First Lesson: Jeremiah 23: 1-6 Responsive Reading: Psalm 46 Second Lesson: Colossians 1: 10-20 Gospel Lesson: Luke 23: 33-43 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Last Sunday, I was in Minneapolis watching the Vikings play the Denver Broncos. The game starts, and the first half is a disaster for the home team. The Vikings leave the field behind 20-0 to a loud chorus of boos from nearly everyone gathered. I check Facebook at halftime, a friend of mine posts how the Vikings need to fire the coach. I was sitting in my seat, regretting taking a Sunday off. The game appeared to be an inevitable defeat for the Vikings; only the game was not over. The second half of the game would see everything change for the Minnesota Vikings: touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, and finally victory. Ninety-nine straight times, teams such as the Vikings losing by twenty points at halftime had lost [1]. The 100th time was going to be different. Last Sunday’s game reminds us how too often we’re convinced that we know the ending of God’s script only to be proven wrong in the end. The failure of human instinct brings me to a well-known story. Nelson Mandela was born to a prominent South African tribal family in 1918[2]. Mandela eventually becomes a lawyer. Despite Mandela’s success, his homeland’s white-majority government adopted a system of persecution known as “apartheid.” against Native Africans like Nelson Mandela. Mandela becomes an outspoken leader of resistance. Mandela is arrested in 1962 and sentenced to life in prison. While in prison all sorts of terrible things happened to Nelson Mandela: his mother died and he couldn’t attend the funeral, his son got in a car wreck, and he was unable to visit[3] . Mandela’s main interaction with the outside world was suffering abuse at the hands of the prison guards. Nelson Mandela’s life appeared to be over. Soon even carrying pictures of Mandela became a crime in South Africa[4]. It seemed that Nelson Mandela would never see the light of day again like thousands of political prisoners before him. Despite all this, Nelson Mandela clung to a belief that the past would not define the future[5]. Eventually, a new South African President F.W. Declerk sets out to reform the country with one of his first acts being releasing Nelson Mandela after twenty-seven years. Three years after being released from prison, Nelson Mandela was awarded a Noble Peace Prize. Four years later, Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa, helping to heal a long-broken nation[6]. Yet as dramatic as Nelson Mandela’s life turned around, even going to one’s grave doesn’t guarantee anything. Once upon a time, there was a struggling artist named Vince[7]. Vince struggled in life in every way imaginable. As a teen, he fell in love with a young lady, she married someone else. Vince soon gets a job for an art dealer, ends up getting fired for his lack of social skills[8]. Vince would spend his adult life continually moving around, feeling like he never fit in anywhere or with anyone. He would seemingly lose jobs and love at every potential opportunity. His mental health was so tortured that he eventually ends up institutionalized. Vince would lose his life to suicide at the age of 37. His only accomplishment of any note was selling some artwork to little fanfare. When Vince died people probably mocked him with every nasty name in the books: bum, loser, deadbeat[9]. Shortly after his death, Vince’s artwork began to be noticed. Fifteen years after his death, he was considered a superstar within the world of art. One hundred years after his death, one of his portraits sold for 82.5 million dollars[10]. Vincent Van Gogh went to his own grave, seemingly to be forgotten like millions of others before him. It was in Vincent Van Gogh’s death that his place in this world would forever be altered. My beloved Minnesota Vikings, Nelson Mandela, and Vincent Van Gogh lead us into our Gospel lesson for Today, which comes to us from the 23rd Chapter of Luke’s Gospel[11]. The tale our Gospel lesson tells is the tale of the most unlikely of kings, a King that seemed to have less hope than Nelson Mandela, A King who, like Vincent Van Gogh would seemingly be forgotten after his death. A King who was born in a stable among animals, who grew up in the smallest of towns, little old Nazareth in the middle of nowhere[12]. Whereas most kings, spend their lives comfortably living in castles[13]. This King had now been sentenced to death by the seemingly unbeatable Roman Empire. What’s happening to this so-called King within our