Shepherd's Heart 7/3/25
Discipleship is a rhythm.
It’s not the kind of rhythm we invent or control, it’s the sacred rhythm we receive. A rhythm shared with our Triune God and with one another. A rhythm that is unhurried and grace-filled, woven into our worship, our friendships, our prayers, and our service. It’s the rhythm of lifting our voices together, receiving the sacraments, reciting the creeds, bringing meals to the grieving, anointing the sick, opening the Scriptures, and becoming ever more like Christ.
This rhythm is not mechanical or rigid. It’s relational. And like any rhythm, it can sometimes be disrupted. That doesn’t mean we’re off course. It simply means that in the life of faith, we may need to pivot, but never panic.
Over the last several weeks, we’ve experienced a disruption. A pastoral transition. Questions. Grief. Sadness. And through it all, a beautiful display of unity, prayer, grace, and strength from you—our beloved church family. You have shown what it means to embody the Gospel in a hard season.
The Holy Spirit has been so present. In our staff. In our council. In you.
This past week, I sat with our team and watched them rise to meet the moment—carrying one another, bearing hope, and leading with tenderness and clarity. Pastor Greg has graciously increased his hours during this season, and we’ve appointed three Lay Ministers of Word and Sacrament—Elisabeth Letcka, Max Schiewe, and Ryan Hammer—to assist in leading Sunday worship. We are not short on gifted preachers or servant-hearted leaders. In every step, God has provided.
So what now?
We stay in rhythm.
We keep gathering.
We keep praying.
We keep opening the Word.
We keep caring for each other.
We keep trusting that the Spirit is still forming us into the likeness of Jesus.
Church, I know many of you are still hurting. I am too. But I want you to know: I have never been more honored to be your pastor. Through your letters, prayers, and presence, you’ve reminded me what kind of church we are, a church that grieves with grace and moves forward with resilience.
We will not be shaken. We will be shaped.
We are not drifting. We are deepening.
We are not crumbling. We are being re-formed.
This Sunday, we’ll gather again, just like we always do. We’ll sing. We’ll pray. We’ll hear the Word. It will be a sacred space to hold one another in love and extend grace to all. We will not answer questions about private matters. But we will pray. And we will look ahead together.
Because our rhythm continues.
Let’s keep walking together, hand in hand, eyes on Jesus.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
It’s not the kind of rhythm we invent or control, it’s the sacred rhythm we receive. A rhythm shared with our Triune God and with one another. A rhythm that is unhurried and grace-filled, woven into our worship, our friendships, our prayers, and our service. It’s the rhythm of lifting our voices together, receiving the sacraments, reciting the creeds, bringing meals to the grieving, anointing the sick, opening the Scriptures, and becoming ever more like Christ.
This rhythm is not mechanical or rigid. It’s relational. And like any rhythm, it can sometimes be disrupted. That doesn’t mean we’re off course. It simply means that in the life of faith, we may need to pivot, but never panic.
Over the last several weeks, we’ve experienced a disruption. A pastoral transition. Questions. Grief. Sadness. And through it all, a beautiful display of unity, prayer, grace, and strength from you—our beloved church family. You have shown what it means to embody the Gospel in a hard season.
The Holy Spirit has been so present. In our staff. In our council. In you.
This past week, I sat with our team and watched them rise to meet the moment—carrying one another, bearing hope, and leading with tenderness and clarity. Pastor Greg has graciously increased his hours during this season, and we’ve appointed three Lay Ministers of Word and Sacrament—Elisabeth Letcka, Max Schiewe, and Ryan Hammer—to assist in leading Sunday worship. We are not short on gifted preachers or servant-hearted leaders. In every step, God has provided.
So what now?
We stay in rhythm.
We keep gathering.
We keep praying.
We keep opening the Word.
We keep caring for each other.
We keep trusting that the Spirit is still forming us into the likeness of Jesus.
Church, I know many of you are still hurting. I am too. But I want you to know: I have never been more honored to be your pastor. Through your letters, prayers, and presence, you’ve reminded me what kind of church we are, a church that grieves with grace and moves forward with resilience.
We will not be shaken. We will be shaped.
We are not drifting. We are deepening.
We are not crumbling. We are being re-formed.
This Sunday, we’ll gather again, just like we always do. We’ll sing. We’ll pray. We’ll hear the Word. It will be a sacred space to hold one another in love and extend grace to all. We will not answer questions about private matters. But we will pray. And we will look ahead together.
Because our rhythm continues.
Let’s keep walking together, hand in hand, eyes on Jesus.
From my heart,
Pastor Tara Beth
Posted in Shepherds Heart