“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
As I write this installment, we are only a few days beyond our Homecoming celebration of October 15th. Yet, even after a few days, the warmth of the day continues to well up in my heart and mind. What a great day we had. It was good to see so many folks from our St. Jacob’s church family who took the opportunity to “come home.” The welcoming of Pastor Andy Eargle and his family was simply icing on the cake.
The many stories and conversations shared, and the smiles, hugs and well wishes extended to all our guests will live on in our hearts for quite some time. I know it will live on in mine. You see, a pastor’s congregation occupies a special room in their pastor’s heart. You may have noticed this as you greeted Pastor Andy and his reaction to being back among you. His smile is one that I immediately recognized as a pastor’s genuine heart-felt love and gratitude for the blessing God has bestowed upon him. Truly, I have experienced this emotion firsthand.
Later, in the week as I write this, I am preparing to officiate at the wedding of a former youth group member from my first call as pastor. It’s been over twelve years since I left St. Barnabas in Charleston, and I am delighted that Emily has asked me to be a part of her special day. The congregation is closed now, but I do anticipate seeing several members who will gather as friends of the bride’s family. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Angela and me as we are reunited with them.
I think I can speak for most pastors who have served in other places when I say, the love shared by pastor and people never fades. Former congregations and church family members continue to occupy that special room in their pastor’s heart. To see what this looks like, simply recall seeing Pastor Andy at our homecoming and picture his reaction to being among you. Simply put, in his heart, as well as in yours, he remains the shepherd who loved you for many years. Why? Because Jesus first loved him.
Each week, I am afforded the opportunity to share with you a message from God concerning his love that is poured out through his Son Jesus Christ. I am blessed to be called by our heavenly Father to stand among you as his disciple sharing with you the love Christ so deeply shared with us. When we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion, I am afforded the opportunity to look upon everyone with the compassion of our Lord and place in your hands our Lord’s precious body and blood which he has given for you.
While Angela and I were away in September, the one thing that remained in my thoughts was how much I missed worshiping with you on Sunday. As I watched the live streams of our services, your faces and names were brought to the forefront of my heart and mind. Yes, I truly missed you. I truly missed being with you here in this place and sharing the love that Christ first shares with us.
Through Scripture, our Lord Jesus reminds us that his command for us is to love one another as he has loved us. This isn’t always easy, but it is essential. When the evidence of such love presents itself, we should always take the opportunity to remind one another of this love and its source. Love’s source is Christ Jesus in whom all loves exist.
The special room in my heart reserved for the church family members of three congregations and the many folks to whom I have ministered along the way is not yet full. There will be more, I’m sure. They will take their place among you as those whom I have been blessed to serve, just as I am blessed to love and serve you, my church family. This is what is on your pastor’s heart today and quite frankly, every day. God bless us all as we share this time and space together in Christ’s name.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila
