It happened at a wedding reception last Saturday evening. Before the dinner, toasts and speeches were given. Then, just before the meal, the DJ person approached me with the microphone and said, “Father Steve will say the blessing.”
I knew that I would be offering a blessing/prayer for the meal. I didn’t know that I was “Father Steve.” Upon receiving the microphone, I offered this: “I’m a grandfather as well. Grandchild #5 was born a week ago.”
There were two audible reactions to this:
1)Some snickering and laughter from the dozen or so Trinity people present at the reception.
2)Silence, a kind of hush descended upon the hall apart from the bit of laughter I could hear. My take: people, especially those of the Catholic persuasion, were wondering how a “Father” (priest!?) could be a grandfather. Does the diocese know about this? Should someone tell somebody?
Don’t worry. I’m not giving up my day job just yet, which is that of pastor, shepherd of souls, proclaimer of God’s Word. This has been my privilege for 34 years. By the way, I’m the short guy in the middle of the picture, between my father and my brother.
I do happen to be married, a state of being which is allowable for clergy throughout most of Christendom. I’m the forever-grateful husband of one heaven-sent bride, a father to four (ages 25-31), and grandfather to five (all within the ages of 0-6). I am a blessed man – thank you, Lord!
Folks are going to have fun with this for a while. Our congregational president told me that at our next Council meeting he will turn to me to begin the meeting with devotion/prayer and address me as “Father.” I heard a good 8-10 “Hello, Father(s)” after the dinner Saturday evening.
Thinking on this gave me a chance to revisit Scripture that speaks about our heavenly Father.
Honestly, what else is there to say but: “Thank you, Father! Thank you for your grace and mercy and gifts beyond measure! Thank you for making me your child through Holy Baptism and for bringing and keeping me in your family of faith through Word and Spirit!”
You can call me whatever you like, according to the relationship we have: Father (I’ll take this as a joke!), Pastor, Steve, Stephen, Dad, Grandpa. If I hear you – always a challenge given my auditory difficulties! – I’ll acknowledge you. And together, we will praise our Father in heaven.
Thankful for our Father’s grace,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
I knew that I would be offering a blessing/prayer for the meal. I didn’t know that I was “Father Steve.” Upon receiving the microphone, I offered this: “I’m a grandfather as well. Grandchild #5 was born a week ago.”
There were two audible reactions to this:
1)Some snickering and laughter from the dozen or so Trinity people present at the reception.
2)Silence, a kind of hush descended upon the hall apart from the bit of laughter I could hear. My take: people, especially those of the Catholic persuasion, were wondering how a “Father” (priest!?) could be a grandfather. Does the diocese know about this? Should someone tell somebody?
Don’t worry. I’m not giving up my day job just yet, which is that of pastor, shepherd of souls, proclaimer of God’s Word. This has been my privilege for 34 years. By the way, I’m the short guy in the middle of the picture, between my father and my brother.
I do happen to be married, a state of being which is allowable for clergy throughout most of Christendom. I’m the forever-grateful husband of one heaven-sent bride, a father to four (ages 25-31), and grandfather to five (all within the ages of 0-6). I am a blessed man – thank you, Lord!
Folks are going to have fun with this for a while. Our congregational president told me that at our next Council meeting he will turn to me to begin the meeting with devotion/prayer and address me as “Father.” I heard a good 8-10 “Hello, Father(s)” after the dinner Saturday evening.
Thinking on this gave me a chance to revisit Scripture that speaks about our heavenly Father.
- “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13)
- “See the kind of love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a)
- “Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, who does not change or shift like a shadow.” (James 1:17)
- “And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son. And if you are a son, then you are also an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:6,7)
Honestly, what else is there to say but: “Thank you, Father! Thank you for your grace and mercy and gifts beyond measure! Thank you for making me your child through Holy Baptism and for bringing and keeping me in your family of faith through Word and Spirit!”
You can call me whatever you like, according to the relationship we have: Father (I’ll take this as a joke!), Pastor, Steve, Stephen, Dad, Grandpa. If I hear you – always a challenge given my auditory difficulties! – I’ll acknowledge you. And together, we will praise our Father in heaven.
Thankful for our Father’s grace,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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