4a 8a thank you, dr. biggs! - boston avenue :: home · mouzon biggs, jr., from the staff at boston...

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas Texas 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas Texas and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter. PO Box 660275, Dallas Texas 75266-0275.

THE WORDaneditionofTheUnitedMethodistReporter

TwoSections,SectionA/039880/Vol.160/N005/May31,2013

Boston Avenue United Methodist Church1301 S. Boston, Tulsa, OK 74119

(918) 583-5181 - www.bostonavenue.org

UMW news8A

Meet our VLT’s4A

Thank you, Dr. Biggs!

Chapel Choir tour to New Orleans begins Sunday WhenChapelChoirarrivestowarmupfortheserviceSundayevening,theywilldosowithsuitcasesinhand. “Wewillleavedirectlyfromthereceptiontobeginthisyear’schoirtour,”saysdirectorDr.JoelPanciera.“Bytravelingallnight,wecanreachNewOrleansMondaymorning,thenMondaywillbeour‘playday.’” ThechoirwillreturntoTulsaFridayevening,June7,andper-formtheirhomecomingconcertSunday,June9,at5:00p.m. OnMondaytheywillvisitJacksonSquare,MardiGrasWorld,andtheNewOrleansCathedral,thendivideintotwogroups.One

(See “Chapel Choir,” page 4A)

Rev. David Wiggs will begin duties June 6

The Rev. David Wiggs

TheRev.DavidWiggswillbeginhisresponsibilitiesasseniorministeratBostonAvenueChurchafterbeingofficiallyappointedduringAnnualConferenceearlierthisweek. Heisnostrangertoourcongregation,havingservedasanas-sociateministerherefrom1987til2000,whenhewasappointedseniorministeratFirstUMCinEnid. Rev.WiggsisanativeofOkmulgee,OklahomaandisthesonofB.A.memberLeonaWiggsNewell.HeandhiswifeMaryhavetwodaughters,GraceandHope. AgraduateoftheUniversityofOklahoma,heearnedhisMasterofTheologydegreeatSt.PaulTheologicalSeminaryin

(See “David Wiggs,” page 4A)

Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. “LET ME TRY THIS ONE LAST TIME!”TheReverendDr.MouzonBiggs,Jr.,preaching

BishopRobertE.Hayes,Jr.-firstliturgistCelebration Service at 5:00 p.m. - reception following

“WorshipisthethingIlovebestofall,”saystheReverendDr.MouzonBiggs,Jr.“It’sthemostimportantthingwedo.Weproclaimwhathasworth-andwhatdoesnot.” “Writing(sermons)ishardwork,butwhenIsensethattheservicehasgonewell,it’saterrificfeeling.Ifsomethingdidn’tseemquiteright,IcanhardlywaitforMondaymorning,toseeifIcandobetterthenextweek.” ThisSunday,Dr.BiggswillpreachhislastsermonasSeniorMinisteratBostonAvenueChurch.Heisretiringafterawonderful54yearsinministry.Sundaywillbeaspecialdayaswecelebratehisministrytogether!

BishopHayeswillparticipateinbothmorningservices,thentheservicecelebrat-inghisministrywillbeginat5:00p.m.Itwillfeatureguestspeakerswhohavebeenlong-timefriendsandspecialmusicbythechildren,youth,andadultchoirsandstaff. AreceptionwillfollowinJubileeHall.

WhenaskedabouthiscalltoministryDr.

Biggssays, “Mydadworkedintheoilfields,andgrowingup,IassumedIwoulddothesame.Iknewthattheengineershadthegoodjobs,sothat’swhatIplannedtobecome.

“IntheeighthgradeIreadinDr.NormanVincentPeale’sbook,The Power of Positive Thinking,asuggestionthatperhapsthosethingswemostenjoydoingarewhatGodisempoweringandcallingustodo.IbegantorealizethatIwashappiestinStudentCouncil-liningupprogramsandpresidingattheweeklyassembly-andperforminginplays. “Ienjoyedbeingoffrontofpeople. “DuringmysenioryearIrememberthatthecurriculuminbothSundaySchoolandMYF(youthfellowship)keptasking,‘WhatdoesGodwantyoutodo?’“Thatspring,asIreadTheUpper Roomatbreakfastwithmyfamilyandprayedatbedtime,Icouldnotgetthatquestionoutofmy

(continued on page 8A)

