Today marks a significant anniversary in my life. It’s not my wedding anniversary –that’s next Thursday! On June 16, 1984 I married the most beautiful bride in the world –
Robin Valerie Raboy at another First Church –FUMC in Tulsa, OK Twenty-seven “wonder full” years of bliss and blisters!(Marriage is hard work –just ask Robin!).
It’s not my spiritual anniversary either – I don’t know that exact date but it’s in late November. No – today is my 4th anniversary at First Church and this week on Tuesday June 7, 1984 I began full time ministry within The United Methodist Church. So, this week marks my “Silver Anniversary” in Ministry. Anniversaries remind you how very fast life moves on – before I know it I’ll be writing this blog about my next one hopefully!

Last week at Annual Conference I was reappointed to First Church for a fifth year. I can hardly believe how quickly the time has passed. It’s been a wonderful four years of “bliss and blisters.” Hardships and victories. Joys and blunders. Welcoming new friends. Saying “Good-bye” to others. It is how life works. Some sunshine and some rain; but as I often remind you and myself, “Life is about relationships.” A relationship with the Lord Jesus and each other. It has been a great week of relationships for me and I pray for you as well. Let me share if I may...

Last Sunday, as a young woman was leaving worship she handed me a neatly folded note. She had been a part of our Confirmation Class this Spring, but didn’t join First Church because she anticipated she’d be moving soon. I appreciated her integrity in not making vows she couldn‘t keep. She wrote this in part…

Dear Pastor Mark,
Thank you for always being positive and accommodating about my situation. I am not a member of First Church, but you treated me like part of your family. Thank you.
My brother and I have gotten accepted into a school in Reno, Nevada and will be moving there next week. I regret not informing you sooner, but the opportunity to come to First Church never arose(again) and quite frankly, I never wanted to say “good-bye.”
Thank you so much for all you’ve done. First Church is the first “real” church family I’ve ever felt to be a part of after moving to Oklahoma. Thank you.
Grace

Just this week, I met a dozen ‘new” brothers and sisters in Christ from around the OKC Metro area who’ve met for the last 9 years to pray for our City. They came to First Church on Wednesday and prayed for you and over me in our Prayer Chapel. What an incredible blessing and act of love. They are interested in building The Kingdom and unifying The Body of Christ in OKC just like us.(By the way, another 1000 people worshiped in our sanctuary again last Sunday with the same heart at “The Sing!”).

And then just today, I had the incredible blessing and privilege of meeting and leading a lady to Christ in our Conference Room! Her brother had come and few weeks ago and he brought his sister and husband back today! I plan to baptize them both in a few weeks.

God is good! No cake or punch to mark today’s anniversary in ministry; but what a week of great blessing from my Father in Heaven.

I love you!

Yours in Christ,

Mark

PS –Please be present this Sunday as we celebrate WOW Week and our Faith Promise commitments to support our missionaries. Don’t miss Sunday night’s “Talent Show” and Ice Cream Social as well! I’m sure Sallie will be in rare form! Blessings -