07/27/2024
Dear Friends,
As I reflect on our time together and prepare to preach my last sermon at Trinity Church, I'm reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8…
“There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven:
a time to give birth and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to uproot;
a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to tear down and a time to build;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;
a time to search and a time to count as lost;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
a time to tear and a time to sew;
a time to be silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.”
In our seven-plus years together, we've experienced many of these moments. I recall baptisms, funerals, yard sales, Bible studies, singing, praying, preaching, fellowship, and friendship. We’ve seen the end of old ways and the beginning of new ones, faced Covid and got through it, remembered and forgiven. We’ve filled boxes with donations for children all over the world. We’ve shared laughter, tears, mourning, and far too many desserts and casseroles—but never too much carrot cake! We’ve bid farewell to cherished members who moved on or joined the church triumphant, and welcomed new faces. We’ve acquired a grand piano, remodeled the entire church property, and bought new hymnals. We’ve weathered storms and enjoyed many sunny days. We had the ditch around the church re-routed, keeping flood waters from impacting the building or parking lot. We have even changed our church name and moved worship earlier on Sunday mornings (and you still kept me as your pastor!).
Through it all, we have bonded and grown in profound ways, experiencing much mercy, grace, joy, and love. The Lord has blessed us abundantly, demonstrating that what seems impossible is made possible by God. You have embraced Sheryl and the rest of my family and occasional visiting friends over the years with the same love that you would show your own family, and we will be eternally grateful for that!
I’ve always believed that a pastor is called to a specific place, at a specific time, with a specific purpose for a particular congregation. While we may not have achieved everything I envisioned, we’ve accomplished much. It was my intention to serve you in a way that prepared you for your next pastor when that time was to come - which is now.
As Jesus prepared to leave his disciples, he made three promises:
To make a home in their hearts (John 14:23),
To fill them with courage and comfort through the Holy Spirit who would teach and remind them of His words (John 14:26),
To grant them peace—“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you” (John 14:27).
As Mary Lindberg says in The Graceful Exit, “So we’ll open the gifts Jesus gave us—a home in him, the courage to move on, the peace that will get us through many unknowns. And we’ll trust that God is staying with those we love for many more seasons.”
Remember, you will always be a part of us, and we will always be a part of you. Thank you for your patience, kindness, mercy, grace, generosity, and love. You are a wonderful fellowship, and I wish you all the best as you enter this new season. May you continue to grow in faith, hope, and love, worshiping the Lord with all your heart, mind, body, and soul, and doing everything for the glory of God!
We thank God for you,
Bro. Jim & Sheryl
