Honoring the Replogles...

 

Yesterday was a grand day for our congregation at Community of Joy as we honored Jim and Carol Replogle for their 22 plus years of commitment to establishing a Church of the Brethren congregation here in Salisbury.   They will soon retire to PA and will be sadly missed at Community of Joy.

 

Here is the Toast I gave them yesterday as a part of 7 other toasts or roasts.

 

 

There is a story about a guy who waited patiently in line to greet his pastor one Sunday after the sermon.  “Pastor, this eager, sincere Christ follower, said, “I have only one thing to tell you.  My answer is YES. Now what’s the question?”

The pastor looked at him, confused, and smiling awkwardly, fell back on the pastor’s safety net and said, “God bless you.”   The pastor politely brushed the man off and turned to greet the next parishioner.  The next week, the same guy waited in line and repeated the same words. “Pastor, my answer is YES. Now what’s the question?”

The pastor pondered this enigma.  Wanting to get to the bottom of it, he invited the man to go to lunch.  Over a midweek meal, the man once again blurted out the intriguing mantra: ”Pastor, my answer is yes. Now what’s the question?”   Finally overcome with curiosity, the pastor asked, “Can you please tell me what you mean by that?”

The man smiled and with passion, began, “Pastor I was hooked on everything bad, about to lose my family, sliding down a slippery slope toward certain destruction.  Then Jesus intervened.”  Tears welled up in his eyes.  “Because of what Jesus did for me, my answer to you is YES!  You are my pastor and I’ll do whatever you need.”

If you want me to rock babies, I’ll rock babies.  If you want me to usher, I’ll usher.  If you want me to mow the churchyard, I’ll be there at 6 a.m. every Saturday.  My answer to you will always be YES!  Now what’s the question?”

Jim and Carol Replogle are “my answer to you will always be yes, now what’s the question.” People!   Probably no one in the history of Community of Joy has had more influence in the life and formation of this congregation than Jim and Carol.  They have said yes and yes and yes so many times to serving Jesus through the building of his congregation called Community of Joy!   They have been for these past 22 years or so – the life beat of Community of Joy!

Until January 2013 Jim has diligently led our leadership team and until we find a replacement for her, Carol has been and continues to be at the piano at both our worship gatherings.   Carol also has held the position of Fellowship Team Chairperson for all these years too.

They have been faithfully committed to the work of Christ here.  Even though they came here in “Retirement” they did nothing of the sort!  They have been actively engaged in the work and mission of Jesus here – often arranging their times away with the church’s calendar in mind.  And most of the time getting home by Sunday or leaving after worship on Sunday, so that they didn’t have to miss a beat.

They have worn many hats over the years and often several at the same time.  At times I am sure it was hard for them to remember which had they had on.  One hat they have worn and wear well is that of Pastoral Cheerleader.  Sharon and I and our girls have been the beneficiaries of their support, encouragement, and love from the moment we agreed to come here as Co-Pastors.  That support, encouragement, and love has not wavered over these 14 years!

Jim and Carol always had this ability to know just what Community of Joy needed and they were always eager to give it their all.  They opened their home to many of us for meals and meetings.  Until 2007, when we purchased the ministry center, every month, the leadership team would meet in their home and that always included a delicious home cooked meal at their table.  

They have treated countless young adults in our congregation over the years to many meals out in local eateries.  And the stories abound of those among us – Judy Urrasio, in particular who became wise to the fact that if Jim and Carol invited you to dinner, it must mean they were about to ask you to take on a new role at COJ!

In 2007, when God provided us with our Ministry Center, Carol led the decorating team and Jim worked with a team of us – often till the final hours of the night – day in and day out transforming our ministry center into the beautiful place it is now.   Jim has great skills in carpentry and in problem solving and designing things.  Some of the most treasured times in our 14 years here as Pastors for me have been those 5 months that Jim and I were able to work side by side remodeling this facility that God provided.

Today is a day of celebration – not that Jim and Carol are leaving but of all that they have done for the Lord here at COJ over the years.  It will be a sad day for all of us when we come in for worship and recognize that the Replogles are no longer among us.

Jim and Carol – to say thank you hardly seems enough!  In so many ways we at Community of Joy are indebted to both of you for all of the ways you have said yes, for all the hats you have worn, for the countless hours you have given, for the unending prayers you have prayed for the success of this work and for your commitment to Jesus and the work and ministry he is doing here.  You have forever marked our lives and the fruit of your years of labor here will continue to grow for decades!  May God bless and guide you both and us as a congregation through this time of farewell and beyond.