St. Alban's Episcopal church
Our mission is to proclaim the love of God in Christ Jesus for all
The Episcopal Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas
A sermon for Senior Sunday: Proper 13
July 31, 2022 Madelyn Maynard Hi everyone! I’m still shocked, as I’m sure most of y’all are too, that this time has already come. I leave for the University of Arkansas in 9 days and they’re going by fast. I swear just yesterday I still had 2 months left in town and a lot of things that needed to be bought for my dorm room. With that being said and lots of money spent, I have everything I need for my dorm room. Or at least I hope because I’m not buying anything else. I’m going to do my best to not make anyone cry because today is a happy day. In no way is this goodbye, y’all can't get rid of me that easily. To Father Mark, I'm not going to lie, you had some big shoes to fill. But I think I speak for everyone when I say you filled them quickly and easily. Thank you for everything you have done for this church, we are all better Christians because of you! To Mrs. Robin, wow. Your love for the kids in this church is insane. Thank you for starting our own small youth group, we all appreciate it. The competitions you come up with are always so fun! Don't count me out of them, because I will be playing in March Madness and sign me up for any cake decorating contest because I will come home just to beat Molly again! We love you and we all look up to you in more ways than one. To my friends, I can’t say too much or I’ll start to cry. But our friendship is like no other. We have gone through every stage of life together and I truly believe we will be friends forever. I am so excited for this next chapter of our lives. I love y’all endlessly! Sko buffs, hotty toddy, and go hogs! To my family, what am I going to do without y’all. Y’all are literally the best people and all have hearts of gold. Y’all have supported me through everything and I am forever grateful for that. I look up to all of y’all more than you’ll ever know. I can't give individual thank yous to everyone or we’d be here for hours so one big thank you will have to do for now. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. All of yall have played a huge part in my life and I love you all! I'm already counting down the days until Thanksgiving break! To this wonderful congregation, thank you will never be enough. I will forever be thankful that this is my home church. Most of yall have been here since the day I was baptized. On that day y’all made a promise. A promise to support me in my life with Christ and not one of y’all have failed that promise. I am who I am today for many reasons, but a big one is because everyone upheld that promise. Thank you for encouraging me to come out of my shell and try new things. I never knew I would carry the gospel or the cross so many times or learn how to do something I had never even seen, like doing incense. I also never thought I would willingly read in front of a group of people but with the help of many of y’all right over there I learned how to do just that. Y’all truly are the most encouraging group of people I know. And that goes for inside and outside of this church. Please keep pushing me to try new things and if you're ever in Fayetteville please let me know! I have made some wonderful memories because of this church. To name a few, the huge pancake Uncle Eric and I made at a pancake super, which I think was Mrs. Robin's idea, throwing food from trucks all throughout the food bank stocking shelves, Christmas caroling, and forgetting the lyrics every once in a while, doing incense on Christmas Eve outside in snow gear, and of course everyone's favorite pinata day! Now, the fun part. When Father Mark first talked to me about this he asked me to preach, so here is my shot at the shortest sermon of your life. My favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13. It says “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” To me this verse speaks volumes. Paul is telling the Philippines that no matter what he knows he can do whatever life throws at him because Christ will strengthen him to do so. That doesn’t mean there won't be hard times but in the hard times you can’t give up. You have to turn to Christ and gain the strength to get through the battle at hand. This relates to my life right now. I am starting a whole new chapter or battle in life. I know there will be highs and there will be lows but Christ will help me through it all just like he will with all of you. Once again I am so thankful to call y’all my church and real family. Everyone here has helped shape me into who I am today and I know that will continue for the rest of my life. The lessons learned in this church are unforgettable and the bonds that we all have built are unbreakable. Growing up in this church and seeing everyone eager to help others is one of the big reasons why God is leading me to become a Nurse. I hope to make y’all proud and I will miss y’all tons! I hope not too many tears were shed! I love you all and GO HOGS! Comments are closed.
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