September 2022

Dear People of God,

As much as I love summer, by later August we are probably all ready for the cooler days that September brings. Hopefully the fires will be mostly out, although the first few weeks of September have come to be known as the smoky season in the last years.

I did enjoy 4 weeks of R & R this summer. My personal thanks go to Julie Anna Boss, Warren Street and Sheila Johnson for preaching and helping lead worship while I was away. I greatly enjoyed hiking, backpacking and camping in our Cascade Mountains. I also enjoyed kayaking with my Brother Brian. We also celebrated my mother-in-law’s 85^th birthday in Spokane with a seafood dinner.

A highlight of vacation was climbing Mt. Adams with my Son Kyle and his girlfriend Emily. I may be getting too old to climb another 12,000 ft. peak again, but it was a great experience and the weather was perfect. The view from the top was amazing! Starting up to the summit from high camp early on Sat Aug 6^th we did need our crampons and ice axes on the icy snow. But coming back down after 11 am the snow softened up and we had fun sliding down a fair amount on our backsides!

There were quite a few people up there on a beautiful August Saturday, but it’s a big mountain. Some people went faster. Some people went slower. Some even skied down! (not me). I was reminded of a saying among marathon runners. There are no winners or losers, just finishers.

The Christian life is like a spiritual long distance race. Paul writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 3:7-8

We are all in different places in our Christian life and journey, depending on our age. But we all keep on keeping on, using our time and talents to help others along the way until the Good Lord calls us to our final glorious home.

Many things start up again in September, after the excitement of the Ellensburg Fair & Rodeo, of course. Especially, another school year for students, teachers and parents starts up.

Education is so important. We mourn the loss of education for girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban and pray for a change there. May God bless students, teachers, and parents with a great year of learning together.

God bless our worshipping community here at First Lutheran as we learn and grow together in the love of Jesus.

Peace in Christ, Pastor Dennis

PS: Remember to roll up your windows and lock your car doors while at church. It’s still zucchini season!