Pastor Paul Sheets’ retirement celebration was held the evening of April 23, 2023, at Port Ann Wesleyan Church and drew approximately 150 people from the congregation and local communities. It included a short video overview with some photos from his 17 years of ministry at Port Ann Wesleyan:
The program opened with a special video of Pastor Paul and his late wife, Sally, singing together during a recorded online service during COVID several years ago:
Wes Wagner, a member of the church, then started a special chalk drawing tribute to Pastor Paul and his ministry. While he worked on the drawing, the people in attendance sang hymns led in singing by Barry Kuhns and Starla Wagner. Pianists Robin Kratzer, Deb Angelo and Celeste Campbell each took turns playing the hymns. The lineup — all songs selected by Pastor Paul as hymns that have a special place in his heart from his time in ministry:
#56 “To God Be The Glory” – Robin
Insert #372 “My Soul Is Filled With Glory” – Robin
Special feedback from longtime member of the church Pat Mitchell
#511 “All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus” – Deb
#626 “The Lily of the Valley” – Deb
Love offering for Pastor Paul Sheets with video music of a special VBS song he and Sally enjoyed called “Faith”
#661 “Little is Much When God is In It” – Celestia
Insert #393 “Tell It To Jesus” – Celestia
Pastor Paul was given the Jim Mulaney Christian Sportsman Award, the second annual recipient of an award named for longtime church men’s director Jim Mulaney who passed away a year ago due to cancer.
Insert #359 “I Have Settled the Question” – Celestia
#591 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” – Celestia
Church member Annette Sprenkel shared some comments, as well as a poem about Pastor Paul from her young daughter, Naomi
#693 “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” – Deb
#320 “Beneath The Cross of Jesus” – Deb
Church lay leader Bob Smith gave Pastor Paul a gift from the church as well as $1,100 collected earlier via the love offering in a special Gerber Peas tin (a long-running joke at the church has been Pastor Paul’s dislike of peas).
Insert #342 “It’s Just Like His Great Love” – Robin
#705 “It Is Well With My Soul” – Robin
Wes Wagner presented his finished drawing with hidden blacklight message and the biblical inspiration for his work.
Pastor Paul Sheets was invited to share a few comments, end the program in prayer ahead of fellowship with cake and ice cream
Before dismissal to the fellowship hall, Pastor Paul introduced the following closing video — the last song he and his father sang publicly before his father’s passing a few months ago.
Annette Sprenkel captured the evening’s festivities with the following photos:
