09/18/2023
To the saints at St. Paul Lutheran Church:
This morning following the Divine Service, I announced to the congregation that I have accepted the call to be the senior pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, CA. This was not an easy decision. In fact, it was a very difficult one. Joan and I have been in continuous discussion and prayer since I received the call. We are in complete agreement about this and are convinced this is the right move for our family and for the Church.
I came to St. Paul Lutheran Church directly from Concordia Theological Seminary in August 2015. It was here that I began to put all of what I had learned in the classroom, field work, and on vicarage into practice. You taught me how to be a pastor. I am grateful to the Lord for the past 8 years in Phoenix, but I am also grateful to the Lord for granting me the opportunity to labor in another part of His vineyard.
As you can imagine, emotions ran high at St. Paul this morning, and there was palpable disappointment at my announcement of accepting the call. But overall, the saints understand that this is from the Lord, and He, not I or any of us, is the Lord of the Church. Saint Paul follows the historic lectionary. The Holy Gospel for Trinity 15 is Matthew 6:24-34, and the hymn of the day is “What God Ordains Is Always Good.” We all need the constant reminder not to be anxious for tomorrow, and that He who cares for the lilies and the birds will most certainly provide for His precious children.
I will be in communication with the leadership of both congregations this week to determine the best date for me to conclude my service at St. Paul and begin at Holy Trinity. Please keep me and the people of both congregations in your prayers.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Proctor
