We are all blessed in so many ways...but. Does that make us whole and well? In this past Sunday's Gospel reading we heard about the 10 lepers who were blessed in a huge way, by Jesus healing them and making them clean. But only the one, who returned to praise and thank God for the gift, was declared well, whole. We can go throughout life enjoying many blessings, maybe even taking them for granted, or worse yet thinking we've deserved them in some way or another. But without recognizing the Giver of all gifts and without returning our thanks and praise, we will never really be whole or well. What can you be thankful for today and this week? When we start to be grateful for our blessings, life takes on a whole new and wonderful look. That even changes how we see our failings and things that don't seem like blessings...as opportunities for God to work in a new way in our lives.
Speaking of giving thanks...the following is a note of thanks from our parish nurse, Bonnie Lanyi. She has been our parish nurse for the past 8 years. At the same time, for the past 4 years Bonnie has been a seminarian at Luther seminary, via a "distance learning" program, which she has been able to do from here in Vero Beach, with a couple of trips a year up to Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN. At this time, as a part of her journey to becoming a pastor, she will be entering her internship at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sebastian, leading up to her graduation in May of 2015. Because of that, she will no long be able to serve as our parish nurse. The past weekend Bonnie was with us at all 3 services as we thanked her for her ministry with us, and now send her off with our blessing as she enters this new part of her journey. God bless you Bonnie! Following is a word from Bonnie:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Many, many sincere thanks from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of love, support and encouragement. You have touched me deeply. I have been so blessed to serve in ministry with you all. The people of this church share the fruits of the Holy Spirit so freely. God is so obviously at work through so many people here and in so many ways. I am so very grateful to have been a part of this ministry. Thank you so much! +with much love and appreciation, Bonnie
Due to Bonnie's great work with our Parish Health Ministry Team our Parish Nurse Program will continue to be a wonderful part of the ministry of Our Savior. The team continues with David Young coordinating our Eucharistic ministers, and Rachel Little who will now be stepping into Bonnie's role. Many thanks to all who so faithfully keep this going!
Now a couple of misc. notes: This Wednesday at 5:30pm we will have our annual "Blessing of the Animals", in commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi. This is always a happy time of giving thanks to God for those wonderful creatures in our lives, who are so often channels of unconditional love to us. We meet this year outside in the Memorial Garden, followed by a hamburger and hotdog picnic supper at 6pm. There will be seating both inside and outside, where your pets are welcome to accompany you to supper!
A light at the end of the tunnel...the new covered walkways are scheduled to be installed beginning Monday Oct. 28! Thanks for putting up with all the construction messiness in the meantime. Looking ahead to this coming Saturday, Oct. 19, there will be a Cystic Fibrosis Walk at Royal Palm Pointe Park. Check in is at 8am, walk begins at 9pm. Heather and Gene Reetz are walking in honor of their daughter, a CF patient. If you would like to join them, call 772-234-2940.
Finally, this coming weekend new members will be received at all 3 services. Please be sure to offer them a warm Our Savior welcome!
For other information on the life and ministry of Our Savior, please check our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.
Have a blessed, and thankful week! Gratefully, Pastor Jack Diehl +
No comments:
Post a Comment