Pastor's Article

There are so many new aspects to our live as a congregation. We are learning new ways to worship
online. We are practicing new ways to gather in-person that include wearing masks and having our
temperature checked. We have new church management software. Our building has new signs. Since
we cannot sing together, we are even taking up new (to us) ways of making music in worship!

But of all that is new at Faith Lutheran, I am most excited for our new members. On June 21 st , 14 new
members joined Faith Lutheran Church. This is the largest class of new members in over a decade.

These 14 people new members have navigated not only learning to worship and take New Members’
Classes online, but have also strived to make connections and build relationships in the congregation at a time when the usual settings for such things, coffee hour, potlucks, have been postponed indefinitely.

And so I am asking for your help. Membership has its privileges, but at Faith Lutheran those privileges
rarely excite. Members are able to vote at congregational meetings and serve on the council. Like voting and serving in public office in our secular community, these are incredibly important responsibilities. But these 14 people didn’t become new members so that they could vote. They have pledged to live out their faith in Jesus as a part of this congregation because they want to be part of a community that shares the love of God. They want to work along side you in God’s vineyard. They want to pray with you in God’s house. They want to break bread with you at God’s table. And they want to heal the world with you in God’s name.

For these new members to do all this, they need to get to know you, and for you to get to know them.
And so I ask you, when you see these people in worship, greet them! Introduce yourself and share the
passions that God has put in your heart. And ask what God has been up to in their lives. If you see these
people online, greet them in the comments. Let them know you are glad to be siblings with them in
Christ. These new members have their contact information in the new directory. Consider writing them a card. And when it is safe to do so again, invite them out for some fun. And if you don’t yet have a new directory, contact the office and we’ll get you one.

And if you haven’t already, I encourage you to watch the video of the new members introducing
themselves and offering their prayers.

We are all facing so many challenges right now. But for this moment, I give thanks that in the faces of
these new members, I remember the abundant blessings that God continues to shower on our
community. And I rejoice that I get to share those blessings with you.

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Ben Colahan