Sandra Singing Goodbye

11 August 2021

Dear Friends in Faith,

Over the last several years, Sandra Bohlken has shared her spectacular heart, smile, voice, and coordination as our Director of Contemporary Worship. We are deeply and forever grateful. We are also very sorrowful today to pass on her decision to step down from her position. As you can read in her resignation letter below, Sandra and husband Greg have decided in light of Covid concerns to home school their beautiful Micah and Isaiah and Sandra feels a strong pull to put 100% focus on that task. Pastor Miriam and I even presented Sandra with a variety of (what we would hope to be considered) “win-win possibilities,” but, while Sandra was appreciative of our gesture, she feels the call to focus on family, which we can certainly respect.

As you know, this dreaded Covid disease sends incredibly challenging ripple effects throughout our families, job dynamics, and life decisions. It is my opinion and therefore I lament that Covid dynamics have led, in significant measure, to the loss of two COS dynamic staff leaders. We pray that the Lord would give courage and wisdom for us all to participate in behaviors that will help remove this scourge from our earth.

Now we will follow and ask for the Holy Spirit’s lead forward.

We’ll delight in Sandra’s remaining leadership with us and celebrate her ministry on her last day, September 5. You may express your appreciation of her impact at COS via [email protected]
The Personnel Team and Council will oversee the search process for a new Director of Contemporary Worship.
This Sunday, musicians and participants of the Contemporary service will meet at noon to discuss the next steps.
While it always seems more difficult to fill vacant part-time positions than full time positions which offer benefits, (and while we’ve found it challenging to find Lutheran contemporary musicians in Baptist and Methodist country), we know God has someone in store for our precious congregation with our wonderful volunteer musicians, supportive worshipers, and exciting new worship space. If you have any suggestions for candidates for this 15-hr/week position, please send them to me at [email protected].
As always, please pray for Jesus’ work throughout the world. As we say in the Lord’s Prayer, that “God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So, please include this ministry team leader search in your daily prayers. Since our COS address is 101 N. Peachtree Parkway, I set my alarm for 1:01 PM each day, so I may pray for you and our whole congregation. Would you join me, please?

As Ecclesiastes reminds us, to everything there is a season for all purposes under heaven. We rejoice in the “Sandra Season” at COS. We wish Sandra the very best and will look forward to expressing our appreciation to her on her last Sunday.

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FROM SANDRA BOHLKEN:

Dear Christ Our Shepherd Family,

After prayerful consideration I have decided to resign from my position as Director of Contemporary Worship with my last Sunday on September 5. I am grateful for our time together and, as we have begun to talk about what’s next for Christ Our Shepherd and for the Contemporary Service, I have come to realize that where my heart and energy are the most these days is with my family, especially my two precious sons. Greg and I have decided to homeschool the boys and I would like to give them all of my energy and focus. I am eternally grateful for the love and support you have given me and my family these last several years. I will miss making music for our great God together every week. I will keep Christ Our Shepherd in my prayers as you move forward in this new season of growth and life. I hope others will experience the abundance of God’s love through you just my family and I have.

Peace and love to you all,
Sandra Bohlken