Dear Friends,
In early March, the voting members of St. Andrew extended a Call to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis requesting that one of two recommended graduates of the class of 2019 be assigned a Call to serve as Associate Pastor at St. Andrew. The two recommended by the Call Committee are Nicholas Gonzalez and Samuel Fink.
Assignments will be made by our denomination’s Council of District Presidents and announced at a Call Day worship service in the seminary chapel on Wednesday, May 1. I am planning to attend the service in St. Louis and invite you to attend as well, via live streaming to the Wellspring Center at St. Andrew beginning at 8 pm that evening.
If one of our two candidates receives a Call to St. Andrew, our new pastor would arrive in Maryland early this summer following his graduation at the end of May and ordination at his home church, unless he chooses to be ordained at St. Andrew. Join me in prayer for both of these candidates, their families, our congregation, and those involved in the final placement process, that the Spirit will guide the decision, for the glory of God and for the good of the whole church. Join me also as we offer heartfelt appreciation for the members of our Call Committee, including Stan Jackson (Chair), Mandy Wingo, Lynn Harty, Duane Taylor, Karen Kong, and Jeanine McGrath.
In addition to the expected news of a new pastor on our ministry team, I look forward to moving through the season of Easter with you during the month of May, which will also include the Spring sessions of Common Ground and our Bible studies in Howard County, another Faith Walk Membership Information Seminar for folks who feel led to learn more and consider joining our church family, and the hosting of a meeting to further develop our vision for a partnership with Concordia College NewYork to establish a Center for Contextual Leadership here at St. Andrew.
Finally, allow me to express my thanks to all who in so many ways have helped to bring us once again through the holy season of Lent and into another glorious celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. It is great to be alive with all of you in the joy of the Risen Christ!
The Lord be with you+
The Lord be with you+
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hricko