"Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling," hymn 650 in our Lutheran Service Book, concludes with these words in stanza 3:

The joyous truth of this verse is both illuminating and comforting. First, it highlights the grace of God's Spirit bringing sinners to Christ through the Ministry of the Church. In this way, it also comforts us with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is the One who makes the Ministry a blessed work in and among us.

For that purpose, the Spirit has called me here through your invitation to serve as your Interim Pastor while the Lord prepares another man, somewhere, to receive His Call to be your pastor. I consider this an honor, privilege, and blessing. It was a blessing that I enjoyed five years ago after Pastor Meador followed the Lord's leading northward to Wisconsin. I am happy to be here again.

We hope that the Lord will provide you with a new pastor quickly (I'm sure you're eager to get back into the regular routine of ministry he will bring). But, for however long God grants me to serve among you let us do so with prayer, confidence, and zeal for our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. He is the One who gives us all hope, faith, and love to live as His holy people. He is the One that makes us free through His shed blood, and binds us together into a blessed communion of saints.