First Lesson: Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24 Responsive Reading: Psalm 100 Second Lesson: Ephesians 1: 15-23 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25: 31-46 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”-Psalm 146:3-4 Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769 on the outskirts of the French empire[1]. Napoleon’s parents were well-regarded but not wealthy. France had a long-established Monarchy which would have seemed to keep people like Napoleon from seizing any real power. Napoleon graduated from a French military academy in 1785. Napoleon didn’t stand out in any real way; he was a man of no taller than 5’7. Napoleon seemed likely heading for a career as a minor officer in the French army[2]. Napoleon did not seem destined to end up in the history books. 1789, France has a famous revolution overthrowing the monarchy. Napoleon becomes connected with the Revolution’s leaders. Napoleon began to rise within the French army gradually. Napoleon’s military genius soon becomes on display for the world to see. In 1804, Napoleon’s rise to Emperor was complete. So Napoleon decides to break the news of this big promotion to his mother. Napoleon’s mother was not overjoyed at the news of her son becoming Emperor. She proceeded to roll her eyes merely and said: “Well, I wonder how long this will last[3].” The beginning of Napoleon’s reign was a high point for the nation of France. Napoleon successfully waged war against numerous European powers; the French Empire was at its heights. By the year 1812, Napoleon made a fatal error of attempting to conquer Russia. The move was the beginning of Napoleon’s downfall. By 1814, ten years after his mother’s pronouncement, Napoleon was removed from the French throne. By 1815, Napoleon had died at the age of 51. Napoleon’s story makes an important point for us. We often put our faith in the wrong places. Look at our elections, too often we look back years later saying that even if our candidate wins, we inevitability are disappointed. Second story for this morning. Earl “Goat” Manigault was born in 1944[4]. Manigault’s childhood revolved around Basketball. In junior high, Goat set a New York City record by scoring 57 points in one game. Once Manigault got to high school, he quickly became a star for Benjamin Franklin High School in New York City. Goat’s game was the stuff of legends. Goat’s leaping ability was such that he was able to allegedly grab quarters from the top of the backboard, nearly thirteen feet off the ground. He could dunk over taller players from the free-throw line, dunk backward. The Goat was an athletic marvel like no one had ever seen. Goat could also shoot as well as anyone else, having shot 600 shots a day for years. Goat was widely considered the greatest New York City street Basketball player of all-time. When fellow NYC Ball-player and basketball hall of famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired from the Los Angeles Lakers, he was asked who the greatest player that he ever played against was he said: “Earl ‘Goat’ Manigault[5].” So why is the Goat not as well-known as Micheal Jordan today? Goat’s strength off the basketball court soon became overwhelmed by his weakness for drugs. Goat dropped out of college after a semester. Goat’s only shot at the pros took place when his body was already well past the point of repair[6]. What Goat’s story reminds us of is that even the greatest triumphs of our life, don’t guarantee us anything in the end. As we hear the stories of Napoleon Bonaparte and Earl “Goat” Manigault this morning, we celebrate Christ the King Sunday. We contrast the functioning of Christ’s kingdom versus our own[7]. On this day, we are reminded that Jesus did not stand out in earthly ways. He was born on the outskirts of the Roman Empire in a town that people doubted anything good could ever come[8]. He was raised in Galilee surrounded by political and religious hotheads. He lived in a nation of Judea that was centuries past its prime. He worked as a carpenter never possessing any signs of wealth. Education never had any; no proof that he could even write. Jesus throughout his life never ventured any further than 200 miles from his home. Jesus was not a popular man, arrested, deserted by his friends, and executed alongside felons at the town’s garbage dump. Jesus was so poor that someone else needed to pay for his burial.