

It has been an honor for me to be a part of your lives at the important moments - and the everyday moments - of sharing joy and laughter and tears and frustrations.

Leading you in worship and presiding at the Lord’s table is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. Bringing new brothers and sisters into the body of Christ thru baptism, leading the youth to affirm for themselves their baptismal promises, and commending your loved ones to God’s care at the end of their lives is an honor. And I’ve relished those moments.

But for now, my prayer for all of you - my prayer for this congregation is for both healing and growth. Not just physical growth in terms of numbers and dollars, but spiritual growth for each of you. And spiritual growth for you as a community of faith.

But that can only come through the healing of the hurt and disappointment, and the divisiveness within the congregation.

It’s no coincidence that our gospel readings for these last few Sundays are about healing - Jesus healing lepers and Simon’s mother-in-law and casting out demons. The leper says to Jesus, ‘If you choose, you can heal me…’

And Jesus reaches out and touches him and he is healed. Jesus healed many, but his primary purpose was to proclaim the good news, to announce the coming of the reign of God, the kingdom of heaven on earth. Being healed is risky because you don’t know how you will be different.

What healing is not, however, is not putting a band aid on things and then pretending the feelings or the issues are not there. Healing is facing them, acknowledging them. It’s about setting aside differences and recognizing the one thing that unites you all together into community. It’s about understanding that through your baptism you are all children of God, brothers and sisters in Christ. It‘s about being free from fear and insecurity to proclaim the gospel. It’s about opening your hands to receive God’s blessings and keeping them open to give to those in need.

So - thank you for letting me be your pastor these last three years, thank you for letting me into your lives and thank you for letting me go.

Let us pray -

Gracious and healing God, I relinquish my duties as pastor of this congregation, as I leave this place to discern your call for me and continue on the path that you have chosen for me. I commend to you this community of faith. Guide them in their discernment. Fill them with your Holy Spirit that they may, individually and as a body, fulfill your purpose. Instill in them the desire to proclaim your love to everyone they meet. Enable them to see Christ in those who differ from them. Remind them that they are washed clean and forgiven in the waters of their baptism. Help them to grow in faith toward you and fervent love toward one another. AMEN

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

As God's beloved people made radiant by the light of Christ, let us pray for the church, the whole human family, and God's good creation.

Wash us in your cleansing grace, as daily we return to our baptism. Heal your church of the love of power, and humble us to your service for the sake of the hurting world. We ask this for all who are gathered here today and our brothers and sisters of the Monduli parish and our members… Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Look with kindness on your creation, and restore wholeness to rivers and seas, deserts and forests, farmland and wilderness, that the hearts of all living things may sing their thanks for generations to come. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Open the minds of national leaders to your wisdom. Give courage and voice to those who are oppressed, unjustly imprisoned, exiled, or disregarded because of gender, color, or creed. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Stretch out your mighty and gentle hand to those who weep because of grief, illness, anxiety, or hardship of any kind especially

Elden, Kathy, Pat, Sherri, Dee, Kevin, Susan, Ray, Matt, John, Esther, Pat, Joyce, Cora, Dan, Bob, Mary Ann, Aaron, Delci, Louise, Ron, Laurie, Pat, Pr. Laura, Missy, Roger, Linda, Kathy, Frank, Gabriella, Terri, Gale, Ron Egler, Pastor Tom, Jim, Jim, Denise, Warren, Louise, Kathy, Rita, Tom, Shyla, Robin… In your loving kindness, bring them joy in the morning. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Give us perseverance in ministering in our congregation, community, synod, and the wider world, that we will not grow weary or discouraged, but remain confident of your sustaining presence. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your abundance is grace and we are grateful. We give you thanks today for new birth… You are the faithful helper of those who now rest in your peace. Bring us also to life eternal, that with all the saints we may give you thanks forever. Comfort all who are mourning the death of a loved one… Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.