Pastor David Nehrenz
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
We are in the Epiphany season from Tuesday, January 6, the Epiphany of Our Lord, until Sunday, February 15, the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Rejoice in the light of Christ!
It has been a privilege and joy to be your pastor for 37 years, since November 1988. During those years so many events transpired. It is not possible to recount everything. It dawned on me that when this congregation celebrates its 125th year in 2026, I will have been the pastor here for 30 percent of those years. The history book to be created will include the people and events since our founding in 1901, and since our 100thanniversary in 2001.
Here is what will transpire now in 2026:
- Kathy and I will remain in our house here in Norman and we will join St. John’s Lutheran Church in Moore.
- I will continue to serve as Oklahoma District President till June 2028. The district office will also be moved to St. John’s in Moore.
- Pastor Mark Muenchow of Messiah Lutheran Church in OKC, who is also the Central Region 2nd Vice President of the district, will work with the board of elders and the congregation to take you through the process of calling your next pastor.
- Pastor Chris Griffith of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wellston, who is also the Norman circuit visitor, will serve as the vacancy pastor. He will supervise Vicar Horn, schedule the pulpit supply pastors, take Communion to the home bound and coordinate all this with the Board of Elders.
- Vicar Seth Horn and our music director Timothy Schmidt will be organizing the Divine Service and hymn selections and work with the vacancy pastor to coordinate the Sunday services.
- You will continue to have the same service schedule with Sunday Communion Divine Services at both 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. There will be four to five ordained LCMS district Pastors taking turns serving you on Sundays. (See the January schedule in this newsletter.) Some of these Pastors are assistant pastors at their own churches, or retired from their former parishes. We are thankful they are willing to serve our parish during this vacancy period!
- The vicar will continue his Bible class at 9:15 a.m. The Pulpit Supply Pastors will also conduct the Bibles at 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall which will be a study of the “Three Scripture Lessons (called the ‘Pericopes’)” for that particular Sunday.
- Since I am also the district president, I will continue to work with the parish in the future as you put together call lists for your next pastor.
The Lord will direct his chosen pastor to serve you for the next chapter in the life of this parish. Remember to “walk by faith, not by sight” and trust his guidance and direction!
Kathy and I send you our love and sincere appreciation for the kindness, friendships and long-term relationships we have established with you over the last 37 years. So we will not say “goodbye or farewell,” but rather “the Lord bless you all” and we will certainly be seeing you in the future!
In Jesus,
Pastor David and Kathy Nehrenz
Thanks to ALL of you who planned, participated and were involved in the wonderful retirement celebration you had for us on November 7. We still are overwhelmed with the love and appreciation you sent to us at this once in a lifetime event!
Vicar Seth Horn
FROM THE VICAR
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must (not) be…3quarrelsome, not a lover of money. – 1 Timothy 3:1-3
Hello and God’s blessings to you once again! Last month, we continued to talk about the qualifications of overseer or pastor in the Christ’s Church. This month, we continue to look at these qualifications and ponder what it means to not be quarrelsome and not a lover of money.
One of the many jobs of a pastor is to keep the peace. He is to mediate disputes within the church and often times in the lives of his people. Now and again, he might even need to be a bit more firm in solving disputes and keeping good order in the church. But generally, he exemplifies the quality of gentleness as we noted last month. So how does this relate to not being quarrelsome? He must exercise judgment in how he goes about keeping the peace and not cause undo strife and quarrels in the church. This means avoiding gossip, putting the best construction on everything, and encouraging Christian charity.
Money is important in this world. We live in an economic society and when one works, one gets paid. That being said, we are exhorted in the Scriptures to pay our pastors what they’re owed for their work and service in shepherding the flock of Christ…but any pastor who is in it solely for the money is in the wrong profession. A pastor is in the business of caring for the soul. This is not a job that offers extravagant wealth and an easy life; it is a divine call that often asks for sacrifice. Whether time, money, or even health, the office of Holy Ministry asks much of the one who partakes in it. Why? Because much is given, much is required of the one in it. The sacrifice is great, but to shepherd the sheep of Christ is a blessing that has its own rewards. The main one being the Lord working through the ministry of the pastor to bring lost sinners into everlasting righteousness and blessedness through the forgiveness of sins.
In summary, a pastor is to avoid causing trouble in his congregation and exercise discretion in resolving disputes. He also is to enter into the ministry knowing that earthly rewards are not we seek but we have been given an eternal treasure that we become stewards of.
In Christ,
Vicar Horn
