Friday, June 6, 2025
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
Dear church,
I absolutely love this time of year. The long days, the early sunrises, birds chirping, plants growing vigorously, young energy from graduation ceremonies and weddings, the prospect of a long summer… I could do without the microparticles that float in our air all the way from Canadian wildfires, yeah, but generally, I am especially grateful to be alive in early June. But there is something else… Today is another D-Day celebration, number 81. So many young men were sacrificed in that fight, so much blood spilled – for a good cause, but what a bloody toll it took! It's so long ago, but I can't help to pause and thank.
Many historic battles have been fought in early summer. The birds stopped chirping, celebrations were put on hold, schools emptied, young energy was sacrificed; the canons and guns took over. Oh, I pray that there can be an end to the atrocious war in Ukraine. And soon. There may never be another D-Day where a nation who is not directly implicated is willing to sacrifice so much life to free other nations. I am grateful the US did that back in 1944. It meant a lot for the old countries in Europe. Today, Germans tend to view the end of the great war as Liberation Day and D-Day as the beginning of liberation from a rogue regime. Surely, there are more layers to the story, but I think it is generally a good way of looking at it. New German Chancelor Merz reminded President Trump yesterday in the oval office that that’s how most people in my native country see it and expressed once again gratitude for the great sacrifices that were made by US soldiers. Wars never end without sacrifices of territory, human life and resources; and neither will this awful conflict in Eastern Europe. Oh, it is wretched! God, let there be peace on the Ukrainian soil, so rich in nutrients (and yes, rare minerals!), so fertile and promising and populated by so many good people. Pray along… Let there be peace!
A few updates for this weekend. We are looking forward to celebrating the Feast of Pentecost. Remember to wear red if possible. Red is the color of the Spirit and reminds us of the Pentecostal fire… With yoyr help, we'd love to make this a very colorful Sunday! We have two more confirmation presentations - Lily Shaffer and Dominic Reinoso Calle.
And… I ask you to pray for David Sausser. David has completed several treatments, including chemo and stem cell replacement therapy for non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I saw Dave and Linda walking in North Wales and invited them to join our prayer meeting last night. David was his usual jovial, upbeat and faith-filled self, but he also looks pale and clearly needs time and patience to recover. Please keep him and Linda in your prayers. And say a prayer for our friend Ingrid Olson in Wisconsin. She is the most caring and amazing prayer warrior. She has adopted so many people in our church orbit in her daily prayers and is suffering right now from a repeat Lyme infection, really feeling the effects of it severely. Let us say prayers on behalf of Ingrid!
Last, we have guests in our church this month. If you can help with food or transportation, look at the sign-up on this platform. Thank you, people!
Have a most blessed weekend,
Pastor Andreas Wagner