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 2007

Grace Church of Burlington May 27, 2007  “Row upon row with strict impunity The headstones yield their names to the element.” Allen Tate, writing of a Civil War Memorial              General John Alexander Logan first established Memorial Day on May 30, 1868 for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. It has become more widely celebrated by the entire nation as a national holiday in memory of all those who fought and died in our nation's wars. On this Memorial Day weekend there will be literally millions of people who visit memorial parks and cemeteries. It’s on this day that we remember the millions who have died for great causes such as freedom. Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died while defending our Nation and its values. While in some sense we should honor these heroes every day for the profound contribution they have made to securing our Nation's freedom, we should honor them especially on Memorial Day.             A few years ago our family visited Washington DC. As we walked through Arlington National Cemetery, we would stop and read the different grave stones. It was both sobering and moving. I wish that those grave stones sometimes could speak. Each one of them has a story of a life. I heard someone say recently that every life has enough material in it for a good novel.             The fact is that if the Lord tarries His coming, each of us will someday have a memorial stone remembering when we were born and when we died. But that is such a small memory of a life, particularly of a Christian who loved the Lord and sought to serve Him. There is just so much more that should be said. And while I am not suggesting that we have huge grave stones made with a short autobiography, I believe most of us could do better to prepare for our inevitable departure. It is sad for me as a pastor when I assist a family in preparing a loved one’s memorial service that they often know so little of what their loved one would want. Can I suggest that you help them? And no one is too young to prepare for this. Visit any cemetery and you’ll quickly observe that death takes both the young and the old.             On the Information Table this morning you will find a Funeral Information Form that we’ve prepared to assist you. If you do nothing else, please write out  your  testimony  of  how  you came  to Christ.  And I’d suggest that you include your testimony in your will. This is your last chance to share the Gospel with lost friends and relatives. It’s your chance to fulfill what the Lord wrote of Abel in Hebrews 11:4 “And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.”             Then, think carefully through some important death decisions. Many people glibly make comments about their death and funeral...and then if something happens to them, the family is unsure of what to do. They don’t know if the person was serious or joking and they want to respect their wishes.  So if you want to be an organ donor let someone know. If you really want a closed casket or to be cremated, let someone know. Help them out in preparing for your Memorial Service.             Do you have a favorite passage of Scripture? Do you enjoy any particular songs? poems? If you could name one value or lesson you’d love to teach the next generation, what would it be? What one achievement or accomplishment would makes your eyes light up when you mention it? Do you like your real name? Do you have a nickname? Is there a cause or a movement that you feel  deeply about and have supported with your time and resources? If there was one thing that you wish someone would say during your funeral, what would it be?             Many of the soldiers that we are honoring tomorrow knew that there was a good chance that they would give their lives. Many of them prepared with last words and wishes. The truth is that death is inevitable. We’re just not sure of the time. Please help your loved ones out and share some of your wishes and desires. Use this one last opportunity to glorify the Lord so it will be a memorial service that truly brings honor to His name. And if there are some areas that you’d like to work through on what is right or best, give me a call. I’d be glad to help.