A Valedictory for Wollaston

Pastor Metcalfe's final annual report to the Wollaston Church of the Nazarene congregation.

June 27, 1999

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

Our message this morning is one of praise and thanks to God, and of thanks to you, the Wollaston church family. Our words may be more testimony than sermon, but these are valedictory words.

A lot of good things have happened around here these past 22 years. Yes, there have been some failures and tough times as well. In our personal valleys the church family has been there for us, and we are grateful.

We've been through two major building projects: the erection of this sanctuary, and the transformation of the lower 800-seat sanctuary into a multi-use facility. E.N.C. alumnus Jim Couchenour was God's instrument in challenging us to believe we could go ahead and build, and you went ahead and did just that.

In 1983 Merritt and Linda and Jeremy and Jennifer Nielson came, to be joined later by Brandon and Andrew. Merritt and I have been colleagues now for sixteen years, and he has been at the very heart of many good things that are now part of Wollaston's ministry heritage. "Say Yes!", Second Church in Dorchester- a Church of the Nazarene, Quincy Chinese Church- and much more would not have happened without Merritt's vision and key input. And as a matter of fact, Merritt has served in a pastoral relationship here in Wollaston longer than anyone else– except for the one speaking to you now.

I have asked Merritt to share in this valedictory this morning, our last worship service as pastors here. Merritt: [ seven minutes]

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I can not hope to summarize two decades of worship together in the time we have. But I want to express my gratitude to God and my thanks to you for the privilege of being called "Pastor" and the honor of having your confidence.

You have been kind and generous: you sent Helen and me on a cruise in the Caribbean when we had been here ten years. In our twentieth year you sent us on vacation in Switzerland (and even gave us round-trip tickets!) On two occasions, beginning in 1982, we had pulpit exchanges with Paisley, Scotland, and Brian and Joyce Farmer were your summer pastors here while we enjoyed the hospitality of the folk there. Many great friendships on both sides came out of that exchange.     They preceded us in retirement by just one month, but I have a feeling you'll see them again a time or two in the future.

Many honors have come our way more than we ever expected our deserved: I've come to know the leaders of our church, local, district and general. We were "minister-in-residence" at N.T.S. for a week; we've had writing assignments from different departments in Kansas City; we've been a camp meeting speaker, and held prayer and ministry seminars and revivals on several districts other than New England. But no honor has been more precious to us being your pastor.

We have had the privilege to be with many of you in significant and insignificant times in your lives. I've held newborn babies. I've sat with the dying. I've had part in memorial services for great and humble people whom I revered more than I could tell you. I've married and dedicated and baptized and all with a sense of wonder and awe that God would ever use me as pastor.

I have seen families blossom as covenants have been honored. I've seen character develop into Christ-likeness even through great adversity and opposition. I've had great disappointments, as has just about every family represented here; but God has been with us, and is with us now, and He will be with us.

We have developed and grown together in the way we have worshiped, emphasizing scripture and celebrating our full heritage in the Church of Jesus Christ.

My first sermon here was on July 3, 1977. I preached it in nine minutes flat, and the church board and pulpit committee: Ruth Bullock, Chuck Gailey, Lowell Hall, and Cecil Paul must have felt like maybe they had made a big mistake. [I have said that the ghost of Dr. J. Glenn Gould followed me out on the platform that morning, and I confess I think he did intimidate me a bit!] I never did preach that sermon again, although the message is still with me, and it is this:

"Let no one glory in the merely human. For all things are yours: Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, things present, things to come, all are yours, and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (I Co 3:21-23, par.)

That rich promise is just as true this morning as it was twenty-two years ago. That message is bright with hope: if we depend on our own wisdom and strength we will certainly fail, but because we are in Jesus Christ we are standing on tip-toe with possibility. This is a valedictory– a farewell. But if all things are ours, and we are Christ's and Christ is God's, then even in this farewell and change we can celebrate. Paul Cunningham prayed a prayer that Merritt remembered and wrote down for us this spring. He said,

Prayer: Father God we have everything to thank you for, and now we commit our ways to You. You know us, You know the way we take– and we thank you that nothing can ever separate us from your love, or ultimately frustrate your will as we follow You. Help us to walk with you confidently into your best will for us, In Jesus' Name we pray.

Amen

93 - Children of the Heavenly father