We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
This weekend we say good-bye to an important couple here at Christian Life Church. Ralph & Pat Wendland have been a part of our church family since the mid 1980’s and now they are moving into the next phase of their retirement in the Indianapolis area. They have been heavily involved in life and ministry at CLC over the years. Beyond Ralph’s role as an elder, Ralph and Pat have ministered to the lives of many from children through seniors.
As I thought about their impact in our church over the years I recalled seeing them in a variety of different situations. I’ve see them working hard on different projects, having fun with the SAGEr’s, being up front with the choir, being behind the scenes with our children’s ministry, always ready to offer help or encouragement to anybody who needed it. I can’t tell how much their encouragement to me personally has meant over the years. Ralph and Pat truly represent Christ-like ministry to the church.
All of us are called to live beyond ourselves. The Gospel saves us and then calls us to a life of service. In what ways is God calling you to serve in your world? Whose life are you touching? How are you serving His Body, the church? Don’t get so caught up with the busyness of life that you miss your call to serve.
At our good-bye dinner for the Wendland’s, Ralph shared this verse: 1 Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Thank you Ralph & Pat! We love you and will miss you and will look forward to your visits.
