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Ron Stricker

12/16/2020

 
​ “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, God is with us.” Matthew 1:23 
 
Memory of Reading Scripture at Family Service 
 
The year was 1993 my Dad passed away in January. I was happy for him, as he had for most of his life, battled physical illnesses. Our children were 15 and 12 and I put much into my work to provide for my family’s future. This was one of the lessons that I learned from my Dad. He almost literally worked himself to death and was totally disabled when I was 15. 
 
We were busy with our kids’ school, sports and church activities. Gatherings with family and friends was the norm and appreciated. Life went on “normally”, but my grief would rise up as I reflected on my father’s passing, especially when we gathered for the holidays. 
 
For Christmas of 1993, I agreed to read the Christmas story at the family service. I thought no problem, I’ve read many times. I always believed it was a privilege to read scripture and was happy to do it. I think my suppressed grief finally hit me as I read this beautiful story and thought about my Dad. I broke down and cried. The promise of Emmanuel, God with us, had touched me deeper from that moment on. 
 
This year I have often thought about that year. I am trying to stay positive as we have a pandemic to cope with. I miss our gatherings with friends and family. For the first time in our lives we will not be together with our children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving. I am grieving all that this pandemic has done to us individually and collectively. Thanks to technology, we are keeping the threads connected, but this pandemic has made those threads fray a bit. 
 
I am holding onto that promise of “God with Us” and hope that all of you will be able to hold onto that promise as well.  Peace. Blessing and healing to all of you and may the year 2021 bring us to an end of this pandemic. 
 

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    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
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    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
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    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
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    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy