New Philadelphia News Across the Pastor’s Desk
I am still quite stunned by the events of the last Sunday in May, and thank you a thousand times over. I appreciate so very much the recognition of being at New Philadelphia 25 years. It is time for a little reflection. I recall a friend pointing out a passage of Job to me even before I came to New Philadelphia: My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and come to their end without hope. Job 7:6 I absolutely believe in the first part of that verse. I cannot believe how quickly 25 years have passed. I absolutely reject the second part of that verse. My days----our days, do not come to their end without hope, for we have been ”…born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1st Peter 1:3 Not long before the wonderful events of that day, for which I am profoundly and humbly grateful, to you and to God, I had been seeing a counselor in preparation for our Fall Visioning Exercise. He told me that I had a duty to leverage the trust built up over my 25 years here to position New Philadelphia for the future. He implied that I was in the “last chapter” of my tour of duty in this place, and he is right. I would love to serve from 2 years (making me 66 years old) to 6 years (making me 70 years old), but I want to make good use of that time. I don’t want to coast. I don’t want to lead a decline. I will not stay past my effectiveness. I want to leave a healthy church, and I am going to spend all my energy on that aim. The time has come to think of leaving a legacy, of laying a foundation on which others will build. This is not my task alone---indeed, my part is a relatively minor one. For many, it is your task, too. What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind? Others, younger members, will be taking a greater measure of responsibility in the life of our church. Are you up for it? The time for indecision is long past. Your day has come.
I have passed a ministry being told that the church universal would weaken with the passing of “the Greatest Generation,” the generation of my father and mother. I hope, and pray, and believe, and work that this will not be the case. I ask each of you to consider a renewed effort here at New Philadelphia, that the ministry of this church may last for generations to come. We have every advantage. Robert Browning’s Rabbi Ben Ezra once said to his wife, “Come grow old with me, the best is yet to be.” So, now I say to you, “Come grow-up into Christ with me, the best is yet to be.” Let us stretch ourselves, and prove ourselves worthy of the trust that has been placed upon us. With a grateful heart, Pastor Green
Pastor John Writes:
Many thanks to everyone who supported our church’s youth during the baked potato & salad luncheon on June 2! Our youth collected funds which will assist with the costs for our mission trips this summer. Our Senior High youth will be serving on Staten Island, New York, from July 6-13, in an effort to help families and neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy. This group includes Brianna Burris, Gracie Burris, Russell Burris, Sara Ebbers, Kaitlin Fink, Abby Johnson, Emily Llewellyn, Jenny Mulholland, Morgan Rothrock, Zack Rothrock, Cody Snow, Sydney Pinto, Ray Sutcliffe, Sydney Sutcliffe, Lacey Trull, Andrew Underdal, and David Vaden. Later this month, more of our youth will be helping with Eco Mission Camp at Laurel Ridge during the week of July 28-August 2. This camp will involve projects focusing on helping the environment in the Ashe & Alleghany County area. Please keep both of these mission trips in your thoughts and prayers! Members of these groups will share more details from their experiences in an upcoming newsletter. Throughout this summer, we continue to pray for safe travel as many of our youth attend camps and participate in a wide variety of trips. Best wishes to you this summer! In Christ,
The Rev. John G. Rights