Endings, Beginnings, Remembering

This is a hectic time of the year.  It is the time for confirmation, graduation, and the honoring of those who gave their lives for their country.

 It is a time of endings.  The ending of three years of concentrated studying of one’s faith by our young people.  It marks the end of twelve years of formal education for our high school graduates and four more for our college graduates.

It is a time of new beginnings.  The beginning of high school for our confirm ands and further higher education or vocational training for those graduating.  It therefore is also a time of apprehension and fear – just what does the future hold?

 In the midst of this it is also a time of remembering, as we honor on Memorial Day those who gave their lives for our freedom, and those near and dear to us that have passed from this life into forever. 

It is a time when we share experiences that are part of the very core of the fabric of our living.  They are experiences that touch all of us in some shape or form.

 It is my prayer, as a pastor, that in the midst of all the celebrating, the questions and wondering about one’s future, and remembering the past that you take time to thank God for all the blessings that come with endings, new beginnings and remembering.

 It is my prayer that our young people will carry their faith with them as they now venture forth and that they will know the strength and courage that is theirs in the faith.

 Endings, new beginnings, and remembering – all of them touch the core of our being.  May you know that in, through, with and all around that core is Jesus Christ, loving, supporting, cheering, and embracing you.  It is that fabric of our lives – our faith and
God’s promise of steadfast love – that gives meaning to our endings, beginnings, and remembering.

 May we lift our hearts in thanksgiving and praise to God for God’s promise of everlasting faithfulness.

 Peace,

 Pastor Mark