Dad's 40th

Just some of the decorations and sweets for Dad's 40th Years of Ministry Celebration

Grandma Haworth, Aunt Joanne, and Uncle Bob really liked looking at all the old pictures.

Kids sing with Grampa

This was an absolutely precious and sentimental part of the ceremony.  The history: My dad always did special songs with the children as part of his services.  He played his guitar. As a little girl, it was magical.  Because my dad is anything but boring...although we DID sing "Jesus Loves Me," it was NOT a typical version. It was all "jazzed up" with shouting, yelling the letters out, and then he'd speed it up faster and faster...which, as a kid...is super fun.  My sisters and I taught OUR kids this same version of Jesus Loves Me, and for the ceremony, we told Dad at the last minute that he was going to play guitar. It was magic.

The kids also learned a song that my mother and father sang to us throughout our childhood as we went to sleep..."Now the light has gone away."  And they topped it off with reciting the Benediction! Of course, we "jazzed" it up a little. If you look, you can see Noah giving the "peace" sign in one of the pictures.  Love that, like his Mama, he's got a bit of soul;)

On a side note...My poor Noah was SO SICK...102 fever, and literally crying during parts of the church service.  It broke my heart.  But he STILL got up in front of 100 people, and sang for his Grampa and recited the Benediction.  As soon as he finished, he said, "Is it over NOW?"  Grampa heard him say this and laughed outloud.  Yes, precious Noah, it was over now.  He is SUCH a precious boy!

Family gathered for Dad's 40 years since ordination

Here are some pictures of us with my dad following his 40th ordination service.  My heart was SO SAD that Noah, Jackson, and Michael had to leave because Noah became so sick.  I just felt sick about it.  But, that's life, right? We plan and plan on things being "perfect," and life throws us a curve ball.  So, I didn't let the disappointment ruin my evening.  But I sure wish I had my boys' faces in the picture.  What a special day!

Dad's 40th Year Ordination Ceremony

Grandma Haworth, Uncle Bob, Oma, Dad (Grampa), Aunt Joanne, Kyle & Leslie Fluegel

Dad standing in front of the dessert table...clearly decorated by his middle daughter.

Best. Dad. Ever. 

So many people got emotional when listening to the stories being read outloud.

Dad being presented with a special momento.

My mom's sister, Eileen, who lives in Michigan, was saddened that she couldn't make it to Texas for the party.  She called me and asked what she could do. My dad loves Faygo "pop."  Pop is a Michigan term for soda. Anyway, she sent him a big box of Faygo, and you can see from his face...he was surprised.

Kyle & Leslie Fluegel have been friends with our family for about 20 years.  They were a rock for our family when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, throughout her illness, and after her death.  They traveled for my dad's special day, too. It meant SO much!

NOTE:  I don't have pictures of this...YET. Because I was IN THE MOMENT.  There's a LONG STORY about how my dad came in dancing to "Ghostbusters" and mortified me during my first school dance.  (I'm pretty sure I already wrote a post about that somewhere on this crazy blog).  Anyway, as time warps us, the tradition in our family now is that at every wedding or family gathering with music...we play ghostbusters and dance like fools.  One of the church members asked me to tell the ghostbusters story. I did.  Then there were more sentimental moments, a prayer, and the closing. As the party concluded, the beginning of Ghostbusters began being blasted from the sound system.  We didn't miss a beat.  In front of about 100 people, me, my dad, and my 2 sisters got out there like total fools and busted out our ghostbusters dance.  THAT, my friends...was priceless! Talk about living in the moment. I SO wish that Noah would've been there, because he would've joined right in...my free spirit. 
The day was one of the most moving and emotionally momentus days in my life.
Love you, Dad. And so proud of you. Even prouder that you're MY dad. Blessed!

Letter to my dad for his 40 year ordination celebration

During Dad's celebration of his 40th year os service in the church, some letters were read outloud.  Below is the letter I wrote for Dad.  Watching the tears stream down his face (and down the face of half the audience...including myself) was immensely and profoundly touching.  What is clear is that my father is dearly loved by his children and so many. 

Dearest Dad,

          Congratulations on your 40^th year of service as an ordained minister! And service is what I’ve watched you do faithfully for as long as I can remember…counseling those in need, teaching God’s word, feeding and clothing the hungry, singing His praises,  playing your guitar,  engaging in authentic relationships, and joyfully giving grace to all those you meet.  Someone once taught me that grace is a “free gift that God gives us.”  Oh yeah…that was you! 