lesson[14]? V.35: “but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself,” V.36: “soldiers also mocked him.” V.38: The King was considered a joke and a fool by onlookers as a sign was hung next to him declaring: "This is the King of the Jews." Now the King’s last moments on Earth would be spent weak from beatings, clothes stripped from his body, listening to a debate between two ordinary criminals. There could be no more humiliating end for a King then listening to a debate between a Traitor and a Thief[15]. The Traitor joins in the mocking of the King by declaring. “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us![16]” Nothing good could seem to come out of this situation for the King: the odds were way longer than 99 losses in a row. Whereas the South Africans had feared Nelson Mandela’s popularity, this King had been abandoned by even his closest of followers[17]. Unlike Vincent Van Gogh, there were no prized possessions that could make his descendants rich in this world after this King’s death. What makes this King left to die worthy of our praise? Consider the Thief who hung alongside him. I picture a petty thief who lived a long life of crime. The type of guy in our day who passed bad checks, stole property standing in the open yards, and was on a first name basis with local police officers. Upon hearing the Traitor’s mockery of this King. The Thief dares to speak up. “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation[18]?” Said the Theif to the Traitor. “For we are receiving the due reward of our deeds[19].” The Thief knew his sins; he knew they were numerous; he knew the Traitor hanging alongside him was just as guilty. He knew the King sentenced to death alongside them was different. And “this man has done nothing wrong[20]., the Theif would say. The Thief was at life’s most desperate place, the death penalty with no possibility of pardon, so the Thief turned into the direction of the King. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[21]” How did the King respond to the Thief? Many kings would have sentenced this Thief to death. This King was different, giving the most powerful of promises to this common thief. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.[22]” The last man who cries out to the King for grace and mercy would be the scripture's first Death Row conversion. How might the presence of this King work in lives such as ours? Let me close with one final story. The year was 1974. Billy Neal Moore was a 22-year-old army specialist who after separating from his wife was struggling to pay the bills[23]. He went around trying to find charity, but no one could help. Billy then heard about a rich man living in the area. One night, Billy starting drinking and smoking marijuana, when he decided to rob the man. The robbery went bad, and the man pulled a shotgun on Billy, Billy fired back killing the man. He ran off with $5000. Billy soon became overwhelmed with guilt over his sin[24]. Billy quickly confessed but was still going to be sentenced to die just like the Traitor, the Theif, and the King within our lesson. Billy’s execution date is set. Shortly before his death, a preacher comes to visit. The preacher says that while a Judge could sentence Billy to death, a King could give Billy eternal life. Billy and the Preacher began to pray. Billy would be baptized the next day[25]. Billy then, like Nelson Mandela, received life-changing news. His lawyer had forgotten to tell him that all death penalty cases have the right to appeal. Billy now had extra time on Earth[26]. So, Billy after encountering the King, began to take classes to become an ordained minister to reach his fellow prisoners. Billy’s death sentenced was postponed thirteen times over sixteen years until he was finally scheduled to die, yet again [27]. A last-minute verdict came down though: Billy’s sentence was reduced to life in prison. Why was Billy saved, because his victim’s family argued in his defense. They, too, had previously encountered a different kind of King in their lives[28]. Billy’s new ministry would lead to the outside traveling the whole world (churches, colleges, and other prisons) preaching the Gospel of the King, who had forever changed his life[29]. Billy’s life is now ruled by a different kind of King, A King who doesn’t rule by power, but by grace, mercy, and forgiveness. A King who brought victory out of inevitable defeat. A King who embraces those like Nelson Mandela at the very lowest moments of their life. A King who like Vincent Van Gogh doesn’t forget about us at our graves. A King who will give prisoners like Billy Neal Moore, eternal life out of what seems to be certain death. This is the story of our King Jesus Christ. Amen [1] This tidbit was shared in numerous post-game news stories. [2] “Nelson Mandela.