"Serenity Prayer"

A long time ago, I became familiar with the “Serenity Prayer” written by Reinhold Niebuhr. Did you know that it is much longer than what you usually see on posters and plaques? It has been suggested that it not be called the ‘serenity’ prayer, but instead the ‘courage’ prayer or maybe the ‘wisdom’ prayer. It speaks to me in this time of transition and I ask you to join me in offering it in prayer. I’m going to keep a copy at my desk, in my purse and by my remote! I’m going to pull it out when I need to remember to look to God for all things. When it gets real hairy around the office, or when the calls are overwhelming – I’m going to read it again. When the empty office next door starts to look really big and really empty – I’m going to read it again. When I have had to say “I don’t know” too many times – I’m going to read it again.
So, let us pray:

“God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.”

Seasons of Life

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

The cycles of life swirl around us. In God’s infinite wisdom we pass through time. The time has come to celebrate the ministry and tenure of Pastor David Fetter. His leave taking will be full of tears and laughter, boxes and back slapping. Joyfully, we lift up the many years of leadership and pastoral care that David has given to the membership of Abiding Love and to the community of Austin, TX. A congregation has a life much like a person, with a time for every season. As Abiding Love looks to the future, we stand on a firm foundation that Pastor Fetter worked to form. It is with the Love of Christ that we send him into this new time of retirement.

In the Farewell and Godspeed service of our Lutheran Church, there is a prayer:
“Eternal God, we thank you for David Fetter and for our life together in this congregation and community. As he has been a blessing to us, so now send him forth to be a blessing to others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”