THANK YOU ... WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Memorial Day. This special weekend is so many things for so many people. It often symbolizes the end of the School Year, the "unofficial" beginning of summer, pools open, and vacation season starts. However, it has a rich varied history of how it came about. It is believed to have started as "Decoration Day '' back in 1869 remembering and celebrating those who lost their lives in service to our Country. The first large observance was held just a year prior at Arlington National Cemetery in 1868. A crowd of approximately 5000 were in attendance. In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (May was chosen because of the beauty of spring). A tradition that many folks are probably not aware of, is at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, Americans are asked to take part in the National Moment of Remembrance, honoring the over 1.3 Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, serving the U.S. I hope you will join me in remembering to honor this tradition...
Many of our families have been affected by the reason for Memorial Day, the sacrifice of a loved one's life for our Country. My grandmother's first husband died in the trenches of WWI. I am sure that most of us know of at least one or more families who have lost a loved one while serving our Country and protecting our freedoms. Let us never forget these folks, their families and their ultimate sacrificial gift to you and I. And let us continue to remember to thank all of those first responders who are still actively serving to protect us. May we not take their service for granted. I personally want to say a huge, heart-felt THANK YOU!! And may God Bless and Protect you!
Making the ultimate sacrifice was something that Jesus knew about and actually did. While talking with his disciples, and using the analogy of the vine and the branches (John 15), Jesus tells us that for our joy to be made complete we must keep His command. "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command (love)." (verses 11-14). Friend, this scripture says it all. And Jesus laid down HIs life for you and me to be able to experience the ultimate, incredible, eternal freedom. So, let us be joyfully grateful and love!
On a personal note, a few thank yous are in order. There are many of our FCC family, who behind the scenes do things to make our family and facility so special and beautiful. This goes from teaching, singing, greeting, checking on folks, making sure our facility is at its best, cleaning, preparing communion, setting up and tearing down after events like potlucks, weddings, and such, power washing the Church, planting flowers, updating the sign, and the list goes on and on. THANK YOU! The fact that so many of our family continue to step up is one of the sweet things that make FCC so special! And a special thank you to all of you who helped me and my family surprise and celebrate Patti on her birthday last week. It was such a fun and special time. Again, thank you.
I hope you will join us Sunday as we continue our study on the fruits of the Spirit. This week we are focusing on one that I personally believe the world needs a lot more of...KINDNESS. If you are taking advantage of the long weekend, please travel safe, and remember to pause and be thankful - and practice Kindness. Most of all, remember...
You ARE Loved!
Lonnie