The Last Sunday

June 26, 2011, marks my last Sunday as the pastor of First Presbyterian Church. I am planning on leaving by the same door I came in and talk about the mission of the church. As I have been preaching through Matthew for several years, I have rushed over the last chapters to get to Matthew 28, where we will focus on Jesus' last words recorded in Matthew: The Great Commission. As I write this I feel a sense of depression because I am leaving the very familar life of being a pastor with its set routines and the weekly movement upward toward the sermon on Sunday morning with Monday being the day of quiet rest and beginning again. Though we will remain in the area I am also depressed with the reality that my ministry with the people in whom I have wrapped my life, sharing their joys, standing with them in difficult times, and even the sorrowful joy of sending them off to glory will be coming to an end. I will still be their friend, but it will be a less consistent contact and a different relationship. I am going to really hate it when I have to pronounce the Aaronic benediction upon the congregation and have final greetings at the door.

My only comfort (other than the one at the beginning of the Heidleberg Confession) is that there will be many other opportunities to continue the Lord's ministry. As I move through the positions to become District Governor in the Lions Club International, I will visit over sixty clubs and meet a lot of generous, giving, hardworking people in southwest Missouri. As the Lord provides I will also be filling in pulpits for pastors on vacation or due to illness, etc. I look forward to continuing the preaching of God's sweet gospel to his people. And there will be the opportunity to vacation, do things we have dreamed of doing, seeing the children and grand children more often, and of course, scuba diving in places on our "bucket list." Hopefully I will make the shift in life with ease and find retirement to be a great blessing from the Lord.