Here I was sitting at my desk, on Thursday morning, minding my own business and working on my sermon for today when Elaine steps into my office doorway and asks, “Would you like to write something about Jason and Lorrie for the bulletin. I have plenty of room.” My first thought (which I kept to myself) was, “I said everything I could say last Sunday morning.” I’m glad I kept that thought to myself because Elaine might have responded with something like, “Yeah, you said it, but nobody understood it because you were blubbering like a baby.” (So glad I kept that thought to myself.) Then, I think I groaned and said, “Yeah, I’ll write something.”
My reluctance was certainly not because I did not want to talk about Jason and Lorrie, but because I don’t like thinking about them not being here.
When we met Jason and Lorrie during our initial visits to Hermitage in 2008, my first thought was, “It’d be great to be able to work with them on this ministry team.” That first impression has not changed. It has been great. It has been fun. It has been a blessing.
When I said Sunday (for those who missed it) that, “you can’t replace a Jason Shepherd.” I meant it. You cannot replace someone you love. You cannot replace someone who encourages you. You cannot replace someone who works hard for the Lord. You cannot replace someone who uses the gifts and talents God has given them to the full glory to God. You cannot replace someone who has become a part of your family. You cannot replace someone who God has placed in your life and allowed them to bless you.
That’s what God has done with Jason and Lorrie (not only for the Norvell family) but for the Hermitage Church of Christ. Jason and Lorrie have done so many things for this church that there is not enough space in this article to list them all. They have loved, laughed, listened, served, sacrificed, prayed, played, guided, taught, befriended, led, followed, and lived dedicated and Godly lives for all of us to observe and imitate. For all those things we are forever grateful.
The one thing that stands out in my mind, above all the others, and the one that concerns me most with their departure is the stability they have provided for this church. Before I came along (and since) Jason and Lorrie have been here with this church. They have been here for this church. They have been with you in your walk. They have been with some of you when you could not walk. They have been here in the good times and they have been here during some of the roughest times. I’ve sensed it in my own life and I’ve noticed in many of you…especially in many of the teens. When you’ve walked down the hall past my office and looked further down the hall to see if Jason’s door is open and if his light is on. It has almost always been a look of relief and joy that says, “Good, Jason’s here!” When they enter any room they are like people-magnets. The stability that their mere presence has given to so many for so long has been a wonderful gift and something that is appreciated, and something that is already being missed.
Thank you Lorrie for loving Jason and supporting him his ministry to this church and for standing with him and for Him as together you have provided a wonderful example of stability and spiritual maturity. Thank you Jason for giving your heart to God and the way you have allowed Him to work through you with our teens and with this church.
We love you and we will miss you.