All Members, Winter Residents, Family and Friends,
Greetings on this third Monday of July 2026. I trust that you each had a good 4th of July as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Nation. Susan and I had a great July 4th at the new vacation home of our daughter and her fiance’ on Marathon in the Florida Keys. We had an ocean side seat on the point of her property watching an outstanding firework display put on by the City of Marathon and the Airport. Susan and I spent the rest of the time in a rental on Cudjoe Key 23 miles north of Key West. Very relaxing and enjoyable.
While away I was able to outline two series of sermons. We conclude our series on Luther’s Small Catechism this coming week, then we start two new sermon series taking us almost to the end of the year.
The first starting a week from Sunday on the book of James. Five sermons examining the teaching of this great gem and often times overlooked book of the Bible.
Then following that we will have an extensive look at the “Fruits of the Spirit”. This is an indepth look of what the Holy Spirit provides and sustains in each one of us. This series will take us to Reformation Sunday and Then All Saints day followed by the last three Sunday of the Church year before entering into the season of Advent.
Additionally I selected from the Right Now Bible Study video based series the book of “First Thessalonians”. We will begin this study on September 6th, at 8:30AM each Sunday morning at the rear of the sanctuary.
It was unfortunate that the few blocks around the church were without power Sunday July12th, forcing the leadership of the church to cancel worship for that Sunday. We thank God that it was not more serious and apparently they had the power restored by 10:50AM long after you folks had already scattered home or to a local restaurant. One of the challenges that we do face is the simple fact that we do not have any retired Pastors available to come and do pulpit supply when I am on vacation nor do we have a substitute organist or pianist to fill in when Susan is away. Thanks to the help of Steve and Kayla Blake I am able to pre-record my sermons to show on Sundays. It is not perfect, but it is the best we can do at the present time. Additionally we purchased the Lutheran Service Book electronic hymn collection to lead the congregation in hymn singing. Neither is perfect nor ideal, but with limited resources this is the best we can do.
The summer months are notoriously the time of the year that we struggle the most with finances as the attendance has decreased, so does our weekly tithes and offerings also diminish. Yet our monthly bills such as water, internet, electricity, insurance and contracts continue throughout the summer. It is my prayer that all of us do our part in making up the financial loss for the Sunday that you did not meet for worship.
As most of you know by now last year I reduced my salary to one half of what I was receiving. I did this so the church could build a reserve for when the call goes out for the new Pastor in the months ahead. Although I am at half salary I am still putting in on most days a full day. Our church council is great to work with and they are working hard at getting many things wrapped up and completed in preparation to beging the call process. I am grateful for our recently reconstituted board of Elders as they step into some new areas of responsibility. Each of you will soon be learning again who your Elder is as we move forward. There is still a good deal of preparation that needs to be done as the congregation moves forward in the next 50 years.
I have attached the final sermon in the series on Luther’s Small Catechism in case you misplaced the one I sent out weeks ago.
Have a great week. See you Sunday.