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The news is so sad at our good Church of Christ.
As everyone knows, we are losing Jon Grice,
He led us, sincerely and humbly for years.
And now he is leaving. It brings us to tears!
So honored we were to have had him to preach.
How deep in our hearts this young preacher did reach.
I’m honored to say that I knew him a tad.
I can say lots about him, which, none of, is bad.
He’s going to be missed, more than he’ll ever know.
The fact of him leaving’s a terrible blow.
My heart has been wrenched since receiving this news.
I try to believe, though I want to refuse.
I have no hard feelings. No doubt what he’s doing.
I’m sure God was with Jon in all his reviewing.
To make this decision, it must have been tough.
It isn’t like Jon hadn’t gave us enough.
Our pastor and friend, we will miss you, so dear.
We’re happy and honored for the time you were here.
Please leave with the knowledge, that since you’d begun,
til the time that you leave us, your job was well done.
Don’t ever think once that you lacked in your serving.
God has great rewards for you. Only deserving!
I speak for us all as I offer this word.
It’s something you should, much more often, have heard.
You were more than a pastor and more than a friend.
You gave us your best from beginning to end.
For all that you did in attempting to save us.
For all of the love, in return, that you gave us.
For all’ve your humility, passion and truth.
For giving us much of the best of your youth.
For sharing your heart, which is purest of gold.
A heart for the Lord that will never grow old.
For being sincere as you worked for your Lord.
For taking us places we’d never explored.
For warmth and compassion, that’s, truly, quite rare.
For all the good things you would willingly share.
For the standards you set in so many young lives.
For your joining of husbands to newly wed wives.
For the dead you helped bury! The sorrows you shared.
For being our pastor! A good one, who cared!
For the Lord you revealed to us all with your preaching.
For the wisdom you’d shown in your sharing and teaching.
For being the friend that I feel you’ve become.
For a list of kind deeds going forever—then some.
For the years that, we know, you had gave us your best.
For making this Church one, that truly was blessed.
We give you our thanks with sincerest of hearts.
You leave with our love and our deepest regards.
Thank you, good friend, for your kind inspiration.
Thank you, so much, for your sound dedication.
Thanks for your leadership, which we adored.
For all of the work that you did for the Lord.
We wish you the best as you go where God leads.
We’ll always be here, Jon, to help with your needs.
We’ll always remember you, fondly but sad.
For all the wonderful times that we had.
Losing you, Jon, well it’s going to be tough.
As much as I’ve said, it still isn’t enough.
Good luck, my good friend, is our wish, you should know.
We hope you are happy, wherever you go.
Do well at whatever you choose, next, to do.
You’ve got a whole church that is praying for you.
You’ll always be loved and you’ll always be missed.
For reasons, too many, for me to, now, list.
In closing, please know, I’m so glad that I met you.
As long as I live I will never forget you.
I’ll pray for your happiness all of my days.
You’ll be in my heart as we go separate ways.
I felt it important, you know, ‘fore you went,
that the time that you served here was time you’d, well, spent.
The lives that you touched, through your faith in God’s son,
reflects what you did and how well it was done.
Good-bye fine, young preacher. Good luck and God bless.
Accept, please these words, that I had to express.
This poem is for you. It’s my special award!
For services rendered, revealing the Lord.