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 20.Nov.2019. Web. Nov.21.2019. [3] Hamlin, Rick. “How Nelson Mandela Found Hope.” Guideposts. 13.July.2018. Web. Nov.21.2019. [4] Nelson Mandela.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation [5] Hamlin, Rick. “How Nelson Mandela Found Hope.” Guideposts. [6] Nelson Mandela.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. [7] Ruyssenaars, Bas. “Vincent Van Gogh: A Brillant Failure.” Insistute of Brillant Failures. Web. Nov.21.2019. [8] Nix, Elizabeth. “7 Things You May Not Know About Vincent Van Gogh.” History Channel. 8.July.2015. Updated. August.22.2018. Web. Nov.21.2019. [9] This example is given to compare to the mockery that Jesus faces within our Gospel lesson for Today. [10] Ruyssenaars, Bas. “Vincent Van Gogh: A Brillant Failure.” Insistute of Brillant Failures. [11] Luke 23:33-43 [12] McLarty, Phillip. “Humble Savior, Exalted Lord.” Sermon Writer. 2013. Web. Nov.21.2019. [13] Gerhardy, Vince. “Safe at the End.” Sermon Writer. 2001. Web. Nov.21.2019. [14] Powery, Emerson. “Commentary on Luke 23:33-43.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 24.Nov.2019. Web. Nov.21.2019. [15] Powery, Emerson. “Commentary on Luke 23:33-43.” Working Preacher. [16] Luke 23:39. [17] Matthew 26:56, Mark 14:50. [18] Luke 23:40 [19] Luke 23:41 [20] Luke 23:41 [21] Luke 23:42 [22] Luke 23:43. [23] Stier, Leon. “Death Row Conversion.” Email Mediatations. 25. Feb.2016. Web. Nov.21.2019. Stier’s article is based on Shelia M. Poole’s March 30th, 2013 news story in the Atlanta-Journal Consistution with additional notes from the Christian Broadcast Network website. [24] Stier, Leon. “Death Row Conversion.” Email Mediatations. [25] Stier, Leon. “Death Row Conversion.” Email Mediatations. [26] Stier, Leon. “Death Row Conversion.” Email Mediatations. [27] Stier, Leon. “Death Row Conversion.” Email Mediatations. [28] Stier, Leon. “Death Row Conversion.” Email Mediatations. [29] Stier, Leon. “Death Row Conversion.” Email Mediatations. First Lesson: Haggai 1: 15b- 2:9 Responsive Reading: Psalm 98 Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17 Gospel Lesson: Luke 20: 27-38 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Let me begin with a few questions which anyone can shout out the answer if they have guesses[1]
What these questions indicate is that human beings can be quite good at fooling others. It can certainly be this way when it comes to religion. When I was in high school, my grandma had a boyfriend named Irv. Irv wasn’t a regular church-goer. Irv’s reasons for not attending were people in the church according to him, didn’t know anything. He said most of them couldn’t tell you whether the Book of Hezekiah is in the Old Testament or the New Testament. I was convinced that I knew the right answer. I loudly proclaimed The Book of Hezekiah was in the Old Testament[7]. I had fallen victim to Irv’s trick question. Hezekiah is a king within the Book of Isaiah. A good and faithful king, but he was not a prophet for whom the majority of Old Testament books are named. Now twenty plus years after falling victim to Irv’s trick question. I’ve come to realize that Jesus is smarter in the presence of any religious trick questions than I’ll ever be. My evidence of this is our Gospel lesson for today. Let me set the stage. A group of Sadducees approaches Jesus with a question. To understand the question, here’s a little bit about the Sadducees. The Sadducees were one of the primary religious groups within Jesus’ day. What made the Sadducees' unique was their belief that there is no such thing as the Resurrection of the Dead. You’re dead, and then your body merely decomposes within the ground. The Sadducees derived their belief from the First Five Books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy[8]. These books alone were the Sadducees Bible, so if these books didn’t say it then the Sadducces didn’t believe it. So the Sadducees like my Grandma’s boyfriend Irv put their heads together and come up with a seemingly brilliant trick question for Jesus to try to answer. Let me re-read their question from Our gospel: “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. 