Laughter & Tears

Our day started with lots of laughter as we
enjoyed our last Sunday service listening to Terry's
magnificent piano playing and Pastor Mark's
last sermon as our Sr. Pastor.

Pastor Mark & Terry were honored through some very
special performances.

God has blessed us through Terry's remarkable talents.
When she  plays and sings, it's like a prayer. I will miss
getting lost in her music. It was so much fun listening
to her share her memories of coming to live in
Leominster to serve at LAOG and how much she
appreciated the fact that people allowed her to
be herself and to follow God's direction for her life.

We really appreciate and will miss what we have had on
a weekly basis. The morning was such a special time. One
that I know we will long cherish!

Then came the Business Meeting Sunday evening
which was pretty uneventful until the last job which
was to vote for our new Senior Pastor.
The vote was taken and when the tally was announced
we didn't have the votes needed to elect a new pastor.
It turned into a tearful evening with most people
leaving in a state of shock. Pastor Dave has been
appointed interim Senior Pastor by the deacon board
until a new Sr. Pastor is found and approved. He
accepted.

We truly are in a time of transition. Three of our
pastors are leaving. God has a plan but there is still
a sense of concern about what will come next!

Pray for restoration! No matter the vote Yes or No,
we saw the world entering our church with a
campaign using e-mails, face book and more.
I must disclose that I too received the e-mail information
but I am grateful that I gave it to God in prayer
and was reminded that God's ways are not man's way.

I fear for the unseen damages that have been brought
about in the hearts of our church family. And
this morning, as I attempted again to explain all of this
to my as yet unsaved husband, I was brought to
tears. What damage has been done in winning the
souls of our unsaved family members, not by the vote but
because of the means used? We are called by God to not be
like the world and unfortunately we failed Him!

I pray for a miracle and healing within our church.
Let's all humble ourselves and pray! We need it!

Sally