Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus! Last evening, St. James’s new Council met for the first time and elected congregational officers.
Before sharing their names, I would like to thank the 2018 executive leadership team. Many thanks go to President Jeff Owens, Vice President Brenda Nygren-Moe, Secretary Steve Hawks, Treasurer Jim Collins, Financial Secretary Sid Aarestad, and Director of Ministry and Operations Doreen Evans. Additional thanks go to the 2018 Council: Jeff Owens, Brenda Nygren-Moe, Steve Hawks, Jim Collins, Chris Clark, Ainsley Fuerst, Pam Larson, Bjorn Pearson, and Paul Wojahn. Because of your dedication, commitments, and faithfulness, we were able to navigate changing waters and strengthen the overall ministry of St. James to build and deepen loving relationships with God, with each other, and with our neighbors. The entire St. James Lutheran community owes you its gratitude and appreciation for your service. Thank you, also, from the bottom of my heart.
On Sunday, March 3, during the 9:30 p.m. worship, we will install the 2019 Council and its officers. Please join me in giving thanks for them: Birdie Olson (President), Jeff Owens (Vice President), Brenda Nygren-Moe (Secretary), Jim Collins (Treasurer), Sid Aarestad (Financial Secretary), Chris Clark, Ainsley Fuerst, Steve Hawks, Bjorn Pearson, and Jon Zimmerman. We ask God’s guidance, vision, discernment, and imagination for these elected/appointed leaders.
At the end of every Council meeting since my call to St. James as Lead Pastor, I have prayed the following:
Lord God, you call your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils and possibilities unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.
Have a blessed day and I look forward to seeing you in worship,
Pastor Walt