New Philadelphia News
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our lay leaders and staff, but he has been a mentor to three generations of middle and senior highs, and has made a determined effort to keep up with our college students and recent graduates. I think it is safe to say that few people of this generation have had a greater impact on the youth and young adults of the Moravian Church
ohn Rights preached his last sermon at NPMC prior to his move to Kernersville Moravian Church on Sunday, June 22. During the Sunday School hour on Sunday, June 29, we will have a reception for John, Brandi, and Matthew. We will meet in the Banquet Room. John will take up his duties as the pastor of Kernersville Moravian Church on or about the 1st Sunday in August. Please be in prayer for John and his family as they make this move. And be in prayer for New Philadelphia as we seek to replace a true servant of the Gospel and friend to many. For my part it has been a pleasure to work alongside John for more than a decade. I will miss his good humor, his repore, and his wise counsel. Not only has John been a great pastor, and a good partner with
Pastor John Writes: It is with both joy and sadness that I conclude my time as Associate Pastor at New Philadelphia at the end of June. While I look forward to serving as Pastor of Kernersville Moravian Church, beginning in August, I know that I have been immensely blessed to serve among you since 2003. It has been an honor and a privilege for me, and I offer my sincere gratitude for letting me be a part of your lives during these years. Being a part of the church where my mother grew up has had a special meaning for me. New Philadelphia is the church where my father met my mother when he served as a student intern in 1960, and their wedding was the first service in the new sanctuary in September of 1963. It has been my joy to witness eleven years of ministry in our youth program, seeing so many enthusiastic and faithful young people during their
that the Rev. John G. Rights. John is going on to a great new challenge. Kernersville Moravian is and will continue to be one of the great churches in our Unity, and I hope and pray the congregation there will enjoy the same partnership in the Gospel with John and his family that we have. Blessings, Pastor Green growth from middle school, to high school, to college, and beyond. From my time with youth and adults of all ages, from Bible studies to mission trips, from weddings to funerals, from Sunday School lessons to hospital visits, it's been an incredible experience. There are not enough words to thank you for the encouragement, support, and love you have given to me, and to my family, during these years. I'll leave you with the benediction I've used at the conclusion of many worship services: May Jesus Christ our Lord be near us to defend us, within us to refresh us, beside us to guide us, behind us to justify us, and above us to bless us; the One who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forevermore. Amen. Peace to you, The Rev. John G. Rights