For now 27 years, the "From the Pastor's Pen" articles that I’ve been writing for our church's newsletter have in large measure been of a devotional nature. Occasionally, I might have addressed an issue of particular concern in the life of our congregation or to me personally. Those articles were, though, the rare exceptions. Beginning with this month's newsletter "From the Pastor’s Pen," will change to "A 'Nickel's Worth.'" Sometime ago I sent out e-mails with that title. This I suppose is "A 'Nickel's Worth's'" latest permutation. Then in the months to follow here in this space, I intend to share some of my thoughts on some of the "goings on" around our church. I pray you’ll find these musings both informative and "worth your while."

I hope you've been taking advantage of this year's midweek Lenten services. Each week LCMS pastors from our circuit and from around our area have been sharing a message on one of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer. We so regularly pray that "prayer our Lord taught us" that it's easy for us to lose sight of the rich meaning that the various phrases of that magnificent prayer convey. If you've been attending these services - keep us the good work. If you've not, let me encourage you to come out for the remaining Lenten midweek services. I'm confident you’ll be glad you did.

When you see Joanne Bierwirth around the building, be sure to congratulate her on 25 years of faithful service in the teaching ministry of our Lutheran Church. This is truly a milestone for Joanne. Certainly over the years she has touched many young lives with the love of our Lord Jesus.

Then speaking of congratulations, a few weeks back we, as a congregation, celebrated the 25th wedding anniversaries of three couples – Don and Joyce Drife, Greg and Lynne Gerfen, and Doug and Judi Lockhart. Again we thank God for His many blessings to these couples and pray that He grant them many more years of married life together. This year's "Anniversary Sunday" was an elegant event - as it always is. Many thanks go out to the Bloxoms, Blums, Davis', Fishers, Moirs, and Skates' (I hope I'm not leaving anyone out) for spearheading the event. Many thanks also to the many others who contributed in so many ways to mark this "milestone event" for these three anniversary couples.

And while I'm looking back, let me just note that our newly elected boards have begun their work. Greg Gerfen has assumed the presidency of our congregation. Greg has "big shoes to fill" replacing Richard Elmquist. However, I'm confident that Greg will do an outstanding job in that capacity. In his short time in office, he's already been doing an excellent job in preparing us all for the upcoming Eleven Mile Road construction. Greg is supported on the Board of Directors by Don Blum, Vice President; Lee Pritchard, Secretary; Mark Fisher, Treasurer; and Board Members Jerry Johnson, Jo Pritchard, Anne Wheatley, and Kim Zurawski. The Board of Elders remains "in tact" from last year. It consists of Don Drife, Don Good, Doug Jackson, Bob Kantz, Mike Landgraf, Matt Tonkovich, and Doug Zurawski. Lee Pritchard and Eric Rapp are also very much involved in the workings of our elders. I'm going to look forward to working with each of these fine leaders this year. Please remember to keep them in your prayers on a regular basis as they lead us in our congregation's work and worship.

Recently I was contacted by the Synod's Commission for Ministerial Growth and Support (CMGS) and asked to be a PALS (Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support) Facilitator. A PALS Facilitator in essence mentors from 6 to 10 recently graduated new pastors as they transition into the Office of the Holy Ministry. Donna would serve alongside of me in this endeavor, helping the wives of these "new" pastors to adjust to life in a parish ministry context. I'll be discussing this opportunity for ministry to the "church at large" with our Elders. As in the past with the LWML or the Lutheran Center Association or the Lutheran High School Association or as Circuit Counselor and as currently with the State Police, I would only want to take on this new responsibility with the approval and encouragement of our congregation. That being said, I'd certainly welcome any feelings you might have regarding this potential responsibility.

The Eleven Mile construction is coming very soon. By the time you read this letter, Don Blum, our Vice President, will have addressed the congregation about the various routes that might be taken coming to and going from church. Soon you’ll be receiving correspondence from the church office via U.S. Mail providing directions and maps. While we've repeatedly been told things will be a mess for the next 10 months, we want to do all we can so all our members can regularly and faithfully continue to be actively involved here at church.

That leads to my final word for this month. Don't let road construction or anything else keep you away from church. Rather be like the Psalmist who declared: "I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord!"

God continue to be with you and bless you.

In Him, with you,




Pastor Peter Nickel