Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2002

Grace Church of Burlington March 31, 2002 Amazing Grace! In an emotionally charged courtroom, a South African woman stood listening to white police officers acknowledge their atrocities. Officer van de Broek acknowledged that along with others, he had shot her 18-year-old son at point-blank range. He and others partied while they burned the son’s body, turning it over and over on the fire until it was reduced to ashes. Eight years later, van de Broek and others returned to seize her husband. She was forced to watch her husband, bound on a woodpile, as they poured gasoline over his body and ignited the flames that consumed his body. The last words that she heard her husband say were “forgive them.”   Now van de Broek awaited judgment. South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission asked the woman what she wanted. “I want three things,” she said calmly. “I want Mr. van de Broek to take me to the place where they burned my husband’s body. I would like to gather up the dust and give him a decent burial. Second, Mr. van de Broek took all of my family away from me, and I still have a lot of love to give. Twice a month I would like him to come to the ghetto and spend a day with me so I can be a mother to him. Third, I would like Mr. van de Broek to know he is forgiven by God, and that I forgive him, too. I would like to embrace him so he can know that my forgiveness is real.” As the elderly woman was led across the courtroom, van de Broek fainted, overwhelmed. Someone began singing “Amazing Grace.” Gradually, everyone joined in. 2000 years ago on a Roman cross, the Son of God cried out, “Father forgive them.” God’s plan of redemption was accomplished. But just as that officer needed to accept that wife and mother’s forgiveness, so you and I must accept God’s forgiveness for all of our sins. My friend, have you committed your life to Christ? Have you accepted God’s forgiveness? Do you know what it is to be fully and completely forgiven? It’s still Amazing Grace – is it your’s?