This week’s service was dedicated to honoring Pastor Tom and his family for their faithful leadership and service to River Life Church.

Sally McCranie, our church treasurer, opened by expressing gratitude for Pastor Tom, his wife, and their children. She presented them with a five-day trip to the mountains as a token of appreciation, followed by the youth pastor presenting the family with custom T-shirts made by the youth group.

Then Pastor Glenn came on stage, sharing from the book of Acts about the foundation of the church and what it means to live as the true Church.

Acts 2:42–47 (NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Pastor Glenn reminded the church that over time, religion became corrupted by pride and works, but true faith is not about religion — it’s about relationship. He shared that God gives us teachers to build us up, and today we honor Pastor Tom as one of those teachers leading the church in truth and love.

Finally, Pastor Tracy came forward to honor Pastor Tom’s ministry and the impact he’s made over the years. She shared that Pastor Tom has written and delivered over 624 sermons, has preached more than 850 times within the church, and through school ministry, over 13,500 students have heard the Word of God through him.

She shared from 2 Corinthians 4:9, reminding us that even when we’re pressed or broken, the light of Christ shines through us.

2 Corinthians 4:9 (NIV)
Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Pastor Tracy explained that just as a jar of clay must be broken for the light within to shine, Pastor Tom’s life and ministry reflect God’s strength working through him.

The service closed with the congregation standing together, invited to come to the altar to pray—not only for Pastor Tom but for others who need Jesus. The best way to show appreciation for Pastor Tom is to help others know Christ.

Acts 2:1–40 (NIV)
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
(Peter then addresses the crowd, explaining the prophecy of Joel and proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Messiah.)

Acts 2:41–47 (NIV)
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

2 Corinthians 4:9 (NIV)
Persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.