“It was truly an amazing experience!  One of the best parts was sitting with Larry Farmer. He looked at me and asked if he "gets" to come to church here every week. I said yes and he was just beaming from ear to ear.
 
God has given us voices to reach those who need to hear the gospel, a great facility that is accessible to all, and hearts big enough to appreciate the wonder we are privileged to be a part of.”

Jana  Pollard

Disabled Ministries-Developmentally Disabled

Worship Service

             “My excitement is still rising.  I don’t know when I’ve felt God’s presence in a church service, as the inaugural of this very special event.  He was every where...The Sanctuary...The Fellowship Hall, and especially in my heart.

             The service, so long in planning, and ending much too soon, spilled over the rest of that wonderful day...What Amazing Grace was bestowed on us all…”

Lowell Dillion

 

             “I’ve been working with persons with developmental disabilities for over 20 years, and I have longed so many times to freely express myself spiritually, and to be in the presence of others with disabilities who also were expressing themselves spiritually. Until yesterday, I had only enjoyed that opportunity twice, when in two separate weddings, men and women with MRDD were married.  I sang at the second one, and was blessed beyond measure.

             Yesterday was a dream come true.  What is awesome about being Lutheran in the midst of yesterday is our profound belief that it is god in the person of Jesus Christ who is present in Word, that Jesus IS Word.  Therefore, and while preaching the Gospel is an exciting responsibility for me, it was God who truly did the work yesterday.  And I saw the looks on your faces as you participated in worship, too; the Gospel can be preached and the Word can be read in a language the people can understand, even in the midst of mental retardation or autism or other mental challenges.”

Vicar Steve Hilgeman

             “It was a fantastic day.  I think the reason is because this is God’s doing.  The rest of us get the awesome privilege of coming along for the ride.  We lift our mud pies up to God and God makes them into a wonderful banquet.  I feel blessed to have been present.  I feel blessed as a pastor to see your faithfulness and the way that you have given the very best of yourselves to God’s purposes.  Get ready; this is not the summit.  Remain faithful and you will see greater things still.”

Peace,

Pastor Steve

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