Thanking pastors

Faith is vital to many people in Cape Girardeau and throughout the country. Faith is by definition a private decision, yet it's also a nucleus for fellowship with others.

A church should be a place where the faithful can share their beliefs and build personal relationships with others. A primary, and important, role for pastors is to help foster that fellowship.

But how often do we think about our pastors and clergymen? We hear them speak on Sundays. We may see them coming and going during various church-related activities throughout the week. But do we truly know them and appreciate them?

Today, the second Sunday of October, is Pastor Appreciation Day. Pastors do a lot of work beyond what most of us see. They drop what they're doing to minister to the sick in the hospital. They grieve with families. They counsel those who ask for help. They do outreach work on nights and weekends. They study and they pray. Many pastors are always on call, ready to do their work, often during people's worst moments.

So today we say thank you to all of our pastors who help feed the hungry, who share their faith and the message of hope, who constantly pray for others, who bring peace in times of anguish, who simply love others.

We say thank you for the sacrifices our pastors -- and their families -- make to serve others before themselves.

Take a moment today to let your pastor know he or she is appreciated.