Pastor Scott Hackler's melodic message: 'You've Got a Friend in Me'

Pastor Dan Potaznick, Director of Generosity and Strategic Development, shares his visit to Spirit of Grace Lutheran in Surprise:

This past Sunday I was blessed with the opportunity to worship with Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church in Surprise, AZ & give thanks to God for their ministry as members of the Grand Canyon Synod. Pastor Scott Hackler offered a captivating sermon singing Randy Newman’s single “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, as an example of who the Holy Spirit, the advocate, is in our lives.

After worship I met retired pastor Carlyle Smith in the narthex and had a fantastic conversation about his ministry journey. I share the impromptu photo we took after the conversation that pictures four generations of clergy being church together.

In the words of Randy Newman and Pastor Scott Hackler to the generations of clergy living in Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, “You’ve got a friend in me” and in the Grand Canyon Synod.

Rev. Dan Potaznick – Ordained 2023
Rev. Scott Hackler – Ordained 1989
Rev. Gary Benson – Ordained 1975
Rev. Carlyle Smith – Ordained 1964