The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases, Thanks Be To God

Did you ever have a special occasion “sneak up” on you? No, I didn’t forget an anniversary, or a birthday, nor Mother’s Day. However, on Wednesday, May 29, as I was practicing for worship the following Sunday, I noticed the date on the bulletin: June 2. That date struck a nerve, and then I remembered. I was ordained as a Lutheran pastor on June 2, 1979 at First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL. First Lutheran, happily, is where I am currently serving as vacancy pastor until they receive a new pastor. Imagine, to be serving God’s people 45 years later in the church where I was nurtured in my faith in Jesus and then ordained! That’s worth remembering!

So, as I was practicing for Sunday worship, and then remembered my ordination, I mentioned the occasion to our Music Director, Stephanie Smith, and a then little later to our Administrative Assistant, Leeann Lee. I think what really surprised me was that number, 45. I can actually remember events surrounding my ordination like it was yesterday. I remember the presence of immediate family and extended family. I remember that my dad was one of the elders who gave blessings to the new pastor, to me. I remember Kathy placing the stole around my neck, a stole which she had sewn and embroidered herself. My pastor, Bob Besaski, conducted the ordination ceremony. A beloved mentor, Pastor Paul Albers, preached the sermon: G.R.A.C.E. – GOD Really Accomplishes Completely Everything. I remember some beer at the after-party, and a fishing trip. So, since I remember all these thing so well, HOW could that be 45 years ago??

On Wednesday night when I returned home I reminded Kathy of the approaching anniversary. We realized again how blessed we have been. And, that is what I shared with the people of First Lutheran on Sunday. You see, after they got wind of the upcoming anniversary, they planned a surprise. Head elder, Jack Halabrin, revealed the anniversary of my ordination to the congregation during announcements in worship. First Lutheran gave me some very nice gifts. And, they held a party and reception afterwards. We had lunch, punch, and cake. It was another very nice surprise.

As Jack made his announcement about the anniversary during the service, I told the congregation what Kathy and I had discussed. In retrospect, my reaction to 45 years of ministry is . . . THANKFULNESS! Serving my Lord Jesus, and serving His people is such a privilege. I get to share God and His word with people during times of joy and of struggle. I am not Jesus. But God allows me to share the grace and presence and love of Jesus with others in those personal moments of life. I am blessed and I am THANKFUL for this privilege.

The events of the past week reminded me of our Lord’s call to thankfulness. I did tell the folks of First Lutheran that my response to the anniversary is one of THANKS! In Colossians 3:17, God’s encourages His people, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (See also Ephesians 5:20) Our lives are so full of so many blessings we can take them for granted. In Jesus, through His death and resurrection, our Lord gives us these blessings eternally. In Jesus, we have God’s blessings today. Yet, in my experience the love and blessings of God can sneak up on you, like the anniversary of my ordination did. We can miss them. Because we can forget His love, God calls us to do everything in Jesus’ name, trusting His love. We give thanks in everything, because of God’s blessings are constant.

I confess that in a way I also feel a little guilty. Kathy and I have indeed been blessed in so many ways. Yet, I know many others for whom life has been very difficult, to say the least. Yet, even in the trials of life, God is present. During the exile of Israel in Babylon, God inspired Jeremiah to write, “18 . . . My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD." 19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! 20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:18-23) The hope and faith of Israel could have perished in their trials. But, God was there then, He is there today, in bad times as well as well as good. He is faithful. There is always reason for thanks!

The anniversary of my ordination snuck up on me. Maybe I had been taking the 45 years of love and blessings for granted. But, 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” THANKS BE TO GOD!