Javi has always greatly admired the simple yet profound humility of the ladies serving on the Altar Guild. At the end of every Divine Service, he always makes sure to thank whoever’s on the schedule for that Sunday for their service in preparing the elements of the Lord’s Supper. He hopes they see his gratitude not as a vain, diplomatic nicety, but as genuine gratitude for their faithful service to the Lord and His people.
After shaking everyone’s hand at the end of the service, he makes his way to the sacristy and sees Laura, a petite woman in her mid-40s, cleaning everything up.
He peeks in and says, “Thank you, Laura,” and smiles.
She smiles back and says, “Thank you, Pastor. I really enjoyed learning about the Church Fathers’ views on the Baptism of Jesus!”
As he makes his way to the vestry to de-robe, he chuckles to himself wondering why she always says, “Thank you, Pastor” and can’t just accept the thanks and say, “You’re welcome.” I could learn from her humility, he thinks. She never seeks glory for her service to God and neighbor.
†
“Laura has cancer,” Jeff says at the Elder’s meeting that Tuesday night. “Stage four breast cancer.”
Javi couldn’t believe it. He had just seen her two days ago in the sacristy. Everything seemed fine. She even smiled.
“Is there anything we can do for your wife?” Javi asks. The other Elders around the table nod with concerned looks on their faces.
Jeff shakes his head, “Other than your continued prayers, nothing at the moment. She’s starting chemo soon. I guess the only thing would be, whenever she’s not able to serve on the Altar Guild anymore…” Jeff couldn’t finish.
“Of course, Jeff,” the head elder, Mark, cut in. “We wouldn’t expect her to serve on the guild when she’s not physically able.”
“Thank you,” Jeff nods. “If you could just keep everything quiet for now, until she’s ready to let people know…”
“Yes,” Javi agrees, “of course. In the meantime, if there’s anything I or the Elders can do, don’t hesitate to let us know.”
“I know, Pastor, thanks,” Jeff says. “Whenever she’s up for a visit, I’ll call you.”
“Okay. Whenever Laura needs to step down from the Altar Guild, we’ll ask the other ladies to step up.”
“Thank you, Pastor.”
There it is again: Thank you, Pastor.
The Lutheran Column 