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<\/p>\nHILMAR, CA (March 14, 2007) \u2013 Hilmar Covenant Church Pastor Bruce Metcalf began the March 4 Sunday morning service with the usual welcome, but then a former church chairperson suddenly stepped to the front and seized control of the service.
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\nWhat Metcalf heard and saw left him speechless. \u201cI didn\u2019t know what to think,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n
Past Chairperson Art DeRooy explained to the pastor that the church was throwing him a surprise party in honor of his 25 years of ministry to the congregation. At the same time, from the back of the sanctuary, came members of Metcalf\u2019s family, including his father and mother, brother and sister-in-law, children and grandchildren. Pacific Southwest Conference Supt. Evelyn M.R. Johnson also attended.<\/p>\n
Metcalf was told to put his sermon away and was invited to sit and enjoy the service. He listened to words of commendation from Johnson, members of the congregation, and the staff. Associate Pastor Bret Widman offered a meditation that reflected on Metcalf\u2019s work. A video of pictures showing Metcalf\u2019s work in the church and community also was shown. The church continued the celebration with a surprise luncheon.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was pretty exciting,\u201d says Metcalf of the morning. The pastor began serving Hilmar on his 24th birthday – March 1, 1982. \u201cWhen Art came forward and started talking, I thought maybe they were going to sing Happy Birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laurie DeRooy has been Metcalf\u2019s secretary for 21 years and declares, \u201cThey don\u2019t come any better than him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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