For the same person.
My grandfather, Jack T. Carr Sr., preached his last sermon today. As a family, we've filled the pews a few times for this occasion. I guess you just can't give it up that easily when you have been sharing the gospel publicly since age 15. I jokingly told Josh today I was most sad during the "first- last" sermon he gave because I thought it was for real.
The decision came more suddenly this time. For a while, although Jack suffered through health problems, he did what he always did--kept doing what he loved--preaching for a body of people he had grown to dearly care for. But after several rounds of more recent hospital visits, the doctors determined although not cancer, he does have a lung disease. He's going through a procedure this week. At this juncture, my grandparents reluctantly decided it was time. So this morning, they resigned from their most recent church--Hawthorne Baptist Church.
Before the sermon:
Jack gave a great sermon on the doctrines that anchor us from John 3:16-- God, salvation, assurance and security. Jack, if you are reading this, this is proof that not everyone falls asleep during church! I've been proud of you every time I have heard you from the pulpit. I was proud the day you baptized me at Houston's First Baptist Church. I was proud at First Baptist South Houston when all of the other kids would think it was so cool I was with you. I was proud at every one of your retirements. But I'm also proud every time I see you just because of who you are.
As a side note: there's an important memory I forgot to include in my Christmas post. One of the things I look forward to about Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter...is hearing my grandfather give the family blessing before we eat. I love his genuine, tender voice. A voice that seems to gather us all in one room for a few special moments. This Christmas was one of the most special prayers to me. While Jack prayed, another voice began to quietly babble in harmony with his--Hunter's. The sound of their voices together was very, very sweet.
Below: a pic of Jack and Hunter this Thanksgiving~
After Jack gave his resignation to the congregation, Josh leaned over to me and asked me if I heard all of the sniffling going on in the sanctuary. There was a lot of sniffling going on behind us. As if that wasn't bad enough, Jack had to request we sing his favorite song to end the sermon-- "When We All Get to Heaven." I guess that is supposed to be a happy song? I couldn't sing a word of it because I was crying. But I knew God knew my heart---a happy song it is--but I just couldn't audibly make out the words this morning.
A beautiful scene followed. Jack walked down the aisle and took the hand of his gorgeous bride of 58- almost 59 years. They continued to walk down the aisle towards the back of the church so they could greet their church family. I caught a glimpse of their backs as they walked to the door. Just as they did every Sunday. One more time. What a testimony to all of us--even in the sorrow of the decision--you could even tell from behind--they were determined to serve joyfully to the finish.
At the back door greeting--a pic of the "Fearsome Foursome" as I call it. Mamps and Jack and their close, close friends, Barbara and Harlen.
Hunter helping Jack greet :)
For some comic relief, Jack asked my brother in law to close in prayer after the hymn. I don't think he knew it was going to be comic relief, but John Travis got up there and began to thank the Lord for "Jack...and ... and Mamps' service to the church." Of course, no one in our family knows my grandmother by any other name!!! We all started laughing hysterically.
Jack always says He has two favorite things in this world: breakfast and Christmas. I think he never put preaching on the list because it was a given.
Love you, Mamps and Jack!
