Ponderings from Pastor Pamela's Pen
By Rev. Pamela Fitkin
There aren't enough words to describe the enormous amount of joy, awe and gratitude that I feel about life at FBC Simcoe over the last two months. One of a Pastor's greatest worries is how to make a story which is already overly familiar, fresh and the Easter season was coming whether I wanted it to or not.
I was delighted when our youth and kids said they would be in the Palm Sunday service – it was incredible to see them “perform” the sermon with me. It was so much fun! Your responses to that Sunday were terrific. The “drama” of Good Friday was indeed special and again I received emails, phone calls, and zillions of verbal comments about the service, many ending with “best ever, Good Friday”. Again, telling the story of Jesus in a fresh way is hard, especially on that sacred day. I want to thank Carolyn for lending her voice as one of the drama readers. She has a vocal quality that is soft and tender. We both cried through the service.
I also want to thank Jim, our fearless choir director for adding his voice to the actual drama readings and for conducting the loveliest choir ever! Jim was also gracious and allowed me to pick the placement of the choir for both Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I chose when the choir should sing. This is a non traditional way. Jim is a trusting guy! Putting Sunday services together along with Nancy, who is beyond amazing at finding the music that fits, is pure joy. I love seeing the service as a whole. Being able to laser point it all in my head, a small part here and there, tweaking it and finally seeing how it all works, is grand. I think this is a gift from God too. There are of course many folks involved on Sundays when it all comes together.
I am grateful to the worship leaders, musicians, tech and sound crew who all have their hands in things to make worship great. After all, that is what we are doing; planning and creating worship, which is for the sole purpose of glorifying God. If I am not praying and pondering over services for the glory of God, in and through the Spirit then, well, I we should just stay home. There is a heavy burden about Sunday services that rises up every week and does not get released until the Benediction is offered, but it is also a burden of gladness, especially when people say, “That was so moving”, or “I had an encounter with Jesus”. Those types of comments were plentiful during Easter and that makes this pastor's heart glad.
Easter Sunday morning was fabulous and again there were so many incredible comments about the service. Thank you! You cannot know how many pastors worry, “am I going to ruin Easter, will my sermon be a bore?” Your encouragement about the Easter season gladdened my heart over and over. I can't wait for next year!
I also don't want to forget to say how delighted I was to baptize Mark Kadey. It was such a great honour to do so.
To tell you the truth, I am still processing the Induction Service and the wonderful comments about it. Even this week some more lovely reflections came forward. Thanks. It was such an intimate, beautiful service and having my friend, mentor and pastor, Rev. John Torrance there as our guest preacher was a delight to my soul. I will also never forget Sue's offering of worship music, indeed, “Let There Be a Hallelujah”. She was amazing. The commitments we made to each other, pastor and congregation, are sacred and I was so happy Rev. Carl Walters could be with us to lead us in the commissioning.
From the very beginning of Nancy's opening prayer to the benediction, God was honoured. That is what an induction service should do. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the kids and Carolyn, the gifts of chocolate was hysterical and their high-fives and hugs were precious, and all their art gifts moved me, but it was when the youth and kids formed a circle around me and prayed over me, my heart overflowed and so did all the tears. Our youth and kids are indeed precious in God's sight, and ours as well. I am thankful for them.
I was also so moved by the laying on of hands and prayer over me. It was wonderful to have so many clergy there, especially pastors Bruce (one of your former pastors ) and Barry, along with invited guests and family. What a tender Spirit-filled service. If that wasn't enough, we then had a fantastic lunch all organized by Tiffany and her team, a Deacon and one of our young adults. It was a laughter-filled, chocolate fountain, cucumber and cream cheese sandwich festival. Did I mention chocolate fountain? Thank you to all the hands that served and prepared – what a time we had. There are a ton of photos of the lunch, hard to pick just a few, it was such a great time.
I am so grateful to be serving as your Pastor. I recently told someone the best word to describe how I feel as we continue to worship together is “flourishing”. I am flourishing and we are flourishing. This is very good! May our Lord and Saviour, Redeemer and King, Jesus continue to bless us as we continue to worship in truth, with contrite hearts and passion for bringing them, Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit all the glory and all the praise!
With love and blessings,
Pastor
Pamela
