My Dad, My Pastor.

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?

You have been called. From the very beginning, we have been taught the beauty, mystery, sanctity, and honor of vocation. We have always been proud and willing to fulfill our vocation as the “Pastor’s daughters” because we clearly saw God’s hand in your vocation. The Creator of the universe, who knows and created all, created you. He created you to serve His people - to break the world’s darkness with the light of the Gospel. He created you for His call. The past 25 years have been evidence of His creation in you and your God-glorifying vocation.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them, They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them
Whom shall I send?

As your children, we understand that we don’t know all the pain, drama, suffering, and discouragement that you have experienced in the past 25 years. But we know that you have been through pain. We also know that you have been there for people through their own pain. For the past 25 years, you haven’t been there to fix their pain but to point them to the one who destroyed death and suffering. You have sat in your office to hear of divorces, drug problems, abortions, marital disputes, deaths, depression and anxiety of your herd. You have sat next to countless hospital beds to recite the Lord’s prayer, sing a hymn, and pray for the dying. You patiently sit with those who suffer and suffering itself. The same way Jesus does with us everyday – patiently sitting with the broken, continually redeeming and intervening our lives with His grace. Your “sitting” with people in their pain, brokenness, and sinfulness is a testament to God’s presence in our lives.  

I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save
Finest bread I will provide,
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them,
Whom shall I send?

How many hands have received the Lord’s body from your hands? How many mouths have sipped on the redeeming blood of Christ from the chalice you hold? One of the most encouraging parts of worship is seeing the people of God line up every Sunday to receive the Lord’s Supper. In 2016, people are still believing and receiving the grace of God through the sacrament of His body and blood. The Lord provides. As the world has changed over the past 25 years, His forgiveness and our salvation does not. You serve a God who does not change and who will continue to provide for His people. You serve a God full of grace and truth. For the past 25 years, you have been serving that God and serving His people with that same grace and truth. Continue to provide His grace and truth for His children. God will continue to provide the strength, encouragement, and love for you.

Here I am Lord, It is I, Lord,
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

Here you are. Reverend James Walter Bender. Pastor Bender. Pastor Jim. Jimmy. Dad. We have seen you hold His people in your heart. We have heard God’s calling to you – to serve His people and proclaim the Good News. We believe with full hearts that God created you to lead, teach, love, and forgive the people of God. We are proud of you. Well done, good and faithful servant.