30 The second 31 and then the third married her, and in the same way, the seven (brothers) died, leaving no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven (brothers) were married to her[9]?” Now the practice they cite is what’s known as Levirate Marriage. Within Levirate Marriage, when a woman became a widow, she would marry her husband’s brother next. This type of marriage is a concept that arises in the earliest days of the nation of Israel[10]. Women having children was a matter of not only economic survival but benefitted the nation’s military survival. So Levirate Marriage as strange a concept as it might seem to us was a long-standing social welfare program within Ancient Israel. Woman who were not married, tended to have limited means to earn an income to support themselves. So with this in mind, The Sadducees think they have Jesus trapped by getting him to admit that either Resurrection of the Dead is foolish because of things like Levirate Marriage or Jesus doesn’t go by the First Five Books of the Old Testament. The Sadducees figure that once they trap Jesus than every one gathered for Holy Week will turn on him. How does Jesus respond to the Sadducees? Simply, by telling them, they got their understanding of what the afterlife will be like all wrong. Jesus declares: “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage[11].” Jesus’ response to the Sadducees is they don’t understand the nature of the afterlife. How it cannot be compared to our relationships within the here and now. Now, as Christian people, when we think about relationships within the afterlife. For many of us, the first image that pops up is people like Frank and Shirley Moschet, couples that are happily married for years and years where one spouse longs to reunite with the other spouse after both their deaths. Yet human relationships for many of us are more complicated than this. Let me tell you the story about a couple that I’ll call Curt and Julie[12]. Curt and Julie had been fighting for months and months. They had both began to gather facts for their upcoming divorce case. When Curt and Julie were together, the situations would quickly blow-up into screaming matches. One day, Curt got a phone call saying Julie had been in a terrible accident. Julie’s life was hanging in the balance. Now let me ask you this, what would Curt and Julie’s relationship as husband and wife be to each other within the afterlife? Now let me pose a second scenario: Nathan lost who appeared to be the love of his life, Louise, unexpectedly at a young age. A few years go by, Nathan meets another woman named Kim. Kim had been previously divorced . Nathan and Kim then find many years of happiness together until Nathan’s death. Now let me ask you this: “To whom is Nathan married to within the afterlife his first wife Louise or his second partner, Kim?” Now let me lay out a third scenario for you. Scott was a good man. He was gainfully employed and a churchgoer. Scott had a few girlfriends when he was young. These girlfriends would go on to marry other people. Pretty soon, Scott was the only one of his friends not to be married. Scott would then never marry. Scott’s years on Earth were marked with loneliness. Scott then dies. Now let me ask you this: “Does Scott remain forever alone within the Afterlife?” After considering each of these scenarios, which probably describe people you know, perhaps what Jesus is getting at within our lesson for Today begins to make sense. Resurrection Life will not be like life in this world. Our relationships in heaven cannot be compared to our relationships Today. We cannot exactly say what our various relationships might look like within the Resurrection. What we can say is that the brokenness and sin which divides us as people shall be no more, as we’re gathered into the arms of our savior. Our Lutheran Book of Worship within their Marriage ceremony has couples pledge commitment to each other until the moment that death parts them[13]. What happens beyond death, this was a question that the Sadducees thought could trick Jesus on. What Jesus points out to the Sadducees is Resurrection life is beyond what we can imagine within this world. What might this exactly look like, is not something that I can say for sure whether one is single, happily married, unhappily married, divorced, widowed, or remarried. I believe that all martial statuses are included in Paul’s powerful promise from Romans 8: “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.[14]” The point of our lesson is this. Our Savior’s promises of eternal life given to people throughout the course of their often imperfect lives are more powerful than any trick questions about marriages that even the seemingly most clever can throw at us. Amen [1] Hoezee, Scott. “Luke 20:27-38.