Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ

 It is hard to believe that it has come time for me to begin saying farewell! This past year has gone by so quickly but it has also gone so well for Jennie and me. We have felt welcomed and included in the lives of both First and Grace Lutheran Churches.

I have greatly enjoyed being with you all this year. My internship has been a success because you have all supported me during this crucial time of learning. Through you, I have learned so much and grown so much into my call as a pastor.

I have learned more about my style of preaching and leading worship, and I have grown more comfortable with them each time I give a sermon or lead a worship service. I have learned how to do pastoral visits, first by accompanying the pastors, then by going out on my own to be with you and to get to know you. I have grown in my ability to teach, through working with Confirmation students and through the Mark Bible Study.

I have had many wonderful experiences being here with Grace and First. I have also been given the freedom to try new things, specifically with worship. The most prominent example was my internship project, the Midweek Lenten services this year. We used the Service of Night Prayer, also known as Compline. Once again, I thank everyone who attended worship on those Wednesdays for being willing to explore a different worship style! Also, I thank the two choirs; without their aid in leading our worship on those Wednesdays, Compline never would have happened!

All too soon, I will be back at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, finishing my last year of classroom-learning before I am ordained. Thank you all for the blessings that you have been to both Jennie and me during this year of internship. We ask for your continued prayers during our travel back to St. Paul and during my last year at seminary.

May the God of hope continue to fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

             Intern Pastor Ben

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Farewell Reception for Intern Pastor Ben and Jenny Loven

 

Sunday, August 3,  9:00 AM Worship and Reception

 

August 3rd will be the last Sunday of internship at Grace for Ben. Ben will return to

Luther Seminary for one more year of study.
 

The congregation council is serving the reception and a card box will be available

 to thank  and to wish Ben God’s blessings in ordained ministry.