[9] All these things are true, yet we gather here to worship him. Jesus seems to be kingly in no earthly way. In the end, his Kingdom extends far beyond even that of Napoleon Bonaparte. What Jesus’ story reminds us of is the nature of hype. Earl “Goat” Manigault was going to be the greatest Basketball player of all-time. Every new politician makes promises of “hope” and “greatness” soon coming on the horizon. Year after year, we see promises fail to be kept before our very eyes. Here’s the thing, the best basketball players, or the best politicians will not get to the heart of what is at our deepest needs. This is why we long for a different kind of ruler, a different kind of king. One who even though he fails to measure up in earthly ways, offers unto us the forgiveness of sins and entry into a very different kind of Kingdom. The nature of Jesus’ kingdom is on display within Our Gospel lesson for Today from Matthew 25[10]. It’s a very striking parable. The Son of Man is separating sheep from goats. The sheep are promised that they shall become inheritors of a great kingdom, whereas the goats are cast into the eternal fire. And whether you’re a goat or a sheep seems to depend on how successful a person you are in this world. If you dig deeper than another meaning emerges, a Bible commentator named Greg Carey drives home the meaning of this parable when he says the main point in is God’s kingdoms will not work like the world’s kingdoms[11]. Both sheep and goats are surprised at the eventual outcome they receive. The goats don’t know when they failed to do well, whereas the Sheep don’t understand why they are deserving. The key to understanding this story is “Goats do not see themselves as goats, but neither do sheep recognize themselves as sheep[12].” The lesson has to do with those currently outside the in-crowd. It might be the “Gentiles,” “little ones” or “least of these[13].” What this Parable reminds us is that Jesus’ Kingdom is different because it extends to people like these. So as we celebrate on this Christ the King Sunday, we look out on either world as we see it Today, or a world as it eventually will be. Let me tell you one final story for this Morning; There seems to be no more dominant force in many people’s lives Today then computers. Watch how many people constantly interact with their phones to see this message. Computers being such a vital part of people’s lives would have seemed a foolishness idea forty years ago. An early Chairman of IBM declared “a world market for only five computers[14].” Home computers seemed like an impractical idea, let alone smartphones. Two gentlemen named Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak had a different vision though[15]. Jobs and Wozniak’s dream was to take the previous computers which took up whole rooms into small-enough boxes that people could fit them on their desk at home. They tried selling their dream to Atari, Hewlett-Packard but got shot down by both. In a bit of desperation, they dared to start their own company that many of you have heard of called “Apple Computers.” Eventually, Apple hit a roadblock where Jobs and Wozniak wanted greater management expertise[16]. Steve Jobs decided he wanted to hire a gentleman named John Sculley. Sculley was the President of Pepsi Cola. Getting Sculley to accept the job seemed to be nothing but the most wishful of thinking. Sculley was at the top of the organization in one of the most well-known and financially stable companies in the world, whereas Apple Computers was merely selling hopes and dreams. Jobs approaches Sculley and hears “no.” Jobs approaches Sculley again, hears “no” again. Finally, Jobs approaches Sculley a third-time and asks him a question that would forever change John Sculley’s life; Jobs asked ‘“Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world[17]?” The question that Steve Jobs asked John Sculley drives home the meaning of Christ the King Sunday for Today. “Do we place our faith in the kingdoms and possessions of this world, or do we place our faith in the promise of a kingdom that goes beyond this world? Do we merely want Sugar and Water or do we want to cling to something more eternal? Do we cling to the greatest of human hopes like Napoleon Bonaparte or Earl “Goat” Manigault or is our hope on a cross found in the middle of a garbage dump? Amen [1] “Napoleon Bonaparte.” History Channel. Web. Nov.21.2017. [2] Stier, Leon. “Christ the King.” Email Mediatations. Web. Nov.24.2014. [3] Stier, Leon. “Christ the King.” [4] “Earl Manigault.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 10.Nov.2017. Web. Nov.21.2017. [5] Earl Manigault.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [6] Higgins, Chester. Jr. “A Fallen King Revisits His Realm.” New York Times. 16. June.1989. Web. Nov.21.2017. [7] Zingale, Tim. “King of Kings.” Sermon Central. 14. Nov.2005. Web. Nov.21.2017. [8] John 1:46. [9] Zingale, Tim. “King of Kings.” [10] Matthew 25:31-46. [11] Carey, Greg. “Commentary on Matthew 25:31-46.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 23.Nov.2014. Web. Nov.21.2017. [12] Carey, Greg. “Commentary on Matthew 25:31-46.” [13] Schnasa Jacobson, David. “Commentary on Matthew 25:31-46.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 26.Nov.2017. Web. Nov.21.2017. [14] Higgins, Scott. “Stop Selling Sugar Water.” Stories for Preaching. Web. Nov.21.2017. [15] Higgins, Scott. “Stop Selling Sugar Water [16] Higgins, Scott. “Stop Selling Sugar Water.” [17] Higgins, Scott. “Stop Selling Sugar Water.” First Lesson: Joshua 24: 1-3, 14-25 Responsive Reading: Psalm 78: 1-7 Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 25: 1-13 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