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. Calvin Seminary. Grand Rapids, MI. 31.Oct.2016. Web. Oct.30.2019. [2] Zhang, Allen. “What are some examples of trick questions and answers?” Quora. 15.June.2019. Web. Oct.30.2019. [3] Editor. “114 Trick Questions with Answers [Funny Mind Trick Questions].” Icebreaker Ideas. 17. Apr.2019. Web. Oct.30.2019. [4] Editor. “114 Trick Questions with Answers [Funny Mind Trick Questions].” Icebreaker Ideas. [5] Editor. “114 Trick Questions with Answers [Funny Mind Trick Questions].” Icebreaker Ideas. [6] Zhang, Allen. “What are some examples of trick questions and answers?” Quora. [7] “Hezekiah.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 29.Oct.2019. Web. Oct.30.2019. [8] Lose, David. “Commentary on Luke 20:27-38.” Working Preacher. [9] Luke 20:29-33. [10] Deuternomy 25:5-10. [11] Luke 20:34-35. [12] Zingale, Tim. “Life After Death.” Sermon Central. 5.Nov.2001. Web. Oct.30.2019. [13] LBW pg.203. [14] Romans 8:39. First Lesson: Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18 Responsive Reading: Psalm 149 Second Lesson: Ephesians 1: 11-23 Gospel Lesson: Luke 6: 20-31 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. .. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”-Revelation 2:10. Let me begin with a story. About five years ago, Shirley Moschet from our congregation was in the hospital down in Duluth. Frank (her husband) wanted to be in the hospital room with Shirley. I was encouraged to drive Frank down. Frank, I believe was 96 going on 97 at the time. Frank reluctantly agrees to the ride. Now, Frank must not have cared for driving very much. By the time I turned off on Superior Street, Frank turns to me saying: “Next time, I can drive myself.” Frank being a social butterfly, even was able to find a different ride home. Anyone who spent time with Frank knew that he had a stubborn side to him. Last year, I visited with Frank for a newspaper article. I had been blown away that at 101, Frank was still driving himself to church. Frank then admitted to me that on a nice day, he would drive up to his land on the Sonju Road. But I was not to tell his boys or else he’d be in trouble. The problem was anyone who knew his boys would call as soon as they saw Frank drive out of town. Frank was going to see to it that he made his own decisions about when to drive and where to live as long as possible. Frank would die at home just hours before turning “102” years old. Today we gather as a congregation for All Saints Sunday to remember those who have left our presence over the past year. We remember like Frank how Saints come in every type imaginable. Roy Borges would appear to be Frank’s opposite in every way. Roy was sentenced to 45 years in prison for violating Florida’s three-strike law[1]. Roy’s rap sheet is long: theft, assault, drug possession, burglary, illegal carrying of firearms, and robbery with a deadly weapon[2]. Roy had been in and out of prison numerous times before receiving his forty-five-year sentence. Something happened though as Roy descended towards rock bottom. Roy heard another prisoner talking about Jesus. Roy decided that he was going to attend a chapel service on Christmas Eve in 1989[3]. This service would be the beginning of Roy’s testimony. Roy would spend his days in prison reading everything that he could about his new ‘faith”. Roy begins a writing career for the prison newspaper, which eventually leads to Roy publishing two books about his faith found in prison. Roy now spends his days between reading, writing, working in the prison kitchen, and sharing with his fellow inmates the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Roy’s greatest comfort was found in believing that God looked at him with a different set of eyes whereas nearly everyone else in the world merely sees him as a “convict”, our Lord declares Roy to be a “forgiven sinner” one of his “saints” [4]” Frank, Roy,and our Gospel lesson remind us that Saints come in all forms. Saints are stubborn, they are poor, they weep, they hunger, and they might even end up in Jail[5]. Saints come in the form of rowdy middle school boys, they come in the form of an underemployed worker, and they come in the form of all sorts of failed Christians. Saints are those who, like Roy Borges manage to somehow find God during those times of their lives when their circumstances seem devoid of all religious hope. Saints are those who God claims in Baptism to carry out the work of his Gospel upon the Earth[6]. Earlier this summer, I was tasked with eulogizing my grandmother. What