Page 4A May 31, 2013

B.A. family updateAltar Flowers InhonorofDr. and Mrs. Mouzon Biggs, Jr.,fromthestaffatBostonAvenue. InhonorofTedd and Sharon Sipes,incelebrationoftheir50thweddinganniversaryonJune1,fromEddieandAnnWhite. InlovingmemoryofJohn-ny Mudd,whosebirthdaywasJune6th,fromJinny,daughter,LindaBerney,andson,ChrisMudd.

willtakeaswamptourandthentour“hauntedplaces”inNewOrleansthatevening.ThesecondgroupwilltourtheFrenchquarterandattendajazzconcertatPreservationHallMondayevening. ThechoirwillspendTues-daymorningworkingoncon-structionprojectswithYouthRebuildingNewOrleans,anon-profitthatbuysbuildingsdamagedbyHurricaneKatrina,thenrepairsthemandsellsthemtoteacherswhocannotaffordtopurchaseahomeoth-erwise. TuesdayeveningtheywillperformaconcertinBatonRougeatFirstUMC,thenWednesdaytheywilltraveltoShreveporttotourCentenaryCollege,Dr.Biggs’almamater,andsingaconcertinBrown

Sunday School at a glance...Adult Classes for Sunday, June 2, 2013

Visitors are welcome in all classes.Dr. Biggs’ Class-RevelationCornerstone-brunchDisciples-“HowGodTakesOurLittleandMakesItMuch”Ephphatha-tobeannouncedHeritage-Rev.KenToblerHomebuilders-tobeannouncedHorizons-Dr.HowardPlowmanJourney -EliyahuKriegelMaranatha-BishopRobertE.Hayes,Jr.New Covenant-Dr.BillCrowellNew Frontiers-tobeannouncedPilgrimage -Dr.GaryPeluso-VerdendRoundtable-Dr.DavidRobbinsSeek & Discover - Dr.WarrenDanskinWesley Fellowship-JudyRowell

Chapel Choir ...(continued)

Chapel.Theywillstayindormsthatevening. OnThursdaytheywilltravelandpresentaconcertatFirstPresbyterianChurchbe-forereturninghomeonFriday. “I’mreallylookingfor-wardtothehomeconcert,”saysDr.Panciera.“Itwillincludesomebelovedsongsandsomenewones.Choirtourismuchlikechurchcamp-somuchisaccomplishedduringthatmore-intensetimetogether,andthehomeconcertwillbeamazing!” “Thisgroupisremark-able,”headds.Oftenthereiseitherastrongseniorclassoritisabuildingyear.Thisyearthereisstrengthfromtheveryoldestallthewaytotheveryyoungest,ourseventhgraders Thisyear’stourincludes41singersand15adults.

Deaths Glenn MacediedApril16,

2013.Privateserviceswereheld.Survivorsincludehiswife,ShirleyMace,ofTulsa. William (Bill) Detamore, Sr.,diedMay11,2013.Ser-viceswereheldMay16atBos-tonAvenuewithDr.MouzonBiggs,Jr.,officiating.Survi-vorsincludehiswife,Joanne;son,BillandWendyDetamore,Jr.;daughter,DebbieandJayHarper;fivegrandchildren;andsister,KathleenHouston.

Hospitalized Last Week St. John-EldonPowers St. Francis-CharlesThompson,DarleneVogel

A Note from Meri ....DearFriends, ThankyousomuchforbeingapartofthededicationserviceatCookson.Itwasabeautifulserviceandawonderfulbeginningfortheministrythatwilltakeplacehere. YoudidanoutstandingjobwiththerenovationsandIamthrilledthatyouwerewillingtoacceptfullresponsibilityforthispartofthenewfacilities.Itrelievedusofalargeresponsibility.Itwaswonderfultoshareinthiseffortwithyou. IthankyoualsoforthegenerousLightsOngift.TherearetimesinmissionwhenIwonderwherethenextdollarwillcomefromtokeepusgoing,butIknowBostonAvenuegoesaboveandbeyondtosecureourfuture.Forthat,Iameternallygrateful. PleaseknowhowmuchIappreciateyouandallthatyoudotohelpwiththeministryhereatCookson. InChrist-Rev.MeriWhitaker MissionaryGBGM/CCWS

Meet our Venture Leadership Team! Sixsummerinternswillbeworkingthisyearwithsummercamps,activitiesandSun-daySchoolforchildrenandyouth.

