Well, as was announced first in the men’s business meeting two weeks ago, and then to the congregation by brother Rice last Sunday morning, I am retiring from full time preaching effective the last of June. Brethren, we are not leaving because we want to leave this congregation, No! Not at all! In fact, just the opposite. This is one of the best congregations we have ever worked with. The way all of you have loved and cared for us has just been overwhelming in many ways. But, after 51 years of working a full-time job none stop and 38 of those years being a full time preacher, it is time for me to retire from full-time work. Again, in the process of all involved with me retiring and moving, the men here have been overwhelmingly caring. They are allowing me to use two of the three weeks vacation I get per year to help us get moved as we have a ton of stuff to move and cannot do it all at once. Our son is giving us his house to move into and, he is gradually moving out which means we can only gradually move in. So, over the next four weeks we will be gone two of them in the moving process. Our last Sunday here will be Sunday, June 17. I will preach that Sunday and be here Wednesday evening and our last week of vacation will begin Sunday, June 24th the week of June 17-22 will be our last week here in Wagoner.
Again, I cannot even begin to express the honor and joy it has been to be a part of this congregation for the past 7 years. I have watched this congregation grow, mature and really strive to be the people God would have you to be. You have encouraged me in more ways than I can even begin to describe. And, as I told the men in our business meeting, I certainly will have no problem in highly recommending this congregation as a great congregation to work with. We will be praying for you regularly as you look for your new preacher. We will be praying that the Lord will bless you with one that can and will best serve this congregation in the way it needs to be served and cared for. This congregation may not be rich in finances but, you are rich in your love for God and in your desire to serve Him to the best of your ability. Hopefully, with the Lord’s help, you will find one who is rich in the same ways your are and that will really turn you on to be able to work together in a wonderful way.
And, I request your prayers for us in our move and in the future things I hope to do for the Lord. I hope never to quit preaching, just the full time obligations and responsiblities. I plan to make myself available for fill in preaching anywhere I am needed and, also, the church in Tecumseh is wanting me to work part-time (2 days a week) with them in their “Seniors” ministry. I’ve been taught all my life that we may quit, retire from a job but, we never quit or retire from serving the Lord and I hope to live this out, practice this in my life as long as I live.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
Again, I cannot even begin to express the honor and joy it has been to be a part of this congregation for the past 7 years. I have watched this congregation grow, mature and really strive to be the people God would have you to be. You have encouraged me in more ways than I can even begin to describe. And, as I told the men in our business meeting, I certainly will have no problem in highly recommending this congregation as a great congregation to work with. We will be praying for you regularly as you look for your new preacher. We will be praying that the Lord will bless you with one that can and will best serve this congregation in the way it needs to be served and cared for. This congregation may not be rich in finances but, you are rich in your love for God and in your desire to serve Him to the best of your ability. Hopefully, with the Lord’s help, you will find one who is rich in the same ways your are and that will really turn you on to be able to work together in a wonderful way.
And, I request your prayers for us in our move and in the future things I hope to do for the Lord. I hope never to quit preaching, just the full time obligations and responsiblities. I plan to make myself available for fill in preaching anywhere I am needed and, also, the church in Tecumseh is wanting me to work part-time (2 days a week) with them in their “Seniors” ministry. I’ve been taught all my life that we may quit, retire from a job but, we never quit or retire from serving the Lord and I hope to live this out, practice this in my life as long as I live.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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