From a small town in New Brunswick
Nearly fifty years ago
God called forth a young servant
Who willingly answered “I’ll go.”
In faith he went off to study,
And soon was giving his all
Furthering his education
In response to the Master’s call.
Soon he married a helpmate,
A wife, confidante, and friend
Who still continues to support him,
And will do through to the end.
He studied the Holy Scriptures;
He practiced his preaching and then
God called him into the pulpit
And made him a shepherd of men.
God blessed this Holy Union
With three daughters and a son,
Who grew, matured, and developed
Then left home, one by one.
For many years this family
Served God at home and abroad
As husband and father was posted
Wherever our servicemen trod.
Having given full service in this
Very special task for his Lord
The servant looked forward in faith
To what in the future was stored.
While Doris and Hartley were planning
A holiday trip to the west
God sent word through Mr. Amory
To a church that their mettle would test.
A phone call soon set up a meeting
Twixt the servant and a people in need
And those who were there were convicted
Of the guidance of God; yes indeed.
Say, Brother, just stop there a minute!
A story I’ll tell you just now.
Yes Hartley impressed all the people.
Listen, and I’ll tell you how.
Of course we were swayed by his speaking,
The true, honest look in his eye,
But, in truth what really clinched it
Were the pansies he wore on his tie.
One Sunday the following September
When the servant had preached for a call
The church met for their discussion
And voted in favour, one and all.
That night the call was extended
At “beautiful” Barber’s Beach.
With alacrity he accepted -
Arranged when he’d start in to preach.
Through autumn and a mild winter
They settled in their new home;
The itinerant life in the forces
Had left little desire to roam.
As husband and wife they entered
The lives and hearts of the folk
Who made up the congregation,
And that is really no joke.
The change from major to minister
Was not the easiest thing,
But to making this adjustment
A great host of skills he did bring.
In the summer of ‘seventy-seven
Began an adventure bold
That sparked a regeneration
Of peoples whose vision was old.
Two churches joined for the summer
To worship in alternate places;
And soon found spirits uplifted
As strangers became friendly faces.
As Charlie planned his retirement,
Looked forward to a much needed rest,
The people of the two congregations
Prayed long o’er what would be best.
God granted them a new vision;
A challenge to serve other men
By sharing His love and His Gospel
In a needy and hurting north end.
God led to a joining of forces;
Made two congregations into one,
And gave to His willing servant
The task of seeing this done.
Through trials and tribulation
Our servant’s patience and wisdom were tried
But he found strength and endurance
By trusting the God at his side.
“Trials and tribulation”??
Of course we had them. You bet!
But Hartley and Charlie led us
To the best solutions we could get.
The merging of two congregations
With different customs and views
Was bound to give some problems
To those of us in the pews.
We studied, discussed and selected
We rewrote, revised, chose the best.
‘Til at last a constitution
Was ready for a vote as a test.
The congregational meeting
Made minor amendments it’s true
But two Godly men had led us
In seeing a difficult task quite through.
The first of July, seventy-eight
Saw the two congregations unite.
That this servant was chosen by God
To lead through these times seems so right.
His love and kind understanding,
His sincere consideration for all,
Made him a shining example
Of a pastor fulfilling his call.
Through what was a time of adjustment,
Of heartache, frustration, and tears,
The shepherd led his people onward
Answering questions, relieving our fears.
These early days of our union
Would have tested Solomon’s skill,
But as peacemaker, counsellor, advisor,
He kept us true to God’s will.
Both buildings were sold, stripped, relinquished,
With heart-wrenching feelings of loss;
But we learned that sometimes it’s painful
To follow the way of the cross.
The search for a site was frustrating
As doors seemed to close in our face,
But the servant counselled, “Be patient,
‘God chooses the time and the place”.
Behind this period of testing
Soon became apparent God’s will
When Church House sent out a challenge
They felt we could help to fulfill.
It seemed that our downtown location
Was deemed the most suitable place
To present in the Portuguese language
The message of God’s love and His grace.
