On July 11, 1971, I was installed as the Pastor of First Lutheran Church of Neosho. All my life, and that of Gerry’s, up to that point had been directed toward that event. At that moment, what I thought my life was to be and for what we had worked for so hard, had come true. I was a Pastor. We had our whole life ahead of us.
That was a long time ago, now, and here we are at the other end of our lives. I am retiring. I will officiate my last worship service with you as your Pastor on Sunday, July 12.
It is hard for me to imagine what it will be like, not being the Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Carthage. Your joys and happiness, and your sorrows and hurts, have also been mine. Together we have stood with Jesus in good times and bad times. As your Pastor, you have shared your lives with me in so many meaningful ways. It has been my honor and privilege to be here at Good Shepherd. This is hard to give up. I will miss this relationship with you, me being your Pastor. However, I find comfort in knowing the Good Shepherd Jesus will be with you in your next Pastor.
We have worked well together, you and I. Certainly, it is not to our credit, but to God’s glory. You have been very gracious and forgiving to me and for that I am eternally grateful. I have watched with joy and some amazement the faith you have exhibited and your forward-looking attitude at all times.
You are not only a big part of my life, but Gerry’s and my family’s as well. We have not only worshipped here as a family, but also come together here as a family to do family things. It is like a home to us. My retiring changes that, too. It still remains unclear as to what this means for us and our continued involvement with you. I know in God’s good time it will be worked out.
While my retirement brings changes and adjustments to us all, I do not fear for you. God is here in your midst. He is not retiring. He is not going anywhere.
As God has blessed our work together in the past, He will continue to give His blessings to you in the future. There are so many good things ahead for you that a new Pastor will be a part of and will aid with his gifts and talents. Yes, it will be different, but the most necessary thing will most necessarily not change. You will continue to hear the Good News of God’s love for you in Jesus proclaimed from this pulpit and God’s precious Sacraments administered according to His will from this altar. There is nothing better than that.
Beloved in the Lord . . .I have spoken these words to you often as your Pastor. They are still true. You are beloved to me. But my role as to how those words are acted out will change with my retirement. Thank you, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. I do love you.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His Countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
Finally, this is all we can really say: Amen! With God so shall it be!