Last Saturday was our annual Worker Appreciation Breakfast.  This year marked our 7th breakfast.  Each year at this breakfast we recognize one adult and one teenager with our Faithful Servant Award.  This year we honored RaQuel Love and Ruth Rhoden.  What follows is a transcript of what I said in presenting the award to Ruth. 

1925 was a long time ago.  Most of us were not alive in 1925.  90 years ago, in 1925, Calvin Coolidge was president.  90 years ago Faith Baptist Church was not in existence.  But, 90 years ago, in 1925, an event happened that had a huge impact on Faith Baptist Church – Ruth Rhoden was born.

Whenever I think of Ruth Rhoden, I immediately smile.  Every time I see Ruth she puts a smile on my face.  I have always noticed and appreciated the joyful spirit that pervades Ruth’s life.

Ruth has served in Cubbies for as long as any of us can remember.  In fact, Ruth first started serving in Awana in Chicago at the church where Awana first began!  Before her health started to prevent her, Ruth could always be found in our Cubbies room on Wednesday night.  You could count on her to joyfully greet each boy or girl as they entered the room.

In Cubbies, every child has the same verse to memorize each week.  Unlike other Awana clubs, in Cubbies the children just say one verse each week.  Ruth was the ideal worker for children to say their verses to.  As soon as the child walked in and handed their book to Ruth, she would sign off for the verse – before they even said it.  Then no matter what the child said, Ruth would just smile and say, “Great job Honey” and give them a great big hug.  She worked very hard to make every child feel special.

A few days ago I had the privilege of sitting down and visiting with Ruth.  I asked her, “Why have you served the Lord for all these years?”  She answered,

“I’ve just always enjoyed working with children.  I felt at ease and I felt like I belonged there.  I loved it.  It may sound crazy but I just loved it.”

I also asked Ruth, “What would you say to encourage younger people to stay faithful in serving the Lord?”  Her answer was short –

“You’ve gotta love the Lord!”

There can be no doubt – Ruth Rhoden loves the Lord!

It is right for us to honor Ruth Rhoden.  We honor the Lord when we honor Ruth because we are recognizing the faithful service of one of His faithful servants.

For her faithfulness to Christ, for her love of His children, and for her of Jesus Christ, we honor Ruth Rhoden with our 2015 Faithful Servant Award.  We pray that God will bless FBC with many more faithful servants just like Ruth Rhoden.

Happy Friday!

Stephen