The year was 1999. The month was January. Some high school friends (Ben, Peter, Christian, Derek and I) were undertaking a getaway weekend to the one place in the world that you want to go at the end of January in Winnipeg, Manitoba. We left Fargo/Moorhead on a Saturday afternoon and planned to come back on Sunday in time to watch that evening’s Super Bowl which once again didn’t involve the beloved Minnesota Vikings. Well here’s the thing about nineteen-year-old boys they tend not to be responsible. So Early Sunday afternoon we approach the Canadian border, our main goal was for a car full of boys to not get in trouble. So as we cross back into North Dakota, pass Pembina we notice the gas gauge is sitting on E. Now it wouldn’t be a good thing to run out of gas in the middle of I-29 between Pembina and Grand Forks especially since the temperature was negative rather than positive. Cars on the afternoon of the Super Bowl in the middle of nowhere are few and far between. So we decide to keep driving, figuring soon there will be a freeway exit filled with gas. We did see freeway exits on this Sunday afternoon. The exits looked inviting with symbols for not only gas but also food underneath. Here’s the thing about North Dakota exits there were promises of food and gas only they continually happened to be 15 miles in the opposite direction. So debates that can only take place among college boys began. We kept driving down to I-29, the low fuel eventually comes on. We keep driving for more miles then a person should look at a low fuel light. We kept praying that we could advance to the next exit with gas. About ten miles north of Grand Forks we come across a town in Manvel, North Dakota that finally delivered the long-promised gasoline that we associated with the Interstate. The story of the tumultuous journey from Winnipeg to Grand Forks brings us to Our Gospel lesson for Today from Matthew 25. It’s a tale that showcases the differences further between responsible and irresponsible preparation. The lesson is set-up at the end of the previous chapter where Jesus gives the following warning: “Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming[1].” To drive home this point, Jesus tells a parable[2]. Ten women were waiting for a groom to show up for a wedding. Five of the women were obsessive in their detail and planning. They had enough oil to keep their lamps lit for a long, long time. So they were prepared to await the groom's arrival patiently. The other five bridesmaids weren’t so well-prepared if the groom didn’t show up at the appointed time. These brides were in trouble. They were going to have to leave their house, track down lamp oil in the middle of the night, and hope they’re home when the groom arrives. Back to my friends and I driving from Winnipeg to Grand Forks, they were all used to living in the Twin Cities where there is a gas station seemingly every mile. I was used to making the drive for Moorhead to the Twin Cities where there is seemingly a gas station every ten miles. Put something different before us than what we expected then all chaos, quickly ensues. This is what was happening in the parable of the ten brides. Jesus’ point like in all his parables in Matthew’s Gospel was ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is like this.” Jesus describes five of the brides as “wise” whereas the other-five brides are “foolish.” Here’s the context to understand Our Gospel lesson for Today. The Earliest Christians believed that Christ would return in their lifetime. The years quickly began to pass, and when Christ didn’t return. Believers would get disheartened and let important things fall by the wayside such as the amount of “oil” for their lamps or the amount of “gasoline” in their cars. Sir John Franklin was an experienced sailor in the British Royal Navy[3]. He had participated in some of the most important Naval Battles in the 19th Century. Franklin’s greatest claim to fame was his pursuit of discovering the Northwest Passage connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean within the Canadian Arctic. Finding the Northwest Passage was perhaps the most ambitious project of the greatest navy in the world. John Franklin was the Rear Admiral put in charge of the operation. John Franklin by 1845 had become not only one of the most