Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” – John 21:16

Today is one of those bittersweet life markers where something beautiful comes to an end but for all the right reasons. Like the day in October 1996 when we said goodbye to Trinity Presbyterian in Pensacola, or the end of an era in August 2013 – moving from First Church Brandon to North Carolina, and then Rebekah’s memorable retirement from WFPC, August 1 2021.

This morning is Rebekah’s last service occupying the pulpit here at the remarkable faith community known as Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church. She will lead the people in worship, she will lead the people in prayer and she will share her final sermon as pastor before retiring – again – but this time we think retirement is actually going to stick.

Decision to love:

We have been here just a year and a half, nothing like our 14 in Pensacola, 17 in Brandon, or the remarkable eight years of ministry over in Wake Forest. But who could have imagined that a temporary role in Tarboro could run so deep and become so immersive for both of us?

I know, neither Rebekah nor I really know how do do anything halfway. But seriously, all we did was to show up with open hearts and a love for the Good News of Jesus. Oh, and we made the critically important choice to love. To love this church, to love the individual people who worship here, and to love this community too.

But I want everyone to understand this: we would not have made the decision to stay if y’all had not loved us back.

I want everyone to understand this: we would not have made the decision to stay if y’all had not loved us back.

I’m not going to try to name all the individuals, but there are around 30 beautiful souls who come to the Bible study Tuesday mornings and I love and respect these men so much. And there are more than a dozen couples who have become great personal friends (or at least we think so!) – Rebekah and I love you dearly. And then there are all these lovely folk who show up for church Sunday mornings (some faithfully, some sporadically) – you have enriched our lives so much.

What’s different about this “goodbye” is that we are not going anywhere. We discussed this with the church leaders several months ago and everyone is fine with us hanging around. Rebekah and I will make ourselves less obvious at church over the next couple of months, but we’re not going to be less obvious about living in this beautiful town.

And Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church will remain our spiritual home; we would love for you to join us there. Because we know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that life is better when it is lived in the context of faith-based community.

“So you say that you love me?” Jesus asks his friend Peter after the resurrection, when they meet for breakfast on the beach. “If you really do, then do something about it.”

"Day by day, dear Lord, 
of you three things I pray. 
To see you more clearly; 
to love you more dearly; 
to follow you more nearly. 
Day by day."

In love, and because of love – DEREK