Sunday, March 1, 2009

Letter to Immanuel


First Sunday in Lent, 01 March, 2009

Dear Members of Immanuel, Sheridan:

Considering a new Divine Call, like the one I received to serve you, is an intensely personal and emotional experience. In many ways, it is a crossroads for a pastor. It is also a crossroads for both the calling congregation as well as for a congregation whose pastor has been considering a Call. Ann and I thank you for your prayers for us as well as for Trinity, Morrill.

A Divine Call may not always mean a move for a pastor, but the Lord of the Church always uses such a Call to move both congregations to reevaluate what they are doing in response to hearing the Lord’s Word and receiving His gifts, especially in how Christians carry out the Lord’s work in a given place, actively engaged in spreading the Gospel and intentionally serving those in any physical or spiritual need.

After much prayer and deliberation, considering the “big picture” of both my current call to Trinity and the new call to Immanuel, and after talking with many people who know me and both congregations well, the Lord has led me to accept the call to Immanuel, Sheridan. We’re coming!

My last Sunday at Trinity, Morrill will be March 29th. I have been prayerful about the timing of wrapping up my ministry at Trinity, mindful of their current adult confirmands, as well as completing the move and beginning ministry in Sheridan before Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Would an April 5th afternoon Installation Service be possible? I will communicate with your leaders about other arrangements.

The Lord has blessed Immanuel Lutheran with many wonderful and exciting opportunities to tell the Good News about Jesus. I look forward to serving you both as Pastor and Headmaster and rejoicing with you in God’s good gifts in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In the Love of Christ,

Rev. Paul J Cain

 

Cc:

Rev. Richard Boche, Wyoming District President

Rev. Kirk Peters, Vacancy Pastor, Third Vice President

Rev. Peter Bertram, Pine Ridge Circuit Visitor

Rev. Timothy Klug, Yellowstone Circuit Visitor