Good Tidings

“Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Here is your God!'” Isaiah 40:9

Yesterday, Greta and I drove to Sterling, IL, to witness the ordination of our friend, the newest pastor in the ELCA, Pastor Makayla Mae Marinack Dahleen. She has been called and now installed as the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church. What a gift she is to this church!

As part of the Charge during the service, the bishop spoke these words:

Makayla, care for God’s people, bear their burdens, and do not betray their confidence. So discipline yourself in life and teaching that you preserve the truth, giving no occasion for false security of illusory hope. Witness faithfully in word and deed to all people. Give and receive comfort as you serve within the church. And be of good courage, for God has called you, and your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

In the same that witnessing a wedding is a powerful reminder and strengthening of my own marriage, so witnessing an ordination reaffirms my own calling. What a gift and a blessing to be a herald of good tidings! We proclaim a gospel whose hope is not illusory, whose promise is not in vain. The world needs preachers, and the church gained a good one yesterday. Thanks be to God!

I count myself blessed to serve as pastor among the saints at Grace Lutheran Church & School, and yesterday only reenforced this feeling. Again, thanks be to God.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

Gracious Lord, thank you for lifting up heralds to go and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. May you strengthen your servants as they live out their calling today. In Jesus’ name.

Image: Pastor Makayla presiding at the table, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sterling, IL, October 11, 2020. Photo credit: Me.