As we Celebrate 35 years
together the Blessings of the Lord has surely overtaken us. We remain a strong Church Family working
together for the Glory of God. There are so many of you that labor with me in
this work of the Lord! I sincerely want to thank each and every one of you for
your faithfulness to the Lord, to our Church and to me. Having a hundred
percent vote of confidence all these years means everything to me. God has
truly been with us as we have married our youth, and laid our loved ones to
rest in God’s Care. There is another Congregation of Commerce awaiting us in
Eternal Life. I often envision our loved ones who have advanced to Glory as I
come to the pulpit. I remember the place where they sat and their wonderful
part in our Church Family. There is nothing so great as the Family of God! I
truly believe that it was God’s plan for me to be your Pastor. I came to preach
a couple of Sundays as you were looking for a Pastor. I thought I was just
filling in on those two Sundays. There were other candidates for the Church. I
was not a Pastor nor intended to be a Pastor, but I came. After two weeks the board asked me to come
again, so I came. At the end of the third week one of them asked if I was going
home after church. I said yes I would be home. Before I got home, the Church
had called me. I returned the call and they said “we would like you to be our
Pastor.” I was overwhelmed and somewhat fearful. The rest is history, the vote
took place and I have been here for 35 years! Through thick and thin we have
worked together building the Lord’s House, and for His Glory! The first mention
of Church in the Bible is in Matthew 16:18 where Jesus points out, He will
Build the Church, it will be established on the Rock, His Son, Jesus
Christ. It was on the Day of Pentecost that we hear of the Church once more.
Acts 2:16-17 Peter rose up and quoted from the Book of Joel; the Old Testament
Prophecy had come to pass …“It shall come to pass in the last days, saith
God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh:” O the glorious beginning
of the Spirit Filled Church! I quickly learned the Church Calendar and after
three years of Pastoring we ventured into the Pentecost season with a drama,
and as the ones who were portraying the Disciples came down into the congregation
speaking in tongues the Holy Spirit fell upon our Church! It was awesome!
Saints were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in tongues. I will
never forget that day! The glorious Words of Acts 2 rang out … VS28 Thou hast made known to me the ways
of life; thou shalt make me full of Joy with Thy countenance. VS33 “Therefore
being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the
Promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and
hear.” VS42 [being very new at
Pastoring I received the Message that God would Build the Church according to
His plan, and this would be how He would do it, if we would …. VS42 Continue
steadfast in Doctrine [The Word] and fellowship, breaking Bread and in Prayer!
VS46 walking daily in one accord …VS47 Praising God, having favor with all
people [our Community] and it is the Lord that will add to the Church. If we do
all that we know to do, He will Build the Church and the gates of hell will not
prevail, for we are victorious in Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit of
God! This is My story over these 35
years, always allow the Holy Spirit freedom, give time for Praise; break Bread
often and teach/preach the Holy Word of God. It has been my Joy to serve this
Body of Christ at Commerce Community Church. You have blessed me in so many
ways and I love You dearly. There is no other way I would have wanted to spend
the last 35 years, but serving you and my Savour! Giving Thanks to Jesus for you! Pastor
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