Dear Rose Park,
The last words of Gone with the Wind are, “After all, tomorrow is another day.” The final words of The House at Pooh Corner are, “But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing." And John Steinbeck ends The Grapes of Wrath with, "She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously."
Last words are important. The last words of a letter can convey deep meaning. The last words of a book can reveal a secret or leave you on the edge of your seat. The last words of a movie can bring closure to the plot. The last words of a song can solidify its power and harmony. The last words of a phone call can either bring joy or pain. Again, last words are important.
It reminds me of my last words with one of our beloved church members, Jack Hartman. Jack passed away on June 2, 2025. It was a Monday. After I led a staff meeting, I walked down to Jack’s house to sit beside his bed and say goodbye. His health was failing, and the doctors had been saying he could go anytime. As I sat beside his bed, I knew no other words to speak than the words of scripture. I read Psalm 23 over Jack. It brings me great comfort, knowing that perhaps some of the final words Jack ever heard on this earth was the psalm of the Good Shepherd leading him to green pastures and still waters.
In a similar way, as this is my last letter to you, I cannot think of any better words than the words of scripture. In the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth, he signs off with these last words, “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God’s people here send their greetings. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Rejoice. Encourage. Live in peace. Love. If I had to come up with last words, perhaps these would be it. Continue to rejoice in the Lord. Continue to encourage one another. Strive to live in peace in your communities. And continue to gather as the body of Christ so that you might receive and express the love of God to all.
I’m so grateful for those moments we rejoiced in the Lord together. I’m so grateful for the moments of encouragement, fellowship, and peace. I’m so grateful for all the love you have shown to me and my family, and I hope you have received our love as well. And I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have been your…
Pastor Mark
Photo by Peter Borter on Unsplash