Pastor Rick is Home

Dear friends,
It is with a heavy heart we publish this post. Early this morning Pastor Rick Long, our former pastor, went home to be with Jesus.
Billie Jo posted this on Facebook this morning:
Just before 6am CST Rick traded his sickly body for a new, improved model. I imagine he’s celebrating Jesus using his new lungs now! Mom slept from 10-midnight and I slept from 2 until she woke me at 5:30. As soon as I got up and hugged him, his breathing changed and he wanted to be moved in his bed. Once moved, I realize he had made room for me to lie beside him. It was only moments after lying beside him and snuggling that he took his last breath. Weeks ago he told me that he wanted me be by his side when he died. I guess he didn’t mean figuratively!
Matthew 25:23 "His masters said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"
As we begin the mourning of Pastor Rick, please know that our pastoral staff is on call today and throughout the coming week.
Dan Todd:         [email protected]             716-790-2141
Nila:                    [email protected]         716-801-3065
Becky Todd:     [email protected]             716-790-2114
Andrew Fidurko:  [email protected]
Sunday School tomorrow (9/30) will be devoted to the grief process. We will also be having a special prayer time within our church service tomorrow.
Andrew's Small Group on Thursday (10/4) from 6-8 at the church will be dedicated to grief support as well.
Please reach out if you need help processing this great loss. You are not alone.
 
To God be the glory,
Janell Clingenpeel
Your friendly Hillside church secretary