Dear Saints of Advent:

How can I ever thank you for the most wonderful way a pastor could retire? To worship with you and proclaim God’s Word to you and bring to you the body and blood of Christ – this was my joy as it was John the Baptist’s joy. (I think we should call him “John the Lutheran.”) It was a day to remember for the rest of my life. Your affectionate words and embraces were too much for my fragile emotions to handle. But they were medicine for my soul.

Your gifts of cards and letters and financial contributions will also be cherished. I look so forward to seeing you all again upon Solveig’s and my return at the end of June. Please keep our Heritage Tour in your prayers. I am sure that they will all be excited to share with you their great adventure.

I would also like to give thanks to our congregational leadership, our president and elders, for their great kindness and thoughtful planning. I must also give specific thanks to Pastor Grady, Monte Weimer and Juanita Duncan, along with our whole music staff, Phil Spray and Phil Lehman and Deb Trewartha, for their hard work in bringing glory to God as we said our farewells. The brunch was wonderful, although I never got to eat any of it. I was being well fed with your words and kind comments.

May our Lord be with you in the coming days and months as you go about the process of calling a new Senior Pastor. May the Holy Spirit keep you safe in the arms of our Heavenly Father, and may He continue to send His Son in Word and Sacrament to care for your bodies and souls until we all reach our heavenly goal. There we will feast together into eternity. How wonderful to have that hope and to long for that day to come!

Your “retired” Pastor Fiene

P. S.  See you in church!