Pastor Peter Hagen has returned the call to fill the pastoral vacancy at St. John’s. His letter is copied below. As we wait to meet the shepherd God has in mind for us, the next call meeting has been scheduled for Monday, September 11 at 6:30 pm in the school commons. Please continue to keep our shared ministries and your role in them in your prayers!
8 August 2017
St. John’s Lutheran Church – Two Rivers, WI
Dear Chairman Marshall, Pastor Arndt, and the congregation of St. John’s,
Greetings in the Lord!
The gospel writer Luke records:
After this [discussion about the cost of following Christ,] the Lord appointed
seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and
place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send workers into his
harvest field…” (Luke 10:1-2)
After 3+ weeks of serious deliberation, discussion, and consideration, I have decided to remain as
pastor here at Shepherd of the Lakes in Fairmont, MN. At the present time, it seems that the
unique needs & opportunities at this congregation merit continued full-time pastoring. I say this,
fully recognizing that the needs of your congregation are similar – and likely larger in scale.
I did have opportunity to speak with the many dedicated called workers & staff at your
congregation, as well as quite a few caring & involved laypeople. Jesus described his followers as
people who love one another (Jn 13:34-35), and those words continue to be fulfilled among you.
As believers walking together in the Lord, then, allow me to share three specific encouragements
during this time of vacancy:
1. Please continue to pray for & support your pastor. His zeal for the ministry and
Scriptural insight will continue to be a blessing for you – but even the prophet Moses
needed people to assist and encourage him.
2. Please pray that the Lord would send more workers into the plentiful harvest field – and
take a moment to speak with your young people who would be good candidates for the
public ministry.
3. Please continue to faithfully attend Bible study and worship. In a plentiful harvest
where workers are few, it is imperative that God’s people know what they believe &
why, and that they continue to encourage one another in truth & grace.
Thank you for your words, encouragement, and patience during the last three weeks. I pray that
you may continue to grow in faith & godly living, encouraging one another to hold firmly to the
faith we profess (Heb 10:19-25) – for the Lord of the Church is faithful, and he will return soon.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Peter Hagen
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church
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Posted: August 24, 2017 by staging_lv7u78
Fifth Call Returned – Next Meeting Scheduled
Pastor Peter Hagen has returned the call to fill the pastoral vacancy at St. John’s. His letter is copied below. As we wait to meet the shepherd God has in mind for us, the next call meeting has been scheduled for Monday, September 11 at 6:30 pm in the school commons. Please continue to keep our shared ministries and your role in them in your prayers!
8 August 2017
St. John’s Lutheran Church – Two Rivers, WI
Dear Chairman Marshall, Pastor Arndt, and the congregation of St. John’s,
Greetings in the Lord!
The gospel writer Luke records:
After this [discussion about the cost of following Christ,] the Lord appointed
seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and
place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send workers into his
harvest field…” (Luke 10:1-2)
After 3+ weeks of serious deliberation, discussion, and consideration, I have decided to remain as
pastor here at Shepherd of the Lakes in Fairmont, MN. At the present time, it seems that the
unique needs & opportunities at this congregation merit continued full-time pastoring. I say this,
fully recognizing that the needs of your congregation are similar – and likely larger in scale.
I did have opportunity to speak with the many dedicated called workers & staff at your
congregation, as well as quite a few caring & involved laypeople. Jesus described his followers as
people who love one another (Jn 13:34-35), and those words continue to be fulfilled among you.
As believers walking together in the Lord, then, allow me to share three specific encouragements
during this time of vacancy:
1. Please continue to pray for & support your pastor. His zeal for the ministry and
Scriptural insight will continue to be a blessing for you – but even the prophet Moses
needed people to assist and encourage him.
2. Please pray that the Lord would send more workers into the plentiful harvest field – and
take a moment to speak with your young people who would be good candidates for the
public ministry.
3. Please continue to faithfully attend Bible study and worship. In a plentiful harvest
where workers are few, it is imperative that God’s people know what they believe &
why, and that they continue to encourage one another in truth & grace.
Thank you for your words, encouragement, and patience during the last three weeks. I pray that
you may continue to grow in faith & godly living, encouraging one another to hold firmly to the
faith we profess (Heb 10:19-25) – for the Lord of the Church is faithful, and he will return soon.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Peter Hagen
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church
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