Crossings - June,

From the Pastor for June, 2010

 

I am in the mood for weddings this June for several reasons.  It is a joy to officiate as pastor for marriages of Bethlehem Lutheran members and friends.    Since becoming your pastor in 2005 I have offered pre-marital counseling and officiated at 25 weddings.

 

Two weddings occurred during Memorial Day Weekend.  Brandi Hall and Kyle Courtney exchanged their wedding vows beneath a beautiful tree in the backyard of her parents on Saturday, May 29.

 

On Memorial Day, May 31 Alyssa Alm and Antony Ortiz were united in a morning marriage at Bethlehem.  Her parents Ron and Betty Alm were married before in our sanctuary, and Alyssa desired to follow the family tradition.

 

The next BLC wedding will be on Friday, June 25 when BLC member Steve Jernberg and Beth Resener share their wedding vows here at the church.  The Jernberg family has strong ties to our congregation.

 

Three weddings in a close time span.  It reminds me of the weddings of my three daughters that occurred in the space of 18 months years ago.  Anne in Chicago, Marji in Australia, and Sara in Des Moines.  As parent and pastor I have happily officiated at all three weddings and then told others that I had entered the inter-terrestrial world of wonderful weddings.

 

Two more weddings will take place this summer that are special too.  On August 9 I officiate at the wedding for Mary Jo Schmehr and Evin Schaley.  The exciting venue will be a boat by the Chicago harbor on Lake Michigan.

 

Earlier during the July 4^th weekend, my best friend Pastor Dave Strang will officiate at the marriage ceremony on July 3^rd in the BLC sanctuary for two BLC members.

 

Carol Schaley and Art Puotinen are pleased to announce that we will be united in marriage on Saturday, July 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL.   We have received love and support from our children and grandchildren, other family members and friends in making plans for our wedding and life together. We cordially invite you to be present with us at our wedding service.

 

Among the prayers offered during a wedding service is one that includes those being married and all families throughout the world.

 

“Gracious Father, you bless the family and renew your people.  Enrich husbands and wives, parents and children more and more with your grace, that strengthening and supporting each other, they may serve those in need and be a sign of the fulfillment of your perfect kingdom… Amen”