Fromleft,row1,theyareHopeWiggs,asophomoremajoringinmarketingatOklahomaStateUniversity;KatieWonderly,ajuniormajor-

inginmusiceducationatOkla-homaCityUniversity;LindsleyAycock,asophomoremajoringinbiologyandSpanishattheUniversityofTulsa;(2ndrow)MasonMorgan,asophomoremajoringinmarketingattheUniversityofTulsa;LukePanciera,asophomoremajor-inginpoliticalscience(EasternEuropeanstudies)atGrinnelCollege,andDavidSakariason,ajuniormajoringinpublicrelationsattheUniversityofOklahoma. Welcome,VLT’s!

B.A. joins effort to aid tornado victimsBy the Rev. Paul Staat

ChurchFamilyandFriends:OurUnitedMethodistCommitteeonReliefisalreadyworkinginShawneeandMoore,prepar-ingtohelpthosewhohaveexperiencedlossinthewakeofthedevastatingtornadoeswhichhavehitourstateinthelastweek.Thebestwaytohelpatthispointisbygivingamonetarydonation. Everypennyyougivewillgotohelpthefami-liesofourstaterecoverfromthistragedy.YoucanplaceyourgiftintheofferingplateonSundayordropitbythechurchoffice. MakeyourcheckouttoBostonAvenueChurchandwrite“2013TornadoRelief”inthememoline. Wewillbeputtingtogetheraworkcrewassoonasfirstrespondersarereadyforourhelpandhavealocationidentified.Wewillletyouknowbyemail,Facebook,announcementsfromthepulpit,andonourwebsitewww.bostonavenue.orgWecanmakeadifferencenowbyputtingtogethertornadobuckets,cleaningkits,layetteand

hygienekits.Pleaseencourageyourgrouporfamilytobringcompletedbucketsandkits,anddeliverthemtothedonationtablelocatedinBishop’sHall. Instructionsandalistofcontentsareavailableonourwebsite. DuringthemorningaftertornadoeshisMoore,manyvolunteersdroppedoffsup-pliesatthechurch.Thatafternoon,theRev.PaulStaatandMatthewWansleydeliveredtwovan-loadsofsupplies-3600bottlesofwater,15casesofantisepticwipesand160bottlesofhandsanitizer-tofirstrespondersbasedatCrossroadsMallinOklahomaCity.Effortswillcontinue. AnnualConferencedelegatesalsode-liveredsuppliesforkitstoOklahomaCity,andonWednesdayhundredsofvolunteersassembledthekitssothattheycouldbedeliveredtotornadovictimsinneed. Yourhelpisappreciate.

KansasCity,Missouri. AfterhisyearsatBostonAvenue,hewassuccessfulasseniorministeratFirstUnitedMethodistChurchinEnid,leadingthemtogrowinallareasandtodoublefinancialgivingandmissioninvolve-ment. Since2010,Rev.WiggshasservedasSuperintendentoftheStillwaterDistrict.Therehefocusedhiseffortsondevel-opingstronglay-clergypartner-shipsforleadershipofthelocalchurchesinhisdistrict. Welookforwardtohisleadershipinthedaysahead.

David Wiggs ...(continued)

May 31, 2013 Page 5A

June 2, 2013Psalm 46

Genesis 6:9-22; 8:14-19Matthew 7:21-29

Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-26

Lectionary Readings

Have a prayer request?Callourprayerlineat

699-0158

12:10 p.m. Holy Communion & Service of Healing 5:00 p.m. Celebration of Dr. Mouzon Biggs, Jr.’s ministry

Prelude:I’llPraiseMyMakerWhileI’veBreath......arr.J.KimballAnthem: Sing to the Lord . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Tye TheChapelChoir(8:30) God So Loved theWorld...............John Stainere TheAcademyChoristers(11:00)Anthem:WhenISurveytheWondrousCross....arr.GilbertMartin TheChapelChoir(8:30) Magnificat ...................................HerbertHowells TheChancelChoir(11:00)Postlude: Paean .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Herbert HowellsHymns: 60 I’llPraiseMyMakerWhileI’veBreath 415 TakeUpThyCross 117 OGod,OurHelpinAgesPast

SundayWorshipJune 2, 2013

The Third Sunday in Pentecost9:30 a.m. Communion Service9:40 a.m. Sunday School8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship Services Sermon:“LETMETRYTHISONELASTTIME!” Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-26 Dr.MouzonBiggs,Jr.Music:

