Pastor’s Message for June 2022

Déjà Vu All Over Again

            Many people my age remember Yogi Berra’s baseball career and, perhaps even more, his “odd” sayings.  Such as, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it” or “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”  But the one that has really stuck with me and that I seem to live and relive is “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”  Growing up, it was finishing one school year and starting another.  In the church, it was following the Christian calendar from Advent through the Sunday of Christ the King and then starting over again.  Or as a minister it was living my appointment with a congregation from year to year until the bishop said it was time to move and start again.

            Eight years ago I reached retirement age and started something new.  And then last December, Dave Vaughn, Dean Byrom, and I were called to “do it again.”  As Dave Vaughn said in January, “Here we are – back in the saddle again.”  It’s like déjà vu all over again.  It’s been a good six months for us and we hope it has been for you too.  We’ve watched and supported you as you began some new programs.  We’ve watched and supported you as the two congregations have begun to work together – joint blood drives, combined worship services during Lent, movie night, the Refresh and Recharge services, planning this summer’s picnic.  It’s been fun.  It’s been filled with new relationships and memories that we’ll cherish.

            But, it’s déjà vu all over again.  Our time as your pastors is coming to an end and a new story is about to begin with Pastor Jim and his family.  What new adventures you’ll have!  What new things you’ll do!  What new relationships you will experience!  What new works God has planned for you!

            When I retired, I told everyone that “All good things must come to an end.”  What I somehow failed to realize was that for good things to come to an end, there had to be a good beginning.  On July 1st your next good thing begins.  Under Pastor Jim’s leadership may these new good things lead you closer to God, closer to one another, and closer in loving service to your communities.  Let it be another déjà vu all over again – only this time better than ever before!

Love to you all,
Dave Wilson