famous, but also the most respected men in all of Europe. In 1845, Franklin set out for his fourth expedition to seek to discover the Northwest Passage with 138 men and two ships[4]. Now Franklin knew as well as anyone how difficult a journey this could be. In one of Franklin’s previous expeditions men got so desperate for food they proceeded to eat their “leather boots[5].” So John Franklin sought to make the journey as comfortable as possible for his crew. He brought a collection of books, fine china for dining. Franklin’s goal was to arrange as pleasant a cruise around the Arctic Circle as John Franklin could imagine. Franklin’s ships suffer the fate of getting stuck in ice trying to navigate the Arctic Circle[6]. John Franklin’s ships according to legend couldn’t go any further because they had an inadequate amount of coal to power on in such icy, conditions. Just like in the case of five foolish brides, lack of preparation brought John Franklin and 138 other men quickly and unexpectedly to the presence of their Lord and maker. So we hear these stories this morning. The question inevitability comes are we like my friends and I, the five foolish brides, and John Franklin unprepared as we look towards the Kingdom of Heaven seemingly ahead of us. Now when I was in young, I was in the Cub Scouts for several years, then as soon as I got into middle school, I joined the Boy Scouts. Now I didn’t last very long in the Boy Scouts. Being a thirteen-year-old boy, I had more important priorities such as T.V.programs I’d rather watch then learn how to survive in the frozen Minnesota wilderness. Dropping out of the boy scouts is not one of my more responsible life decisions. In Today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus speaks of the five unprepared brides arriving late to the wedding feast and being denied entry with their groom saying “Truly I tell you, I do not know you[7].” Five brides turned away from the Kingdom of Heaven. The Boy Scout types according to this parable seemingly always come out on top. Now we probably know a lot of boy-scout types in our life[8]. The Boy Scouts who remember their friends and family’s birthday. Boy Scouts who continually have healthy relationships. Boy Scouts pray when they know they’re supposed to pray. Now when you’re not a Boy Scout like myself for quite honestly, pretty silly reasons, it gets real easy to see how you don’t measure up to the wise, prepared Boy Scout type. So what does this parable say to the unprepared types of five young men driving from Winnipeg to Grand Forks with barely any gas? Here’s the thing about the foolish brides in our parable. Their problem wasn’t their lack of preparation; it was rather their lack of faith. The problem was when their groom eventually did arrive; they didn’t have enough faith to actually be there. They instead ran around desperately trying to find their own salvation, rather than trusting in the salvation that was before them. Here’s the thing if there was breaking news Tomorrow that Jesus was coming back. Every single person in this world would be unprepared. On my trip from Winnipeg to Grand Forks, while I certainly wasn’t an Eagle Scout, one of my friends Peter was. Yet the outcome of preparation remained the same. The point of our parable is this every person will look a little bit foolish trying to get their lives back in order. Here’s the thing about Our Parable for Today. The Wise and Foolish Brides are similar in many ways[9]. They all arrive eagerly, all wait, all tire, and all awaken. The only difference has to do with preparation in believing God’s promises that the Groom shall come. They don’t grow desperate no matter how bleak the situation might look driving in the middle of nowhere between Winnipeg and Grand Forks. One last story for this morning told by Leon Stier[10]. Doris grew up in a small-town, not unlike this one. Doris left soon after high school and never looked back. Doris moved out to California and made all sorts of money. Doris’ life was exciting in every way. Doris hadn’t set foot in a church after she had gotten confirmed. Doris eventually ends up becoming a widow then moving back home to care for her aging mother, Helen. Helen’s health is failing to the point where she requires full-time care. It was obvious that Helen was soon going to leave this world behind. Doris decides to bring Helen to church one Sunday out of a sense of obligation[11]. Doris sits through the church service. Doris thought the music was outdated, and the sermon was boring. Doris though couldn’t get one line out of her head during the sermon the Preacher said: “People, spend years obsessing about the retirement which they might or might not get to enjoy, yet these same people seemingly forget about eternity.” Doris realized she had everything she could want in