The Making of a Deacon
*

You may think that the story I'm telling
	Is about the church you attend
Where some of the old widows
	Have complaints that have no end.

It seems that at the church dinners
	Some widows got more than others,
And thus the complaining reached
	The ears of some of the brothers.

Now the leaders found it a bother
	This waiting on tables and such
Perhaps they could assign this problem
	Because it was really too much.

They sought out some men who could do it
	Who wanted to serve any way
For they were much too busy
	They needed to study and pray

Thus the first deacons were chosen
          The job description was clear and concise
They were to wait upon tables
	And treat all of the widows real nice.

Their faithfulness God surely rewarded
         One bore witness to the great and small
While he was the first martyr to reach heaven
	His death had an influence on St. Paul.

The other had daughters that were prophets
	And God used him to start a revival.
He was the one that spoke to the Eunuch
	Teaching him from his own Bible.

So now as we install a new deacon
	One whom we know very well,
What God can do in and through him
	I am sure that no one can tell.

So let us pledge to uphold him
	With encouragement and prayer
And let him know that there are folk
	Who really truly care.

And may his splendid example
	Cause all of us to pause and ponder.
And may we learn from his devotion
	To love our Lord up yonder.

And to love the people in our town
	Both the rich and poor
And share with them our substance
	From our little store.

May God bless you, Brother Bates
	As you work with us each day,
And may He make you a blessing
	To folk you meet along the way

And may you hear your Master's voice
	When he welcomes you to your rest,
"Well done thou good and faithful servant
	Enter into the joys of the blest."
		*


Pastor Van --January 11,1998