October, 2011

This September I celebrated a milestone birthday that was made special in many ways.  My wife Carol gifted me with a special vacation trip.  Five our seven children and their families were present at various times to celebrate with me.  The Bethlehem church family shared my birthday cake during coffee hour on Rally Sunday, and “Happy Birthday” was sung to me in both English and Spanish.  I share the same birth date as Chris Lempa, a high school member of our BLC youth group.  And BLC Card Ministry partners Chery Peacock and Judy Sorton and several others sent birthday cards to me.  I felt blessed; it was one of my best birthdays.  So I wish to express heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it so and especially my late parents who gave me life and God who gave me purpose and a calling.

The experiences of my birthday month remind me how important celebrations can be in a person’s life.  They give one encouragement, a sense of being valued and cared for.  Being the receiver also reminds a person to be a giver as well.  Recently I read in the Lutheran that Pastor Paul Youngdahl of the largest ELCA church located in Minneapolis made sure every member received a birthday card with his signature.  Having said, I recognize that most of you have not received the same from me.  Nonetheless, be assured that I do care for you, pray for you, and respond to assist you when needed and called upon.

Early in September I spoke with a friend in the community whose birthday went unnoticed by everyone including his parents.  I wished him Happy Birthday; he needed encouragement in working through some transitions in his life.  His experience indicates that the forgotten ones around us seek recognition and appreciate friendship, especially the good news that Jesus Christ loves the lonely ones too.

A person’s birthday is a good time to remember our second birthday, the day of our baptism into God’s family.  Honestly, I do not remember the exact day of my baptism but the baptismal gifts we all receive give me daily affirmation, encouragement and my calling.  In baptismal services at Bethlehem I read God’s Word to announce the gifts that all the baptized receive:  forgiveness of sins, eternal life, fellowship in the church faith community, friendship with Christ our Savior, and the fruit or gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Receiving these gifts we are blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.  Happy Birthday and Blessed Baptismal Day to everyone!