January 2021

Post date: Dec 23, 2020 7:26:31 PM

Beloved in Christ, probably all of us are ready to move on to a new year after 2020. Between the Covid pandemic, the illnesses, deaths, restrictions and shut downs, the killing of Black Americans by bad-apple police officers, the unemployment, the politics and disinformation, the fires and storms, I think nearly everyone is ready to turn the page on 2020. The year 2021 looks more promising eventually, as vaccines get distributed. But we also know that we will have to keep wearing face masks and physically distancing for a while. Hopefully, by late spring or summer things will start to return to normal.

2020 has been a rough year all around. But the Church, and particularly our church, First Lutheran in Ellensburg, is surviving thanks to your generous offerings and good stewardship of your time and talents. One good thing the epidemic has forced us to do is to get our worship services online, first through zoom (Thank you Chuck Boss!) and now via YouTube (Thank you Doug Fessler!) Our Savior Jesus is with us through all the changes and chances of this earthly life. And our eternal life is never in question, thanks to his death and resurrection.

Speaking of changes, Christine Rice, our super capable office administrator told me on December 8th that she is taking a full time position for Kittitas County. I instantly felt a sense of both panic and loss. Christine has been with FLC for 13 years now and I have come to rely on her for many, many things. A good office administrator really is a pastor and congregation’s right arm. We have been lucky to have Christine with us for so many years. We will miss her friendly good cheer, competence, efficiency and computer skills. It will be hard to find someone as excellent and friendly as Christine. We wish her all the best in her new position. Christine will be will us through early January, so stop by and say “Thanks for everything.”

But I am very excited to start working with Julie Anna Boss as our new Youth & Family Director. First Lutheran is combining the Ministry Associate position (Carla Bergman’s job) and Youth Director position into one. Julie Anna feels a strong calling to work with children, youth and families in our congregation. Thanks be to God!

“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. O hear the angel voices.

O night divine, O night when Christ was born.

O night, O holy night, O night divine!”

May the love of Jesus our Savior Emmanuel bring peace, hope and love in this new year,

Pastor Dennis