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Pastor’s Report to the
Congregation For 2009
I thank you members of
Third for the ministry we have performed together in this past year. Worship, which is the work of the
people, has been done faithfully and well. The worship services have maintained a high level of
participation and we have been adventurous in our worship. We introduced Evangelical Lutheran Worship,
the new hymnal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in this past year have used five different
settings to the worship service: settings one and two from the green book, the service of the word from
the blue book and setting four and ten from our new hymnal. You continue to be a great musical
congregation. We have been blessed with youth participation,
lectors,
worship leaders, communion assistants, ushers, counters, choir, pianists, organists, altar guild and
those who decorate and make Third Lutheran beautiful. The good work of the office staff prepares all of
us for participation in worship. The custodial care and grounds keeping add to our worship. Most people
are not aware of the effort that is spent on the production of good worship. You are all to be
commended.
It is obvious that worship
is the center of what we do. The Word is proclaimed, Holy Communion is celebrated, baptism is preformed
and celebrated and the ordinances of the church are done in good order. Thank you for your attention to
detail that all is done in good order.
God’s Word moves us to
social action and here the family of Third Lutheran has responded to be helping hands to those in need
of support and affirmation. Support has been given to needy families and many have been remembered with
a prayer shawl. God’s Word moves us to celebrate in the community. The Fall Festival brought our
celebration outdoors for the Rhinebeck community to gather in our yard. By the work of many we have been
made known to our community.
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Through our unique
participation on all hallows eve we open our doors to the children and parents of the community of
making Christ known as the children come trick and treating. Our fellowship gatherings celebrate in the
social hall what we celebrate in the sanctuary. Our Sunday breakfasts have become Sunday brunches which
allows more time to linger.
We have celebrated
outreach together in the successful planning and conduct of the three day Lutheran revival. The efforts
and fruits of the revival attested to the successful work in progress of the formation of the Lutheran
Parish of Northern Dutchess.
I
was blessed three and one half years ago to be assigned as your vacancy and supply pastor. It was
obvious to me that this was not to be a care taking assignment. Third Lutheran was a vibrant place with
a live Christian worship. Because of the circumstances of St. Paul’s Memorial and Third it became
obvious that a new thing had to be done. That new thing led to the vision of new relationships. Under
good able dedicated leaders the concept of the three point parish has become a reality. It is now our
task to make it work. None of the participating congregations is now in a caretaker relationship with
its pastor or the synod. We are now in a growth relationship.
We have passed the test of survival. As we strive together we will learn what new behaviors we need to
develop to grow. God has given us a good history. This past year gives us reason for great hope and
trust that God will provide.
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