Four years. Four long but beautiful years.  As I sat on that red ordination chair in front of the congregation, isolated yet completely surrounded by my mentors and family of faith, I reflected on the journey that brought me to this point - from my first sermon to the starting of our San Marcos campus, the first paper to that final exam and interview with the seminary, from the sorrow of saying goodbye to great pillars of our church to the joy of seeing new believers baptized into the faith.  What a full and awesome vicarage it has been!  

The ordination service itself was indeed memorable. There is a certain glow that will remain with me and others for a very long time.  To have twenty-four pastors that I admire and respect take part in blessing and praying for me was very humbling.  The music from all the choirs, ensembles, and instrumentalists was absolutely inspiring.  So many people played roles to make this service the beautiful celebration that it was. 

After the service, the reception commenced!  Joe Sanchez, Donna Hinke, and countless volunteers prepared fantastic appetizers and desserts for over 400 people to enjoy.  To put it in perspective, there were 576 meatballs, 403 deviled eggs, 396 sandwiches, 8 trays of veggies, 12 lbs of green olive dip, 7 lbs of chocolate, 480 mini cheesecakes, 440 mini cream puffs, and many more cupcakes,cookies and other food.  But who’s counting?   

Now that my ordination is complete, I am truly looking forward to our continued ministry together.  I can’t wait for all the directions that God is going to guide us in the next few years.  Now that I’m finished with school, I am excited to take my learning (and extra time) and put it to good use!  As we look to the future, I prayerfully anticipate the growth and new facility of our San Marcos campus, the energizing of the many ministries through which we reach out into the community, and for all the ways that Christ is going to shine in and through the members of Community Lutheran to make disciples. 

I’d like to thank everyone who made my journey and ordination so meaningful. To the pastors who have mentored and encouraged me, to the staff which has walked alongside me,  to my church family who has loved and supported me and my family both in friendship and in gifts, and to all the volunteers who made my ordination so special - thank you all from the bottom of my heart.  Let’s get to work!

Pastor Joel Beyer (formerly known as Vicar!)