Grace Bible Church Says Farewell to Pastor of 35 Years

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jer. 33:3)  This verse is one of Pastor Joseph Murphy’s favorite verses in the Bible.  Over the last 35 years, Pastor Murphy has used this verse along with a multitude of scripture as he faithfully pastored Grace Bible Church (GBC) in Moscow, Vermont.  For three and a half decades, Pastor Murphy and his wife, Joan, have trusted and served the Lord, following the Word of God for their lives and their ministry.  Our congregation and the many, often returning, visitors who attended have been blessed through the teaching and the leadership of the Murphy’s.  Although it is difficult to see them retire, we know that God has a plan for GBC today as He did when this church was first raised up.

Grace Bible Church originated in the 1920’s, when church services were held at the Moscow School House for many years before GBC was formally organized.  The land was given to be used for all events.  Ministers from Stowe came Sunday afternoons to hold church services and soon thereafter several women started a Sunday School on Sunday afternoons as well.  The Sunday School and church held Easter and Christmas services together.

In 1930 Mr. Kinney, a superintendent of the American Sunday School Union who organized Sunday Schools in rural communities, visited the Sunday School.  The decision was made to join this union.  Continuing with the American Sunday School Union, in 1958 a relationship was formed with a group from West Branch and Bible classes were held with Mr. Richard Lewis.

The Moscow Bible Class met on July 31, 1964 and voted to organize a church, known as the Grace Baptist Church.  The first church service was held on September 6, 1964.  Mr. Roland Daniels was the first Pastor, driving from Groton to hold services, staying until June 1967.

During his tenure, on March 27, 1965, the decision was made to purchase the Russell Spring property (in village of Moscow) for the sum of $17,500.  The house was used as a parsonage, and the church was built on the property in 1968.  Carolyn C. Church, a member of the church, paid for both projects.

On August 15, 1967, GBC separated from the American Sunday School Union, but continued to work with them.  The same year, Mr. Donald Clark came to pastor the church and stayed until 1969. 

Harley Dow then pastored from August 12, 1969 until August 1973.  During the next year there were no permanent pastors, with substitutes and candidates responsible for ministering to the congregation.

In June of 1974, Pastor Joseph Murphy was called and became the fourth pastor of GBC.  In 1988, after much prayer, it was voted to change the name to Grace Bible Church.

This year, the church celebrates its 45th Anniversary and Pastor Joe and Joan Murphy celebrate their 35th Anniversary serving Grace Bible Church.

During these last 35 years Pastor Murphy has not only ministered faithfully to the congregation and extended church family of visitors at Grace Bible Church, but has also had a weekly nursing home and hospital visitation ministry, has been Chaplain at the Vermont State Hospital for 17 years and produced a weekly radio program called “Moment of Decision” for 33 years.  In addition to all of these duties, Pastor diligently and regularly visited many of the elderly shut ins in Lamoille County, remembering their birthdays, teaching them about the Word of God and assuring them of Gods love.

As the Pastor’s wife, Joan was equally busy, managing the church maintenance, keeping things spic and span on a weekly basis, as well as organizing and implementing the annual church clean up each spring.  She ordered church supplies, taught Sunday school to the children, produced a monthly calendar remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and was the most amazing hospitality and event coordinator for regular luncheons and fellowship activities.   

Everything the Murphy’s did came out of their devotion to God and his calling.  They have lived their faith and have been examples of Gods love.

Roland Daniels once said, “God raised up the Grace Baptist Church for His glory, to sound out the Word of Truth in this locality.  One request that was always made at the prayer meeting was: ‘Lord let this local church stand true, giving out the Word of Life through Jesus Christ our Lord, until the day the trumpet sounds and He calls His Church home, and we shall be changed and be like Him.’”  This has been Pastor Murphy’s prayer as well and he has faithfully and lovingly fulfilled his calling according to the plan and purposes of God.   As we look to the future, we know that God is already preparing the next Pastor to carry on the work that Pastor Murphy leaves behind.  “There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven.” (Ecc.3:1)

Note: This article was written by Sherry Heckler, a member of Grace Bible Church, and has been used with her permission.