Honoring the fallen


Memories of our lives, of our works and deeds,
will continue in others. –Rosa Parks


In the States, this weekend marks Memorial Day, when we pause to remember all who gave their lives fighting for this country. It’s an important time, and an important thing to do. But for churches, it can be difficult.

It can be hard on veterans who made it home, but left fellow soldiers behind.

It can be difficult to listen to the stories of battles won and lives lost.

It can be a challenge to find ways to remember and honor these soldiers without glorifying the violence and wars they participated in, especially as history calls into question the necessity of going into such a war in the first place.

As we pause to reflect and remember this weekend, I am suggesting this approach: Pause and remember the soldiers who gave their lives out of love; look around in your life for ways you can reflect a love for God that goes beyond any other love. Then give thanks for the soldiers who made it home, and find a way to show them how much God loves them. In doing this, I suspect you, too, will receive a refresher in experiencing God’s deep, abiding, unfailing Love in your life. (Amen?)

Monday (Memorial Day) Pause today and give thanks for those who willingly gave their lives so that others might live. We will always remember. 1 Chronicles 16:8-12

Tuesday Reflect today on the hardest thing you ever had to do as a child. Maybe it was moving to a new neighborhood or staring a new school. Look back through your “grownup eyes” and give thanks. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13

Wednesday Pause today and pray for the leadership of your church family, both ordained and lay. Ask God to continue to impart wisdom. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Thursday As summer approaches, pray for those who are getting a summer break from teaching. (Learning, however, never takes a break.) Give thanks for their special gifts. Deuteronomy 8:2

Friday Close your eyes and remember a time when God felt especially close. Pray for God’s presence to continue to be manifest in every aspect of your life. Numbers 9:15-23

Saturday Is there an area in your life that needs change? Maybe it’s something as small as throwing something away. Spend some time in prayer about a needed change. Exodus 12:31-42

Sunday Feeling hungry today? Want to connect with these fellow travelers on the journey? Come to the Table for Communion, and stay for the potluck following worship. All are welcome, and we always have plenty of food. John 6:5-13

To reminisce with my old friends, a chance to share some memories 
and play our songs again. –Ricky Nelson

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