Merry Christmas to you all. Not many times do we have Christmas on Sunday but today is one of those times. I know the kids are excited today with the opening of gifts and I hope that we as adults are excited about celebrating the Birth of our Savior. Jesus is the reason for Christmas. There would not be gift giving if God had not given to us His Son. We need to keep the Spiritual part of Christmas alive with Thanksgiving and Praise to our Lord. Having Christmas on Sunday seems to mess up some people’s Christmas but think about it; Why do we have Christmas anyway? Don’t lose the meaning and message of Christmas because it is on Sunday. Sundays are our day of worship and we worship because of the gift of life God has given us in Christ. Family and friends are important, but Christ is the most important thing today. We should worship him.
Thank you for a special day last Sunday. It will always be memorable for me. The meal was wonderful and I will miss those meals, but the Love you’ve shown is what will stick with me. The watch is a cherished gift especially with the inscription. The tie Courtney had made with the picture of the Church on it will always be a part of me. The cards, gifts, and the personal words are priceless. I wanted to see and talk to each member personally and thank them for all they have done for me and what they mean to me, but time has not allowed that to happen. Thanks to Greta Burke for coming back and singing for me my favorite song, “He Is An On Time God” Wednesday night.
Know that I love you and am proud to have been your pastor and proud to have served here 20 years. Remember the next Pastor will need your Love and support which you gave to me. Here is a word of caution, be patient in the search for a new pastor. This just does not happen overnight. The Leadership is trying to do all they can for you. They haven’t had to do this for 20 years and some have never had to do this. Work with them not against them. God has a pastor for New Bethel. He is an on-time God.
I Love You Church. Thank you. Keep the Faith. Support the Church. They need you and you need them.
Pastor Tommy
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Weekly Message from Pastor Tommy-12/18/11
Today I am writing my last article as your Pastor and I do it with mixed emotions. There are times that I enjoy writing these articles because I have something to share with you that I think is necessary and helpful. Brenda has to wait on me to email her these articles before she can finish the bulletin. Sometimes I get it to her on Thursdays, but most of the time its Friday before I do it. I am thankful for her and her patience over the years with me not only with these articles but with many things in the ministry. She has been more than a church secretary keeping up with my doctor’s appointments and many, many other things that were not church related. Thank you Brenda. Now who am I going to depend upon. I guess I should have thought of that!
Church I love you and thank you for all that you have done for me in my 20 plus years as pastor here. Many emotions are running through my heart at this time. Many memories come to mind also. Families, faces, friendships, and fun times are in my thoughts today. Births, marriages, funerals, ballgames, trips, choir practices are things that made the ministry so beautiful for me. Thank you for today and what you are doing for me. To say that I am excited but sad is an understatement. Most pastors leave when there are problems in the Church or just before the church runs them off. I thank the Lord that I do not have to leave and you do not want to run me off. I am leaving on great terms and can come back anytime without fear of facing a problem or pain. We have seen God do some mighty miracles here and I am sure there are more miracles to come. I am leaving because I know God is leading me in a new ministry. I have not quit the ministry but am traveling down a new path with the Lord. Over the years my strengths have been in times of adversity, difficult times, and dealing with life’s troubles. I have tried to make my ministry one of being there when you needed me. I can say I have fulfilled that to the best of my calling. We have gone down many roads together and I don’t regret them. I do wish I could have done more at times. I try to love everybody the same and treat each one special because you are special.
Pray for me and I will pray for you. Support one another and you will be fine. Work with your leadership. Keep the Faith.
