Pastor Louie Lyon

FUMC welcomes Pastor   Louie Lyon ~ January 2022

From Louie's Desk

​Dear Ones,
     Joyce and Louie Lyon are excited about having the opportunity to be amongst you once again.  We are looking forward to renewing old acquaintances and making new ones.  In 1997 Louie was appointed as the Senior Pastor at First Sun City where we ministered amongst you for 3 years until we were appointed to serve another retirement community, Green Valley.  Then in 2008 we returned to Sun City when I was appointed to be the Supervising Pastor of the Greater Sun City Parish. My office was at Lakeview UMC, but I had the opportunity to preach and lead worship at First Church, Youngtown, and Lakeview.  And oh yes, attend a whole lot of meetings. Those who know me, know that meetings are not my favorite activity.  I consider myself a pastor and that means I want to be there for you.   I do a lot of praying and I make a lot of hospital and nursing home and rehab center visits. 
     I can only imagine what went through your mind when you read or heard that Pastor Tom was requesting to be relieved from his appointment at First Church because of family needs in Texas.  You were concerned for him and his family and for yourselves.  I mean, another pastoral change, more uncertainty if we didn’t already have enough in the world, we live in.  I hope that I can put you all at ease with what I am going to share.  Since I retired in 2013, serving the Greater Sun Cities Parish, you will be my fourth Interim appointment.  As I joyfully say, I have “failed retirement.”   An Interim pastor is one that is appointed to be a “caretaker” and to prepare the congregation for its new permanent minister when he or she comes.  Well, I have much experience in doing that in the past several years.  I know this church’s history and its ministries like the back of my hand.  I promise that I will work with your leaders to continue the ministries you currently have and to build on them.
     Yes, January 2022 is a New Year and what was, was, First UMC Sun City is going to be moving forward and I hope that you will join with me in this most Blessed Endeavor.  I like to say that the ministers of a Congregation are the brothers and sisters in Christ who are part of the church.  My role is to help you facilitate that role as we work together to further God’s Kingdom here in Sun City.  My office door will always be open, I would love to visit with you to better get to know YOU or you Me…  In my first paragraph I told you that I considered myself a pastor.  That means I want to know if you have a need, if you are hospitalized, if prayer is needed.  My cell # (623) 238-8455 is there for you to get in touch with me 24 hours a day if needed.   
     I conclude by saying I have lived with this mantra for the past 28 years:  “Yesterday has passed, tomorrow will take care of itself when it comes and today is the present and it is the Gift that God gives us to make the most of.  I hope we can all say that we are going to make the Most of that Gift God has given us….
 
Shalom,
Louie
 
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