And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:17)

There’s a rite from The Lutheran Service Book Agenda I can use to give thanks to God for servants of the congregation and the good works they do for the Church. I’ve used this rite in the past, usually at the end of the year or on the first Sunday of the New Year. The thing is, not everybody shows up for worship on Sunday, and so lots of people who would otherwise be recognized and thanked get missed.  I’d like to take this opportunity then to thank God for all of you, and recognize your good works from this past year. So many of you do so many things, so I’m just going to mention one thing for each person. I’ve put you all in alphabetical order according to the first letter of your first name. Now I realize many of you do good things for the congregation “under the radar” so to speak, and I’m not always aware of what you do. If you are that person, then I most certainly thank God for you too.

So I pray, Gracious Father, you direct Your people to use their gifts in service to others. Receive my thanks and praise for the faithful service of: Aaron Richard – for singing on Praise Team, Alan Halstead – for greeting people on Sunday, Alan Wachlin – for taking care of our two cemeteries, Amber Hutchison – for Camp Lutherwood Spring cleanup, Ava Granquist – for the diaper drive at our donation closet, Bill Benz – for reading the lectionary on Sunday, Bill Burda – for ushering the congregation on Sunday, Bill Hesse – for serving on the Board of Education, Bill Peters – for singing and playing guitar with the Praise Team,  Brenna Johnston – for leading the kids during Vacation Bible School,  Cathy Snyder – for greeting people on Sunday, Charlie Jagow – for repairing and maintaining our church property, Charlotte Karvia – for leading us in song and worship, Chuck Gollnick – for the best sound of any church I’ve ever visited or attended, Claire Shipman – for singing on the Praise Team, Claude Hampton – for visiting our sick and homebound members, Craig Anderson – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry and my family,  Crissy Garstka – for transition to new church website,  Cyndi Perone – for the church rummage sales, Dan Divine – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry and my family,  Daniel Na – for playing drums on Praise Team, Dave Van Winkle – for cooking on the grill David Sanchez – for being Joseph at the live nativity, Debbie Grace – for the care of our altar,  Dee Brosowske – for an excellent Oktoberfest, Dennis Brosowske – for keeping the cemetery looking beautiful, Diana Burda – for being an aide at our preschool, Donna Henley – for singing on Praise Team,  Dottie Bus – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Ean Hutchison – for helping replace roof on Modular B, Elaina Anderson – for providing animals for live nativity, Elissa Winslow – for serving as chair on the Board of Education, Elizabeth Johnston – for decorating the church Christmas tree, Ellen Kulle – for the care of our altar, Erin Anderson – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Ethel Simpson – for hosting junior confirmation at her home,  Frannie Moss – for leading us in song and worship for just about every Sunday of the year,  Gina Byers – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Glen Wetzel – for bringing hay bales for live nativity,  Jane Burda – for helping with our preschool, Jason Schmidt – for playing guitar on the Praise Team, Jeff Shipman – for singing and playing guitar on the Praise Team, Jeff Snyder – for maintaining and beautifying the church grounds, Jeff Zachritz – for playing guitar and singing on the Praise Team,  Jennifer Gatke – for another blessed and very fun Vacation Bible School,  Jennifer Snellen – for her tireless service to all of us in the church office, Jesse Ramirez – for his steadfast support for me and my family, and all our people, Jill Richard – for leading Sunday School, Jim Wiedemann – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry, my family, and all our people, Joey Perone – for decorating the church Christmas tree, John Prehm – for first Friday dinners, J.P. Garstka – for being Joseph at the live nativity,  Karen Baldwin – for recording and reporting the gifts of the congregation, Karen Shipman – for leading Thursday night Bible study, Karen Watson – for being an aide at our preschool, Karon Heinemann – for leading the women’s ministry including the tea, Kathy Beach – for her tireless support of the Hope Diner, Kathy Prehm – for loving and caring for the children of our city through our preschool, Kay Divine – for setting up coffee and snacks on Sunday, Kevin Hutchison – for serving on the board of Children, Youth, & Family Ministry, Kianna O’Sullivan – for ministering to our community at the donation closet, Kristen Johnston – for the Possible with God donation closet, Larry Vosseler – for reading the church lectionary on Sunday, Leo Doll – for greeting people before worship, Leslie Abbott – for assisting with Vacation Bible School, Leslie Atiyeh – for caring for the treasury and gifts the Lord has given our church, Lowal Labahn – for ushering on Sunday, Marge Peters – for setting up coffee and snacks Marilyn Jagow – for assisting Charlie in maintaining church property, Marcus O’Sullivan – for steadfast support of the pastoral ministry, my family, and all our people, Margaret Hampton – for ministering to our community at the donation closet,  Mari Jewel Ficken – for keeping our library in order and decorated, Martin Bush – for cooking on the grill Maxine Kiessling – for support of Pastor Rich and the Wednesday senior group, Mercy Vosseler – for reading the church lectionary on Sunday,  Mike Conzelmann – for the use of his shop to modify our new altar candles,  Mitchell Borwege – for decorating the church Christmas tree, Myrna Miller – for greeting people on Sunday, Nathan Shipman – for assisting with Vacation Bible School Orion Copley – for helping me water the church Christmas tree, Pary Pariseau – for the senior technology classes, Peggy Pariseau – for altar care during midweek worship, Rebecca Sanchez – for assisting with Sunday School,  Regina O’Sullivan – for ministering to our community at the donation closet, Ron Snyder – for greeting people on Sunday, Pastor Rich – for visiting the homebound and the sick, Shirley Case – for making quilts, Steve Perone – for helping me with the live nativity,  Susan Zabel – for the care of our altar, Tabatha Copley – for singing on the Praise Team, Talia Johnston – for being a chaperone at the National Youth Gathering,  Terri Greene – for recording the official minutes of the congregation’s many meetings,  Tim Grace – for leading us as president of the congregation, And for all our people who pray, give tithes and offerings, and receive God’s gifts with gladness, I give thanks to the Lord. Pastor Don December 31^st, 2019