Celebrating a year of Jubilee!  

1730 Old Hudson Road -  St. Paul, Minnesota   

651-774-9617

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Worship services:    Sunday 9:30 a.m.  -  Monday 7:00 p.m.

Jesus, come!  In new creation, heav’n guide us into paths unknown; bring your gifts, command your servants, let us trust in you alone: though your hand may work in secret, all shall see what you have done.

 Jesus, come! Surprise our dullness, make us willing to receive more than we can yet imagine, all the best you have to give:  let us find your hidden riches, taste your love, believe, and live!*

Long ago hospitality was essential to survival.  People offered water, food and even shelter to the stranger.  I know that today we sometimes offer food and drink, but more often hospitality means intentionally including the other and accepting each other as we are.  I have been touched again and again here at Grace by your welcoming spirit of hospitality.  At committee meetings, after worship over a cuppa, on trips with XYZ-ers, and in folks just dropping in, and for this I thank you.

You have probably noticed I don’t always do things the way Pastor Craig did, or the way things have “always been done.”  Change is not always easy for some of us.  But one this we do know is with a new senior pastor will come new ideas and enthusiasms, in other words change!  In the time I am privileged to be a part of your family, I hope we can understand better who you have been in the past, who you are now, and who God is calling you to be in the future.  As we dream and work toward a new future at Grace, my prayer is that though we may not always agree on specifics, we will always have respect for each other.  Respect.  Ever take that word apart?  “RE” is again.  “SPECT” is to see.  Respect then is to see again or maybe to see with new eyes.  To see each other with new eyes could be a challenge in this time of change, because we all like to think our view point is the Right One.  But in practicing respect we can let go of power and self righteousness.  We literally see each other’s view points in a new light.

Remember, like any family we may not always see eye to eye, but if we love by viewing each other as beloved children of God, and truly seek to understand the other’s point of view, even if we find we can’t agree with it, we will do great things for God.  How?  By speaking and acting with clarity, kindness, and decency for our brother’s sake, Jesus.  What a great message for us all as we journey through summer’s lazy days together.

I look forward to our working together toward the goal of calling a new senior pastor and a new future for your parish in Christ.  And thank you again for your open hospitality.

                                                                                                                                  -Pastor Pat Ondarko

     *Jesus, Come! For We Invite You, C. Idle, H. Friedell.  WOV p. 648