Greetings fellow parishioners. My name is Tom Horlacher and I have been a member of the Church of St. Michael and St. George since 1988. My wife, Janet, has been a member even longer! Hopefully this note finds you safe and healthy. For those suffering at this time we offer prayers for your speedy recovery or that you may find solace. Every day Janet and I count our blessings, with CSMSG among them.
Recently in the Lectionary reading, Genesis 45:1-15, Joseph calmly suggests to his brothers “do not be distressed or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God has sent me before you to preserve life.” Prior to seeing his brothers, Joesph has spent years in prison away from family. In our darkest moments of the pandemic, we try to remain calm and discern what God is asking us to do next. Joseph did not scold, berate, or humiliate his brothers for their prior sins; rather he warned them about a coming famine asking them to also inform their father. Joseph was working on God’s plan, not his own. Taking another step every day can be a challenge, yet knowing that God has a plan and is walking with us eases the burden. It is not easy, nor do I know the outcome; still, thanks to the spiritual journey encouraged at CSMSG, I can bravely march forward.
Janet and I were married at CSMSG in 1986. Since then, in addition to faithful attendance, we baptized our two sons, taught Sunday School, held memorials for many family members (most are resting in the columbariums on site), participated in outreach ministries, held leadership positions at the Church…it’s really home to our family. Many of you may see us walking along Wydown to services. Some of your children helped us (re)learn about the many wonderful stories in the Bible as students or high school assistants.
