Disciple Men’s Rally

This is my final rendering to you of “From My Plate to Your Plate”. First, I thank all of you for the warm farewells, cards, and wishes for my future. I am also grateful for the very generous retirement gift that you shared with me. It was deeply appreciated and shall be put aside for some special desires as they come to mind.

I also thank all of those brave men who drove through the driving rains on Saturday, so that they could be in Bethany, Illinois to pick up all of Pastor Tracy’s goods and to assist with helping her to move into her new apartment in downtown Middletown.

Since this is the end of my third interim and the longest interim that I have held, I am prayerfully considering this to really be a retirement. Other opportunities for ministry may come along and I will always be available for pulpit supply as needed.

In the meantime, you are beginning a new day, embracing a fresh opportunity, and launching a new ministry with Pastor Tracy Siegman. Introduce yourselves and share your love and friendship with her as you have shared your love and friendship with me.

I shall be in prayer for you and for First Christian as this ministry not only begins, but continues to grow and flourish.

Most of you know that I am a trained musician. I regret that I will not be able to share an oboe solo with you before I depart. Perhaps, at some point in the future I can return to provide special music.

My hats off and my deep gratitude to Rachel Eve Davis as she continues to serve as our music director. Not only does she provide accompaniment from the piano or the organ, but she also serves as our choir director and sometimes leads singing as she is playing. Since my time of coming to be with you she has done a noble job of picking hymns for each Sunday. Some of these hymns are quite traditional, but we often have a mix of the contemporary.

Not all hymn styles may fit into everyone’s agenda. Some like the very traditional while others prefer the contemporary. We seek from Sunday to Sunday to provide a blend of the contemporary with the traditional.

I want you to think for a moment about traditional hymnody. A number of the very traditional hymns we attribute to Fanny Crosby. She wrote such great hymns like “To God Be the Glory”, “Praise Him! Praise Him!”, Jesus is Tenderly Calling Thee Home”, and “Blessed Assurance”.

I contend that when any of those hymns were first introduced there was an outcry among worshipers, “We can’t sing these hymns. Give us the old hymns”. My friends, have we changed any? One of the contemporary hymns that I believe most of us love is “Lord, Prepare Me to be a Sanctuary.” Note how hymns like that begin to grow on you.

I pray for the day when you may be able to have an accompanist like Rachel Eve, a choir director and song leader, and other musical leadership as needed.

With God’s Love,

Pastor Nik

Easter began with our Sonrise Service being able to be held in our outdoor worship area. Last year, the weather would not allow this. We had a good group of worshipers join us outside for this service in a beautiful setting. Amongst the chirping birds, God’s creation beginning to break forth into new life, and the spirit of a resurrection morning, we could celebrate.

Following our outdoor worship, many gathered in our Fellowship Hall for breakfast. Thanks to all of the preparers who made this possible. Easter worship was truly moving as we celebrated the baptism of Nick Otis, Travis Hendricks, and Tyler Hendricks. My heartfelt thanks to Cliff Thompson, the Chair of our Elders, as I commissioned him to perform the rite of holy baptism on these three fine young men. Baptism recalls that moment of burial and rising to new life with Christ.

I presented each of the baptismal candidates with a burning candle and a salt shaker to remind them that Jesus has called each of us to be the light of the world as well as the salt of the earth. I pray that they may display these significant symbols in a prominent place in their homes to continually remind them of what Jesus actually expects from each one of us.

May the spirit of the resurrection remain with all of you as you prepare to soon welcome Pastor Tracy Siegman into your midst. Pray for her and for one another as you launch a new ministry together.

With God’s Love,

Pastor Nik