The Goodness and Grace of Goodbyes (ARBC Worship for 6.30.2024)

Ministry: www.arbc.net
Preacher: Matthew R. Perry, Lead Pastor
Well, today is a day for goodbyes.
When we think about it, our lives are filled with goodbyes. From the very beginning, we’ve been acquainted with the saying from Bill Haley and the Comets: “See you later, alligator!” With the response, “After while, crocodile.”
Goodbyes take all sorts of shapes, don’t they? The loss of a loved one, the breaking of a relationship, saying goodbye to children moving away or friends moving on. None of this should surprise us, but all of it brings a sadness of varying shades and hues. Paul says, “For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18).
People handle goodbyes differently. While some come along and wish well, others (maybe through a defense mechanism or, hopefully not, a seriousness) may say, “Why are you quitting on us?” “Why are you leaving us?” “Did we do something wrong?” At my last church, I had one particular senior adult who constantly criticized our actions. When I announced I was leaving to come to Colorado, he pulled me aside and tentatively asked me, “Did you leave because of me?” The truth is, we have a lot of different ways to handle it--yet, handling goodbyes biblically and in a Christ-likeness (whether you are the one saying goodbye or the one to whom you are saying goodbye).
This morning, we have a good and gracious goodbye. Except for a brief hiatus, Diane has served as admin support in the office, as a pianist, and as our worship leader for the last few years. This morning is her last Sunday as she retires. We take a break from the Psalms this morning to lean in to what is already on our hearts this morning: a goodbye--specifically, saying “goodbye” to Diane Weston after 20 years of serving Jesus here at ARBC. So we will take a brief break from our Summer in the Psalms to speak to the goodness and grace of goodbyes.