I will never forget the time when my mother decided to bake oatmeal cookies.  They were one of my favorites and still is.  She pre-heated the oven.  Then she got all of the ingredients together, mixed them in a bowl and poured the mixture on to a cookie pan.  And, when all was ready, the cookies went in to the oven.  Minutes passed.  Finally, the big moment came.  She took out the freshly-baked cookies and after a few minutes to let them cool off we took our first bite.  Well, they tasted OK but not great.  Something was missing.  Finally, it dawned on my mother that she forgot to put the oatmeal in the oatmeal cookie mix!

As you are reading this perhaps something isn't quite right.  Maybe you are missing something in your life.  Possibly you are missing a peace that passes all understanding, an inner calmness in the midst of a fractured and chaotic world.  Or you may be seeking a release from guilt, a conscience that won't let go of a checkered past.  A loved one might have been taken from you by the inevitable fact of death.  And now you seek, but quite can't find the assurance that there is something beyond the grave.

I, along with the people of First Lutheran, would like to help you find that which is missing.  As the minister of this congregation I would like to hear what you have to say.  I will respect your position and meet you where ever you are on your personal journey in life.  If you wish, please feel free to contact us at the church office (860-628-9001).

In His Service and yours,

Carl, LLM