Grace Lutheran Church

Pastor Gaertner Accepts Call to be Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hamburg, Michigan

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Grace Lutheran Church,

For seven years I have served you by the grace of God, and now I must let you know that after prayer and study of God’s Word I am trusting it is God’s will that I become the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran in Hamburg, Michigan. I look forward to working in team ministry at St. Paul with the Director of Christian Education, Mike Hausch. I anticipate our boys will enjoy being closer to their grandparents. Although it seems like a long time off, Christi and I hope our boys will be able to take advantage of the Lutheran high school that is not too far away. I don’t know if the Lions will ever match the greatness of the Buffalo Bills, but I suspect the Red Wings have a leg up on the Sabres.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us of the fullness of life, “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Christi and I at Grace have had the opportunity to experience so much of what God has been doing here. You have invited us into your lives of joy and sadness, and you gave us the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here. Christi, Henry, Lucas, and I have found among you a community that has loved, forgiven, and nurtured us with the grace and mercy of Jesus.

In the Rite of Installation in 2001 you were asked if you would apply yourselves to the proclamation of the Word, receiving it not as the word of man, but as it is in truth, the Word of God. You have understood that I am not perfect but have trusted that the Holy Spirit is at work in the sharing of God’s Word.

You also were asked if you would work together with your influence and strong support as I supervised the instruction of the young, remembering that the young are strengthened by your godly actions and exemplary lives. Thank you for recognizing with me the importance of raising the young up into the fullness of the Body of Christ.

You were asked if you would diligently pray for me. Many dear people have lifted my family throughout our time here up to the Lord in prayer. I know that your prayers have supported my ability to be effective in ministry.

I have not experienced at Grace the maliciousness and unruliness that seeks to unravel the power of the kingdom of God. You surrounded my family and me with a depth of love and honor. Even during difficult times you have sustained and supported our common human needs, remembering to encourage us to find opportunity to find mental and physical recreation.

What will happen to Grace without me as the pastor? God will continue to work here through you because you will ensure that the Word of God is proclaimed and that the Sacraments are administered. Jesus is the Lord of the Church, and with him as the cornerstone you are being built up into a strong household of faith. I believe Grace is equipped to do great things in this community. The confidence I have is not rooted in my ability to be a pastor but more appropriately in my confidence that God has given to each one of you gifts that you will use to build up the body of Christ here in this place, at this time.

Peace in Christ,

The Rev. Evan P. Gaertner

The transition timing is not completely worked out yet.