Vicar's View

Current Message

It is with a heavy, heavy heart that I write my final Vicar’s Views to you, the good people of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church. The culmination of this past year with you is very difficult for me to sum up in words. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences and encounters with you all. All I can say is God is good. I will never forget all of the good-natured ribbing us guys gave each other each week in men’s group, or the spoon contest in WINGS, eating tater tots with the high schoolers, or going through a letter-perfect and successful capital campaign. I will always remember Pastor’s good advice and freezing cold hands, standing in complete awe of all of you who so freely gave of your different abilities at the Mission of Hope, working alongside of you providing flood relief, folding bulletins with our wise and seasoned members, and struggling to do my first budget with members of Financial Peace University! Oh, why did it have to be so hard!?

I want to thank all the members of my internship committee, especially Kaj Jensen. We had wonderful, well-spent meetings where we shared laughs and tears. I grew from each one of you. I want to thank the staff for teaching me how a healthy team relates to one another. To Jan, Ron, Susan, and Nancy…thank you!! And last, but not least, I certainly owe the biggest debt of gratitude to Pastor Brenda. She is just what I needed at exactly the time I needed it. The only thing you can call that is what it is: a gift from God. Thank you, Lord, for Brenda. I am a better man, father, and leader of the church for knowing her. This flock is in very capable hands with this Shepard.

I want to leave you with a challenge. We are told that people washed out from this year’s devastating floods may take several years to get back on their feet. It’s the biggest national disaster our country has seen since Hurricane Katrina, and it’s a mere few blocks from our front door. As we build and grow in the coming year, I want you to meditate on our church’s simple yet powerful mission statement: Growing to and for Christ. When you close your eyes and imagine "growing to Christ," who or where do you see the church growing to? Where is Christ? People asked Jesus a similar question, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" Jesus answered them, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

May God bless you all, and may you always be a blessing to others.

Yours in Christ,
Vicar Craig