retirement, but yet there was very little outside Jesus to cling to for all eternity. Shortly after this, Doris had a fatal heart attack; she didn’t even outlive her mother. Doris died a wise woman[12]. Doris died at peace for what laid ahead. Doris believed that no matter when the Lord appeared in her life, his goodness, his mercy, and his grace shall indeed endure forever. Here’s the thing about the Lord’s promises. They endure when your lamp runs out of oil in the middle of the night, they endure when you’re shipwrecked in the middle of the Arctic Circle with death staring you in the face, they endure when your health begins to fade and they endure when Eagle Scouts and boy scout drop outs alike drive from Winnipeg to Grand Forks in the middle of winter. Amen [1] Matthew 24:42. [2] Markquart, Ed. “Wise and Foolish Maidens. Sermons from Seattle. Series A. Pentecost 25. Web. Nov.7.2017. [3] Higgins, Scott. “The Arctic Expedition.” Stories for Preaching. Web. Nov.7.2017 taken from Annie Dillard’s Teaching a Stone to Talk published by Harper Collins in 1988. [4] Higgins, Scott. “The Arctic Expedition.” [5] “John Franklin”. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.31.Oct.2017. Web. Nov.7.2017. [6] Higgins, Scott. “The Arctic Expedition.” [7] Matthew 25:12. [8] Lannon, Nick. “Be Prepared to Be Unprepared.” MBird. 10. May.2017. Web. Nov.7.2017. [9] Carey, Greg. “Commentary on Matthew 25:1-13.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 9.Nov.2014. Web. Nov.7.2017. [10] Stier, Leon. “Have You Seen the Light?” Email Meditations. 24.Jan.2017. Web. Nov.7.2017. [11] Stier, Leon. “Have You Seen the Light?” [12] Stier, Leon. “Have You Seen the Light?” First Lesson: Revelation 7: 9-17 Responsive Reading: Psalm 34: 1-10, 22 Second Lesson: 1 John 3: 1-3 Gospel Lesson: Matthew 5: 1-12 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
This morning I want to tell you the story of perhaps the most remarkable woman who has ever lived in this world. She was born in the year 1412 in Northeast France[1]. She was the daughters of farmers. Her parents were quite devout. So as a young girl, she spent all sorts of time around the church where she would hear stories of heroes of the faith: David, Moses, and Joseph[2]. The young girl seemed to be nothing special; she couldn’t even read or write during her life[3]. She seemed destined to either die at the hands of war or if she got lucky perhaps marry a farmer. While she had a deep faith, she didn’t seem to have much else going for her in life. One night though her life would change forever. She had a vision of saints appear before her. The saint’s message was clear “You (Joan of Arc) will lead the French people to victory over England[4].” Such a message would have seemed utterly foolish at the time. Young Joan was born seventy-five years into warfare between the two countries. When the two countries fought, England always won. Seventy-five years into the war the consequences had been devastating for France. England had been seizing villages whenever they wanted including much of Northern France where Joan lived. Joan’s village had previously been burnt to the ground by England. Joan’s vision would seemingly be the equivalent of a 100 LB kid claiming that he could quarterback the Vikings to win the Super Bowl. Joan at first objected to God’s calling: “I am a poor girl. I do not know how to ride or to fight[5].” Joan's vision would not be extinguished. Joan travels to a nearby town seeks out French troops, asks to see the King with a message from God, they laugh at her. Joan kept trying to see the King for four long years. The King upon meeting Joan was stumped that a young woman such as Joan would be dare be a female soldier in the French army versus mighty England. But being desperate like in the story of David versus Goliath, the king was willing to try anything. Something strange happened once Joan joined the Army. Joan quickly emerged as not only a battle leader but also their spiritual leader. The tide of the war began to turn. One year later though, Joan of Arc is captured and eventually executed. The English seemed to believe that without Joan of Arc the French would quickly be defeated[6]. Although Joan’s death instead served as a rallying point for the French troops, England eventually does fall in the 100 Year War. Mark Twain who was a hardened skeptic of Christianity considered Joan of Arc “To be the most remarkable person the human race has ever produced.