Monday, June 25, 2007

30 YEARS AT MEMORIAL DRIVE

My 30th anniversary to be at Memorial is July 15th. Memorial surprised Mary and me yesterday with a day full of celebration. I didn't see it coming. I knew about the pie supper scheduled at the evening gathering (I had to proof the bulletin announcement). But I didn't see the honor by the congregation coming all morning long. We were showered with lavish gifts and words of encouragement. It's overwhelming and extremely moving to get to be a part of such an amazing congregation.

The elders had Mary and me stand at the front of the auditorium at the close of services. They asked the small group leaders to come forth with their gifts. Each had a sack containing a gift card or cash and some contained other items; one present for Mary and one for me from each group. The number of small group leaders approaching the front was amazing. And, the hundreds and hundreds of dollars in gifts are simply too much to take in.

And then, the church stood in line to hug us and individually share a special message from their heart. We are awesomely blessed to be a part of such a fascinating church family. I should never have been considered for this job in 1977. There was no reason, except by His mercy and grace, I should be selected by the elders to work here. But, it happened and I am the luckiest man I ever met.

Thank you Memorial Drive for keeping me and thank you many readers who have been so good to cheer me on along the way. I'm just getting started!

13 comments:

JD said...

Congratulations, Terry. I think it's rare for a congregation to be so expressive of their love ... what a blessing! If you live to be 90, you have given a third of your life to the people at Memorial ... and you and your wife deserve to be honored. God bless you for your service!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, my friend. I still remember Norman Slate's phone call telling me you were coming to Memorial after Wayne Monroe left. And, I remember the Bus Director's Workshop we shared a month later at Garnett and our subsequent move to Rogers two months later (we celebrate 30 years in October). Mackie and I have been blessed with the privilege of having you and Mary as friends. You've inspired so many folks - you will be amazingly amazed at how many when you meet them all at the Family Reunion!

To spend half of your life 1) in the place you love, 2) with the people you love, 3) doing what you love, 4) all the while serving God who is love - wow, it just doesn't get any better than that!

I love you and wish you the very best in everything you do in sharing the Word.

Stoogelover said...

Yesterday Janice and I had a similar experience for our 14 years at Long Beach. Congrats to you!!! Your church is blessed to have you and Mary ministering to them.

Stoogelover said...

P. S. We were given a 7 day Alaskan cruise. Something we've wanted to do for years. But we would have been just as fine with the kind words and the loving.

Anonymous said...

I do not know you (personally) but I had the privilege of working with Crystal in Garland, Texas at Bussey Middle School.

Crystal always spoke so highly of you and your wife. Crytal gave me the book God Will Make A Way and I have given that book to many people over the years.

Congratulations to you and your wife for your 30 years of service at the Memorial church.

I attend Crestivew Church of Christ in Waco, Texas.

Please tell Crystal and her family hello for me.

Mary Erskine

Liz Moore said...

Congratulations!! You are exactly where God wanted you to be. Without you there, they may have been no workshop and so many other things. God knew, whether you did or not, that right there at Memorial Drive was where you could touch the most lives. You have certainly touched mine in a powerful way. And thanks to the workshop, we have been blessed in so many ways. We love you Terry and we thank Mary for sharing you with all of us! May God continue to shower great blessings upon you, Mary and the Memorial Drive church!

Dusty Rush said...

umm...I hate to be the one to break it to you, but...this is awkward...that was not an anniversary party. It was a going away party. The elders wanted me to break it to you gently - 30 years is enough! But they really want you to enjoy the parting gifts.

p.s. Now that you're on your way out, would it bother you if I sent in my resume?

Sincerely,

Anonymous

Anonymous said...

I hope that Dusty wrote in jest, that he's really pulling your leg about you being ousted....but, if he's not, can I have your ball cards?

Terry Rush said...

Dear Anonymous (Not the Mary Erskine one, but the latter one)

What you don't know is that a few of us have been able to detect who you are. Just count us as "quick"!

No you don't need to send a resume. As the St. Louis Cardinals once said to me, "We'll call you. You don't need to call us."

And to JACKIE CHESTNUTT, no you can't have my ball cards.

Yikes, the crows seem to swarm at the most subtle hint of excitement!

Would either of you boys be from Arkansas?

Brenda said...

Wish I could have been there to celebrate this special day with you. Just know you were are always in my heart. Every Sunday!!! I'm happy you've been here 30 years. I can't imagine a day that I haven't called you friend. You are a special part of this family and I'm excited to see what He has in store for us. And for you!! Love you!

Dusty Rush said...

Jackie, you really need to get a blog!

Anonymous said...

It's in the works. In the meantime, go to:

http://www.southside-church-of-christ.org/

Click on the articles and read the newest one - "Another Awesome..."

It's my feeble attempt to thank your dad for his work and friendship.

David U said...

CONGRATS TERRY!

God bless you and your family,
DU