Godspeed!

Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.”

Endings and beginnings are sometimes difficult. We’re coming upon one of those difficult ones. Now, I don’t want to sound morbid, or foreboding at all, but there is something in me that is feeling a loss. This is one of the most difficult articles I’ve written.

June and Mary have let us know that they will not retire as our organist and pianist at the end of this month. It is the closing of an era. It’s not that they’ll no longer be in worship with us, but it will be different. For a long time, worshipers at Avoca have been able to look up and know that one or both of these ladies would be ministering to and with them. They have been here through thick and thin, through good and bad, through leadership changes, and family changes, and physical changes…they were serving. They were offering themselves to God, to be used by God as God saw fit.

Much honor is due them. We are not a group of people who like to laud each other. It’s too embarrassing. There’s too much pride involved. We don’t want to cause anyone embarrassment, but there are times when saying “thank you” doesn’t seem enough. And yet, “thank you” is what we’re able to do, isn’t it?

For a job well done, for a life of surrender, for your offering each week, we say “THANKS!” June and Mary. You have been and are a blessing to us. And we pray that you will continue to be a blessing in the future.

June took up the organ because it was a need in the church. She learned because the pastor asked her to play. Mary began as our worship and choir leader, and took up the piano when the need arose. They have gifts from God…and they use them – “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). Over the course of this next month, would you, as those who have been blessed by these gifted saints, say “thanks” in one way or another? Take the time. Say the words.

Mary Leahy, well done. June Luse, well done. You have served this congregation well, you have shown your love of Christ and His church to all gathered together on these Sundays. “I thank my God every time I remember you, always praying with joy for all of you. I thank God for the help you gave me while I preached the Good News—help you gave from the first day you believed until now. God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.” (Phil. 1:3-6)

We love you. I love you.
Pastor Kyle