PASTOR BOB YOUNG

    •    Ebenezer Lutheran Church

    •    (2010 - Present)

    •    Resurrection/St. Matthew's Lutheran Parish

    •    (1992 - 2008)

    •    Grace Lutheran Church

    •    (1977 - 1992)

    •    Morning Star Lutheran Church

    •   (1971 - 1977)

"Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I'm come." These words from the hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing recall the story of God delivering His people and the prophet Samuel setting up a large stone to mark the occasion. The plan was that whenever the people would see that stone, which Samuel named "Ebenezer" (meaning "stone of help"), they would be reminded that God had been with them and led them that far in their journey and, as the words of an old spiritual song express it, "nobody told me the road would be easy; but I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me."

For me personally, "here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I'm come" are words that express well what I feel at this point in my own life's journey. Ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1971, I have been blessed to have been called and to have served at amazing congregations over the years: Morning Star Lutheran Church in Matthews, NC (1971-1977), Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, NC (1977-1992), and Resurrection/St. Matthew's Lutheran Parish in Cameron, SC (1992-2008). Though I didn't raise up "stones" at each place or "name" them, it is clear to me that the Lord's hand was leading me at every step in that journey and into every new adventure.

Early retirement at age 62 eventually and inevitably led to weekend preaching appointments and, ultimately, in October of 2010, to beginning "interim" ministry here at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, China Grove, NC; and yet again I find myself praising God and singing, "hither by thy help I'm come." The ministry, the people, the spirit, the devotion, the servant heart that IS Ebenezer Lutheran Church blesses me every day and reminds me that all I need to do is open my eyes of faith and see the Lord at work all around me here.

Ebenezer Lutheran Church, by our very name, bears witness to our faith that God is with us and leading us in our journey as His people in this place. From the earliest beginnings of this congregation in 1867 and throughout our history, stories abound of God's grace to us; and those stories continue and grow and inspire through all the things we experience God doing among us today.

Please know that all are welcome to come join with us here at Ebenezer and celebrate -- or discover for the first time -- all that the Lord is doing in your life and through your life to bless our world. Know this, also: a blessing awaits you when you take some time to recall "Ebenezer" moments in your life, markers along the way which point to times when God has been with you at critical moments. "Hither by (God's) help" you've come! And there is no way God brought you this far to leave you now!