Pastor Ebert returns call to Hope

Pastor Kurt Ebert returned the call to serve as Pastor of Hope Lutheran in Hampton. Pastor Schroeder will continue serving as vacancy pastor during the interim. The District Mission Board will issue a new call sometime before the end of the month. Pastor Ebert's letter is attached below.

February 11, 2010

Dear saints of our Lord Jesus gathered at Hope Lutheran in Hampton,

Greetings in the name of our Savior! With trust in our Lord who rules His church on earth, I have come to the decision to remain at my current calling as pastor at Abiding Word in Highlands Ranch, CO, and to return the Lord's call to serve him and his people at Hope Ev. Lutheran Church in Hampton.

It gave me much joy to speak with several of you and to hear more of the marvelous grace God has shown to Hope congregation. I was also grateful to witness the passionate love for the Lord and His Kingdom, worked by the Spirit in the congregation. I know I could have served among you with joy, and am convinced that the Gospel will bear rich fruit as it spreads through the congregation into the community of Hampton. From this end, and after many discussions with the saints here, I am compelled to remain and see through our plans to help daughter a congregation in nearby Castle Rock and strengthen our outreach into the Highlands Ranch community.

I am full of confidence that He "who gave some to be...pastors and teachers" to shepherd His flock until His return will raise up the right man to serve the flock at Hope. My prayers continue to be with the congregation and with Pastor Schroeder who serves the vacancy so faithfully.

Serving with you in our Lord's harvest,

Kurt Ebert, pastor
Abiding Word, Highlands Ranch, CO