+ Report of Pastor Gollenberg
Reviewing our time together since the last Annual Meeting is instructive. The things we have done, the people we have encountered, and the Worship we have offered reminds us of the binding force of God’s grace working among us. Some of the events over the past year bring smiles of thanksgiving; others bring a lump to the throat and a tear to the eye. But through all we encountered or endured there is always the amazing grace of God.
That “grace of God” is most visible in the Worship we offer every Lord’s Day, Festival Day, Holy Week, Wedding or Christian Burial. When God’s people gather in His Name something happens. We are reminded we aren’t alone, we humbly submit to God’s presence, we rejoice in God’s love poured out for us on the cross, and we appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit in making us holy.
Our Worship is a key indicator of the health of this “Body” of Christ. In several respects this body is in top-notch condition. We flex our singing muscles and The Body rejoices. We pray and our devotional muscles ripple. It’s good to be part of this Body when it is Worshipping. During those moments God is praised, faith is celebrated, and our souls are nurtured.
Thanks be to God that we have the privilege of offering Father, Son and Holy Spirit our devotion! There certainly could be more people at Worship, but it’s up to all of us to invite others to “Come and See” what goes on here, the joy we experience, and the Lord who is made known to us through Word and Sacrament.
Soon after last year’s Annual Meeting there were folks hospitalized, a funeral, and a trip to Camp Calumet for our Confirmation Youth. The first Sunday of the month our Ministers of Holy Communion from the Assembly journey forth to visit and share the Eucharist. In July, the first new member of the newly (in 1994) “consolidated” congregation died, Charles Smith. Several Healing Liturgies took place throughout the year. Summer Bible Study began in July and we had our Annual Picnic at Northfield Dam.
There was a wonderful celebration of the 40th Anniversary of my Ordination late in July where my brother-in-law, Rev. Robert Scudieri, preached. Thanks to all!
The summer also included a special “Sundae” School gathering, “New Beginnings” deliveries, and planning meetings galore. The summer months do not slow down!
September was a memorable month as the praying and planning and preparations for the Ordination of Brian Rajcok came to completion. It was a glorious day! Not to be outdone, Marty and Kadie were married one week later! Joy abounded!
A “Wall of Blessing” was created in our Worship Room in October which made visible the blessings God has given. We had “Resurrection” Worship in October celebrating God’s grace in the life of Grace Anderson, our oldest member who died in September.
November brought the Affirmation of Baptism: The Rite of Confirmation for six of our youth. The day also included the Installation of The Reverend Brian Rajcok at Hope Lutheran Church in Cherryville, PA. (It was a long day!)
Advent always brings unique opportunities to Worship. From Advent Evening Prayer to the Thomaston Advent/Christmas Walk to Christmas Eve Eucharist - we celebrate the birth of Our Savior!
Our Christmas Pageant in January was marvelous and the Interpretive Movement Ministry wowed us using wooden dowels, movement and sincere devotion!
Lent began early, February 10th, with our Ash Wednesday Worship. That month we hosted a meeting to investigate the process of refugee resettlement.
March not only brought one less hour of sleep as we moved the clocks forward but we also made preparations for Holy Week beginning with our Pancake Breakfast on the Sunday of the Passion. The Fellowship Committee and their friends do such a marvelous job feeding us breakfast (and brunch!). Remembering the events in our Lord’s life during Holy Week is always a moving experience. The two Baptisms at the Vigil of Easter also helped to heighten our joy in the victory of our Lord.
Great appreciation is offered to the clergy who filled in for me while I was on vacation! Pastors McGee and Meleschnig are great pastors to leave in charge while I’m away!
May brought computer “issues” which Michael Finer has corrected using much of his time and immense amounts of his talent. Thanks! We celebrated the ten year anniversary of Jennie being with us! We also received new members who transferred here from other congregations.
Looking back is good. We have not been idle. A lot has been done. For a small congregation this place is active. We are graced with the Women’s Group who graciously gives food to the hungry and multiplies our gifts to the Lutheran Home; we have the Knit and Crochet Ministry providing all sorts of prayer-filled items for those who desperately need to know someone is praying for them; we have the Blue Bucket being filled regularly; we have the Earthkeeping Team keeping us looking good and reminding us of our stewardship of creation; we help those in need through “Operation Christmas Child” and “New Beginnings.” Then there are the people working behind the scenes who help this place keep moving… Council, Officers, Sacristans, Crucifers, Acolytes, Counters, Fellowship folks, UnitedScrip participants, Work Day crew, and those who continue to serve in a myriad of ways. Thanks!
Then there is Jennie who keeps the choir practicing and us singing; and there is Eileen in the office keeping things organized and producing Worship folders and Newsletters, and helping me stay sane around my computer.
No one knows what the coming year holds but we can certainly pray that our Worship will continue to reflect the thanksgiving we feel toward God and we will appreciate the great privilege we have in hearing the Word proclaimed and the celebrating the Sacraments.
The world does its best tempting us to think that “Church” doesn’t matter, that it’s old and out-dated, that its message is antiquated and narrow-minded. It’s getting harder and harder to be a faithful Christian these days.
It will take concerted effort to say to the world, “God is in charge and it is my greatest privilege to Worship and serve the God who created me and all that exists, to adore the Savior who died and was raised so that sin and death and the devil are defeated, and to anticipate the Holy Spirit working in my life to make me holy.”
In other words, God loves us and calls each of us to grow in faith, love and obedience to the will of God. It might be difficult but it is worth it. Oh, the joy of loving Jesus and serving others in His Name!
“Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s Cross. He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.” (Colossians 2, Message Bible)
Now we get to live in that certitude with Joy!
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