By Intern Pastor Devlyn Brooks
Faith Family … We are about to turn the page on two very important chapters in our church. On Good Friday we will be returning to in-person service for the first-time in more than a year. And then, less than a month later, my two-year internship will come to a finish on May 1. Both are developments that are worth celebrating, but I’ll be honest, there were times I thought neither would ever come!
So, as we are about to turn to this new chapter in our story together, I think it’s also important to look back to appreciate what got us here. And for me, that means a round of thank yous to a whole lot of people who deserve them. Journeys are seldom taken alone, and there were plenty of people who accompanied me and helped to carry me along on both of these particular journeys. So here goes some much deserved thank yous!
First off, I must thank our Faith Lutheran Digital Services Team, without whom this past year’s online services wouldn't’ have been possible. They often didn’t appear on camera, but we wouldn’t have had the quality services we had without the dedication and perseverance of pianist/organist/vocalist Mike Nelson; vocalist Veronica Nelson; videographers Christie, Austin and Carter Erickson; and reader and all-around All-Star Debi Byars. I cannot thank each of them enough for all of the hours they volunteered to ensure that our services kept going. There is no way to sum up all of the joy, frustration and laughter we enjoyed together, but I hope that this simple thank you is a start! Thank you Digital Services Team!
Second, I want to thank Lisa Miller for all that she has done to help keep me, our worship services and our church on track these past two years. So much of what Lisa does goes on behind the scenes, but she is absolutely indispensable to our church! Lisa, thank you for all of the support, knowledge and experience that you have offered up to me all these years. Your work has absolutely helped to make me a better pastor, and I cannot thank you enough for your dedication to Faith Lutheran! We are very fortunate for your service to our church!
Third, I also want to thank our Faith Lutheran Church Council for their work and leadership during my internship and during the past year while we worked through the pandemic. I am very fortunate to have such dedicated leaders on our council, as I know not all pastors are so lucky. Thank you for allowing this greenhorn to take the reins in the pulpit and for giving me the chance to grow into a better pastor these past two years. Even more incredibly, thank you for placing your trust in me over this past year. I admit there were many times that I felt like I was flying blind, but your trust in me never wavered. And I thank you for that! … Thanks to all of you who have served on the council these past two years! A church cannot operate without its lay leaders, and you are exemplary models!
Fourth, all of the parents who have volunteered their time to keep our youth faith education program on track during this challenging year also deserve a big ol’ high five! I can’t even imagine how challenging it has been to keep kids engaged on Zoom on Sunday mornings for an hour after they spent the entire week of school online. But somehow you all did it, and did it well! Our kids have remained engaged, and they have continued to receive their faith lessons. And this didn’t happen in every church this past year. So kudos to all of you! Thank you for finishing the year strong! And I cannot wait until next fall when we have an entire year with our kiddos back in Sunday school in our church! I so look forward to those Sunday morning chats in the Sanctuary with our students again! … Thank you parents for all you’ve done!
And finally, one more thank you. … Thank you to you all Faith Family! Three and a half years ago you welcomed me into your congregation with open arms, and we’ve been on an unforgettable journey together ever since. No one could have scripted what has transpired in the time since. But you have been gracious and patient and have given me plenty of room to grow and learn. And I will be forever grateful for that! Thank you!
And now Faith Family, April has come, and with it Holy Week. Our high point in the Christian calendar! … I’m sure that this will be an emotional week for all of us as we come back together for the first time in more than a year. But I tell you what, I cannot wait to stand before you on Easter morning and declare, “Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!”
Happy Easter to you all Faith Family! Easter morning can’t come soon enough!
Blessings to you all!
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