UMW NewsBy Janet McCutchen Graham and Robyn Aydelott

TenUMWCircleHmembersandfriendswenttotheUnitedMethodistChildren’sHomeinTahlequah,theCook-sonMissionandtheBoys’RanchatGoreonMay9th. AttheChildren’sHome,theytouredandmettwohousemothersandCaitlin,ayounggirlsponsoredbyBostonAvenueUMW.Caitlinshowedthemherhomeanda“pom”routine,thentheyvisitedwithCOCofficerMarkHoward AtCooksontheytouredthemission,includingthenewministrybuildingthatnowhousesthethriftstoreandoffices.Thegroupalsosawthecottageindustryareaswhereceram-ics,silkscreenandembroideryaredone.Theseitemsaresoldatthegiftstorealongwithcannedjamsandjellies. TheBoys’Ranchhasrecentlyexpandedfromanall-boyhometocreateemergencyfosterhomesforchildrenundersixwhohadtoleaveOklahomashelters.TheRanch’srodeoinOctoberwillfeaturebothgirlsandboysonthehorses.

Weekly CalendarSunday - June 2 8:30a.m.WorshipService9:30CommunionService9:40SundaySchool11:00WorshipService12:10p.m.CommunionService12:30BABArehearsal5:00CelebrationofDr.Biggs’s Ministry6:00ReceptionMonday - June 39:00a.m.WeekdaySchool9:30HistoryandArchives6:00p.m.BABARehearsal6:00Men’sbasketball6:00Biblestudy7:15Troop20B.S.A.Tuesday - June 49:00a.m.WeekdaySchool5:30p.m.EmmausReunion6:00BABArehearsalWednesday - June 59:00a.m.WeekdaySchool9:30UMWExecutiveCmte.1:00p.m.DistrictCamp WorkDay6:00BABArehearsal6:00Yoga6:00VacationBibleSchool leadertraining6:00EnglandtripmeetingThursday - June 69:00a.m.WeekdaySchool10:00StaffMeeting12:00InterfaithStorytelling6:00p.m.PCCTParentingClassFriday - June 79:00a.m.WeekdaySchool5:30GamblersAnonymous6:30RespiteCareSaturday - June 810:00a.m.JoyCamptraining

Youth News!! . . .Senior High news

6th, 7th and 8th Grade

GiftsandMemorials

Pictured above are (1st row, l to r): Caitlin (resident spon-sored by B.A.), Louise Reid, Leona Wiggs Newell, Marthanelle Jones, (2nd row) Sandy Matthews, Foster Mother; COC staff member Katie Jordan, Philelle McBrayer, Patsy Byrd, Lou Ann Dale, Linda Reid, Jan Graham, and Jeanne Brosius-Smith.

WelcomeNewSixthGraders!!!!!Ihopeyouareasexcitedasweareforyoutobeonthethirdfloor.Itisthebeginningofmanywonderfultimestogether.Inordertogetacquaintedandfeelathomepleasecomejoinusrightaway.Beginyourmid-highlifewitholdandnewfriends. WednesdayeveningisourSummerintheCityevent...LaserQuestNight.MeetatBostonAvenueat7:00p.m.andhavepar-entspickyouupdirectlyatLaserQuestat9:10p.m.Ourinternswillbeyourleadersfortheevening.FunisalwaysinstorewithourinternsandatLaserQuest. YouareinforatreatonSundaymorningswithKatieWonder-lyandLindsleyAycockasyourteachersforthemonth.BothgirlsarepartofourcollegeinternprogramandprobablywellknowntoyoubecausetheygrewupatBostonAvenue,participatedinev-erything,wereSundaymorningLIT’sandKatiehelpedwiththechildren’schoirprogram.Lindsleyalsohelpedthispastschoolyearwiththechildren’sWednesdayeveningLifegroup.KatiewillbeajunioratOCUandLindsleyasophomoreatTheUni-versityofTulsa.PleasecomeonSundaymorningstoAdventureLearningwithKatieandLindsley.Dresscasuallyaseachweekwillhaveanewandactivitybasedchallenge. IknowyouwillwanttobehereonJune2ndinthemorningandeveningforDr.Biggsfinaldayasourminister.Manyofyouhaveexpressedyoursadnessabouthisleavingandthebestwayyoucanshowhimyourloveistobepresent!!! Withaheartfullofappreciation-Debbie

