Rev Bev Says,

In preparation for last week’s sermon, I was living with a great scripture from John 14:1 Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”  I am trying not to let my heart be troubled, but as I write it is hitting me: In another month or so, Walt and Jamie and their girls will be leaving us.

Change always causes me some discomfort, but this one is going to be particularly rough. I have had such fun working with Walter and sharing with him and Jamie the arrival and growth of their delightful daughters.  Walt and I have bonded over the joys and challenges of ministry.  I am grateful for all he gave my daughter Kristen as her first Youth Pastor (who was not her mother).  He feels like a son to me, and a brother to her.  We have been blessed to share these four years.

I know you are having some of the same feelings.  We as a congregation will soon hold a “sending forth” for the Sizemore family as they move on to the Asbury Community.   You are invited to participate in a love offering for them in appreciation for their years of service to our church family.  You may put your donations into the offering plate, drop them in the mail, or at the treasurer’s office (please clearly label them for Sizemore love offering).

Even as we deal with this parting, we also look to the future.  I know our Father in Heaven has a plan for the continued growth of the ministries Walter has headed up for us, and there too my trust is securely placed in Him.

Melton Timmons tells the story of a little boy and his father who visited the country store. Upon leaving the store the owner of the store offered the little boy some free candy. "Get a hand full of candy", the merchant said to the boy. The boy just stood there looking up at his father. The owner repeated himself, "Son, get a hand full of candy, it’s free." Again the boy did not move continuing to look up in the face of his father. Finally, the father reached into the candy jar and got a hand full of candy and gave it to his son. As they walked back home, the father stopped and asked his son why he did not grab a hand full of the free candy. The boy with a big smile on his face looked into the face of his father and said "Because I know that your hand is bigger than mine." (Melton Timmons)

In this time of parting and grief, we must trust our concerns about the future to the Father’s hands… for indeed they are bigger than ours.

Your Servant in Christ.

[Note: We’re planning a special farewell for Walter, Jamie, and family on Sunday, June 8th, which is Walter’s last Sunday with us at EUMC.]

A MONTH OF SUNDAYS...

May 4...  Communion, Ascension Sunday (Luke 24:44-53)

May 11...  Mother’s Day, Pentecost

May 18... Trinity Sunday (Pastor Walter        Preaching)

May 25...Senior Recognition Sunday          “The Treasure of Faith”(Romans 4:13-25)