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Dear sisters and brothers in
Christ,
As I begin a new chapter of
my life as a pastor and a New Jersey resident, I have been reminded of the
role of Scripture in my life. Throughout the Bible, we are told the
story of God seeking relationship with humanity and all creation. God
is continually and constantly seeking and reaching out for relationship with
us over and over again. For example, in the Exodus story, God leads
the people out of slavery in Egypt, gives them food and water, and gives
them a place they can call their own. God continues to show how
valuable relationships are to the point of becoming human and to the point
of death just to be in relationship with us.
And so, as we begin this time
together, forming a new relationship in this community of faith at St.
Bartholomew Lutheran Church, we come rooted in God’s desire for
relationship, for connections that are focused on one another. Knowing
the love of God, we are given the grace to learn, live, and love in deep
relationship both in the church and in the neighborhood and community that
surround it. This doesn’t mean that forming relationships are easy or
simple; actually, it can be incredibly difficult. But they are worth
it. Just as God's difficult actions have been worth it.
To all those looking for a
church home or simply a place to worship, we welcome you into this community
of faith, a place where God’s gracious relationship is announced in Word and
Sacrament, and we hope to get to know you better. It is God’s
invitation and call for relationship that we follow and give thanks for, and
there is no better news than that!
Peace,
Pastor Aaron
Richter
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