Memorial Day Sunday/Pentecost

I have had some concern about how we will

   combine Memorial Day Sunday and Pentecost.

On Memorial Day, we remember those who have

   died since this time last year. Pentecost is

   an energetic, vibrant celebration of the Holy

   Spirit creating the church in Jerusalem after

   Jesus ascended to heaven.

But I think I have found the connection.

   Memorial Day is designed for remembrance.

   Some have called it decoration day, where

   we go and decorate the graves of the deceased.

   We set aside this day also to remember those

      who have sacrificed their lives fighting in

      the armed forces of the United States.

On the table at the front of the sanctuary

   we find words of remembrance. "This do

   in remembrance of me."

On the one hand we remember warriors who

   served in our place and put themselves in

   harms way.  On the other hand, we remember

   one person who died without resisting to show

   us the way to love and to provide eternal

   salvation.

Memory shapes our lives today.

   We recall to whom we are grateful

   and why. Gratitude is expressed

   for the full impact of one life on

   another. We stand on the shoulders

   of those who have gone before us.

This Sunday, if you have a name of

   someone who died since last

   Memorial Day who was not a member

   of the church, please let us know

   and we will light a candle and give

   you a rose.

For Pentecost, wear red and come

   ready to remember the blessings

   of the church in your life.

Moving to the deeper places,

Jeff