Celebrating 20 years
Of Pastor Paul Pease at Hook Church - Sat 16th Sept
We had a wonderful evening of song, words and praise to our great God!
Many friends and family gathered to share in the celebration of Pastor Paul Pease being at Hook Church for 20 years.
Tim Neale welcomed us all, and with many people wearing football shirts, we were advised that there would be Refreshments at half-time, along with oranges and a team-talk.
The Hook Music team opened the celebration with the Hallelujah Chorus.
John Herron, who was the first of Hook's "sent" men on the [Matthew] 28:19 Training Fund, then shared with us some fun memories of his time working with Paul.
The Music group then played another piece by Elgar.
We all sang a heart-felt " who has held the oceans in His hands? - Behold our God". Pete Hitchcock then prayed.
Rainbowand Spectrum kids then came up to sing 'Super Saviour'.
Anna Pease read out Robbie Burns poem ' My Love is like a Red Red Rose', Paul's favourite poem ever 'cos it's about unstoppable love.
The African choir then sang a repeat of 'Mary's Boy child' which they had sung last Christmas. They also sang, Uptown Girl, a favourite pop song of Paul's - as it speaks of his Rosemarie from the posher 'Uptown' part of Bournemouth town.
some audience participation
Richard Brown read a message from Brian 'We have never listened to you......without being encouraged by your message'. It's all in the timing.
Half-time
with delicious refreshments and cakes
Sunday School of Rock Youth band opened the second half with a Rod stewart song - "in my Heart and Soul", which Paul enjoys because it's all about love. They then sang 'In tenderness', a beautiful hymn sung to a rugged tune, that could be sung on the terraces of a football stadium!
The band included Daniel and Ethan on the trumpet.
Andrew Gordon, who was a deacon and a preacher at Kilburn Church where Paul was Pastor before he came to Hook Church, brought memories of his time with Paul there - 'a cool Pastor!
Bethany then sang a number of songs from Calamity Jane; Paul thinks that Doris Day is 'Smashing' and he loves her songs, especially Calamity Jane.
watched by Ellen.
Betty did a reading from the Bible: Mark 12v 28 - 34
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[f] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
These verses sum up the greatest thing we can ever do: to Love God, and to Love one another.
Then we had a video message from the guys at 'Caring for Life'. How alike Jonathan and Peter sound!
Steve Wigginton then reminisced about him and Jenny hearing Paul preaching while he was still in Kilburn, and knowing that Paul was the right person as a Pastor for Hook. And how much we as a fellowship love Paul and his family then and now. We look forward to all God has for us with Paul as Pastor over the years ahead.
We had a final song, expressed with the complete pogo-style, by Paul and Tim M - that old favourite 'I would walk 500 miles..' which is traditionally sung after the Fish and Chips in East Wittering, after the Hook West Wittering day at the beach each June - this song speaks about love and being willing to walk 1000 miles to see a loved one. Both in terms of romantic love and also the love God has for each of us.
Finally Ellen, who organised the whole evening, presented Paul and Rosie with a gift from the Fellowship, to pay for them to have 4-5 days away at a place of their choice, somewhere between Bournemouth and Rio.
We also sang a number of Hymns that have meant something special to Paul: 'Jesus my Lord will love me forever': Paul's Baptismal Hymn, when he was 19 years old; 'Jesus the name high over all': the hymn through which God called Paul into Christian ministry; 'To Him we come': the Hymn that continually sends Paul out to mission.
We remembered the Bible verse that underpins our actions: " To act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with your God", Micah 6v8
And the final thought from CS Lewis, who represented God in the mighty lion, Aslan: " take the adventure Aslan sends us".
We praise God for providing us with Paul and his family over these past 20 years, and for such a fantastic evening of celebration!!