Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
These are very special times in the life of the congregation of Faith in Wylie. Have you ever had the opportunity to be part of a congregation that is just stepping out on its own or even just beginning? It can be a very anxious time because there are so many unknowns – attendance, finances, volunteers. But it is also a very exciting time because of the opportunity to forge a new congregation, to be able to shine the beacon of Christ into our dark little corner of the world, to continue the work of Christ in our community “proclaiming good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captive, the recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18)
Being a mission congregation of Faith in Plano has been a tremendous blessing and it is a relationship that we will continue to cherish and nurture. But now the time is ripe and we have a wonderful opportunity in front of us as a congregation. There will certainly be challenges, but we don’t want to equate challenges with failure or God’s disfavor. The Lord our God is with us. He has promised to bless the faithful preaching of His Word and administration of His Sacraments. Through those very means, the Lord has graciously gathered us together as a people who knows Him and calls upon Him in faith. As precious children of God, we have been granted this holy family to love and serve and be supported by. Here, Christ nurtures and sustains us, He strengthens us and teaches us. Here the Lord provides for us in our time of need. Here, the Lord God bestows upon us life and salvation and grounds us in the promises of our Baptism.
Our congregation is certainly an immeasurable gift granted to us by our Father. Christianity is not about individualism and going it on your own. That is a sad and lonely way. Instead, Christ gives you brothers and sisters who share your confession, who want to rejoice with you when you rejoice and weep with you when you weep, who are glad to see you each time we gather for the Divine Service and miss you when you’re not there. It is not good for us to be alone and this congregation is one of the ways that the Lord keeps that from happening to you.
We are also blessed to have a place to gather and worship and study and enjoy times of fellowship. Many of you poured blood, sweat, and tears into raising this building. Everywhere you look there are memories of people and events in the life of this parish. Lord-willing there will be many more as the Lord continues to gather together as His family.
There is certainly a lot of work for us ahead but it is joyous work because it is work in the Lord’s vineyard. It is work done in the joy and certainty of our salvation. As we move forward, I urge you to three things. First, pray to the Lord that He would grant us wisdom and faithfulness as we seek independence. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” (Psalm 127:1) Pray for the leadership of the congregation and for me that in all things we may seek the glory of God’s Name. Second, devote yourself and your family to the things of God. Make daily devotions and prayer the top priority for you and your family. Set aside every Lord’s Day to be in your Father’s house to hear His Word and be fed and nourished by Him. Attend Bible Class and Sunday School so that together we can be strengthened and encouraged in the Word of God. Third, consider how through volunteering and your offerings you can increase your support of the preaching of God’s Word in this place. Our congregation is blessed with a wide range of talents and resources which God has richly bestowed upon us for the benefit of others. As the Lord has blessed you, find how those blessings may be put to use at the church for the benefit of all.
I thank God for each of you. It is a tremendous joy to serve among people who love and desire the things of Christ. You will each remain in my prayers as together we dedicate ourselves to the things of Christ and seek, with the Lord’s blessing, to make this parish a vibrant and bustling placed filled with the people of God receiving His gifts and serving our neighbors.
Pastor Ulmer