Pastor Tommy
Church I love you and thank you for all that you have done for me in my 20 plus years as pastor here. Many emotions are running through my heart at this time. Many memories come to mind also. Families, faces, friendships, and fun times are in my thoughts today. Births, marriages, funerals, ballgames, trips, choir practices are things that made the ministry so beautiful for me. Thank you for today and what you are doing for me. To say that I am excited but sad is an understatement. Most pastors leave when there are problems in the Church or just before the church runs them off. I thank the Lord that I do not have to leave and you do not want to run me off. I am leaving on great terms and can come back anytime without fear of facing a problem or pain. We have seen God do some mighty miracles here and I am sure there are more miracles to come. I am leaving because I know God is leading me in a new ministry. I have not quit the ministry but am traveling down a new path with the Lord. Over the years my strengths have been in times of adversity, difficult times, and dealing with life’s troubles. I have tried to make my ministry one of being there when you needed me. I can say I have fulfilled that to the best of my calling. We have gone down many roads together and I don’t regret them. I do wish I could have done more at times. I try to love everybody the same and treat each one special because you are special.
Pray for me and I will pray for you. Support one another and you will be fine. Work with your leadership. Keep the Faith.
Pastor Tommy
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Weekly Message from Pastor Tommy - 12/11/11
December 11, 2011
Time is going by so quickly for me and I am sure for you too. The Christmas season is upon us. Before we turn around a few times Christmas day will be here. I haven’t done all my shopping yet either. I am looking for those great bargains but they seem to be things that I don’t need. Now about the time going by so quickly I’m really referring to the time I have left here. Wednesday night was a special time for me. The first part of the service talking about Jesus and who He is was wonderful. All the input from you was powerful. I wish that we had a way to list all that you said because that seemed to be the highlight of the service. It is hard to describe Jesus, but you did a great job. I love how the Living Bible translation put it, “Thank God for his Son-his Gift too wonderful for words.” Our language does not have the vocabulary to justify who Jesus is. With all the names in the Bible as to who He is we fall short with our words.
I am taking a lot of training on my New Ministry. It is an exciting time for me but a scary time because pastoring is all that I have done in the past 30 years. I know I will enjoy it and I will miss the Church work. Now if you have anything you want from me before the 18th make sure you tell me or get word to me.
The Leadership is on the ball of getting things done with the remodeling and the new kitchen. I sure they will share some things with you today as to what they are doing. Be patience with them as they are working to do what is best for the Church and for you. They are working hard to start the New Year off with excitement and joy. Remember who you are serving, The Lord and not Pastor Tommy. God will also be there for you and the ministry will continue without me. I am honored to have all the Love shown to me in these past few weeks. I know for some it has been a shock and seems like a setback, but the Lord will see you through. It is a time to draw closer together and do the work of the Lord. Support one another and you will be fine. Keep the Faith.
Pastor Tommy
Time is going by so quickly for me and I am sure for you too. The Christmas season is upon us. Before we turn around a few times Christmas day will be here. I haven’t done all my shopping yet either. I am looking for those great bargains but they seem to be things that I don’t need. Now about the time going by so quickly I’m really referring to the time I have left here. Wednesday night was a special time for me. The first part of the service talking about Jesus and who He is was wonderful. All the input from you was powerful. I wish that we had a way to list all that you said because that seemed to be the highlight of the service. It is hard to describe Jesus, but you did a great job. I love how the Living Bible translation put it, “Thank God for his Son-his Gift too wonderful for words.” Our language does not have the vocabulary to justify who Jesus is. With all the names in the Bible as to who He is we fall short with our words.
I am taking a lot of training on my New Ministry. It is an exciting time for me but a scary time because pastoring is all that I have done in the past 30 years. I know I will enjoy it and I will miss the Church work. Now if you have anything you want from me before the 18th make sure you tell me or get word to me.
The Leadership is on the ball of getting things done with the remodeling and the new kitchen. I sure they will share some things with you today as to what they are doing. Be patience with them as they are working to do what is best for the Church and for you. They are working hard to start the New Year off with excitement and joy. Remember who you are serving, The Lord and not Pastor Tommy. God will also be there for you and the ministry will continue without me. I am honored to have all the Love shown to me in these past few weeks. I know for some it has been a shock and seems like a setback, but the Lord will see you through. It is a time to draw closer together and do the work of the Lord. Support one another and you will be fine. Keep the Faith.
Pastor Tommy
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