03/06/2026
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Yesterday I accepted the call to serve as the next pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Long Valley, New Jersey. It has been a gracious blessing and great privilege to serve you here at St. John's Lutheran and to enjoy our fellowship and work together in Jesus' name.
This decision comes after much prayer to our Father in heaven and after bittersweet struggle. That the Lord presents me with two opportunities to serve his beloved people and faithful disciples is pure goodness from his hand. Yet, that decision carries with it the need to leave fellow believers my family and I have gotten to know and grown to love in Christ.
I'm not saying goodbye yet, though. In conversation with the congregation there, my initial plan is to relocate around the end of May/early June. That provides time for me to see some things through here—e.g., the upcoming confirmation—and help you get ready for a time of transition when members need to carry out responsibilities I would normally do—e.g., Sunday worship prep.
We'll tackle these things together, just as we have, and be thankful for the blessings our Savior and Lord Jesus gives us in the coming days.
Pastor Faught
