Of Saints, Hunters, and Veterans

We had a full day today at Grace. Because of Pr. Larry's involvement last week at another church, we remembered the saints today. That was a the beginning of the service. Each one that had someone they had lost within the last year came forward and lit one of the candles that were on a small table in front of the altar.

Today, for the first time, we had a blessing of hunters. This is something I learned about last year at Bender's Lutheran Church in Biglerville, PA. Pr. Susan McCarthy wrote it and instituted it in that congregation. So, seeing how much it means to the people of Bender's, we thought we would initiate it here as well. An addition to the liturgy was small cards with a prayer and the church's name, location, and date to be carried along while hunting. The cards can also be shared with other hunters.

Something I learned recently from one of our hunters is that there is an organization, Hunters for the Hungry, which enables hunters to share their bounty with those in need. And there is certainly plenty of need in these days.

We would be remiss if we did not remember our veterans who served their country. At the end of the service we acknowledged various congregants and members of their families who were in the military. One of the men, in Korea, was one of the few that survived of his regiment, while most of the others died during a particular engagement. We are grateful he is with us.

It was a full day and the service did take a bit longer, but it was good. We remembered those who have gone before us, those who help feed us, and those who help protect us. Our hearts are full..."alleluia, alleluia."


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"evermore and evermore"

CHRISTIAN PRAYERS lyrics

The first time I heard this hymn was when the children's choir sang it many years ago at The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word in Rochester, NY. In the last few years it has become especially meaningful especially as I have learned more about this type of musical chant in the last year.

All of the wonderful blessings we enjoy as in the Christmas season are "Of the Father's love begotten," because of all that God has done for us by sending our savior, Jesus Christ into the world. I've been pondering several of them the last few days, especially now that we're on vacation and there is time to take a breath.

Here are some of those wonderful things for which I'm so thankful:

1. Getting out of Gettysburg before the storm hit.
2. Arriving safely at my daughter's house.
3. Being able to have time with Grace, our granddaughter.
4. Christmas shopping with my daughter, Sarah.
5. Even better...Sarah was so excited about time to shop with me!
6. Christmas shopping with Gracie after school.
7. To see my daughter grow into the wonderful woman and mother that she is.
8. For my husband, Ray, and his supportive love and encouragement throughout our marriage and my time in seminary.
9. Renewing relationships with friends I haven't seen for several years.
10. Christmas Eve singing "Silent Night" through our tears, arms around each other, as Sarah and I remembered the little town of Bethlehem that was home to us in the 1980s and the many people and places we love and miss there.

These are but a few of the things I've been pondering lately.

My thanks is "evermore and evermore."