FAREWELL

The Apostle Paul says farewell to his disciples

Acts 20:17-38 describes the Apostle Paul’s emotional farewell to the elders from Ephesus. As they knelt to pray, to give thanks and pray blessings, the future was uncertain for all of them. Even in that uncertainty, they trusted the certainty of a Certain One, our Awesome God, to continue His mighty work! We will take a few moments this Sunday to reflect on that heartfelt farewell as we bid farewell to one another.

Let me be very clear. Elaine and I leave here with our hearts FULL! Full of love and gratitude for each of you! In these 2 years, you have deeply impacted our lives, and we will be forever grateful. God has established friendships that will go beyond our departure this Sunday… that’s just how His Kingdom works!

One of the commitments we make as Intentional Interims is that we will “stay out of your business” from this day of departure forward. What that means is that I will take a phone call, text, or email from only one person to talk about what’s going on in the Church at Hixson. That communication would be from your new Pastor. I am delighted to chat with any of you as “friends” after we leave. In fact, we are happy to have you come visit, but we will not talk about “church.” God has brought Gary to be your shepherd, and it is critical in these days of transition that you follow his voice well. That does not mean to say we will cease praying for you, consistently bringing North River Church before the throne of grace.

Elaine and I will take some time to rest… to actually settle in to our home that we have not lived in these past 7 years… and catch up with our family. I’m looking forward to connecting with my oldest brother in Kansas, our youngest daughter in Vancouver, WA, our second oldest in Florida, and even our oldest daughter and family in Germany. We will also be available to our son and his family, who are near us. And we are saying to our Father, WHATEVER You have for us, we will be and do. HERE WE ARE, USE US.   

Thank you for your grace, patience, and investment in God’s Kingdom work these past two years. May He bring much, much fruit from what has been sown.

In Him,

Pastor Daryl