August 30, 2013 (Friday)
On Sunday, September 1, I will start serving the Bethel Baptist Church of Ingleside, Texas, as Interim Pastor. Their pastor, Brother Bob Upchurch, feels called to other fields of service. He has done a great job and will be missed. This will be the third time I have been with the church for an interim period between permanent pastors. Wanda and I were there 1998-1999; I was there 2011-2012. My last service with them in 2012 was on Labor Day weekend. My first service this time will also be on Labor Day weekend. I look forward to the time we will have together. It is a wonderful church with precious members.
Labor Day seems to be important to my ministry. I preached my very first sermon on a Labor Day weekend. I bought a new suit for the occasion (I should say, “I bought a suit” because I had had none). Got it at Stein’s for $32.50. Steins was well-known for their modestly priced suits that included two pairs of pants. I got a bow tie also, following the example of my dear friend, Troy Conner. Somewhere there is a photo of me on that day, bow tie and all. If I find it, I will put it in a blog. I was three weeks away from my 17th birthday.
If someone had told me that I would be starting a new job 65 years from that day, I would probably have responded, “But I have only one sermon!” The Bible, however, has proved itself to be like the poor widow’s inexhaustible jug of oil and jar of flour in Elijah’s day (1 Kings 17), and has kept me supplied with messages as needed. I recall E.S. Hutcherson’s words at my ordination: “The greatest inspiration for a Sunday morning sermon is the setting of the Saturday evening sun.” I saw many inspirational Saturday sunsets through the years.