Sunday, December 3, 2017

Pastor Nathan Bickel Passed Away Today

Pastor Nathan Bickel

During the week I learned from his wife Joyce that Pastor Nathan Bickel was receiving home hospice care, after many hospitalizations. Nathan and Joyce participated in the service on Ustream last Sunday.

I mentioned in today's sermon that on a given Sunday, it may be first time someone hears the Gospel - or the last time.

Last Sunday was Nathan's last time at a worship service. He passed into eternal life this morning, at home.

We never met, but we were in touch during his early days of blogging. We had many friendly conversations via email during that time. I often linked his blog and gave him information for his political posts. I did not want to debate politics on this blog because there were so many other outlets for that.

As I have written many times before, streaming video is a great way to send the Means of Grace via the Internet for a very low cost. We pay a monthly fee and members have contributed toward getting the right equipment. I suggested the same to Pastor Paul Rydecki and anyone else who would listen.

Joyce wrote me that she would continue with our services. Others have added their names recently, which is quite gratifying.

In the end, what really matters to us? Eternal qualities matter most, and material things mean so little. God gives us forgiveness through faith in the Savior and blesses us in countless ways.

 Note the current website for Norma A. Boeckler -
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/norma-boeckler.html