Special Goodbye

This Sunday is an especially sad one for me as we are saying good bye to Doug and Maureen Husen and David and Katherine Sheppard. Both families have been a huge part of my life and the life of New Song over the last few years.

I have especially appreciated Doug's heart and desire to serve. My heart has hurt a lot because of Doug's absence from our staff. In a lot of ways Doug was the perfect person for me to partner with in starting New Song. Doug's joy and encouragement have always been a huge support to me and Susan. Doug has a lot of talents and was willing to be flexible with them. Doug has served our church in so many ways that I can't say thank you enough.

When we started New Song, Maureen was a part of the worship team, but not the key leader. When the opportunity opened up she stepped up and has grown into an amazing leader. I especially appreciate how she is willing to open up and share her heart on Sundays. As she worships God we have been naturally drawn in to do the same. Maureen has also been incredibly flexible and taken the worship at our church to another level. As she grew in her skills the whole church grew with her. Thank you Maureen for sharing your gifts with us!

I remember very clearly the first day David and Katherine came to New Song. They were looking for a church to get plugged into and over the first few years they served in ways that made it obvious God was calling them into full time ministry. David grew into a leadership role in our Ministry Apprenticeship (MA) group and attended William Jessup University. When David came on staff he brought his gift of organization in a way that we desperately needed it. Our Life Groups, Communications, and Set Up Teams took a big step forward under David's leadership. I am especially grateful for David's willingness to start our ministry in Folsom Prison. I have been praying since we started New Song that we could have teams going into Folsom Prison. Under David's leadership that became a reality. Thank you David for being a blessing to us!

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I also want to say a special thank you to Katherine who though she was not on paid staff made some major contributions to our church. Her work putting together musicals and dramas were a huge success. Katherine also envisioned and brought to life our coffee cart/hospitality ministry and she kicked off a great group for homeschool families that I hope will continue after she moves to Texas. Katherine, thank you for all you have done!

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If it were up to me, no one would ever have to leave and move on. But sadly, I don't get to decide that. Over the last month, I have thought a lot about how God never changes, but everything that he created does. Even his church. There have been times recently when I have panicked and thought the sky is falling (the smoke in the air lately has made it easy to picture). But I keep going back to the fact that even though I don't like change, God does. Everything He created changes.

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I have also relied upon the fact that God knew these leadership changes were going to take place this summer at New Song. I had no idea that they would come and have been trying prevent them happening for a long time. But since God knew changes were coming I know that he has a plan for our future as well. I have been praying a lot by the river this week and as I did I kept reading Psalm 23.

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"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me besides still waters, he restores my soul...I will fear no evil, for I know that you are with me."

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As I sat next to the still waters of the American River I was reminded that I don't need to be afraid of the future, God is with me. My security is found in Him and not my circumstances.

This has been an emotionally rough summer for all of us, but through it all God's comfort and encouragement has been more real to me than ever before. I especially want to say thank you to everyone who has sent encouraging emails to Susan and I. I also appreciate that several of you have also come up after church recently to let me know that you are looking forward to what God is going to do at New Song.

With Doug, Maureen, David, and Katherine moving on to other churches God has opened up a lot of opportunities for ministry. At first, I freaked out and thought "How is all going to get done?" But one by one people from our church are stepping up and take key roles to minister and love people in Jesus' name. Thank you! I am so grateful for your willingness to participate. Through your dedication and desire to serve I believe that we'll make it through this season together. God is not finished with us yet!