story best describes what it was like to know her? Some years back, Grandma was living in senior housing. She noticed that she had ants in the kitchen. She doesn’t reach for the Raid; she instead figures that the Ants are hungry. So she proceeds to make a feast for these ants involving all the potato chips and sugar that she had lying around the apartment. My Dad and I eventually show up; it’s like she was running an ant farm in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter where I go or what I do; I will never see more ants in my life. Grandma reacts to the apartment being overtaken by ants as the absolute funniest thing in the world. But here’s what I can say for certain about Grandma. When I was in Confirmation, I would have skipped class when the opportunity presented itself. Grandma though was always going to see that I left her house and was at Trinity Lutheran at 3:15 P.M. on Wednesday. Despite her numerous quirks, I am convinced that I’m not standing here today without her constant encouragement in the faith. As we reflect on the faith which brings us here this morning, we are reminded that the most influential saints in our lives aren’t super heroes of the Christian faith like Peter, Paul, Matthew, and John but rather people like my grandmother who have never been afraid of a few kitchen ants roaming[7]. So as we gather on this day, we remember the Saints of Sychar who have left us in this last year. Those who our savior declared on Easter Sunday that their tombs should not be permanently occupied, rather they are merely awaiting the Reunion of the Saints that is to come on the last day. Red Nordin: My most vivid memory of Red comes from two winters back. The weather turned nasty on Saturday night. Nearly a foot of snow fell on the ground; the wind was whipping, drifts were happening all over town. I got calls from congregational members with snowplows, saying the weather was too treacherous for them to make it to services. It was the first church service in my life that I believe that no one was going to show up. Red, though, shows up right on time for Choir practice. Even as he struggled walking down the sidewalk. Sixty eighty years ago, Red met the love of his life Pat at the Soo Hotel in Moose Lake. Something immediately struck Pat about Red. Red was always calm, no matter the prognosis of this life. This was tested for Red many times over the years. The great hope that Red drew from his Christian faith that no matter which obstacle life throws our way, Red believed that his savior would never abandon even as Cancer broke down his body. Dorothy Ives: We will forever remember Dorothy for her sense of style and social grace. This was on display within the area for many years as she ran the Dot Clothing shop. At Sychar, Dorothy took great pride in the social room of the Church because of all the events that it hosted throughout the years[8]. Dorothy’s longest-lasting legacy at the church will be her quilting here at Sychar. Dorothy was a mentor to other quilters. Dorothy’s quilts hang on the walls of our social room and during the upcoming Advent season her Cradle to the Cross design will hang in our sanctuary. Irene Schlatter: When Irene was in good health, she’d rarely not be in church. Irene had previously been active on the Board of Fellowship and Board of Worship. Irene’s arthritis made it tough for her to get here on Sunday mornings. So I would spend lots of time visiting with Mel and her down on Burk over the last few years of her life. Irene and Mel were married sixty-eight years. Irene and Mel had a unique relationship. Mel said they got along so well because they were both perfectionists for how things should look. What made their relationship so unique as an outsider is they would constantly playfully tease each other with both having huge smiles on their faces. Frank Antilla: Frank and his wife Berdie are the last two charter members of this congregation. Frank will be remembered for his many passions in life. Frank’s first passion was for his country. You could never find Frank without his World War II veteran hat, having served this country in the Europe and losing his hearing in one ear in the process. Frank was passionate about photography; he was a passionate athlete competing in five Grandma’s marathons and six Birkebeiners. Frank was passionate about his family, even running a gift shop with his wife Berdie for many years. Frank was passionate about his faith. The first time I went to visit Frank, he shocked me when he pulled out a Book of Sermons that he had collected over the years. Whenever a