Dear Friends Through Christ:

It has been two years now since Sandy, Lindsey, Noah, Kaylee, and myself moved to Jasper, and let me tell you, it has been an honor to serve as your pastor for the past two years. I can’t describe the feeling watching the Spirit work in the lives of so many; who by the way have also touched my very being. The things you have all done, through the power of Holy Spirit are absolutely amazing.

However, it is now time to say goodbye. Goodbye to the past two years and Hello to the years that lie ahead of each of us. It is now time to look to our present and future with Christ being the only, and I mean only, hope and promise that we can count on, and we must, and I mean must begin to take seriously His command of Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that we simply forget our past and our history, because Jesus is the Christ of our memory. We do remember that it was by a body broken and by his blood poured out that God chose to save you and I. Yet Jesus is also the Christ of the present. He is God with us in our daily lives, calling us from lesser loyalties, and nourishing us daily for discipleship. And Jesus is also the Christ of the future. We have been given a foretaste of the feast to come.

So yes, we do not forget what Christ has done for us, but we definitely must move forward through the Christ of memory, Christ of the present, and Christ of the future.

The point I’m trying to make is that all of the Saints and Sinners here at Redeemer have worked very hard the past two years, through the power of the Spirit, to grow this Lampstand of God, and I am so proud of you. So boast, but boast in the Lord. However, your work has just begun. There is so much to do in Jasper and the surrounding communities that we can’t afford to pat ourselves on the back too long, because our arms will get tired.

My dear friends, right now and this coming year may be the most important year yet in the life of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Can each of you remember what Christ has done for you and then celebrate the Christ of the Present and the Christ of the Future by giving up your time, talent, and treasure to the Glory of God, who has given you everything. If so, I promise that the Spirit of God will perform some amazing work through you right now, and throughout the coming year.

May God Bless You Always,

Rev. David L. Trexler