Washington County, Illinois is very dear to Diane and me. There our marriage and family started out when I received my first call into ministry in 1974. Family and church are two essentials in the life our Creator has given us.
About family… Yesterday I was humbled to preach for the 150th anniversary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton, a town of 500 or so in Washington County. Before parking the car, I drove through the cemetery and saw familiar last names: Maschoff, Lueking, Schnake, Kastens, Sachtleben, Haake, Unverfehrt, Schnietzmeier, and many others. The spellchecker went nuts with those names! In church I enjoyed catching up and sharing stories. I was recalling a fine, dedicated church member, Mr. Franz Stahmer. A man nearby said, “He was my grandfather.” Today the active members of Trinity bear many of those same names, a witness that faith is passed on through families. “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4).
Yesterday also reminded me that people love their church. People posted comments on Facebook like, “Feeling so blessed to be a member of such a great congregation!!” “Love our church!” My sermon was that the church should be a different place than all the other associations and organizations we have during the week. “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). Our American society has lost many of the traditional moorings that gave us stability. Family and church are not esteemed as they once were, to our harm. The mission of Jesus’ church works to change that.
I’m writing this from Arizona, from a town called “Carefree.” Truth in advertising? Thank you, Trinity and Pastor Wollenberg, for reminding me that many people do care, care deeply about family and church.
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