Poster - Worship Slides

Poster - Front-and-Center Slides

Poster - Event Slides

As we begin another year of God's grace at Saint John's, we would do well to pause for a moment and think about the past year as we give thanks to God for blessing our congregation has experienced in so many ways.

Throughout the course of last year the members of the congregation worked very well together to carry on the mission of the church. I was so impressed, and continue to be impressed, by the dedication of so many people at all levels joyfully shouldering the responsibility for the healthy functioning of Saint John's. From Church Council members to Lay Ministers to groups and organizations right down to individual participation, it seemed to me that our members raised the level of our understanding to be the Body of Christ in this place. Not only that, there is a palpable sense of joyful fellowship among our members that says a lot about our church family. People care about each other in a deep and wonderful way and are happy to be part of the church.

So please accept my personal thanks for all the appreciation and encouragement that so many of you have extended to me and Mary as we serve you during the vacancy. It is your kindness that keeps me going and trying to fulfill my pastoral responsibilities to all of you. I want nothing but the best for this church which we all love so much, and it is my prayer that each of you will continue to be built up and strengthened in the grace of God being found faithful to the calling to which we have been called.

As we look forward to the coming year, let us all remember of the God of promise who goes before us with a plan and purpose for us all. Surely the Lord already knows whom He has selected to be the shepherd of His flock in this place. Let us all continue to pray for the Call Committee and remember the countless hours of selfless service they have given to the demands of their task. We should all pray daily that the Lord would make His will known to us in the divine call which will result in blessings for the entire church.

In the year ahead, I hope that each of us will make it our personal goal to continue to be fully engaged in the welfare of our congregation. If we all do this, there is no telling how the Holy Spirit will work through us to perform wonderful deeds at every level.

We have all been through enough to know that a successful and happy church isn't something we take for granted. When brothers and sisters dwell together in peace it is indeed a joyous and wondrous thing. For all the blessings of the past year and for all the promise of the coming year, we can only say, “To God be the glory.”

Rev. Ron Nickel is Vacancy Pastor at Saint John’s Lutheran Church. You can reach him in the church office, by email at nickel@StJohnsFC.org or at 970-482-5316.