Final Thoughts from Pastor Wilson

09.08.2003

It is simply impossible to thank the Commitment to New Leadership Workgroup for the magnificent way they led you to say good bye to Pat and me. Every detail was characterized by a rare excellence and care of detail. Thanks to all on the workgroup for their labor of love. Pat and I are overwhelmed with the expressions of appreciation and for the beautiful picture of the congregation you gave us. It will grace our home as long as life lasts. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.

Thanks to all of you for your trust, love, forgiveness, long suffering and faithfulness in the last few months that you have allowed me to serve you and the church in this intentional interim time. Special thanks are due to Lee for his acceptance, support and welcomed advice; to Connie and Cindy, our office assistants for invaluable information, suggestions and moral support; to Milt for keeping things clean and tidy; to Deacons for support, prayer and doing their tasks well and often in trying circumstances; to Sam Cotter and Mark Corzine for planning worship services that lift us to the very gate of heaven itself; to Paula for writing my checks; to all the Church Council for faithfulness in their tasks that keep the church on course; for all the volunteers who kept at the work of the Lord; to the Intentional Interim Team and its workgroups and to Bill Martin, who chaired the Team and guided it through both calm and rough seas and gave me invaluable support and guidance as we worked though pleasant and tough issues; to Dean and Mary Anne Burk for prayers, support, love and encouragement; and to all of you for your prayers, encouragement and support that was and is of greater value to me than I can express. Last night, when we returned home, Pat and I had the joy of reading the cards you gave us and we are humbled, refreshed, and gladdened by the words of appreciation so many of you wrote. Thanks. Our hearts will be forever grateful and appreciative of you all.

Jesus said, "Many are called but few are choice". You are a choice congregation, one of a thousand. Thank you for letting Pat and me be a small part of your glorious history.

Pat and I leave you with a sense of joy for the high privilege you allowed us to have as the Interim Pastor and with a sense of sadness that our time of personal fellowship comes to an end. Tears will stain our faces as we return to Albuquerque but they are tears of both sorrow and joy.

Sorrow that we must part and joy over what the Lord has done in these days. But remember, Christians never say "Good Bye" for the last time. We shall meet again before the throne.

Please remember that Our Lord has done a great work in you. No person, no matter how skilled (and I am skilled the least of all) could have brought you from where you were last December to where you are today. This is the Lord's doing. Praise Him. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

And now, I commend you to God and to His grace and mercy. Keep yourselves in the love of God. Keep yourselves from idols. Beware, for there may arise from among you and from without those who will seek to do you harm. If any love not the Lord, let him be accursed. Do the will of the Lord. Neglect not the gift that is in you. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.

May God bless each of you richly,

Francis Wilson
fwilson32@aol.com

Posted by at 06:01 AM