Filled with the Spirit

Dear friends,

This weekend in worship we begin a new sermon series called “Come, Holy Spirit!” We’re going to be talking a lot about ways we can engage with God’s Holy Spirit, utilize the spiritual gifts He’s given us, and bear fruit in the world around us. Can I tell you about someone who models this kind of spiritual life more than a lot of people I know?

Many years ago, a dear lady named Janice Collier came on staff at this church. Having been trained in Christian Education at Perkins’ School of Theology, Janiece began her time with us in that capacity. She's always been an excellent resource for curriculum of all kinds, but over the years, Janiece has become so much more than a Christian Educator. She has always been willing to serve wherever there was a need - most recently, administering the Helping Fund. Janiece has seen many pastors and staff come and go. She has stood with, and prayed for, many, many grieving souls as another unofficial pastor at this church. She was here when the physical structure of our church burnt to the ground, and she and her late husband, James, both diligently worked in every aspect of rebuilding the church into the campus we enjoy today. Janiece has seen seasons of growth and excitement, and she’s weathered any challenges that have come along, always demonstrating a steady, loving presence as needed. 

Now here’s the odd part: No one seems to know exactly when Janiece came on board! When a church burns to the ground, and all the records along with it, there is no record of her initial date of employment! We know, though, Janiece has been serving First Methodist Church at least 40 years. Janiece certainly never counted the years because to her it wasn’t important. The church was another facet of her family, and that’s what mattered to her.

One of the most well-known passages of Scripture is found in Matthew 25:23, and it says, "Well done, good and faithful servant." That is what we will celebrate this Sunday at Janiece’s retirement reception. We will gather after the 11:15 service in Fellowship Hall to honor Janiece’s lengthy service with the church and celebrate the kind of amazing, Spirit-filled, servant leadership she has demonstrated for all of us. I hope you will come and celebrate with Janiece, her family, and all who love her. The celebration will be incomplete without you!