Date: 12/19/2007
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: December 19, 2007
<br><br>The scene was Yankee Stadium, July 4, 1939.  The great Lou Gehrig stood at home plate and uttered in his farewell speech, “Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”   With all due respect to Mr. Gehrig who passed away in 1941, I consider myself to have taken his place in life.  Echoing the apostle Paul, I consider myself to be the most undeserving and least worthy of all the saints.  Yet, God has blessed me beyond compare.  <br><br>I want to take this opportunity on behalf of Angie, Kaylee, Jordan and Ruby, to thank our Fairfield family for allowing us to serve with you this past year.  We wake up each day feeling so blessed to be able to call you our friends.  You have been the epitome of what we believe the Lord intends for his Church to be.  We have never been around a group of people who truly seek to love their fellow man as much as you.  We have experienced considerable growth this past year due mainly to your efforts in inviting and encouraging friends, family and loved ones.  A number of people will spend eternity with God because you cared enough to mention Him to them.  Thank you for practicing what you preach.....Thank you for being Christians rather “church people”.....Thank you for your efforts in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting those in need.  You are a joy to be around and we look forward to walking through 2008 hand in hand with you.<br><br>I could not go any farther without extending a heart-felt thank you to the Fairfield eldership.  2007 was quite the year of transition amongst our leadership.  Gary Bailey and Ed Gossett, who so capably served this congregation as elders for a number of years, turned the reigns over to our current elders, Lafayette Spears, Mike Batts, Wayne Baker, Wallace Smith and Marvin Truett in late September.  I believe in these men with all of my heart.  Their love for the Lord and His Church is evident.  Their care and concern for the flock they shepard is obvious.  I appreciate so very much their evangelistic desires in reaching the lost of this community and abroad.  They want to see this Church grow spiritually and numerically.  They are excited about the future of the Fairfield Church of Christ.  I am equally excited about working under their direction for another year.   <br><br>I also want to thank Ms. Carolyn for giving me the pleasure of working with her in the office.  She is the glue that holds everything together.  I could not imagine trying to do my job without her doing hers.  This Church is blessed to have her around now, and I hope, for many more years.  To the countless others who keep this place running like a top, both inside and out, I thank you.  Fairfield would be lost without you.  <br><br>May God bless you all during this holiday season and in the new year.<br><br><br>Merry Christmas!  Angie, Kaylee, Jordan, Ruby & Devin<br>                      <br>