It is the end of the liturgical church year. A few years ago, I began using this date as a time to remember what God has done, mostly through us, in the previous year. In reviewing, I recall far more joys and sorrows; blessings and challenges than can be listed here. Maybe it is best to say these are a few of the “highlights.”
“I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5)
December
December began with the traditional organ recital that does more to help us meditate on the Incarnation, “God become man,” than the most elaborate pageants around the world. Bill Holeman leads us from organ recital to organ replacement. Well, not exactly an “organ,” he did have his hip replaced. The month culminated with Christmas on a Sunday. We enjoyed a combined worship service with the Spanish congregation.
January
The first trip to Israel in six years offered many lessons in the midst of (my) perplexity. Bro. Virgil Kleinsausser, David and Carolyn Stewart, and Byron Siemsen graciously and skillfully led in our absence. Tired of all the attention Bill was getting, Joyce Holeman has knee surgery.
February
Pastor Rigsby resumes preaching from the Gospel of Luke and helps us prepare for Resurrection Sunday with his messages on the “Seven Sayings of Christ from the Cross.” Since before her birth, we have prayed for her and watched her grow. Now, Katie Lopez would be baptized at First Baptist Church of Downey. We rejoice!
March
A water leak, then uncontrollable mold direct us to begin the nursery-restroom-hallway project. Who would have known it would be December before everything was done? Our friend and fence repairman, Glenn Rose, died. After nine years of faithful service, the computer was replaced.
April
Finally! A report on Israel was presented, and that with a borrowed projector from Talbot (thank you). Don and Wanda Slaven commemorate their 25th Anniversary of leaving Bell Gardens Baptist. Oops! I mean, they celebrate their 25 years of ministry at First Baptist Church in Hughson (which coincidentally commenced the same time they left Bell Gardens—go figure!).
May
The odds were overwhelming. The obstacles were greater. But what a story I could tell you about my trip to Wyoming—adventure, suspense, thrills—and that was just getting from Bell Gardens to La Mirada. Pastor Harry Hobby receives his Master’s degree from Southern California Seminary. Our race through the Old Testament began Memorial Day and concluded Labor Day. What a way to spend the summer!
June
Pastor Rigsby begins preaching in the book of Job. In an unbelievable act of service, while we weren’t looking, Pastor Monroe Nunley, cleared the grass out of our parking lot. In January her kidneys stopped. In March her liver quit. In May her heart was diagnosed as weak and failing. She called on a Sunday to say she was “waiting for my ride.” Susan Cowan didn’t have long to wait—for either, leaving earth and arriving in heaven on June 15th.
Remember…meditate…ponder. God is at work among us. I’ll conclude my recollections next time.
