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.
