St.
Paul Lutheran Church
Warren, Ohio
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FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK.....
ast month we celebrated the 30th anniversary of my Ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. I extend my sincere thanks to all of you who attended the luncheon after church and to the ladies who prepared it. For the many cards and gifts we are grateful. But for the lovely mantel clock, my wife and I are delighted! It plays the same old tune as the tall bell tower in front of St. Paul. For all of the years that I’ve been your pastor, I have loved to listen to the chimes. Do you know the history of the notes and words of the Westminster Chimes? They are the same notes first used on the clock in the University Church tower in Cambridge, England, where William Crotch arranged the words and music in 1793. He was inspired by a phrase from Handel’s symphony, I Know That My Redeemer Liveth. In 1859, it was selected for the Victoria Clock tower in the House of Parliament in London. There, the hour was struck on the famous old bell, “Big Ben”, after the four famous phrases have been played on the smaller bells. Do you know the words?
Lord through this hour Be thou our guide So, by thy power No foot shall slide.
I have truly enjoyed being your pastor, but the time has come to say goodbye. Wherever Liesa and I go from here, the Westminster Chimes will remind us of you, our friends at St. Paul. May God be our guide through this and every hour! In Christ, Pastor Steve Ritter
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