Pastor Tim’s June Message
We ended last month with a bang, so to speak, as we celebrated Jerry Rimmer for his 25 years of faithful service as the chair of the Property Committee, celebrated our graduating high school seniors, and concluded our Families Together (FT) annual spring campaign. Jerry has accomplished so much on our behalf, words do not suffice to adequately express our gratitude; his service has been tireless and often unnoticed by the masses. But we have a facility that operates as well as it does, primarily due to Jerry. Thank you, Jerry, and blessings on your “retirement!”
A special congratulations goes to Emma Faircloth, Nilah Odessy, and Nyah Schoeder, for concluding their high school careers with significant and impressive accomplishments and achievements. They are on their way now to Lenoir-Rhyne University, UNC-Charlotte, and SCAD (the Savannah College of Art and Design), respectively. We were able to celebrate them with prayers, small gifts, and encouraging words. We love you all and are praying for your successful transition during this exciting time in your lives.
We also celebrated our Youth and Family Ministry with a year-end cookout. We began to turn a corner with an increase in the number of our youth and increased attendance at events. It was especially encouraging to be able to partner with the youth at nearby Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and watch relationships being formed.
We thank, celebrate, and congratulate Kai Thurow on his boundless optimism and faithful service to our young people and their families. His programming is always formative and edifying. Thank you, Kai!
Rev. Dr. Julius Carroll will be celebrating 45 years of ordained ministry on Sun., June 7, at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in Durham. Though Dr. Carroll is a member here at St. Philip, he is – in his “retirement” – serving as interim pastor at Abiding Savior. Congratulations to Dr. Carrol and his wife, Geneva, at this auspicious anniversary!
We celebrate two upcoming weddings here at St. Philip: Carol Woodyard and Mike Hinton will marry on June 5th, and Woodrow Yonts and Rebecca Cassar will tie the knot on June 13th. Congratulations to all four of you; your church family celebrates with you! We pray for your happiness in each other over the years to come.
Finally, we will receive and bless our new church organ on Sun., June 28th, at our 11 am traditional worship service. What a day this will be! A very warm “thank you” to Fran Twisdale, who provided the funds to purchase this organ. Fran, we thank you so much for your generous gift and your faithfulness which underlies it. Along with our new piano, we (and Regan Wang, our Director of Music Ministries) are spoiled here at St. Philip! Enjoy playing them both, Regan; we celebrate your faithful service to this congregation, as well as your patient and pleasant demeanor and your remarkable abilities.
Sharing the Love of Christ,
Pastor Tim
