Announcements
SYMPATHY: to the family & friends of Randy Kenny who passed away on Thursday, May 25 at the Dove House. Arrangements are pending.
SYMPATHY: to Ginny Hoff at the passing of her brother, Bob Martin, on Saturday, May 20. The funeral was held on Thursday, May 25, in Westminster.
RECOGNIZING OUR GRADUATES: If you are graduating from high school, college, graduate school, technical school, etc., please complete the form available at the Welcome Desk to be included in our special handout. Today is the final day to submit a form.
PROMOTION SUNDAY: Next Sunday, June 4, all school-aged children will be advancing to the Sunday School Class of the grade they are entering in the fall.
RED ENVELOPES: are out on the table in the foyer to help the Teens with their mission trip to Grenada. Each envelope has a number on it to represent the gift amount that you are giving. Your red envelope(s) with your gift may be placed in the offering plate or turned in at the Welcome Desk.
DEACONS: Please pick up your packets at the Welcome Desk.
From My Heart
On May 5, 1886, citizens of Waterloo, New York gathered to honor the soldiers who had died in the Civil War. It was the first unofficial celebration of Memorial Day and very quickly the custom began to spread to other towns and cities throughout the nation. Americans set aside a special day to pay homage to the more than 200,000 who had died in that terrible blemish on our nation’s history.
Since then, the dead of other wars have been added to the day of Memorial. The Spanish-American War, World War I & II, the Korean War, the war in Vietnam, and the various wars fought in the Middle East since 911. With all the wars in which Americans have fought, I think it can be safely said that few families in this country have not been touched by at least one of those wars, and maybe several.
Of course, we cannot overlook the valiant servicemen and women who have lost their lives in actions during so-called, “peacetime.” There have been several events like the 246 Fort Campbell soldiers who tragically died in the plane crash in Gander, Newfoundland. Another tragic event happened in 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon, when terrorists bombed the Marine headquarters, and 241 Marines lost their lives. You may also remember the 37 men killed aboard the USS Stark in the Persian Gulf in another terrorist attack.
As Americans lay wreaths on the graves of the dead and honor them in many other ways, there is a longing and hope that we might somehow find ways to prevent war in the future. But sinful man cannot be content with what he has and seems always willing to sacrifice others to satisfy his own greed and thirst for power.
As we pause to remember those who have died protecting our freedom, let us hope and pray that the Day of the Lord will come soon. In that Day, the Lord Jesus will put an end to the wars, the terrorism, and the killing that has left the hearts of men broken and empty. One of the titles given in the Scriptures to the Lord Jesus is this: “The Prince of Peace.” Our world has not seen peace since Cain lifted his hand to slay his brother Abel. But the Lord Jesus will come again, as He promised, and finally, there will be peace on the earth.
Freedom is not free, and there will always be those who would try to take away our freedoms, but thank the Lord there are brave men and women who are willing to fight to keep us free! Today we remember those who paid the greatest price so we could remain free!
Have a great Memorial Day weekend, and God bless America!
Pastor Norris