Dear friends in Christ,
It is hard to believe that the time has come for us to part ways. I am so grateful that you invited me to accompany you on this interim journey. In particular, I give thanks for our Sunday worshipping community and the talented musicians and singers who made our time together so joyful; for our faithful Wednesday bible study group; for the leadership of your Council and Transition Team during this interim period; for the unfailing help and good cheer of Mark Donahue in the office; for the gracious support of your Altar Guild and Worship Committee; and for everyone else in this church who touched my life in ways both large and small. I hope to see you this Sunday for one final opportunity to worship together.
In the meantime, let me leave you with this prayer:
O God, you have bound us together for a time as pastor and people to work for the advancement of your reign on earth in this place: We give you humble and hearty thanks for the holy ties that have bound us these several months. We thank you for giving us the resilience to worship in creative ways as we emerge from this pandemic; for the opportunity to love and serve one another and our wider world; and for your guidance and wisdom as we prepare for the next chapter in our community life. We thank you also for the unexpected joys and hidden blessings that each day has brought. But especially we thank you for your never-failing presence through it all, and for the deeper knowledge we have gained of you and each other. Now, we pray, be with those who leave and with those who stay; and grant that all of us, drawing ever nearer to you, may always be close to each other in and through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.
May God bless you and keep you,
Pastor Luther