Not in Vainers
Not in Vainers
Back in 2012 when I began writing this little blog I entitled it, “Not in Vain”. It was taken from my dad’s life verse, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor is not in vain.” I Cor 15:58. That might be a little of the Ed Hlad translation as I wrote it as I memorized it. When I began my ministry I chose that verse and asked the Lord to shape my ministry around those exhortations and I asked him to be faithful in reminding me that my labors, in the Lord, were not in vain. When my son began his ministry I was able to give him a cross stitched plaque (hand crafted by my mom) of this verse that I had hanging in my office for many years. It was my hope and prayer that his ministry would be marked by those same exhortations. It was also my prayer that this blog would be a help to others in their quest to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. As I begin to wrap up this phase of my ministry, I want to take the time to write these last blogs honoring people. I am unable to say these things publicly due to my blubbering, emotional nature. So write them. I know that for many of you this may not be too relevant as you are not association with Jacobstown Baptist Church but this is something that I believe will be a fitting end to this blog.
The first two people that I would like to honor as “Not in Vainers” are Betty and Marilyn. I have written about them before but they are the last of those who were here before I came to JBC. In fact, you have Betty to blame for playing a key role in bringing me here to JBC. They have faithfully helped, and still help, lead our worship on Sunday mornings as they play the piano and organ and pick the songs that we will be singing. They are the epitome of what a congregant should be. They use their talents and gifts, never calling attention to themselves, but always serving the Lord as they serve JBC. They truly play with their hearts and souls and I have never once seen them act or react out of selfishness or ego. When someone new comes in with the talent to play piano, they make room and enjoy the help. When the band or guitarists wanted to lead on Sundays, they stepped aside and worshiped and enjoyed as others served the Lord. When others were scheduled to lead and found out they could not, Betty and Marilyn were always ready and willing to fill in. In my 35 years they have never murmured, complained, played the diva, or made any kind of stink. They faithfully serve the Lord and allowed Jesus to be the one lifted up. Whatever we have needed them to do, or more importantly...not do, they did or did not do graciously and in service to the Lord. Through loss, injury, Covid, and all kinds of change, they have been faithful, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. Proof of their always abounding has been their role in the choir, work with children, and there faithful service in our Living Nativity.
I know that my memories of Betty and Marilyn will include seeing them behind the keyboards but the memory I hold most dear is when I see them walking together as I walk into Prayer Meeting and they are walking towards their service in AWANA. Their cheerfulness, friendship, and joy as they go to work with other’s children is always a great example to me of what being part of a church is all about. In the coming blogs I will not mention too many individual names for fear of forgetting some but Betty and Marilyn were JBC before me, will be JBC after me, and the Lord will not allow their labor to be in vain. So publicly write, what I cannot say, thank you for serving with me these past 35 years. I pray your next pastor realizes how blessed he is to have you two as part of his flock.
Back in 2012 when I began writing this little blog I entitled it, “Not in Vain”. It was taken from my dad’s life verse, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor is not in vain.” I Cor 15:58. That might be a little of the Ed Hlad translation as I wrote it as I memorized it. When I began my ministry I chose that verse and asked the Lord to shape my ministry around those exhortations and I asked him to be faithful in reminding me that my labors, in the Lord, were not in vain. When my son began his ministry I was able to give him a cross stitched plaque (hand crafted by my mom) of this verse that I had hanging in my office for many years. It was my hope and prayer that his ministry would be marked by those same exhortations. It was also my prayer that this blog would be a help to others in their quest to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. As I begin to wrap up this phase of my ministry, I want to take the time to write these last blogs honoring people. I am unable to say these things publicly due to my blubbering, emotional nature. So write them. I know that for many of you this may not be too relevant as you are not association with Jacobstown Baptist Church but this is something that I believe will be a fitting end to this blog.
The first two people that I would like to honor as “Not in Vainers” are Betty and Marilyn. I have written about them before but they are the last of those who were here before I came to JBC. In fact, you have Betty to blame for playing a key role in bringing me here to JBC. They have faithfully helped, and still help, lead our worship on Sunday mornings as they play the piano and organ and pick the songs that we will be singing. They are the epitome of what a congregant should be. They use their talents and gifts, never calling attention to themselves, but always serving the Lord as they serve JBC. They truly play with their hearts and souls and I have never once seen them act or react out of selfishness or ego. When someone new comes in with the talent to play piano, they make room and enjoy the help. When the band or guitarists wanted to lead on Sundays, they stepped aside and worshiped and enjoyed as others served the Lord. When others were scheduled to lead and found out they could not, Betty and Marilyn were always ready and willing to fill in. In my 35 years they have never murmured, complained, played the diva, or made any kind of stink. They faithfully serve the Lord and allowed Jesus to be the one lifted up. Whatever we have needed them to do, or more importantly...not do, they did or did not do graciously and in service to the Lord. Through loss, injury, Covid, and all kinds of change, they have been faithful, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. Proof of their always abounding has been their role in the choir, work with children, and there faithful service in our Living Nativity.
I know that my memories of Betty and Marilyn will include seeing them behind the keyboards but the memory I hold most dear is when I see them walking together as I walk into Prayer Meeting and they are walking towards their service in AWANA. Their cheerfulness, friendship, and joy as they go to work with other’s children is always a great example to me of what being part of a church is all about. In the coming blogs I will not mention too many individual names for fear of forgetting some but Betty and Marilyn were JBC before me, will be JBC after me, and the Lord will not allow their labor to be in vain. So publicly write, what I cannot say, thank you for serving with me these past 35 years. I pray your next pastor realizes how blessed he is to have you two as part of his flock.
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