It was a hard day for our church today. We had a farewell service for our pastor. Pastor Paul is in the Navy Reserves and has been called to a position in Washington DC, where he will be working on a new Chaplains program for the Merchant Marines.
Pastor Paul has been with us for about 8 1/2 years and has been such a blessing to us. There were many tears shed this morning, but we have also been reminded that this is in God's plan and His way is the best, although we may not always understand it. The picture above was taken as Paul was commissioned into his new job and prayed over this morning.
Bob-Paul-Nancy-myself
Paul and Nancy have been good friends, as well as our Pastor and wife. Although they may not be worshiping with us, the friendship will remain, and our prayers will be with them.
Paul and Nancy have been good friends, as well as our Pastor and wife. Although they may not be worshiping with us, the friendship will remain, and our prayers will be with them.
17 comments:
I'm so glad you could be there I heard all about the service from Faith. Bittersweet
Thanks , This is really some thing , I was on my way to tell you to come to get an aword from me . so I hope you took it cause it your's sweet friend and sister . I didn't list any one but I'm telling some I really care about , so there you go , please go get it .
Mary
Mari,
What a lovely photo of the four of you. I'm sure the friendship will remain and, of course, this is all in God's plan for Paul.
Thanks for your comments on Brandon's trip. He did awesome.
Have a great week, my friend.
Blessings,
Mary
Awww... Mari I love that first picture so much! I got choked up seeing it again! It was hard yesterday, but you are so right! God has plans for us all and we most be obedient, no matter the changes it brings!!!
It was a hard morning! They will be greatly missed!
Very nice picture of you! How sad that he is leaving you but he is moving to my neck of the woods! I wonder where in DC he will be? I would have cried tears too!
Though it's a bitter/sweet time for you, you can give thanks that they are leaving in love and not for any other reason. I've sat in a church where the Pastor moved on for reasons not as called and it's not fun. I pray for them as they move on and that you and your church would grow stronger for what they have left with you...a mighty love of God!
What a nice picture you have to keep as a rememberance of a couple so dear to you!
what a great man of God, going where God calls him. :)
God puts us where we are needed the most,sorry that you had to say goodby to your pastor,but God needs him elsewhere.
God puts us where we are needed the most,sorry that you had to say goodby to your pastor,but God needs him elsewhere.
I know it must be bitter sweet for you, I agree with Mike though, God puts us where we're needed the most and I'm sure the Pastor will do amazing work where he's headed. Being a chaplain in the military is NOT easy and he has to be a special man to take on that task.
Hugs,
Sandra
We've walked in your shoes and had to let our friend/pastor leave and move to New York. That was 29 years ago and now he is back here in GR. The friendship lasted all these years. That's the way it works when the Lord is at the center of things.
This was most definately a sad moment for our church as far as saying "see you later" to Pastor Paul... him and Nancy will be missed so much! I take comfort in knowing that it is not good-bye because we are all a part of God's family and will be together again soon! :)
That is very bittersweet, But I am sure you will stay in touch with them. God will replace him with someone great I'm sure:)
to be in the ministry and hear of tragic situations where pastors leave their church...this indeed is a happy ending! congrats to your pastor and hugs to you.
I hope that your church finds another great pastor that can lead you on from here. I love the picture of all of you.
Sorry to hear you are losing your pastor. I know how God is moving him on to better things.
That top picture is awesome- he is totally surrendering to the Will of God
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