Thank You from Pastor Paul Lantz
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ from FLC,
As our family finishes packing the final boxes for the move to Hanover next week, my heart continues to overflow with thanks to God for all of you. In fact, just today while ordering some resources, I discovered that the salesperson talking with me on the phone has a daughter who is considering studying at Harvard. What a joy it was to tell this mom about all the wonderful people that make up the First Lutheran family and that her daughter would be blessed big time to be a part of FLC if she eventually does attend Harvard!
Thank you for making the past three years of ministry very special! Stepping out in faith and generously supporting the cause of Christ, you made it possible for the message and example to Jesus Christ to impact hundreds of university students and families from a Brazilian background. This is surely just the tip of the iceberg and I believe with all my heart that the Holy Spirit will continue to grow both of these people groups for years to come.
On a personal note, I thank each of you for the kindness, generosity, and prayers you have offered my family and me. Last month was particularly memorable saying our goodbyes. The cards, gifts and well wishes touched our hearts. The cash gift will certainly help as we move to our new home and your offering to the ministry of Lutheran Church of the Cross was a great encouragement!
However, it is the people of FLC for which I’m most thankful to God. It was an incredible blessing to have worked with Pastor Dutzmann, Elaine, and Balint! Their talents, friendship and faith made work a special joy. The amazing FLC family, (made up of all ages, cultures and backgrounds), is a gift from our Heavenly Father I will never forget. These years were filled with moments of celebration and heartache, frank conversations and real forgiveness, sincere prayers and acts of compassion… in every way striving to share the love of Christ. That is why when thinking of each of you I echo the words of the apostle Paul when he wrote:
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1: 3-6
In Christ’s peace,
Pastor Paul Lantz
ps… Although we won’t be seeing each other as often, we look forward to continuing our partnership for the cause of Christ and our friendship. Don’t forget to look us up whenever you are in the South Shore of Boston!
