Remembering Al
When a Facebook friend posted a link to an article about a Lutheran pastor who was murdered this week in Fort Dodge, Iowa, outside his church, I clicked on the link to see what had happened. I didn't expect to know that particular pastor, so I was surprised to recognize his name, and see that he was the same age as I am. When the article further stated that he had attended Concordia College in Seward, I remembered that I had once known Al pretty well.
We went to college together but, more than that, when we were freshmen, we sang together on the same folk worship team of eight or ten students. Our team, "Joyful Noise," was extremely active, traveling all over Nebraska, and even into Iowa, to sing and minister at worship services, youth group meetings, and retreats. As a group, we spent a lot of time together, practicing, and riding in a school van from one engagement to another. At least half of us played guitars, because more was always better in those days before easy amplification. We sang together, prayed and worshiped together, and shared our daily struggles with one another.
And then, we went our separate ways. Before texting and social media existed, it was too easy to lose touch with the people we once knew well.
The article I read gave me a good summary of Al's life. His obituary added more details. Al Henderson had been married to his wife, Kristine, for 44 years. They lived in the Scottsbluff area, where Al sold feed and grain for several years until following God's call to become a pastor. By all accounts, he was an effective, beloved pastor, who reached out, beyond the walls of his church, to serve the people in his community.
That's why his death was big news, even beyond Iowa's borders. Pastor Al helped start Serving our Servants, SOS, a group which made a point of serving the first responders in the community. He was also the well-respected chaplain for the law enforcement agencies and fire departments in the area.
Pastor Al will be missed by his wife, children, and grandchildren, of course, and by the people in his congregation, as well as the kids at the Lutheran School on the church premises. But the police officers and firefighters he served are also having a hard time dealing with the senseless murder of the pastor they had come to know so well.
At his memorial service today, I hope the officiant reminded everyone of the true hope they can have in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again so that they might live forever with him in heaven. Pastor Al would want everyone there to know about Jesus. That's why he became a pastor in the first place.
I am quite sure that Al was taken by surprise, when he was suddenly ushered into God's presence. I am also certain that he has no regrets. In the words of our worship team's theme song, Al has entered through heaven's gates with thanksgiving, where he will praise our Lord and Savior forever.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God!
It is he that made us, and we are his;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
And his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures forever,
And his faithfulness to all generations.
We went to college together but, more than that, when we were freshmen, we sang together on the same folk worship team of eight or ten students. Our team, "Joyful Noise," was extremely active, traveling all over Nebraska, and even into Iowa, to sing and minister at worship services, youth group meetings, and retreats. As a group, we spent a lot of time together, practicing, and riding in a school van from one engagement to another. At least half of us played guitars, because more was always better in those days before easy amplification. We sang together, prayed and worshiped together, and shared our daily struggles with one another.
This is the Allen Henderson I once knew.
And then, we went our separate ways. Before texting and social media existed, it was too easy to lose touch with the people we once knew well.
The article I read gave me a good summary of Al's life. His obituary added more details. Al Henderson had been married to his wife, Kristine, for 44 years. They lived in the Scottsbluff area, where Al sold feed and grain for several years until following God's call to become a pastor. By all accounts, he was an effective, beloved pastor, who reached out, beyond the walls of his church, to serve the people in his community.
That's why his death was big news, even beyond Iowa's borders. Pastor Al helped start Serving our Servants, SOS, a group which made a point of serving the first responders in the community. He was also the well-respected chaplain for the law enforcement agencies and fire departments in the area.
Pastor Al will be missed by his wife, children, and grandchildren, of course, and by the people in his congregation, as well as the kids at the Lutheran School on the church premises. But the police officers and firefighters he served are also having a hard time dealing with the senseless murder of the pastor they had come to know so well.
At his memorial service today, I hope the officiant reminded everyone of the true hope they can have in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again so that they might live forever with him in heaven. Pastor Al would want everyone there to know about Jesus. That's why he became a pastor in the first place.
I am quite sure that Al was taken by surprise, when he was suddenly ushered into God's presence. I am also certain that he has no regrets. In the words of our worship team's theme song, Al has entered through heaven's gates with thanksgiving, where he will praise our Lord and Savior forever.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God!
It is he that made us, and we are his;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
And his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures forever,
And his faithfulness to all generations.
Comments
Post a Comment