It was read late but it was still appreciated. . .

Adriane Heins is a very talented woman and editor of The Lutheran Witness (and doing a bang up job!).  I only wish more Lutherans would cough up the paltry $14 a District subscription costs and enjoy the riches of that fine magazine every month!  [Speaking to those in my own parish, you still have time!!]

Adriane also has a fine blog and I had to repost something I finally read from that blog -- late, well after Christmas, but still greatly appreciated.  I know she puts in words the sentiments of many parishioners but it is awfully nice for a pastor to hear (or read) them -- especially after the busyness of a December filled with extra services, duties, sermons, and the sacrifice of a holy day spent with the parish instead of the family (like many folks expect).

thank you

December 22, 2014 / Adriane Heins

 

For spending more hours than normal each week writing extra sermons,
For braving the children’s pageant where little Elizabeth will inevitably set her dress on fire,
For sacrificing time with your family each Wednesday or Thursday night,
For preaching about the same things every Advent and Christmas even though those of us in the pew should remember it by now,
For leading Christmas caroling at the nursing home because the piano player forgot to show up,
For going to bed late because an elder needed to talk to you after the Christmas Eve service and for being up again early on Christmas morning to unlock the church doors,
For never being able to travel to your parents’  home during Advent or Christmas or even New Years’ Eve or Day,
For being consistently tired during the month of December,
For picking faithful hymns for these seasons of the Church Year, knowing that we will hum them throughout the week,
For listening to us struggle and cry and mourn during “the most wonderful time of the year,”
For helping us watch and wait for Jesus’ second coming with repentance and joy,
and for pointing us to Christ at every turn,

thank you, pastors.