If you are a pastor engaged in preaching and teaching your people, and the response hasn’t been all that great, don’t be dismayed and diverted. Say to yourself: God has ordered me to proclaim his Word, and that’s what I’ll continue to do. If it doesn’t always prosper, God knows why; if my work does thrive, it pleases both him and me. The same attitude should prevail in any other of life’s callings. Say to yourself: God’s Word and will are present, and so I’ll go ahead, throw out my net, and let God worry about how full it will be!
(Martin Luther, from Sermon 1 for Trinity 5, preached in 1533)
Rev. Hallock has striven to live out the attitude espoused in the above quote, energetically continuing in a wide variety of efforts to reach out to the communities of Lexington and Richmond. Some highlights from September include:
- He is onboarding as a chaplain for the Lexington Field Office of the FBI, providing him with an opportunity to reach out to and serve local law enforcement.
- Attendance at Good Shepherd is growing, with dozens of visitors including two couples seeking greater involvement.
- Rev. Hallock is reaching out to the families of Lutheran School of Lexington (a preschool supported by Good Shepherd) by leading regular chapel services for the children.
Upcoming plans for Outreach Kentucky include:
- Good Shepherd will be hosting several community events including a Trunk or Treat, a Thanksgiving Feast, and a Church in Dialogue panel.
- Strategic planning discussions are ongoing, exploring additional ways for them be involved in outreach through canvassing and community volunteer efforts.
- The social media accounts and website for Good Shepherd will be undergoing a refresh. The Richmond Mission will be a part of these accounts until it grows large enough to establish a separate online presence.
If you are moved to support these efforts financially in addition to with your prayers, please send a check to “Indiana District-LCMS” 1145 Barr Street Fort Wayne IN 46802 with “Outreach Kentucky” on the memo line.