Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am no actuary but I do like to work with numbers and it is official — the last four years we have had
a high percentage of bad weather — snow, ice, freezing temperatures — on the weekend. If we take December
— February as meteorological winter that gives us 52 Sundays (5 +4+4 x 4) the last four years. We have had
16 weather events – almost 1/3 of the time. Add in there a Lenten Service and New Year’s Eve Service that
were cancelled and we throw our hands up — “Enough!” This year alone (2019) we have had snow/ice on 5
of the 7 Sundays as I write this. One more tidbit — last year we had snow/ice on the last Sunday of March —
please no!
All right, come out from under your blanket. Pull up a chair and a cup of hot chocolate and let’s talk,
Pastor to people. I’ve not given up. I know worship for many of you has been inconsistent because of the
weather. There is no rhythm of seeing each other every week. Habits can form — bad habits — but I am not
giving up on you, so please don’t give up on yourself. For some of you life circumstances have changed which
make it more difficult to get here. Please reach out so we can help. We have members willing to pick you up
and get you back home. This outreach happens every Sunday with a few of our brothers and sisters.
Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be. I can’t plan anything because who knows what the
weather is going to be the next day. I’ve been praying for better weather (and yes I know the joke from many
of you and my fellow Pastors — you have requested I stop – but I can’t). This is a spiritual battle. The devil is
wily and his schemes are non-stop so we can’t just quit our intercessions because we don’t see improvement.
I know prayer works. Remember the winter we built our church? The Lord provided a mild winter and little
snow and the construction people were able to work continually. The Lord heard us then and He will hear us
now.
The Lord has not given up on you. He loves you. He died for you. He wants to feed you through
Word and Sacrament. He doesn’t want your snow shovel to be permanently in your hands. We thank Him
that He has kept safe many who have made it to His House. Come out of hibernation — your brothers and
sisters are excited to see you — but no one is more excited than your Savior.
In Christ,
Pastor