          For almost 40 years…well, technically 38 years and 8 months…I’ve gathered some memories through being a “P.K.” (preacher’s kid)…technically YOUR P.K.  Some of my fondest include:

·        Watching in wonder as you transformed from my father to God’s child & teacher of His word while you’d get ready for church.

·        The manner in which you’d place your cross necklace around your neck before service.

·        Playing guitar and singing “His name is J…J! E…E!...S…S!...U…U!...S…S!”

·        I loved when you called the children to the front of the church for a special children’s lesson.  You were totally focused on the kids…and it was authentic, connected, and real.  And FUN!

·        I always felt special when, in your sermon…you talked about your kids/family as part of the sermon.  That made me feel loved.  Although, I recall a few times that I had my name called out…or got “the look” because I was misbehaving.  That wasn’t as cool, but it did get my attention!

·        I remember fondly gathering for pot lucks at our church home in Commerce.  It did feel like home there.

·        I loved those brief, but special moments after church when I’d be spinning in your chair waiting for you to return in from shaking hands after service.  Even though you had to change out of your church garb, you always playfully connected to me and made me feel loved.

·        I loved the way you looked in my eyes and softly touched my head when you said, “May the Lord bless you and keep you in your baptismal vows, Brenda.”  I feel that love again as I see the way you tenderly say those words to Noah, Jackson, and your other grandchildren.

·        I loved listening to you and Mom sing and harmonize together in church…and sitting by you and singing…especially at Christmas time.

·        I always appreciated that you didn’t use the power of the pulpit to promote political topics…but stayed focused on God’s word.

·        It was always a treat when you’d do something a little outside of the norm in your sermons…like singing a song, moving out of the pulpit to enhance a point, whistling, or recalling a story from your life and applying it to the sermon.

·        Even though you are intellectually brilliant with half an alphabet behind your name…you always speak in a way that all people can understand.

·        There’s not an ounce of pretentiousness in your bones.  Not all preachers are that way.

·        Confirmation lessons…those were fun. You have always made me feel like I was, “A chosen race, a holy nation, God’s own people.”

·        I remember listening to you preach about the circles and how first is you and your God. Then you and your wife. Then you and your kids. etc., etc.  Most people don’t get that information in a year of therapy…much less in a church sermon!

·        I always noticed that no matter what was going on…when you said the Benediction, you always made contact with my eyes.  I felt as if you were specifically blessing me.  I noticed you did that, and it meant so much. 

·        I don’t know how you did it...but you are the strongest person I know…The words you spoke at Mom’s memorial service at Trinity Lutheran in Commerce…completely blew me away.  I cry as I write this because no one was hurting more than you…but you were able to serve by example, once again…you and Mom’s faith.  The service was a gift.

·        The years of Christmas Eve candle-light services.  Something so sacred about our family gathering together the eve of the birth of Christ. 

·        Watching you baptize each of your grandchildren is a wonderful memory.

·        And I love the way you try to hide your giggles and amusement when you’re up in the pulpit and one of your grandkids shouts, “Grampa! Grampa!”  It’s precious to witness.

 

The memories go on and on…as does my love for you. You have been the kind of father to your children that God is to His children. 

I love you dearly! Congratulations on 40 years!

All my love,

Brenda Joy

 

Making Dad's "40" sign

   that my dad has served That my dad has served



40 years ago, my dad was. first ordained .as a Lutheran minister. For 40 years,. he has focused his work on teaching the Word of God. In honor of .this special occasion, the church had a special church service and celebration. Because my father is the least pretentious person I know, I wanted to make sure. That his celebration was deeply personal,. because relationships are what matter most to him. I went through decades upon decades of old pictures,. and made 40 sign from a lifetime of pictures. It was so much work! But I have to say,. It was worth the effort, because dad. And everyone loves looking back. through his life of service.. I had so many pictures, that I ended up making two 40 signs.. Of course, I had to do this all at night.... late night, .but it was so worth it!

Noah meets Great Grandma Haworth for the 1st time

In honor of my dad's 40th ordination celebration, his mother (Noah's Great Grandmother...Grandma Haworth) flew from Michigan to Texas to join the celebration.  His brother, Bob, and sister, Joanne, also flew to Texas.  How amazing and special is that?  As you can see from the picture, Noah's great grandmother has red hair.  It was such a treat for her to get to meet him for the first time!! It made my heart SO happy!! Unfortunately, DURING the church service, Noah began running a 102 fever and had to go home early with Daddy immediately following church.  (No worries. He sat with Grandma Haworth all through church the following morning, and had a special lunch with her, too!) What a special moment!