preacher had said something that struck Frank, he would go home and write it in the book to reference later. Jim Northagen: We will remember Jim for his numerous years serving the community working as a police officer for Beaver Bay, Lake County, and finally Silver Bay, along with helping multiple people with carpentry projects serving as a mentor to other builders within our community. Ron Larson: I’ll forever remember Ron for his sense of humor. A visit with Ron would be one joke after another of various degrees of appropriateness. Ron leaves this world behind with one of the greatest legacy that a Saint can have in seeking to continually bring a smile to the face of others. Julie Marquardt: Julie was a long-time cook at the Café, where she worked alongside Sychar member Deb Johnson. What impressed Deb most of all about Julie was that her house was always an open the door to friends and family. My greatest memory of Julie was her devotion as a caregiver to her husband, Gordy. Julie did everything she could to the point of physical exhaustion to keep Gordy home as long as possible. When Gordy was down at the Veterans Home, she’d go down three times a day to help keep him company. Peg Johnson: Peg loved to visit, and I can still hear Peg’s distinct laugh. I could never forget Peg’s laugh. Whenever Peg was at church, working in the kitchen. I couldn’t help but be amazed at the intensity in which she worked. But Peg’s most significant legacy is how nearly every conversation that she had with those around her would circle back to how grateful that she was to have her daughter-in-law Wendy in the family and how proud she was of her son John and grandchildren: Craig, Kelsie, and Amanda. Frank Moschet: My last visit with Frank took place about a week before he died. Frank’s mind was still amazing recalling details about the church’s architecture plans drawn up by Armstrong/Slicthing out of Minneapolis. Frank gave back to the worship life of the congregation in many ways from the baptismal banner bought by him and Ardelle Orvik after their daughters deaths. “I have called you by name. You are mine.”-Isaiah 43:1 Frank’s contributions went beyond this banner. Frank looked forward to trying to set up a Christmas tree with Fred Mismash every year at Sychar[9]. The one thing that you never wanted to argue with Frank about was how the sanctuary should be decorated for Christmas. In his last months, Frank would still get on me about not holding the communion cup emphatically enough for his liking. After hearing Frank out, I would give him communion to which he always had tears in his eyes as he awaited the Reunion of the Saints that is to come with his beloved Shirley. Doreen Larson: What I will forever remember about Doreen is her sense of selflessness. Every year, Mission Circle would have a Christmas party. Doreen would always see to it that my meal was always paid. I remember one year, telling Doreen that she didn’t have to do that. Doreen looked at me before declaring: “I’m sorry, I can’t give you more.” I was embarrassed, but this was just Doreen’s nature. Whenever I would go see Doreen at the Two Harbors nursing home, the conversation never centered on her various ailments, the conversation always centered around Doreen asking about others from her grandchildren’s sporting events to the Mission Circle ladies, to Reynold and Margaret, or anyone else whom she was thinking about on that day. Doreen, like others, could also be set in her ways, but God still used her in numerous ways throughout our congregation (Wedding planner, Mission Circle) and community such as the community closet dispersing medical supplies to those in need. Doreen reminds us how people of whom we heard the Saints of Sychar come indeed in all forms: tall, short, young, old, model citizens, rebellious, responsible, irresponsible, forgiven, redeemed, inheritors of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Amen [1] Stier, Leon. “Mutts.” Email Mediatations. 15.Oct.2019. Web. Oct.29.2019. [2] “Roy A Borges-029381” Flordia DOC Felony Records. Found on hireexfelon.com. Web. Oct.29.2019. [3] Stier, Leon. “Mutts.” Email Mediatations. [4] Stier, Leon. “Mutts.” Email Mediatations. [5] Luke 6:20-31. [6] Ephesians 2:18-20. [7] Stier, Leon. “Believing in the Communion of Saints (a).” Email Mediatations. 20.Sept.2015. Web. Oct.29.2019. [8] Graham, Joan Claire. Sychar Remembers 60 Years. Graham Megyeri Books. Albert Lea, MN. 2013. Print. Pg.29. [9] Graham, Joan Claire. Sychar Remembers 60 Years. Graham Megyeri Books. Page 50. |
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