Laura Leatherwood was Worship Leader on 11-9 and she gave the children’s lesson.
Laura explained what Veterans Day means and how Americans set aside that day to honor their soldiers who fought in our past wars. We have parades or put flags up in our yard
The children gave out “Thank you” notes to the veterans present. Our veterans who were sick or home caring for a loved one will have their note mailed to them.
Prayers were offered for Reggie Schexnider who is home recovering from extensive surgery. Reggie is married to the former Luanne Leatherwood, so he is a brother-in-law to several members of our congregation.
Pat Leatherwood is recovering nicely from surgery. Joe Horn, another brother-in-law in this mix has recovered enough from his illness to "pitch in” and help where needed. We sincerely pray that this family has a healthy and robust new year.
“Good Grief” was the theme of Rev. Ken Lunsford’s sermon. He gleaned his lesson from I Thessalonians 4: 13-18 and from the tragedies suffered by members of our community.
Pastor Ken told a story concerning a time when the firefighters in England went on strike so the British Army was called in to take over emergency firefighting.
Some of these fellows were called out to South London to rescue an elderly lady’s cat. They did so with haste and the grateful lady invited them all in for tea. Then with a warm farewell and a wave good bye they backed out of the driveway and ran over the cat!
Now the reason for this terrible story is; well-meaning people, while doing good, or intending to do good, have “run over the cat” of the person or family they mean to help.
When a significant event of loss occurs, we need to grieve. But the problem is we live in a death-denying culture. Years ago people grieved more openly, men wore black arm bands and the women wore black clothes for six months to a year. One of the last public persons to wear a black arm band was President Franklin Roosevelt upon the death of his mother.
In other parts of the world, people freely acknowledge death, but not here, we do everything possible to avoid the mention of death. But it is the one subject that affects us all and if we don’t talk about it here in God’s house, where will we talk about it?
Some people interpret in I Thessalonians 4 that St. Paul is saying true Christians do not grieve. But Christians grieve and grieve deeply. We are the people committed to love others and maintain bonds with others.
Paul said if we believe in Christ’s victory over sin and the grave, we do not grieve like the rest of humankind, who have no hope. We can trust in God’s love for us and lean on His loving arms.