Last Sunday, I was completely surprised during the worship service, when our Elder of the Day, Cindy Chagnon, announced that there was a special celebration at Coffee Hour. The celebration marked the start of my 10th year at Bedford Presbyterian Church. In truth, when I began my call as Co-Pastor on November 1, 2013, I had no idea what the following years would hold for me and my wife, Amy.
As I told the people at Coffee Hour last Sunday, I have actually had three different calls at Bedford Presbyterian Church:
1. The call to serve as Co-Pastor with Karen Hagy – a call that I loved.
2. The call to serve as “COVID-Pastor” – a call that I did not love but made it through with the Spirit’s help through your dedication, creativity, and love.
3. The call to serve as Solo Pastor – a call that I have been loving and continue to be figuring out since returning from my sabbatical in 2022.
When Amy and I came up to New Hampshire in the summer of 2013, to visit this place and this church that has been our home for the past ten years for the first time, there was a moment in which Amy said, “Is this what it feels like to be called to a place?” To which I responded, “Yes,” I responded with a sense of peace and conviction.
I still feel this peace and conviction and am so thankful for the many ways in which the Spirit has worked – through all of you – to confirm God’s call upon my life again and again.
Thank you for the cake and those who prepared things last week. Thanks to Manny Barreto and his kind words. Manny represented the original Pastoral Nominating Committee that hosted Amy and me for that initial visit. The committee represented you well and helped us fall in love with BPC and New Hampshire. Thanks to Amy – whose love and support of me and of our family – helps to keep me going. And thanks to the Holy Spirit that is still at work – over the past 10 years and in the present moment – leading us all into the future that God has prepared.
Thanks be to God!
Grace and Peace,
John
PS – I’ll be away this coming Sunday (10/22), leading worship for a Synod of the Northeast retreat in New York State. Elder Jennifer Climo will be preaching (and it’s going to be great!). See you next week!
Prepare for Worship
This Sunday: “Tithing as an Act of Faith – Living Discipleship # 7 – Generosity: A Reflection of God’s Heart”
Elder Jennifer Climo, Guest Preacher
- Read 2 Samuel 5:1-5
- Read 2 Samuel 6:1-5
- Read 2 Samuel 7:18-22