[7]” Joan of Arc was made into a Saint in the year 1909. Joan of Arc is a national hero in France. If any woman in the history of the world qualifies for sainthood, it would seemingly be Joan of Arc. She seemingly possessed faith against all the odds like few people who have ever lived. Joan’s story brings us to our lesson for Today from Revelation 7[8] as we gather to consider “Who exactly is a Saint?” on this All-Saints Sunday. Questions of who exactly qualifies as a Saint are not new within the history of the church. A few different things were going on when John wrote the Book of Revelation. The first thing was Christians were debating whether God could actually save “Gentile” Christians just like Jewish Christians. Like Joan of Arc, most of the early Christians had recently come out of great ordeals[9]. Many of these ordeals were directly related to their faith. So John like Joan of Arc was given a vision. John intended for this vision to guide his listeners no matter what lied ahead in their existence. John’s vision cast a scene from straight out of heaven. John wishes to paint a picture of what your world will look like once the ordeals presently before you are over. In our lesson for Today John describes gathered around the heavenly throne: “a multitude that is countless.” The Saints that John describes come from every tribe and tongue throughout the Earth. The scene that John describes shows that on the Day of Resurrection who is going to be there will ultimately surprise us all[10]. John’s scene from Revelation reminds us that Saints are not merely the ‘Greats of history” such as Joan of Arc. Saints instead consist of “ordinary” “anonymous” believers. Saints are the single mother who strives to bring their child to worship. Saints are the poor, elderly widow who is the first to give back to the body of Christ. Saints are the homebound members who continually pray for the Church’s ministry. Saints are the recent Divorcee who longs for forgiveness and hope as they grieve the death of their broken relationship. Saints are the teenager who dares come to worship by themselves. Saints are the choir singer who sings way off-key[11]. You see Sainthood is not something that we ultimately achieve. Sainthood instead is the power of resurrection within our lives. In Sainthood, we are reminded that even within history’s greatest saints such as Joan of Arc they have their faults and limitations, yet God’s spirit remains present, and God promises to eventually deliver “his” saints into “his” heavenly presence. Nearly a century ago, an English Solider was dying on the same battlefields during World War I that Joan of Arc had previously struggled on[12]. The Solider gives one dying wish to his friend “Go find my Sunday School Teacher tell him that what he taught me is now helping me to die with faith in Jesus and with peace in my heart.” The friend upon the conclusion of the war carries out the request[13]. He shows up unaccounted at the Sunday School teacher’s house. An aged man then answers the door. The friend then relays the message how because of his old teacher he was able to face death with faith, courage, and peace. The old man began to sob, “You see, I quit teaching Sunday School several years ago because I became convinced that I wasn’t doing any good. I guess I was wrong[14].” As we hear this story, it convinces us that Saints truly are all around us. It is Saints who often go unnoticed who sustain God’s work and ministry within the world. On this day, we celebrate the Saints of Sychar who have left us within the past year. Lloyd Houle- Lloyd’s legacy extends not only throughout Silver Bay but the whole North Shore. Lloyd’s greatest legacy for this community will be his work with Governor Perpich in striving to bring the Veterans Home to Silver Bay. Over Bay Days, next year the Veterans Home will dedicate a “tree” planted outside their grounds in Lloyd’s honor. Lloyd also advocated as commissioner for Cypress Mining to reopen the mine within Silver Bay which serves as such vital lifeblood of our community. Leonard Kytola- Leonard would come to Wednesday evening Bible studies here at Sychar. The thing about Leonard is he was afraid of standing alone in a discussion even against the Pastor. When I was talking with one of his Northwood’s buddies, he said there were certain topics that you wouldn’t bring up with Leonard or else. When I spoke that line at his funeral, his family burst out laughing. Leonard though for his outspoken, occasionally gruff exterior had a really good heart. Leonard would occasionally need rides to medical appointments down in Duluth in his last few years in Silver Bay with North Shore Area Partners. All the volunteer drivers were blown away with how financially generous that Leonard was to the organization in return for ordinary services. When Leonard spent the last months of his life at Saint Anne’s in Duluth, he would be exceedingly grateful for every visit. Darlene Larson-Darlene served on the Altar Guild at Sychar. Darlene was the mother of Mike who serves at Sychar’s janitor. Darlene was the wife of the Veterans Home long-standing comic Ron. Here’s something that