ItisadelighttointroduceDavidSakariasontoyouastheSeniorHighSundayMorningVLT.Heisanoutgoingleaderwithaheartforministry!DavidwasbornandraisedatBostonAvenueandhascontinuedtoserveasaRespiteCarevolunteerwithourspecialneedskidsevenasacollegestudent.Hebringsmuchexperiencetothetableandiseagertogettoknowourseniorhighyouththissummer! Welcome New Freshmen!Itwasgreatfuntohavetheop-portunitytogreetyouandservebyyoursideonSundaypreparingfloodtubsforOKCtornadovictims! ThiscomingSundaywewillcelebratetheministryofourbelovedDr.Biggs.Formanyofouryouth,hehasbeenapartofyourlifesincebirth.JoinusonSundaymorningtocelebratehisministryasBenPascoeshares“LifeLessonsIhavelearnedfromDr.Biggsin4points!”That’s9:40onthefourthfloor. SeeyouonSundaymorning,June2forDr.Bigg’slastday...Don’tforgettomarkyourcalendarsforthespecialserviceat5:00p.m.! WithGodallthingsarepossible!-Audra

MOUZON AND GAYLE BIGGS ENDOWMENTIn honor of Dr. and Mrs. Mouzon Biggs, Jr.By:LeRoyandFayeDean BathBy:JimandNanci CalderwoodBy:TerryandPamCarterBy:PerryandPatHammondBy:GeorgeandGailGrahamBy:GordonandNancy GreerBy:Mike,Carol,Charlie,An-drewandMadelineMcMahon

Congratulations ...toKristinNichols,whohasbeenhonoredastopaerospaceengineeringstudentinthenation.KristinisarecentgraduateofTexasA&M.

By:LynnandShariGoodwinGENERAL ENDOWMENTIn memory of James L. Hud-son, father of Jerry HudsonBy:DaroleandJudyMottIn memory of Genny GaryBy:Harold,Paula,and MaryEvelynAdamsBy:HeartlandIndustries, Inc.MISSION ENDOWMENTIn honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bob NewkirkBy:RubyFarish

Page 8A May 31, 2013

Thank you ... (continued)

mind.IbegantowonderifthisfaithIhadembracedwassomethingIcouldteachandpreach. “OneSundayinMay,Iwenttothealtarduringthelasthymnandsaid,‘IthinkI’mbeingcalledintoministry.’Thatdecisionfeltright,andI’veneverques-tionedit.

“MyGrandmotherBiggswasespeciallythrilled.Sheinvitedmetolunchandsaid,‘Youremember,don’tyou,thatwenamedyourfatheraftertwoUnitedMethodistbishops-BishopEnochMarvinandBishopEdwinMouzon.Wehopedthathewouldfeelcalledintoministry,butthatdidn’thappen. “‘Thenyouwerebornandgivenhisname,andwebegantohopeagain.Eversinceyouwereababy,yourgrandfatherandIhaveprayedthatyouwouldhearGod’scall.Hewouldhavebeensoproud!’”

Dr.Biggsremembershowthatstoryhelpedso-lidifyhiscallandsustainhimduringthoseearlyyears. “Myhardestchallengewaswritingandpreachingtwodifferentsermonseachweek,”hesays.“IwouldsitwithmythirdgraderBibleonSaturdaynightsandturnthepages,desperatelyhopingsomethingwouldjumpoutatme.EachweekIwonderedjusthowfarawayIcouldbebyworshiptimethenextmorning “PumpinggasinTucumcarisoundedprettygood!

“AtCentenary,thedeanofthechapelgath-eredusnewpre-theologystudentstogetherandIgotachancetoask,‘Wheretoyougetsermonideas?’ “HetoldmewheretofindsmallbookletsofDr.D.L.Dykes’sermonsfortencentseach.Iwentandboughtadollar’sworth.”

Healsofoundabook,The Minister’s Manual1963,andthroughithediscoveredthelectionary. “Thatgavemeaplan,”hesays.“ThatbookevensuggestedoutlinesfortwoSundaysermonsandaWednesdayprayermeetingeachweek. “FinallyIhadastart.”

A Centenary graduate

The Biggs family on their first Sunday at B.A. (1980)

Yearslater,theBiggsfamilywasvacationinginHawaiiwhenthecalltoBostonAvenuecame.

