Grace Lutheran Church

Pastor Gaertner receives call to be pastor of St. Paul, Hamburg, Michigan

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Grace,

I have received from your brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Michigan, a Divine Call to be their pastor. I know that it was only recently that you were called to prayer when I received the call to be the pastor of Pinnacle Lutheran Church in Henrietta, New York, but I again ask you to pray for the will of God to be done and His name to be glorified during this time of discernment.

The pastoral office is given by the Lord of the church to carry forward the public Ministry of Word and Sacrament for the welfare of Christians. Over the last seven years I have found myself in remarkable opportunities to lead and guide people to experience Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I have also found myself growing in the school of experience by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is by the power of the Spirit of God that I trust that no matter where I am I will be a part of God’s kingdom building work.

Over the next four weeks I must consider the divine call I have to you the dear people of Grace Lutheran Church to serve as your pastor. Second I must consider the divine call that the people of St. Paul Lutheran Church have extended to me to serve as their pastor.

I will deliberate on these calls and pray fervently asking God to help me determine where he desires I serve him. Questions that I will consider will include: (a) Am I still needed where I am? (b) Would it be beneficial for the people of Grace if I stay? (c) Would it be beneficial for the people of Grace if I leave? (d) Is the Lord challenging me to use my gifts in a different part of the kingdom at this time? (e) Is the Lord challenging me to develop another gift which I have in a different part of this kingdom? (f) And since my family is an essential part of who I am, I will also consider how all of these questions affect them.

God’s peace be with you and may we  always trust Him to be at work in His church.

Peace.

Pastor Evan Gaertner