Rev. William L. Newcomer
Bill was a loving husband and father. He was conscientious and visionary leader who, with a smile and a great sense of humor, steered each church he pastored toward the distant horizon. He was a true scholar, but not of the ivory tower variety. His sermons were understandable, speaking practically and helpfully to his congregation. I created this blog so that his sermons might continue to speak to a new, on-line congregation.
My father, Bill Newcomer, was a United Methodist pastor. He served as the pastor of:
- Adams Shore Community Church, Quincy, Mass. (1967-1970);
- Grace United Methodist Church, Millersville, PA (1970-1977), now known as Millersville Community Church;
- Calvary United Methodist Church, Easton, PA (1977-1983), now known as Green Pond United Methodist Church; and
- Paoli United Methodist Church, Paoli, PA (1983-1989).
Bill was born in 1942 in Lancaster, PA. His home church while growing up was Covenant United Methodist Church in Lancaster, where he met his wife (my mother), Barbara. Bill was a philosophy major at Lebanon Valley College, graduating summa cum laude in 1964. In 1967, he went on to graduate first in his class and as President of his class from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Bill died on May 15, 1989, at 46 years of age, while battling cancer. He led worship for the last time just the day before, baptizing a child, confirming several youth as new church members, and preaching what would be his final sermon.
Bill was a loving husband and father. He was conscientious and visionary leader who, with a smile and a great sense of humor, steered each church he pastored toward the distant horizon. He was a true scholar, but not of the ivory tower variety. His sermons were understandable, speaking practically and helpfully to his congregation. I created this blog so that his sermons might continue to speak to a new, on-line congregation.
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