Tuesday Tidings, May 19, 2026

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:12

As of today, May 19, 2026, Kari and I have been married for 25 years. This is our “silver anniversary,” and this email is being sent to you from the Gettysburg Campus of United Lutheran Seminary; where we began our relationship all those years ago. I can honestly say that I have been grateful for every day we have shared together.  Those of you who know her, know that Kari truly is a treasure.  She has blessed my life in astounding ways.

Don’t worry, you can continue reading; that’s the last bit of the mushy stuff.

You see, I wish I could go on for a few lines waxing poetic about being the perfect husband, but I’m not the perfect husband. I wish I could give you five easy and effective steps for a long and happy marriage, but I would never presume that I had that kind of wisdom to offer.

What I can tell you in good conscience is that much of the joy in our marriage is directly related to that third strand in the cord that gets referenced in Ecclesiastes.

We stood in the chapel at Gettysburg Seminary 25 short years ago and promised to be faithful to one another. In the context of that marriage liturgy, we also enthusiastically welcomed Christ into our life together. It was a wise decision to incorporate that third strand.

Why would I say this? Well:

Christ helped sustain our commitment to one another. Christ blessed us with purposeful work in the church. Christ was with us when Hannah was born. Christ named and claimed our gifted little one in the waters of baptism. Christ fueled the frivolity when we partied with friends. Christ offered the consolation when we lost those we dearly loved. Christ guided us through our biggest decisions. Christ laid the ground rules that transformed would be arguments into constructive respectful conversations. Christ provided the encouragement to offer real forgiveness when necessary.

Christ continues to bless us with profoundly beautiful communities of faith (that would be you all, yinz guys!) that enrich our lives beyond calculation. And Christ’s lasting faithfulness gives us every reason to look to the future with a genuine sense of hopefulness. And finally, Christ inspired the hymns we have sung in the car on the way to vacation. Speaking of which, I’ll close with this…

“Bind us together, Lord, bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord, bind us together, Lord; bind us together in love.” With One Voice #748

Question for reflection: Do you keep a Lutheran hymnal in your car?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

Gracious Lord, every day is a gift. Bless us with the capacity to treasure the time we are given, as well as the beautiful people we are blessed to share the time with. And keep us mindful, that you are always present; and so, we must recognize that we are also sharing this adventure with you. What a joy. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.--