My brothers and sisters in Christ,
It has been a very rough go the last couple of weeks. Our church body has lost two members. We will be having the funeral for Betty Ristau this Tuesday. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Everything will be held at St. John’s. I have visited her ever since I have been here. She loved her white Crocs and had Walt Disney characters all over her refrigerator. In my message, I will comment on how she put up with me. We would have a conversation, and then after a little while, I would ask if she wanted communion. It was always a hardy “Yes.” Communion was a huge part for her. Sometimes, it felt like she was just putting up with our conversation, waiting to get to communion. I think of the words in Revelation 21:4, He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Her last year was not easy for her. She has now been released from the pain she experienced in her later years.
Gaylon Ehlers also passed away last week. Many people knew Gaylon. Everyone spoke highly of him. Let me put it in perspective: Gaylon was a long-time member of our church. He sang in our choir. Our Choir Director, Barb, told me that the choir would be honored to sing at his funeral. That is the first time this has been offered since I have been here. It doesn’t mean that they didn’t love others who had passed; it tells you how special Gaylon was to this church.
Gaylon was also an active participant in our Living Last Supper. He played the disciple Andrew. He was also very active in Via de Christo. They had their special weekend while I was gone, and they honored Gaylon by naming a table by the name Andrew. The family will be having a special memorial service for him. It will be sad not to celebrate his life one more time at St. John’s.
And then, before I left, Dennis Focci’s mom passed away. Carlene is Dennis’ wife. Another couple who had a rough go taking care of an aging parent who was suffering from mental illness. She fell a little while ago and broke her hip. That seemed to be the impetus of her passing. Again, her pain is no longer, but it still hurts, as many know what it means to lose a loved one. Let’s surround this family with our love and prayers.
Well, that is about half of it. I am sitting on a porch writing this letter in Flagstaff, AZ. We had a memorial service for my Dad, who passed away, September 30. He was 94 years old. I want to thank all of you who have kept my family in your prayers and who sent cards. I have noticed that the one good thing about funerals is that they tend to turn into family reunions. I was able to enjoy many of my family during this time. The neat thing was to watch the cousins get together and hang out. It was like they were best friends. They are close in age but haven’t seen each other for a long time. It didn’t seem to matter.
I wish I didn’t have to share another passing. Patty’s sister, Sarah, died Friday evening. She has been on our prayer chain for a long time. She has been fighting cancer, again, and eventually became too weak to continue treatment. She died having her husband and daughters around her. She fell asleep a couple of days before and never woke up. It is a lot for Patty, knowing that she couldn’t be in two places. Please lift her up in your prayers. Her family has been hit hard. At one time, there were seven in her family, and now there are only three. Cancer has been busy in her family.
Romans 8:26-27 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
I commented before, and it still applies today. I don’t have words to pray right now. My wife and I are a little numb right now. One, I am thankful for the Holy Spirit interceding on my behalf with wordless groans. But two, I am very thankful for this church body because I know they are also interceding on our behalf. Thank you.
Life goes on, and so does our church. November is going to be a busy month, but that is for another letter. Please don’t forget about our annual Trick and Treat event being held this Saturday on our church grounds. It starts at 11:00 a.m. and goes to 12:30 p.m. A great time to bring your children or grandchildren and their friends. If you are shopping for candy, please don’t forget to pick up an extra bag for the church. It is still not too late to host a table.
Crossed marked and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings Reformation Weekend– Weekend of October 25 & 26.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 46 Romans 3:19-28 John 8:31-36