Janie and I were humbled and wonderfully surprised at this past Sunday’s Celebration. The staff and you all did a perfect job keeping everything a secret. Neale even published a “decoy” worship bulletin so I could not see the one everyone else received. What a wonderfully loving, amazingly creative and deeply touching gesture of love. Thank you all so very much.
I know I will not remember everything, but I will try. First, the recognition of my 70th birthday and Janie and my 40th Anniversary. It was all wonderful. Seeing the old pictures was a hoot. Who was that young black-haired man?
The interrupted sermon video, of my first sermon delivered at JIBC, was too clever. I was momentarily a little upset when it looked like the video was messing up…it was a part of the charade! Then, when Frank O came up, the water works started for me. How meaningful to have him participate in this day before he went home to Jesus.
The kind words from our Elders were humbling indeed. Then the gift of the two original pieces of art, right to my heart! The art included the “words that describe Pastor Tom” you all so graciously shared. I am sure there were some words that could not be included and had to be edited out! One piece of the art will hang in our dining room and the other here at JIBC (probably in the outer office area where anyone who cares to see it can and I can see it every day.
The TAB (Thomas Arthur Brown) Mission Fund to help send others on mission was over the top. I will put the first $1,000 in to get that mission ball rolling. As I type this, Neale tells me the fund already has over $10,000 in it. I am too late to be the first to give to it, but I will still gladly make the thanksgiving offering. I have a mission fund named after me. This puts me right up there with Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong! (JK, LOL) I could not be more proud to be associated with a Kingdom Mission effort. Thank you. Now, let’s keep it funded and send a bunch of people out for Jesus.
Janie and I are going to Italy this week. We will celebrate both of our 70th birthdays, our 50 years of marriage (November 29) and our 40 years at JIBC. Thank you all for the financial gift to go toward our trip. I wept again, no surprise there, and could not even speak.
The dessert reception was such a sweet idea! See what I did there? So yummy.
I thank our Lord for the privilege of serving Him at JIBC. I also thank my sweet wife, Janie. If I get any stars in my crown when I go to heaven, I am pretty sure the Angels will pluck them out and given to Janie when she gets there! Any credit I get is credit Janie gets.
Thank you all again and again. This was a most spectacular weekend! Love you all,
Pastor Tom