One further new dimension
Was added to this servant’s role
As Isaac and Rosalind joined us
To work beneath his control.
It was during this time we young people
Began to meet as a group.
We’re sure that your fatherly guidance,
Helped keep us out of the soup.
Though Isaac provided much leading
Toward making us sure of our need,
Your classes for church membership
Helped our awareness to feed.
Our thanks we’d like to give you
Along with this special gift.
We hope that each time you use it
It will give your spirits a lift.
At last a site was chosen
In woodland, on the side of a hill.
It seemed that God solved our problems
As a sign we were heeding His will.
We gathered in heavenly March sunshine.
The servant led as we promised to God
That we’d erect for Him this building
While Bessie and Garry turned the sod.
Mr. Johnson! About that gymnasium!
I’ve looked and see what I’ve got.
I’m sure Mrs. Johnston will help me
If you’ll just come show us the spot.
From May, eighty-three, through October
We worshipped at Avenue Road School.
While through the problems of construction
Our pastor remained calm and cool.
During that summer this servant
Had an office right close to the site.
From above Percy’s large workshop
He could watch and keep things going right.
Through the long hours of that season,
As problems arose and were solved,
This servant provided the anchor
Around which the people revolved.
This pastor who worked with his people,
Who shared in the sweat and the heat,
Was a leader whom each one must follow,
As our task we tried to complete.
His strong, quiet equanimity,
His hours of manual toil,
As the people laboured together
For friction provided the oil.
There developed amongst us a closeness,
A sense of the purpose we shared,
As shepherd and flock drew together
And learned to show that we cared.
As spring rolled on into summer
When workmen had left for the day
Our boards, teachers, and people
Met midst the construction to pray.
Some of you here will remember
Bringing your favourite lawn chair
To sit on the fresh concrete flooring
Enjoying the cool summer air.
A time limit was placed on our meeting,
Discussion ended that night,
When God looking down in His wisdom
Dimmed the overhead light.
Whenever the prospects before us
Seemed an awesome, impossible task,
Our pastor would gently remind us
Of God’s promise, “Whatever ye ask.”
At last came the end of October
Construction was drawing to an end.
After Sunday School in the gymnasium
To the new church our way we did wend.
Shoulder to shoulder we gathered,
Filling the fellowship hall
As we worshipped and prayed together,
And joined in God’s praise, one and all.
The following Sunday’s communion
Seemed the most fitting of ways
To first come into the sanctuary
We’d built for God’s worship and praise.
Since the day we moved into this building
God has shown that He’s guiding us still.
We’ve grown closer to one another
As we’ve sought for His way and His will.
We’ve shared joys most abundant,
Births, baptisms, weddings and such;
One of the things you’ve shared Doris,
And Hartley, we know you have too,
Is your love for all God’s creations:
Dogs, birds, plants and stray pussy cats too.
As evidence of this I remind you
Of a poor, wretched, woebegone kit.
Who came to our church seeking refuge.
Henry now lives with you, and seems fit.
This care for his creatures is fitting
In those who would follow our Lord
Since it shows to the world the caring
That comes when we feed on His word.
Yet, we’ve known tears and sorrow
At the loss of those loved so much.
You’ve shared with us Hartley, and Doris;
Given of your selves, and your love
Far beyond what could be expected
Except through God’s call from above.
As we come to the end of an era,
A decade of service quite near,
We’re glad that you’re really not leaving;
But making your home with us here.
Though for forty-three years you have served Him,
Your Master, Redeemer, and Friend,
We are sure He’ll not, leave you idle,
But use you right through to the end.
So, Doris and Hartley we thank you
For all you have given to us.
And as Bette and Walter come forward
Please forgive us for making this fuss.
Doris, the present we give you,
Though made of the metal called gold,
We hope will serve to remind you
That these friendships will never grow cold.
Hartley, for ten busy years
Of your time we’ve taken more than our share;
Please accept as we give it back to you
To show just how deeply we care.