Dear Friends and Members of Shepherd of the Hills,

After a long and epic journey…I’m back.  My family and I are so thankful for the opportunity to visit the historic locations of our faith.  To wander where God’s people wandered, to walk where Jesus walked and experience the cultures of such wonderful people was truly a blessed experience.  

As much as I loved adventuring with my family and with the friends we made on tour, I am so thankful to return to Ruidoso and Shepherd of the Hills.  All adventures must come to an end and it is always glorious to find the end of the adventures return us back here…home.  I continue to process all the experiences of the last 3 weeks.  I look forward to processing them with you all.  Our family will plan a time to share pictures and stories.  As your pastor I would love to share with you from the scriptures some of the insights we experienced.  In the mean time, I would like to share with you some words from Pastor Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Roswell and co-leader of our tour.

We saw the pyramids, climbed Mt. Sinai, explored Petra, and experienced the places where God worked mightily for his people's salvation. As great as all this is, greater still is the fact that God desires to meet us through the means of his Word and Sacrament. Though the tour gave great context to the biblical story of salvation, it certainly doesn't replace the sufficiency of the Word to save our souls when we believe the promises that God gave his Son to die for us. So if you're looking for today's promised land, look no further than your own pulpit, font, and altar.

I look forward to seeing you at today’s promised land…the place where we receive Jesus in his Word and Sacrament…Shepherd of the Hills.  

In His Love and Service,

Pastor Rust