MenuCo-Workers in God’s Service
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:9
Remembering always that our redemption in Jesus Christ is our cornerstone, through whom God has made known His saving will and plan – to unite all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:7-10), we have undertaken a visioning process to discern how we at Holy Cross Lutheran Church may best use the gifts He has given us to serve build His kingdom.
This is an exciting time for us at Holy Cross. We get to see God at work! Even more exciting is that we get to see God at work in us! Through us! With us!
It’s not that God hasn’t been at work here at Holy Cross already. While I was in Israel, I reflected on, and gave thanks to our heavenly Father, for all that the Holy Spirit has done here already – all through His faithful people at Holy Cross. And I don’t mean just the faithful pastors who preceded me, and to whom I am indebted. There are so many people here who have faithfully answered God’s call and said “Here I am, send me” when asked to serve. You are co-workers in God’s service.
After years of coordinating the Care-Ring Circle, cooking and bringing meals to those who are hurting or shut-in, Doreen Borschel is stepping aside… and Jo Corneck is stepping forward to coordinate this mission of mercy.
After years of serving as Sunday School Superintendent, organizing the teaching of children of the love of Jesus, Pat Ludwig is stepping aside… and Sallye Negron is stepping forward to coordinate this mission of making disciples through teaching God’s Word.
After years of serving as Treasurer, John Zachau is training Alex Hartley on the ins and outs of careful financial stewardship of God’s blessings to us at Holy Cross.
After years of serving as our Building and Grounds leader, leading our stewardship and care for the sanctuary, fellowship hall, Christian center, etc., last winter Paul Donnelly handed these reins over to Doug Garlapo.
It would be easy to go on as I think of each one of you, and as I pray for you, but the point is that EACH of us is part of God’s plan, as co-workers in His service. As exciting as it is to see how God will use Jo, Sallye, Alex and Doug in their new roles, it is equally exciting to see how God will use Doreen, Pat, John and Paul for the next step in their lives of service in God’s kingdom. God loves them dearly, as He showed through the suffering, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, for each of these children of God. So God has a plan for each one. Pray for them.
And God has a plan for each of us. We each should be asking, in our prayers, “God, what is your plan for our congregation now? And what’s next for me to do in Your service, to build Your kingdom through Holy Cross?”
For some of us, God’s will for us may be to step forward like Jo, Sallye, Alex and Doug and try something new – perhaps something that stretches us… and makes us grow. For some, like John, it may be to mentor the next generation. For others of us, God’s will may be something like: “Continue what you’re doing, but do it more cheerfully… or more faithfully… or more sincerely.” For others of us, God’s will may be for us to take a step back, look around at what God is doing in our life and in the lives of those closest to us, and listen, in prayer, to His voice.
And remember, we don’t do this alone. We gather together as a congregation around Christ — around His holy Word and His Sacraments — because He unites us. We are united for the purpose of doing all things together, as co-workers in His service, with Him as our head, for the salvation of those around us.
~Pastor Nickel
