June 29, 2009
Dear Members of Our Savior, Family, Friends and Prayer Partners,
My brother Walter shared the following verses with me in a recent encouraging email: “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2
I do love the Lord and continually thank Him for His forgiving grace and tender mercies given to me “a selfish sinner saved by grace and humbly seated at the foot of the Cross” (as my South African friend and brother in Christ Rev. Mandla Khumalo always signs his letters). Over the last number of months I have spent time in prayer, and thank God for your prayers, regarding my nomination for the Office of President of the Michigan District. My prayer was for God’s continuing mercy and grace to be evident in my life and the life of my family, and that His will be done regarding the nomination and the election.
This Monday morning at the Michigan District Convention in Ann Arbor I was elected as the new District President to succeed Pres. Bill Hoesman. Any call that comes from God’s people is both a humbling and honoring experience. This call is, perhaps, more humbling than honoring. I sincerely ask for your continued prayers for faithful, humble, completely God-dependent service to our crucified and risen Lord and Savior, as I will officially begin to serve in this new capacity beginning October 1.
To the members of Our Savior who have been so supportive and patient with me (I was going to write “for these last few months” and realized the following truth …) during my tenure at Our Savior since my installation in early December, 1989, I am most thankful and remain humbled by your love. You are amazing, and have been and always will be our family. Although we will be on vacation the next number of days, you remain in our prayers and we long to be with you upon our return.
I know that the OSL Bd. of Directors, and in particular the Chairman of the Congregation, Dennis Sohn, and Chairman of the Spiritual Life Team (Elders), Alan Broskey, will look forward to informing you about the process and plans to continue uninterrupted ministry at Our Savior in the near future as well as the calling of a new Senior Pastor. Most importantly, we should all be confident in, and dependent on, the encouraging and directive words of Jesus: So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33
The Apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4 is equally exciting, instructive, and assuring: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This was just a quick email to keep you informed and to seek your continued prayers. May God’s peace continue to be upon us all.
Sincerely,
Pastor David P. E. Maier
PS The Installation Service for all the elected offices in the District will tomorrow evening, June 30, at 6:30 pm in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity on the campus of Concordia University, Ann Arbor. Synodical President, the Rev. Dr. Gerry Kieschnick, will be preaching. You are ALL invited. An ice cream social will follow.
