Advent Lutheran Church - Mentor, OH

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every one of you who take the time to pray for and support the mission of our community.   It gives me such comfort and inspiration when I meet you in the hallways, in the fellowship hall, the sanctuary, in the coffee houses and bookstores and hear of your excitement with what God is doing in, with, and through Advent.   Thank you for growing in your love for Jesus and your love for others.   Thank you for your deep care for my family and me.   Thank you for your love for your other pastors, staff, and volunteers.   We are a wonderful community of the love of God, and it is very evident in the care shown by so many for so many.   I am excited about new ideas to expand what we are already doing through ministries that are committed to know Christ and make Christ known because it is all about God and not about us.   The joy of being a church after God’s own heart is evident in the growing relationships among us.

As we celebrate Easter, let us commit to being resurrection people, a community that believes we can change the world for the love of God.   The power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ points our attention to the Kingdom of God that has come near and our participation in the redemption of the world.

Let us stand upon the words of Paul in Philippians 3:10-14:

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.   Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.   Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

Learn what these words reveal for us.   Thank you for always showing me who Jesus is among us.

Pastor Kovitch
(April 2008)

A great big THANK YOU and appreciation to all those of Advent who supported our move; prayerfully, physically, and emotionally.

The opportunity to have a home that is 100% accessible is a blessing. We thank God for everything that has blessed our lives, including our Advent family.

Let us look forward to how we can use the “yellow house next door" to further our mission and ministry.

Pastor Kovitch
(June 2008)

Dear Advent Family,

Pastor Joe gave me the opportunity to use his spot this month to share some of my plans for the rest of this year, and the coming years.

I am going to take a “sabbatical ” this coming summer.  Beginning in June, I will take the following three months to read, pray, evaluate, and get "caught up" with where I’m at in my life and ministry.   I’m turning the big "60" in May and it’s time to take a look at where I am and where I and God need me to be or to go.   It will be an opportunity to step back and have the time to evaluate what I am able to yet do and then how to best use the gifts God has entrusted to me.

As you all know, I suffered a stroke in July of 2002.   I thank God and the people God has sent my way, who helped me get to where I am today.   Without that help and my wife, Lida’s love and devotion, I wouldn’t be here.   Advent has been part of that gift that God has provided.   You have allowed me to use the gifts that remain, to do ministry among you.

The chronic fatigue syndrome, left by the stroke, limits my ability to work full-time.  I have been able to "plug in" here, for which I am eternally thankful.   But time is needed now to see what would be the best use of my time and talents.   It takes all the energy available to do what I do now.   There are no reserves.   To be assistant or visitation pastor is a joy, but there is little left to do anything else.   To claim time to work or play outside the church always comes across as "cheating" my ministry, because strength and energy have been used up.   Always the dilemma.

Thus, the need for sabbatical!   What is the best way to serve God?    Is there a source yet untouched, that I can mine for more energy?    What do I want to be when I grow up? Now, read this part very carefully!!   I love the community of Advent – the family that it is.  I’m choosing to change my status from paid staff to volunteer staff, beginning now.   It is not an issue of finances or frustrations.   It is simply a time to think and reflect.   I have not been told to quit.   I have not had a fight with Pastor Joe or any one else!    There is no underlying, secret reason other than what I’ve told you here.

I will fill in for Pastor Joe’s vacation in July – otherwise, I’m on sabbatical.    Come September, I’ll share what I ’ve found with you and we’ll continue our journey together.   I humbly ask that you continue to support me in your prayers during this time of reflection.

Shalom!
Pastor Larry
(May, 2008)