A Message From Pastor Beth
“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.” Matt. 28:18-20
As I write this, I am still in the ‘after glow’ of our 75th Anniversary celebration and maybe you are too. It was a wonderful day for all who attended as we came together as a congregation to worship and thank God for what God has done with us and among us in this place; remembering old times, reliving what this church was like years ago and reuniting with people from the past. I would like to thank all who contributed to making that day wonderful: Our committee: Kaye Furstenau, Sandy Peterson, JoDee Dungan, Margaux Lindsay, Shauna Stevenson and Eric Dietrich. But so many of you took part in other ways: Leading our worship in music (thanks Joyful Noise Band and choir) bringing food, working in the kitchen, those serving on Altar guild and Doug Anderson for making that incredible drawing of all three of our church buildings.
As fun as that celebration was, as enjoyable as it is to look back and reminisce, God who has been there with us in the past is also calling us into the future. There is still work to be done, still souls to comfort and reach, still people to be served and helped. As Pastor Russ said when he spoke after the meal, the world needs to hear our message; the world needs to hear the message of grace, mercy, forgiveness, inclusion and love that we as ELCA Lutherans teach, preach and live through all that we do. Now, more than ever we need to bring God’s message of love into a country and a world that is increasingly divided and increasingly violent.
What that will look like and how we will accomplish all of this remains to be seen. Yet we can be confident, we can trust that the same God who has been with us in our ministry for these 75 years will continue to be with us, leading us, guiding us and providing the resources necessary to continue the work of God in this world. This is a promise that is at the core of our faith, that God is with us and for us and will never leave us. And that is something to celebrate!
Happy Anniversary to the people of God at United Lutheran!
Take Action
Ready to take the next step? Take advantage of several opportunities to become involved.