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Pastor Ray tells his story the best....
Dear Family, Friends and Parishioners -
Greetings in the name of our merciful Savior, Jesus Christ!
I need to let you know what's going on…
First of all it's been a rough week.
Sunday after church my car wouldn't start.
Monday, 9am I found out my cousin suddenly passed away.
Tuesday, I found out the house I've been living in the last 3 years is being put on the market to be sold and I will have to find somewhere else to live.
Now I know I'm not alone in these burdens and dilemmas. I know we all have our crosses to bear and we could all tell our stories.
My home situation has been a gift from GOD in regard to how it's worked for the past 3 years. I was graced with no rent over that time and to pay utilities only in this last year. It was this generosity that allowed me to continue to serve Emmaus and only be compensated at a halftime salary.
With the house going away, along with its no rent, I'm in a tough spot. I don't make enough to afford rent. Paying the utilities has been hard enough. I told the call committee back in ‘13 that I felt a pastor should live where he is trying to serve. With my eyes as they are, and a car that needs repairing, a closer address was welcomed too. My home at 417 Iowa was a great place for all of these things, and now it is going away.
I'm asking, first and foremost for your prayers that the LORD provides - which I know He will. I know this by the Catechism I teach every day. We read in the Fourth petition of the LORD’S Prayer…
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realise this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread? Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbours, and the like.
So I know He Will take care of me.
But He often times takes care of us through others. So in addition to your prayers, I would ask that you get the word out regarding a place to live. I cannot afford much, but will do what I can and I would like to stay as close to Emmaus as possible for my work, my eyes, my car and the expense of living farther away. Any leads would be much appreciated.
I love being the pastor and principal of Emmaus. I would do anything for her, as she has given so much to me over the last half century - my new life in baptism, my confirmation into the faith, my ordination into the ministry, a place to truly call home. My love for GOD, His people and serving Him has rewarded me in so many, various and wondrous ways. It's all I want to do!
But I do have the same needs and necessities that everyone has. I have bills to pay, a large student loan, car expenses, utilities, medical bills, etc. In other words I'm just like you and trying to do the work of a pastor and a principal on half a pastor’s salary.
So please pray. Please spread the word. Please share. Please let me know of any leads. Please pray!
I love you all and I love serving my LORD!!! To GOD be the glory.
Saved by the blood of the Lamb -
Pastor Ray
Dear Family, Friends and Parishioners -
Greetings in the name of our merciful Savior, Jesus Christ!
I need to let you know what's going on…
First of all it's been a rough week.
Sunday after church my car wouldn't start.
Monday, 9am I found out my cousin suddenly passed away.
Tuesday, I found out the house I've been living in the last 3 years is being put on the market to be sold and I will have to find somewhere else to live.
Now I know I'm not alone in these burdens and dilemmas. I know we all have our crosses to bear and we could all tell our stories.
My home situation has been a gift from GOD in regard to how it's worked for the past 3 years. I was graced with no rent over that time and to pay utilities only in this last year. It was this generosity that allowed me to continue to serve Emmaus and only be compensated at a halftime salary.
With the house going away, along with its no rent, I'm in a tough spot. I don't make enough to afford rent. Paying the utilities has been hard enough. I told the call committee back in ‘13 that I felt a pastor should live where he is trying to serve. With my eyes as they are, and a car that needs repairing, a closer address was welcomed too. My home at 417 Iowa was a great place for all of these things, and now it is going away.
I'm asking, first and foremost for your prayers that the LORD provides - which I know He will. I know this by the Catechism I teach every day. We read in the Fourth petition of the LORD’S Prayer…
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realise this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread? Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbours, and the like.
So I know He Will take care of me.
But He often times takes care of us through others. So in addition to your prayers, I would ask that you get the word out regarding a place to live. I cannot afford much, but will do what I can and I would like to stay as close to Emmaus as possible for my work, my eyes, my car and the expense of living farther away. Any leads would be much appreciated.
I love being the pastor and principal of Emmaus. I would do anything for her, as she has given so much to me over the last half century - my new life in baptism, my confirmation into the faith, my ordination into the ministry, a place to truly call home. My love for GOD, His people and serving Him has rewarded me in so many, various and wondrous ways. It's all I want to do!
But I do have the same needs and necessities that everyone has. I have bills to pay, a large student loan, car expenses, utilities, medical bills, etc. In other words I'm just like you and trying to do the work of a pastor and a principal on half a pastor’s salary.
So please pray. Please spread the word. Please share. Please let me know of any leads. Please pray!
I love you all and I love serving my LORD!!! To GOD be the glory.
Saved by the blood of the Lamb -
Pastor Ray
Organizer and beneficiary
Donna Roberts
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
Ray Smith
Beneficiary
