I have been reflecting lately on so many wonderful things I see God doing in and through our congregation. We received another group of New Members at the end of September, we hosted an LWML Women's Retreat up at Kilauea Military Camp in Volcanoes National Park that was attended by 35 women, we have a young man who will go through the Rite of Confirmation on Reformation Sunday which is also the day of our Oktoberfest after service, and we continue to welcome new people into the life of worship and ministry. It's amazing!

In addition to these activities, I have been hearing people sharing things that demonstrate how they are growing in their faith. In one case, it's leading a person towards the waters of baptism and faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior for the first time in their life. In other cases, it's a deepening understanding of scripture or a desire to be a more faithful disciple, but over and over again, I see God's blessings.

This fall has a different feeling for me as I have announced my plans for retirement at the end of May 2025. Each event between now and then is our "last" for our time here. This will be our last Reformation Service, our last Trunk or Treat, our last Thanksgiving and so on. While there could be sadness in those "lasts", rather what I'm feeling even more so is pure joy. That joy is because of how faithful I see God is to all of us and especially how faithful He is showing Himself to be to our congregation! I am excited because I know that our God will continue to bless through each season. It's a fantastic fall as this year especially because we can see so clearly those blessings. 

Give thanks!
Pastor Mark