Four Transitions

When we trace the steps of the apostle Paul in the New Testament, we find that his life after he became a Christian and before his final trip to Roman summed up in the following way.

He worked with Barnabas in what became his home church in Antioch. He then took three missionary journeys.

In all four places, God was at work.

God used Paul along with Barnabas to instruct the Jews and Gentiles in Antioch.

He then uses Paul and Barnabas to establish churches.

The second trip is with Paul and Silas as Paul and Barnabas had a breakup over whether or not Barnabas’ cousin would come with them.

Then Paul and Silas traveled around a third time, connecting with previous churches as well as establishing new ones.

This is the history of the Hubbard family. Starting in Methuen, their home church, they traveled first to Iowa and then here to Palermo Christian Church. Now they are preparing to head on a third journey to Center Point and to the Christian School there.

I will say, Phil, that your college teachers must do a second take on your involvement with higher education. You have told us the story of your multiple years in one class and your ability to teach what the teacher was teaching.

God is a God who uses people as he wants, not how we might think. Amos, the Prophet, was a sheepherder. He was not a priest nor a highly educated man. Yet God chose him to warn the Northern Kingdom of impending judgment.

When Jesus called his disciples, he chose fishermen, tax collectors and disgruntled nationalists for his band.

The leaders in Jerusalem were amazed at the early apostles.

Acts 4:13 ESV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

That is the key; that they had been with Jesus.

On each of Paul’s journeys, he touched people’s lives for Jesus.

Your family has made a huge impact on this church. I watch your children run up to some of the elderly people in this church and you have shown them love and are loved in return.

Julie, you have had a real servant’s heart in working behind the scenes with music, teaching, cooking, decorating and doing it often with a child in your arms and three others clamoring for your attention. You have poured your life into many of the ladies in this church for the glory of God.

Phil, you have changed the face of this church. Who knew that the Journey to Bethlehem would become a meeting place for almost a thousand people to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Boston Missions trips, one of which we will learn about tonight, have stretched the teens and adults who have gone and given them a taste of real ministry and service to God. The work you and Julie together have done in bringing tasteful contemporary music that enhances our worship has done much to help us to worship God.

As you bring this second “missionary journey” to an end, we want to take the time to acknowledge what God has done through your ministry with us.

This morning not only reminds us of the impact you have had on this church as we have also look at the apostle Paul’s impact on early Christianity, but it serves as a reminder that “only one life will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Imagine Phil in Biblical times!

Caption: Youth Group Fundraiser in Biblical Times, “Camel wash”

Many of you have spoken about Phil’s enthusiasm leading worship!

Caption:Let’s all rise as we open to number three hundred and forty two.

I have often offered timely advise to Phil!

Caption: We need to reach a younger demographic…use an illustration about that Lady Goo Goo person.

I have had to speak to Phil about the timing of some of his songs.

Caption: Next time when I preach on tithing don’t sing, “Jesus paid it all” as our invitational hymn.”

You and your family have been with us for over 14 years. Debbie Scates helped put together a slide show highlighting some of the moments and memories of your time with us.

[Sharing time]

Patty Vieta will sing our closing song. We invite you to stand at the end of it for a closing word of prayer. We invite you to come out to the gymnasium for fellowship. Tonight we will be sharing a meal with the Hubbards starting at 5, followed by the presentation of the Missions trip the teens took to Boston.