Thank you Pastor Al - For coming to St. Philips
to serve
You were a great inspiration to many of us -
Probably more than we deserve
It’s never easy to start over - Many people
are set in their ways
Some of your ideas were not popular - Your enthusiasm
was your mainstay!!
I thank you for caring - And opening up our
church
It wasn’t meant to be a country club -
When souls are on the search
I thank you for embracing the children - At
Bible Camp you would go
To teach the love of God - As you watched their
little hearts glow!!
I thank you for Saturday night service - For
those who would attend
But couldn’t do it on Sunday - To them
it was a godsend
I thank you for the funerals - Where with loved
ones you’d connect
Then you relayed to them God’s love - On
their face I could see the effect!!
I thank you for the sermons - That made each
of us aware
And sent us out each Sunday - With the intention
of doing our share
Your words came from the heart - And vocal as
you spoke
"Look the children in the eye - And love
that will evoke"!!
I thank you for the billboard - For St. Philips
you became
"This church must be a sanctuary"
- If they’d listen, you’d exclaim
I thank you for the times - That you suffered,
both you and De
When a minority attacked - Just because they
couldn’t see!!
You forced us to get a vision - Get some direction
in which to go
You wanted accountability - Which was needed
for us to grow
You worked to reduce the debt - While keeping
mission high on the list
You had your detractors - But you remained the
eternal optimist!!
But gradually you realized - Your detractors
would never relent
Instead of preaching the gospel - You were defending
from the malcontent
And when they saw you wounded - They moved in
for the kill
They started attacking De - Maybe just for the
thrill!!
For all these things we thank you - With a tear
in our eye
For we’ve truly grown to love you - Because
you are a wonderful guy
You and De will both be missed - And it just
won’t be the same
But know you’ve left many friends - Who’ll
smile when we hear your name!!
