“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth… No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” Gospel of John 1:14,18
Through Jesus we see God and we know the Father’s heart. Through Jesus we have received grace upon grace.
2020 marks not only a new year but a new decade. Ten years ago I graduated from seminary and wondered where a pastoral call might come from. Thank you for calling me to Bethesda nine years ago! You help me to see Jesus and know the Father’s heart.
Ten years have transformed our family from a dog and two cats to three sons. We miss our four-legged friends, but the animal house is alive and well when the boys fight like cats and dogs. Andrea, Ezra, Judah, and Emet help me to see Jesus and know the Father’s heart.
I finished my second decade working with youth. The world of young people has dramatically changed in ten years. It is a great privilege to be a trusted adult in their lives. I have grown less concerned with my personal relevance and more concerned with providing a consistent welcome and listening-love. Youth help me to see Jesus and know the Father’s heart.
One of My Greatest Joys in the Past Ten Years
One of my great joys as a pastor is teaching and learning together with you. Our interactions in classes, Bible studies, and book clubs challenge me and channel my gifts well. I’m grateful for the Reformation Book Club over these three years we have read eleven books together. The Daytimers Bible study is a rich experience and regular reminder that nothing beats working through God’s Word together verse-by-verse. You help me to see Jesus and know the Father’s heart.
Each pastor, staff, and council member at Bethesda has a particular vocation to help us all see Jesus and know the Father’s heart. Whatever the job description, we are in the work of hospitality: welcoming people in the name of Jesus. This happens in many formal ways, but I’m particularly thankful for the staff’s evident warmth in informal interactions. They help me to see Jesus and know the Father’s heart.
Grace upon Grace,
Pastor Tom