Pastor’s Ponderings
What a difference a month makes! This time last month I was writing all excited about the month of June and the possibilities for new ministry that we would be exploring together. I was looking forward to Day Camp at “Saddle Ridge Ranch” and all of the fun that would be for all of the “children” of the congregation. I was really ready to begin the work of the Youth Group with the Agape concert to be held in the Lake High School Gym. I was ready for Calvary 2015, and the chance for us to look at our life together as community and share some ideas of where we see the Lord calling us in the next five years. I was hoping that we would be sitting down with our brothers and sisters in Christ from the
Lake Township area to talk about and plan how we can in the future work together as one community for the Kingdom of God.
All of that changed at 11:25 pm on the night of June 5th. In an instant life changed forever for our community and our congregation. The change came not from planning and discussing. The change was not a gradual one, as we worked together to figure things out. No this change came violently with little warning, as the life of Lake Township, Moline and Millbury, along with folks in Ottawa, Lucas and Fulton counties, were changed by a horrific and deadly storm that produced tornados that ripped through the heart of our community.
As I write this my senses should be overloaded with Bible Camp. I should be hearing the sound of children singing, laughing and playing, but also learning about the love that God has for them. I should be smelling the delicious lunch made with such love and care by volunteers. I should be seeing the wonderful crafts made with such care that always come with a lesson attached. Lynn’s office should be filled with cowboy and cowgirl “stuff.” Instead Lisa Mora, a social worker from Lutheran Disaster Response has taken up residence there to assist all of the families impacted by this tragedy. Bible camp will have to wait, because our lives changed, and we have been called by the Lord to do other work in His name.
Instead of making the final preparations for the Agape concert we are left with the task of reaching out to the children and young people of Lake Schools. As community it is important for us to help deflect, if only for a day, their thoughts about how their lives were changed. A school that has served this community for decades now lays silent forever. Clean, shiny halls; classrooms were so much learning took place, and the gymnasium where strong school spirit was on display, now lies in ruins. It is that spirit however that can never be taken away. The pride of being a Lake Flyer will not be diminished. I know this because it was in the initial days of clean up I saw so many young people out helping and serving their neighbors in need, wearing their Lake High shirts. The concert will have to wait, because our lives have been changed and we have been called by the Lord to do other work in His name.
Calvary 2015 has taken on all new kinds of dimensions. Any talk of ministry, and how that ministry will look in five years has changed. Where we are and where we serve is different now and will never be the same. As we make plans now it will have to be with the events of June 5th in the backs of our minds. Ministry will be impacted. Instead of talking with our brothers and sisters in Christ of the Lake Township Churches on how we can work together, WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER with them. There is no time for discussion and planning. The meaning of the picnic has taken on vastly different implications. We will come together to enjoy each other to be sure, but we also will be coming together to grieve with each other, to hold each other and to be community with each other in a very real, new and different way. We will do all of this because God has called to build His Kingdom.
I want to thank each and every volunteer who has come out to help in anyway. I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I have felt them and they have made a difference. Jesus promises us that he is with us always, and He is with us all now, and with His help and grace we will see this through, and in the end Calvary, Millbury, Lake Township and the surrounding area will be better than ever.
I am so blessed to be your Pastor.
Pease and Blessings,
Pastor Bob
