Dear Friends,
As we come to the close of 2019 and the opening of another new year, Pastors Gonzalez, Carlson, and I, along with our entire church staff and our families wish you all a most blessed Christmas and a calendar full of grace throughout the year of our Lord 2020.
Once again, we have been richly blessed by your love and support as we serve in partnership with our church family at St. Andrew. And once again, we have witnessed the work of Christ in your service and sacrifice, your worship and generosity, your welcoming spirit and your love for Bethlehem’s Child and those for whom He came. Thank you all! And may God grant you a truly blessed and holy season!
With the closing of the year that is nearly behind us, we also give thanks to God for the faithful ministry of Pastor Ken Carlson who, after 11 years of service as your Assistant Pastor, has announced his retirement effective on December 31. Many of you have experienced the comfort of his pastoral care in times of illness and bereavement, and have been encouraged by his preaching and teaching ministry among us. While we will surely miss his presence and good spirit as part of our church staff, we also rejoice that our life in Christ together will continue here at St. Andrew as Ken and Carolyn continue to “sing the Lord’s song” in our choir and in other ways serve Him in the presence of our congregation. On Sunday, February 16, we will give thanks for Pastor Carlson’s ministry during our Sunday worship and fellowship.
Only the Lord knows all that will transpire in our life together as 2020 begins. But what we already know is that there will be plenty of grace to enliven our faith, empower our ministry, and comfort us in times of hurt. In the words of the prophet Jeremiah, we know that God’s plan is “to give us hope and a future” filled with His love, fulfilled in Christ, whose coming we celebrate and who will most definitely be with us in the coming year… every step of the way. I look forward with great anticipation to making that journey with you!
The Lord be with you+
Pastor Hricko