Memorial Day Weekend at Westmoreland
May 28th, 2010We come down to my penultimate Sunday here, and the Gospel reading from the lectionary provides an intriguing starting place for my sermon: Jesus is speaking to his disciples near the end of his ministry and says, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now….” (from John 16:12-15). I wonder what those could have been. Oh, the possibilities that come to mind! In any case, what is the word that needs to be proclaimed now? We’ll explore this as I preach about “Next-to-Last Things.” With Jessica away, I also get to give the Children’s Time, and we will be joined by oboist Carole Libelo from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and the Washington Conservatory.
On Saturday we will remember three saints of Westmoreland with two memorial services. At 10 a.m. we celebrate the lives of Harry and Jane Ames, and at 2, Gordon Livingston. Gordon, by the way, had requested that any memorial donations be sent to Charles Hall Youth Services, P.O. Box 1995, Bismarck, ND 58502. Charles Hall was his grandfather.
The time is going quickly – there are a lot of “last suppers” and farewells to go through before we get to the land of “Hello!” on the other side of the country. Lots of packing, as well! I think this corner of the building where my office is may well rise up a few inches when all my books and files have been removed! Daily I come across a lot of memories and reminders of all we have shared together in this church. Thus I treasure even more the remaining opportunities to…
…See you in Church!
Rich