you might not know about Darlene. The most noticeable thing when you walked into her house was her collection of angels. Darlene’s kids had no idea how many lay around the house. It was well into the hundreds[15]. So even as the last years of Darlene’s life grew tougher and tougher after being diagnosed with diabetes, Darlene whose sister was a Methodist minister was convinced in the midst of all her pain that someone was looking down upon her. Mary Kentala-Mary was a Bay Area Original growing up on Betzler farm along with Karen Rautio which now serves as the Silver Bay golf course[16]. Mary met the love of her life in Gene when he was stationed out at Finland Air Force Base and she worked out at Peterson’s store out in Finland. Mary served many years alongside Gene as an Air Force wife. Eugene and Mary saw all parts of this world because of Gene’s time in the service. Mary was above all a quiet, caring person who adored her family and was glad to retire back where she grew up. Don Hedin- Don was a disciplined man and a detail man. Don was a former City Clerk in Silver Bay. Sychar’s financial officers over the years would fear Don’s questions like no one else in the congregation. In my dealings with Don, he did out of the philosophy of wanting the church that he was deeply committed to, better off than how he found it. The last two years of Don’s life forced him to move from this community on account of a stroke. In the last years of his life, a new Don emerged. A light-hearted Don would crack up nurses and aides with his sense of humor. Even Glenda was surprised upon finding out about this side of Don. John Holm-John Holm was a railroad man his whole life. John’s dad Sigurd was a section foreman for the Duluth Mesabi and Iron Range Railway. John and his older brother Dale’s first jobs were changing ties and resurfacing track for their Dad. When John was 19, he was put in charge of a crew of 20-30 men who were building a 49-mile railroad between Babbitt and Silver Bay. The task of building this railroad over forest and swamp was not easy. It was vital to so many people within this community’s livelihood. John would spend the next 50 years of his life working for Reserve, Cyprus, and Cleveland Cliffs. John worked as a foreman, roadmaster, track foreman, general foreman, and assistant superintendent. Ending his career as Railroad Superintendent. Bob McCurdy-Bob was a man of few words. One time, Pastor Dierksen was visiting with Bob and Jean. The subject of the conversation turned to salvation. Pastor Dierksen asked Bob “What are you going to say when you get to the Pearly Gates to stand before Saint Peter?” To which Bob being a man of few words looked at Pastor Dierksen and said: “Whatever I’m supposed to say I know Jean will say it for me.” Bob lived to fix stuff whether in his yard, at the school, or in a rental property. The last year of Bob’s life was tough as due to dialysis he had lost the ability to do these things. The promise which lies ahead for the Saints says to us that while your bodies on this day may be weak, soon they will be made strong and whole once again. One went before us to the grave, as those around him cried at his death, yet soon he would enter the presence of God forever. A day will come when we gather in the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ. And it will be on this day; the Lord shall wipe every tear from our eyes and the eyes of all the saints Forever. Amen [1] “Joan of Arc.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 25.Oct.2017. Web. Oct.30.2017. [2] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” Email Mediatations. 11.Sept.2017. Web. Nov.3.2017. [3] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [4] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [5] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [6] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [7] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc.” [8] Revelation 7:9-17. [9] Kiel, Micah. “Revelation 7:9-17 Commentary”. Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 5.Nov.2017. Web. Oct.30.2017. [10] Mathis, Eric. “Revelation 7:9-17 Commentary”. Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 2.Nov.2014. Web. Oct.30.2017. [11] Based on a passage from Zingale, Tim. “Past Present Future.” Sermon Central. 2. Nov.2001. Web. Oct.30.2017. [12] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc and Me.” Email Mediatations. 12.Sept.2017. Web. Oct. 30.2017. [13] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc and Me.” [14] Stier, Leon. “Joan of Arc and Me.” [15] Larson, Judy. “All That I am or ever hope to be.” Darlene Larson Funeral Eulogy. 28.Jan.2017. Web. Nov.4.2017. [16] Information taken from Cavallin Funeral Home Eulogy and sister Karen Rautio. |
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