Yesterday we said farewell to our beloved pastor, and today Pastor Ed begins his retired life.  It is a time for change at JOY Lutheran and, as you know, Lutherans are notoriously unhappy about changes.  We are a church of traditions.  For us, this is a big change.  For many of us, it is a particularly difficult one because it involves losing a pastor, a friend, and a big part of our support system.  For some of us, it is yet another loss added to a long list of losses.  Yet, we look forward in hope to the plans God has for us.  We look forward to making new friends and receiving a new pastor.  We look forward, knowing there is opportunity for growth among us.

Amidst all this change, however, we know that one thing has not changed.  We know God’s love for us is unchanging and that God is still present and here with us now.  God promises, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)  We cling to this promise and continue to walk together with our God.

In the last weeks Pastor Ed was here at JOY, I asked him what I could do to help in our time of transition.  He said people need to hear the Good News, “God is with YOU always and God loves YOU.”  This is Pastor Ed’s final message to us in this time of transition and always.  Read Deuteronomy 31:6 and John 14:27, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally!  (Yes, I received permission to use Pastor Ed’s tagline for this blog.)

Annie