St. Andrews Lutheran Church

Grace to You!

In the afterglow of the Easter celebration, I believe a few words of thanks are appropriate. Sometimes it’s hard to believe how many people are involved behind the scenes just so that when you walk through the doors on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, the worship can begin. Sure, as Pastor I plan the worship and write the sermons – but that would not happen if Debbie Proffitt didn’t faithfully and efficiently send me advance copies of the worship bulletin, take my additions and corrections, then reformat them into a usable and workable form. From there they are printed, folded, stuffed with inserts, then distributed to all worship attendees. When Holy Week sees no less than four different services all requiring this process, kudos go to all the printers, folders, stuffers, and distributors of this vast worship experience.

But someone else gets the worship space ready. Flowers and banners don’t hang themselves up. Communion doesn’t just set itself on the altar. The sanctuary and the pews just don’t clean themselves following the prior week’s services. And all of this intensifies when you have back to back to back worship opportunities. There are also the men who stand on tall ladders and change veils over the crosses. During all these services, men and women join to welcome guests, usher, serve as worship and communion assistants, read Scripture, give Children’s Messages and keep the audio systems functioning. Thanks to all these faithful servants.

Then for Easter, lots of preparation went into the activities that made your children happy. People worked to fill Easter eggs and then hide them. Those eggs were filled with items that were donated by you and purchased in advance, knowing these things had to be done. We thank those who organize and get these projects done faithfully. And we can talk about breakfast on Easter as well. Between the two services, the line extended well into the narthex and was fairly continuous. We need to thank all those who bought the food, planned the meal, organized the youth helpers, 20 cooked and then served the ‘hundreds’ of attendees. We also thank the attendees who took their time to come early or stay and eat and gave freewill donations to the youth group.

In addition, week after week the sanctuary is filled with the joyful sounds of music.  Sure the congregation is the voice, but organists provide the background to that voice. I praise the organists because they often work with late notice of the songs yet they have preludes, postludes, chanting and offertories as well as the hymns ready to play on piano or organ. All this gets done while the rest of the congregation just shows up and receives their gifts of music. And if we forget the St. Andrews Bell Choir we do so at our own risk. This group of women (though men are invited to join as well) is consistently practicing for weeks in advance of each performance in worship. They add so much to the overall specialness of worship; making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

During a high, holy season these special characters and volunteers come into greater focus. But this happens 52-weeks per year-a regular and ongoing process of volunteers working behind the scenes to make our worship experience a smooth, reverential, and fulfilling time with God. You can see why I as your Pastor want to express my thankfulness and appreciation for all the ongoing support of the ministry of Word and Sacrament that you perform. St. Andrews – Thank You! May God bless all your future service in His house of worship.

Someone asked me the other day how they could volunteer to serve in some of these positions. Maybe you too would like to join in some element of this worship and service experience but don’t know who to ask or where to turn to offer help. My suggestion is to call the office and express your willingness. Debbie Proffitt or Debby Wilson or I as Pastor will find the right person to give your name and desires to serve. Sometimes training is involved and we can schedule that when we have a need. The tasks are ongoing and we continually look for new servants in many areas of the church. Where are your gifts that the Holy Spirit has distributed to all Christians? What are you excited to do? What are you good at doi ng? Pray for guidance in this area and we will pray for your service as well. Then, make yourself available and when the time is right-you will be called to serve the God who serves you through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Thanks for joining in the work of the family of God!

God’s blessings in May from your under-shepherd of Christ Jesus the Lord,

Pastor Jeff Duncan