Today we will have a memorial service for Barbara Bates. We can’t stream it live but it will appear on YouTube thanks to a neighbor of Dave Sorber, Barbara’s long term partner. Yesterday a crew of us put Fellowship Hall into pretty good shape, cleaned out the kitchen for the caterer, and arranged the tables and chairs for the repast.
How do you sum up the life of someone – anyone? Barbara was one of four children of a former pastor. She cared deeply about the church, animals, and people. But, even more, she cared in the way that Jesus taught us to pray. Do not be like the Pharisees and hypocrites who make sure everyone sees them praying, but go in secret to God.
That’s the kind of person Barbara was. She gave so much to so many people but never made a show of it. She was funny – and she loved holidays. On the communion table in the sanctuary is a collection of the head decorations she wore. She understood that an important aspect of God’s love for us was to give us joy. And she did precisely that.
Prayer for the Day
Looking for life in the people we’ve loved, O God,
You come to us and embrace us in grief;
In the rising of the sun and its going down,
We remember the people we have loved.
No one is forgotten in your sight, O Lord,
For in your race you bring their memory to us for solace.
In the name of the One who shared grace with us,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Out of life comes death, and out of death, life. Out of the young, the old, and out of the young, the old; out of waking, sleep, and out of sleep, waking. The stream of creation and dissolution never stops.
- Heraclitus, Greek philosopher (5th century BCE)
She whom we love and lose is no longer where she was before. She is now wherever we are.
- St. John Chrysostom, early Christian theologian (347-407)
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the world,
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn us back to dust, and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”
For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past.
Like a watch in the night.-- Psalm 90: 1-2