One of my all time favorite songs is Sanctuary. It is short, simple, yet powerful… “Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”
I find its prayerful words especially meaningful in preparation for communion. I sing them to the boys at opportune moments like bedtime or pushing them on swings at the playground. At times Heather and I sing them in worship together while driving or washing dishes.
Not too long ago, I woke up with this song of prayer echoing in my mind. It was a remarkable experience, for I didn’t have those typical thoughts… “Get up, Jon! It’s time to get going.” Or, “Put one leg out and your body will follow. You can do it!” I was totally blessed, because “Lord, prepare me…” were my first thoughts for the day. It was as if our Heavenly Father were singing this blessing over me during my sleep, whispering His sweet Spirit in my ears. So, when I woke up, His grace was real, tangible, and lifting me to face the beautiful new day.
As we embark upon a new chapter of Westover’s life, may the words of Sanctuary be our prayer. May they be our first thoughts as we come together for worship. May they be our guide as we discern God’s vision for our future. May they lead us into the world to serve and minister to those who don’t know God’s amazing love. May they comfort us in times of difficulty or confusion.
Oh, His grace is indeed real, and it lifts us to face the new day! Do you hear it? Do you hear the song our Heavenly Father whispers in our ears?
“Lord, prepare us…”
In Christ,
JON
Friday, June 29, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Oh, the Places You’ll Go
(With Apologies to Dr. Seuss!)
by Trey Gillette
This poem was written for Jon and Heather's Farewell Luncheon at St. Paul UMC, Abilene, June 10, 2007.
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
Your church is now Westover.
Our tears please excuse.
You're now on your own. You’re the big chief in charge.
Senior Pastor, the Rev, In command, you’re the Sarge.
We’ll miss your smile and silly pun funnies,
Your love of soccer and disposition so sunny.
Your wife, your children, our hearts they delight.
Recessing with Noah, we’ll miss seeing that sight.
And you may not find any
Here without frown.
We grieve in our hearts
As you head out of town,
But leave us you must.
It’s in God we must trust.
Your gifts you have many,
And it’s not fair to hoard,
Even though you’ve become one of our
Three strands of cord.
I’m not sure what I will miss of you most.
We think you are great, but you never would boast.
There’s reverent prayers from God’s lips that we hear,
Your joyful expression as the children draw near,
A whimsical response from the email we send,
A treasure we keep for time with us you spend.
Know this for sure,
For tis true indeed,
Your time here with us,
Your gifts we did need.
Your love and your care meant more than you know.
It was your example, your time, the ways you said no.
Your rebuke it was gentle, and it gave us the start
To be what God calls us deep down in our heart.
A carefully worded letter of hope
Propel us forward and help us to cope.
Oh yes, it’s true you’re leaving today,
You’ve packed your bags and you’re on your way.
We know the joy of your new congregation
As we sit and we giggle in anticipation,
For soon they will share in the Sims family story.
Together as family you will guide them in glory.
On Earth as it is in Heaven we pray,
Know that you’ve been Christ for us today.
Go now in peace. We’re thankful for much,
For the Disciples you’ve made and the lives that you touch.
Blessings, Farewell, It’s been lots of fun!
Well-Done Good Servant, your work here is done.
(Thank you, Trey, for the blessing of your friendship!)
by Trey Gillette
This poem was written for Jon and Heather's Farewell Luncheon at St. Paul UMC, Abilene, June 10, 2007.
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
Your church is now Westover.
Our tears please excuse.
You're now on your own. You’re the big chief in charge.
Senior Pastor, the Rev, In command, you’re the Sarge.
We’ll miss your smile and silly pun funnies,
Your love of soccer and disposition so sunny.
Your wife, your children, our hearts they delight.
Recessing with Noah, we’ll miss seeing that sight.
And you may not find any
Here without frown.
We grieve in our hearts
As you head out of town,
But leave us you must.
It’s in God we must trust.
Your gifts you have many,
And it’s not fair to hoard,
Even though you’ve become one of our
Three strands of cord.
I’m not sure what I will miss of you most.
We think you are great, but you never would boast.
There’s reverent prayers from God’s lips that we hear,
Your joyful expression as the children draw near,
A whimsical response from the email we send,
A treasure we keep for time with us you spend.
Know this for sure,
For tis true indeed,
Your time here with us,
Your gifts we did need.
Your love and your care meant more than you know.
It was your example, your time, the ways you said no.
Your rebuke it was gentle, and it gave us the start
To be what God calls us deep down in our heart.
A carefully worded letter of hope
Propel us forward and help us to cope.
Oh yes, it’s true you’re leaving today,
You’ve packed your bags and you’re on your way.
We know the joy of your new congregation
As we sit and we giggle in anticipation,
For soon they will share in the Sims family story.
Together as family you will guide them in glory.
On Earth as it is in Heaven we pray,
Know that you’ve been Christ for us today.
Go now in peace. We’re thankful for much,
For the Disciples you’ve made and the lives that you touch.
