Acts 21:12-14: When we heard this, we and the local believers urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Paul replied, “Why are you doing this? Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I’m ready not only to be arrested but even to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.” Since we couldn’t talk him out of it, the only thing we could say was “The Lord’s will be done.”
As I write I suddenly realize this is the last newsletter article I will write as your pastor. After I write this, I will write my first newsletter article for Gardendale-Mt. Vernon. Life is full of last things and first things. A young lady wise beyond her years recently said, “If Brother Harvey and Lana had not left, we would never have met Pastor Steve and Donna Jo”.  So we need to look forward to meeting our new pastor and his family. Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem, even though his friends warned him, and even prophesied, that he would be arrested. Paul was ready, not only to be arrested but to die for the sake of Jesus. The only thing they could do was say, “The Lord’s will be done.” I laughingly remember these verses when I move. The good thing is that there is not a lynch mob waiting for us in Gardendale; there is yet another loving congregation waiting to greet us and accept us. Thanks be to God!
THANK YOU for five wonderful years, and the for the wonderful send-off party. I will remind you again: I will not be your pastor after July 1, but I will ALWAYS be your friend. Donna Jo and I love you more than you could possibly know. 
 
JESUS LOVES YOU! I LOVE YOU, TOO!
                                         PASTOR STEVE