Bearing Fruit for Forty Years

by Terry Shanahan, Northeast Regional Minister

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. Galatians 5:22

It is always a privilege to be part of the life of a church when they celebrate a special event. And I love to share these happy times with you. This past July one of our CCCC pastors, former CCCC president and current denominational standards professor passed a milestone in his ministry career. His church celebrated this event on September 22. First Congregational Church, Revere, Massachusetts, honored their pastor, Rev. Nicholas Granitsas and wife Joan for forty years of faithful service.

Hundreds of people were on hand to join in the festivities. Nick was honored by the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representative, Robert De Leo and the Mayor of Revere, Daniel Rizzo, who read proclamations from the State and the Town. A letter of congratulations from CCCC area representative Rev. Steve Burkett was read and a certificate was presented from the CCCC along with congratulatory remarks by yours truly. Past president Paul McPheeters and his wife Nancy were in attendance. The church was filled with people joining in the happy time.

There were three generations of people sharing about how Nick had made a difference in the lives of the people in the church and the people in the community. The many ministries he birthed over the years were highlighted. The many people he came alongside were there to testify. A video made by parishioners of all ages included poignant and humorous stories; we all know more about Nick than we did before!

Surrounded by their large family, Nick and Joan sat while people gave gifts of music and testimonies to their ministry.

Forty years in one church. Not many have that distinction. It reminds me of a memorial plaque I saw in a church in Windham, New Hampshire, which states that the named pastor was “Minister to the Church and to the Town.” That is certainly true in Nick’s case. The mayor expressed this, as he spoke of all that the church meant to the community and all the ministries that helped the people, from food pantries to English as a second language. Nick has served the church and the town of Revere faithfully with leadership, compassion and vision.

On behalf of the CCCC I applaud this ministry which has made a difference in so many lives, and thank God for the faithfulness of Nick and Joan.