Transition

Isn’t it strange when you think you know only to find out that you don’t know what you thought you knew?  I like many of you thought that Wayne would continue to minister at Maple Hill until retirement.  As we all know that is not going to happen.  Although the announcement came as a shock to us, we all need to understand that it was not a spur of the moment announcement.  I have the privilege of being with Wayne just about every day.  There is a path worn in the carpet between his office and mine, as over the past six months we have talked about the opportunity at the West End congregation.  His love for the Maple Hill family is what made the final decision so agonizing.  As he stated in his announcement Sunday, he “loves us with the love of the Lord.” 
I wonder what it was like for the apostle Paul to tell the church at Ephesus that he was going to be leaving.  How did they respond to this announcement?  I feel certain there were tears, tears of sadness as well as tears of joy.  Probably some didn’t understand why he would leave them; after all he had had such a huge impact on their lives.  He was their “preacher.”  As you read through the account of his departure Luke records these words; “What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again…”  (Acts 20: 38).  I don’t want Wayne to leave!  I don’t want the West End congregation to continue hurting.  I don’t want Maple Hill to take a step backwards in our service to the master.  I do want Wayne to go and use the talents that the Lord has blessed him with. I want West End to grow and become a spiritually healthy congregation.  I want Maple Hill to continue moving forward being a shining light within our community and throughout the world.  To accomplish these “wants” of mine I believe it will be important to remember the four request that Wayne gave us last week
1. Pray for this church family—especially the elders and staff.  They love the Lord and this great church. 
2. Renew your commitment to the Lord and the Maple Hill church.  There is much to do for the Lord and you are needed.
3. Please pray for me (Wayne), my family and the West End church. 
4. Please pray for the new minister who will come.  Please show him and his family the love, patience, support, and compassion that you have shown unto us. 
Isn’t that just like Wayne, to preach a great sermon as he tells us he is leaving?  Truly all of us love him with the “love of the Lord.”