Dr. Scates' Last Sunday

The same day that Andrew came home was a bittersweet day at our church.  Our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ron Scates, who had been at our church since 2000 had his last Sunday with our congregation, responding to God's calling that his time in the pulpit at HPPC had come to an end.

I was a junior in college when Dr. Scates came to the church - and sitting under his preaching and teaching for the past 13 years has had a profound effect on my walk with the Lord.  His message of God's love and grace have significantly shaped me as a believer.  Ron's desire to speak truth in love and proclaim the good news of the gospel is something I will never forget.

Ron married J and me, K and B, and baptized P.  He played an important role in some of my family's major life events, and it was very hard to see him go.  You can ask J...I cried at some point in every service the 4 weeks leading up to his last Sunday, where I was a complete blubbering mess. :)

Here we are with Dr. Scates in 2005.

 Bulletin for his last Sunday.

At the end of the service, all of the members of the congregation worshiping in other places in the church came into the sanctuary, and all the pastors and lay people prayed over Ron.  It was truly moving.

There was a picnic afterwards to show appreciation for him and his family.

One thing I will never forget about Dr. Scates is the benediction that he closed the service with every week, and I'll share it with you:

Now go in peace, and bless the world.

And remember, you go no where by accident.

Where you're going, God is sending you.

And where you are, He has placed you.

God has a purpose for your life right where you are.

Christ Jesus who indwells you has something He wants to do in and through your life, right where you are.

Believe this.

And go in His grace, and in His love, and in His Power.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen.