The View from the Pulpit:

Dear Fellow Saints at Resurrection,

In lieu of an article written by me, I would like to share with you an article written by Rev. Bob Tasler, a retired LCMS pastor, entitled:

“Holding a Hand!”

The nurse escorted the anxious old man to the bedside of the young man.  “Your father is here,” she whispered to the patient.  She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.  He was heavily sedated from the pain of a terrible auto accident, and not expected to live.  Barely able to see, he reached out his hand and squeezed the old man’s hand.  The nurse brought over a chair and placed it next to the bed.  All through the night the old man sat holding the young man’s hand.

As dawn approached, the young man breathed his last.  The old man wept as he placed the lifeless hand back on the bed and went to call the nurse.  “Who was he,” he asked.  Startled, the nurse replied, “I thought he was you son.”  “No, he wasn’t my son.  I’ve never seen him before.  I was looking for someone who was supposed to be on this floor and you brought me to this room.”  “Then why didn’t you say something when you realized the mistake?” the nurse asked.  The old man replied, “He was injured so badly.  I was here ten minutes before I realized that this wasn’t the young man I was looking for.  But he seemed too sick to tell the difference, so I just stayed.  I think he needed a father by his side.”

AND SO DO WE!  Our most basic need is to be loved, to be approved, to be valued.  We can tolerate a mountain of trouble if we know someone loves us.  Our heavenly Father does, so He is by our side, and He will never leave us.  He holds our hand when we are sick and quiets our hearts when we are troubled.  Then He asks us to be His hands to hold the hands of others and to be His voices and feet to do His errands of mercy.  Join me in doing this, won’t you??

PSS:  SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS                 

1)   Please continue to record your worship and communion attendance on the Friendship Pads every Sunday.  This sets a good example for our Church Guests, and will encourage them to sign, also!

2)   Please have any GOOD NEWS BLAST announcements to Ann Wahlstrom no later than Tuesday, 12 Noon.  And please have any BULLETIN announcements to Ann no later than Wednesday, 12 Noon.  Please write out your announcement, and add your name and phone number to the announcement in case Ann has a question before preparing the Blast or the Bulletin.  THANK YOU!