The Last Hurrah: Final Clyde's Column
[This is the final bulletin article/front page "Clyde's Column" installment I will post. I'll probably post a few more thoughts before I leave, but if I don't get to it, you can keep up with me at http://www.clydeslimp.com/ in days ahead. ---Blessings, CHS]
Ecclesiastes 3 begins with these memorable lines:
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven— A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.
I recall the dreams I planted here with you as a younger man back in 1999. It is sad to me that some of those dreams never came to fruition. Nevertheless, I have my share of joys to recall and I rejoice over the good things I have seen and been a part of in my time here.
I also have great hopes for you and for your next preacher. I pray he will find here a partnering, prayerful relationship with the elders and with the congregation, that you will give him (and his wife and children if he is a family man) your love, support, and constant prayers, and that God will do mighty things through all of you working and growing together.
R&C and Conway will always be special to us because it was here that Seth moved as a 3-year-old (he turns 11 in September!) and it was here that Andrew and Matthew came into the world. It will always be special because of the lives we’ve touched and been touched by. You will be forever in our hearts, as I pray we will remain in yours.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.