An emphasis on liturgy

“Ihadcomebacktotheroomtochangeintomyrunningclothes,andIsawthelightblinking.WhenIcalledthefrontdesk,IwastoldthataBishopHardthadaskedthatIreturnhiscall.Ididsoandhesaid,”I’mcallingtoofferyoutheseniorpastorpositionatBostonAvenueUnitedMethod-istChurchinTulsa.Willyouacceptthatappointment?” “Ianswered‘Yes,sir,”andthatwasit.Nodiscussion. Dr.BiggshadamonthtothinkandplanbeforehewasallowedtocrosstheOklahomabordertoseehisnewchurchforthefirsttime “Ireallydidn’tcomewithanagenda,”heremembers.“IhaddecidedonsomethingsthatIwouldandwouldnotdo,andIknewIwantedustobealiturgicalchurchwithlotsofenergy.IknewIwouldcontinuetobealectionarypreacher.“ EarliestchangesincludedinvitingtheyouthChapelChoirtosinginthe8:30serviceeveryweek,anoffertheyaccepted.Achoirprocessionalwasalsoadded FivemonthsaftertheBiggsfamilyarrived,thefirsttelevisedserviceairedonKTUL-TV,Channel8. “InknewthechurchhadalreadyvotedtobeginbroadcastingtheworshipserviceliveeachSunday.ThathelpedmetoaccepttheoffertocometoTulsa.Ihadexperiencewiththat.

Healsobegantotalkaboutbuildingthechurch’sendowments,whichstoodat$200,000whenhearrived. “Wehadnocampaign-wejuststartedthanking,fromthepulpitandinthechurchnewspaper,peoplewhomadeendowmentgifts.”

UnderDr.Biggs’sleadership,endowmentshavenowgrowntoover$31million,enablingevenmajorrepairsandprojectsonaregularbasis.Overthepast33years,everysurfaceofthechurch,insideandout,hasbeentouchedorenhancedinsomeway-withoutaskingchurchmembersforadimetodoso. “Westillrelyonourmembers’support,buttheirdollarsgoforthemissionofourchurch-outreach,programsandministries.”

Dr. Biggs’ sermons reach far beyond our church walls, thanks to the worship service broadcasts on KTUL. His sermons are now available to smaller churches throughout Oklahoma on dvd.

Majorprojectsinclude: *purchaseoftheFredJonesFordpropertiestoaddsignificantparkingspacesandabeautifulpark *creationofthecolumbarium,whichhasbecomeanespeciallysacredspace.“Peopleworriedthatitwouldtraumatizethechildreninsurroundingclass-rooms,butinsteadweareteachingthemtoloveandhonorthosewhohavegonebefore,‘theoneslookingoverthebalcony,’”hesays. *TheadditionofbeautifulmosaicsinGreatHallandexteriorlightingatourchurch’scentennial *renovationandexpansionoftheorgan *majorexpansionandrenovationoftheChildren’sBuildingandthethirdandfourthflooryouthspaces.

ChurchmemberallparticipatedfinanciallyinthebuildingofJubileeHall,whichwasdedicated,debtfree,whenconstructionwascompleted. Lookingback,Dr.Biggssayshewouldn’tchange

anythingabouthisyearsatBostonAvenue.Thoseyearshavebeenfilledwithsig-nificantmomentsinthelifeofourchurch-receiving8,572newmem-bers,celebrating973weddings,Baptism is a sacred moment.

makingover10,000hospitalvisitsandofficiatingat942funerals. Weappreciatehisexemplaryselfdisciplineandleadership,butformanyitwillbethosesermonsthatarerememberedbest-thosethattouchedusorcalledustoaccountabilitywhenweneededitmost.

“Iremember,whenDr.TomLongcametodoourBartonClintonGordeySeries,howhecomparedpreachingtobeingaspelunker,”saysDr.Biggs.“OnMondaymorningyouheadintothecave.It’sexciting,dangerous,wet,andsometimesmuddy,buttherearetreasurestobehold.Youhaveawonderfultimeexplor-inguntilfinallyyouhavetoscrambleoutandtrytotellpeoplewhatyouexperiencedinside. “IneverwalkedintothepulpitthatIdidn’tdothebestIknewhowtobeasfaithfultoGod’swordasIknewhow.Ineverpromisedahomerun,butIdidpromisetoswingashardasIcould. “IthinkImanagedthat.”

All relationships are important, worthwhile