Blessings, Farewell, It’s been lots of fun!
Well-Done Good Servant, your work here is done.
(Thank you, Trey, for the blessing of your friendship!)
Friday, June 8, 2007
Remember
This Sunday is our last at St. Paul. And as we approach the time of our departure, I am reminded of Christina Rossetti’s poem Remember. Though she is speaking primarily of physical death, I find it meaningful for ‘goodbyes’ as well, for a permanent departure like this is a death of sorts—things will certainly not be the same. Some things will wither and fade away, while others promise new life.
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
The last verse is my prayer for St. Paul: it is “better by far you should forget and smile/ than that you should remember and be sad.” My tenure here has been a blessing to me, a gift beyond expression. Heather and I share many wonderful memories of ministry and life. And as we go our way, heading off to a new horizon, I am confident we will remember and smile.
God bless you, St. Paul!
JON
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
The last verse is my prayer for St. Paul: it is “better by far you should forget and smile/ than that you should remember and be sad.” My tenure here has been a blessing to me, a gift beyond expression. Heather and I share many wonderful memories of ministry and life. And as we go our way, heading off to a new horizon, I am confident we will remember and smile.
God bless you, St. Paul!
JON
Friday, June 1, 2007
Some Last Thoughts
Someone asked me recently, what my last words to St. Paul would be. Let me have a go…
God is Good.
In the midst of life and ministry, I remain convinced of God’s goodness and providence. God is at work in the administration of our many ministries. God is at work in the daily lives of St. Paul members. This past year God has been challenging many of us to greater depth of commitment to him through prayer, study, the sacraments, and service. I am consistently reminded that ministry happens out of our fullness, not our emptiness. Because of this, let us endeavor to set aside time weekly and daily to spend with God. Though it doesn’t come easy, the rewards will carry St. Paul UMC to heights unimaginable.
Ministry is Complex.
The world around us is changing rapidly—technology, styles, cultural values, ethical norms. So is the church as a whole in the US—lower attendance and enthusiasm, diminished influence in society, fear of losing cherished memories and traditions. And when these two collide—they do in EVERY church—it creates a frenetic tension that deposits great pressure on the church and its leaders. Pastors today, myself included, feel this pressure at every moment in their ministry. Teaching and preaching, pastoral care, and administrative concerns, among others, are constantly constrained between two realities—ministry as it has been and ministry as it will be. Negotiating the present to honor the past and prepare for the future is perhaps the greatest challenge of the church in our day. Be in prayer for the leaders of our church. Encourage them at every turn. And walk with them in loving fellowship as they discern the future direction of our church.
The Future is Bright.
Things change. For some, this is a mantra for taking life in full apathy or skepticism. However, I believe progress is inexplicably linked with attitude. Change brings opportunities for further growth, more in-depth exploration of identity, and fresh approaches to carrying out the Mission of Jesus Christ. With a new music minister and a new associate pastor bringing to St. Paul a new cadre of gifts and graces, new perspectives on life and ministry, St. Paul stands at the threshold of better, brighter days. The future will be what we make of it today! So, let’s make the most of it!
Blessings in Christ,
JON
God is Good.
In the midst of life and ministry, I remain convinced of God’s goodness and providence. God is at work in the administration of our many ministries. God is at work in the daily lives of St. Paul members. This past year God has been challenging many of us to greater depth of commitment to him through prayer, study, the sacraments, and service. I am consistently reminded that ministry happens out of our fullness, not our emptiness. Because of this, let us endeavor to set aside time weekly and daily to spend with God. Though it doesn’t come easy, the rewards will carry St. Paul UMC to heights unimaginable.
Ministry is Complex.
The world around us is changing rapidly—technology, styles, cultural values, ethical norms. So is the church as a whole in the US—lower attendance and enthusiasm, diminished influence in society, fear of losing cherished memories and traditions. And when these two collide—they do in EVERY church—it creates a frenetic tension that deposits great pressure on the church and its leaders. Pastors today, myself included, feel this pressure at every moment in their ministry. Teaching and preaching, pastoral care, and administrative concerns, among others, are constantly constrained between two realities—ministry as it has been and ministry as it will be. Negotiating the present to honor the past and prepare for the future is perhaps the greatest challenge of the church in our day. Be in prayer for the leaders of our church. Encourage them at every turn. And walk with them in loving fellowship as they discern the future direction of our church.
The Future is Bright.
Things change. For some, this is a mantra for taking life in full apathy or skepticism. However, I believe progress is inexplicably linked with attitude. Change brings opportunities for further growth, more in-depth exploration of identity, and fresh approaches to carrying out the Mission of Jesus Christ. With a new music minister and a new associate pastor bringing to St. Paul a new cadre of gifts and graces, new perspectives on life and ministry, St. Paul stands at the threshold of better, brighter days. The future will be what we make of it today! So, let’s make the most of it!
Blessings in Christ,
JON
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