Dear Neighbor,

Thanks for looking St. Paul’s up, and for giving time to read my personal welcome to you.

As I write this greeting, I’ve just put aside my sermon preparation for the coming Sunday. The subject of the week concerns the nature of gifts. The idea is that we all have abundant life promised in Christ because of gifts, and because of how we pass them along to others.

I believe the invitation to believe in and follow Jesus Christ is the most fantastic gift. I received that gift as a young man, and with it the call to be a pastor. It has been through pastoring these last 27 years that I have found truth in something Jesus taught: that if we love our lives and hang on to them, we will lose them; but if we give life away, we will find it in abundance.

My joys in pastoring include getting to sing a lot -- I never got to be a rock star like I thought I wanted to be, but praising the Rock of my salvation has turned out to be a great lifelong gig. I also get to tell a lot of stories and do a fair amount of character acting, including having amazing conversations with my many puppet critter friends at children’s time in worship. So what? I didn’t get to be a famous actor in the movies. I rehearse and perform daily in the best and longest running drama ever -- the story of how God is saving the world. I also get to be with people every day, getting my rough spots knocked off and polished up in the process. I am a people person, but without the call to be in the Church I’m sure I would have fallen in with people who would have influenced me poorly. As a pastor, in caring for others in the church, I believe God is healing me and making me a better person.

Coming to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is a fantastic gift, too. This is a bright, warm-hearted, diverse, welcoming and high-spirited congregation devoted to Christ and dedicated to helping others in His name. I know of no better place to be. I think you just might like it here.

At St. Paul’s we always wonder who God will send to be the newest gift to this Body of Christ. Maybe that gift is . . . you. We would like to be a very special gift to you, as well.

Come for a visit! You may also contact me by phone at 522-9076, email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or look for me on Facebook.

God bless you!

Rev. Dan Thompson-Aue