You might see me as a relatively
new member of this church. But my time at First Lutheran started in 1960 when I was baptized by
Pastor Quello and continued for 18 years. In between, I enjoyed
all the activities our church had to offer: playing in the nursery, learning about Jesus in Sunday School, making projects at vacation bible school, singing in Mrs. Piepkorn’s choir, studying photography with Pastor Olson,
memorizing my Catechism for Pastor Cole, hanging out with the high school students, and many hours building the foundation of
my faith.
Yet I had more questions and wanted to explore other philosophies. I decided to take a break from First Lutheran. My parents Ray and Char Maas continued to attend. Their faith deepened and they found more and more ways to give back to First Lutheran.
Over the years I gained more knowledge and more experience. I never turned my back on the church, but limited my involvement toholidays and supporting the various church projects my parents were involved in. I remained an outside witness to the good works of the church.
My faith journey became more secular as I filled in holes in my knowledge. As years passed I found a scientific framework was valuable to understand the physical world, but not very useful when it came to the meaning of life and the real important questions of our existence.
My father and I were very close. We had worked together on a series of entrepreneurial endeavors that I found very rewarding. When he died in 2010 my interest in those endeavors waned. My sister
and her family moved to Dickinson in 2016. I was very close with her entire family. My best friend, Bob Nelson died in2 017. I had met Bob at First Lutheran in 1974. I took
care of my mother until she died in 2020. I found the grief material FLC sent me to be comforting.
Even before mom died, I wanted to expand my social network. First Lutheran would be a good place to start.
In September of 2021, I saw a new members class listing. So, after a mere 43 years, I returned to First Lutheran. Meeting new people and experiencing new situations can be rewarding, but also nerve-racking. It was all up to me. The congregation and
staff couldn’t have been better. I was in the right church. I was encouraged to try Rollie’s group and soon I was looking forward to Tuesday night with the guys.
A couple weeks later I got a call from my uncle, “I have a late appointment at Sanford. Could I stay overnight?” I immediately said, “Yes.” What happened next was all the Holy Spirit.
My uncle was estranged from our family. He had lived a hard life and rarely saw eye-to-eye with the rest of us. But thanks to what I was hearing and witnessing in Rollie’s class, I welcomed my uncle into my home. I listened to his complaints and stories from his past. It took hours, but he unloaded all the pain and anger that had blocked any reconciliation. By the time he was done, we were hugging and crying. I had just witnessed my first miracle.
It wouldn’t be the last. Week after week I’ve taken advantage of the opportunities that First Lutheran offers to study, practice, and strengthen my faith. Over the last two years I’ve noticed a mark decline in my anxiety levels, and so much personal growth. The grace I’ve received from the church follows me everywhere I go. This congregation has become my second family. I have a lot of work remaining, but with your help I know I’ll get there.
“BUT AS FOR WHAT WAS SOWN
ON GOOD SOIL, THIS IS THE ONE
WHO HEARS THE WORD AND
UNDERSTANDS IT, WHO INDEED
BEARS FRUIT AND YIELDS IN ONE
CASE A HUNDREDFOLD, IN ANOTHER
SIXTY, AND IN ANOTHER THIRTY.”
-MATTHEW 13:23
Craig’s story might have a common thread to Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus shares this story about a son who asks his father for half of the inheritance. His father grants his request, but when the son receives it things take a surprising turn. He leaves for a distant country, lives wildly, and loses all that he has been gifted. At the end of the story, the son returns home to his father and is full of shame. Yet there is another surprise. The son is met by a father that rejoices upon his return and is full of love and forgiveness.
“THE CONGREGATION AND STAFF
COULDN’T HAVE BEEN BETTER. I
WAS IN THE RIGHT CHURCH.”
The common thread here is going away and coming home. Like the prodigal son, Craig had a time in his life where he went away to explore and see what else was out there in the world. Like the prodigal son, Craig returned “home”. He returned to First Lutheran to find a community ready to welcome him with loving kindness and a place where his faith would grow.
Craig is a witness of Christ’s unconditional love that always rejoices when we come home. How would you encourage others to be a witness for Christ? “The best way to be a witness is to talk about your own experiences – people appreciate that. Be a calming influence when people are struggling.
We find peace by letting go and placing the burden on Jesus – as he asks us to do.” -Craig
