Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This is a hard letter to write. I tried to make sure you heard it from me. I will be ending my call as your pastor on May 17. When I was teaching, I never wanted to be that teacher who was hanging on. I carried that same attitude as a pastor. Because of a number of reasons, mostly concerning my health, I made this decision to end my call. It is just getting harder and harder to be your pastor.
I also want to make it clear that it has nothing to do with anything or anyone at St. John’s. I love St. John’s. I love the people of St. John’s. This is about what I can and cannot do anymore. Please do me a favor. If you ever hear someone say, “Oh, I heard he left because of so and so,” shut that down. It is simply not true.
This is one of the reasons why Bishop Fidlar is going to worship with us on Sunday. First, it is what she does. She tries to worship with as many churches in our Synod as possible. Also, after the service, she will answer any questions you may have. So, I hope you plan on staying afterwards and join in the conversation with her.
I hope you will find it an exciting time for St. John’s. It’s time to decide where you want to go as a church. Let your voice be heard. Speak up. Help in the process. Don’t be silent. I firmly believe that you should love your church more than you love your pastor. Pastors come and go, but St. John’s still stands at 2000 Luther Drive.
I am proud of what we achieved together. Six plus years ago, you took a chance on a first-time pastor. I have made plenty of mistakes, and I am glad you are comfortable with me voicing those complaints. But I was strongly encouraged to continue striving to set a vision for St. John’s, and I am so proud of all of you who joined me in this vision. Thank you.
I can’t help but reflect on all the changes you made to the church and the parsonage to accommodate me. I was talking to Stacy Newell, who was the president of the Church Council at the time of my call. I asked her how I came to my first interview. She thought I had a cane. Things have changed, haven’t they? A ramp was built at the parsonage. Doors were widened.
A walk-in shower replaced the tub, which I couldn’t get in or out of without Patty’s help.
And then the church. I remember standing behind the altar on the top platform of the sanctuary. Not sure how that happened. Then the altar turned into a portable table on the main floor. Electronic doors, along with the partition being removed from the bathrooms in the children’s wing (thank you, Greg), to provide easier access. And I’m sure there are so many more. Thank you.
Okay, enough of this, let’s move on, there’s always plenty of work to do as a church.
Besides the Bishop coming, the children will be performing their musical on Sunday. I am looking forward to having the children show off their God-given talents and the hard work they put in for this event.
Then on Monday, April 27, we will be having Culver’s Care night. I hope many of you plan on coming and helping out at this event. It is a wonderful idea for a fundraiser with the added benefit of great fellowship.
We are living in the Easter Season and are always Easter people. Christ has Risen! He has risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the fourth Sunday of Easter, April 26
Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 23 1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10