Saturday morning was a beautiful and joyful day as the Panhandle clergy gathered in Amarillo for the installation of a new pastor called to serve at Beautiful Savior Lutheran. Pastor Leah Lawson moved here from the Nebraska Synod in July and is already well loved.

For a Saturday morning, the turnout from the congregation was great! Pr. Arlen Lloyd, dean of the Panhandle Conference presided and I preached.

The choir sang a lovely anthem and the clergy showed up with great support too. So much joy in that place!

And as they do here in Texas, they offered up a great BBQ luncheon with an amazing array of desserts. Yes, my love for congregational visits is back and my love for the Panhandle is as strong as ever.

But as the sign reminds us, the worship is over. The service begins!