Leaving a mark

This afternoon I have a grave side service for Mary Tourtellotte. Mary grew up in our congregation and she and her husband Cyril were married here. They always kept in touch even though they went away to school and eventually settled in Walpole, Massachusetts. At our 200th Anniversary service I got a chance to talk with them. They shared what an influence this church had on them in their formative years. The carried the love and acceptance they received here with them wherever God led them.

A number of years ago I talked about this aspect of our church life when it seemed that some of our good families had moved away. It bears saying again. God calls us to remain faithful and to worship and serve him every day. Sometimes he sends people our way so we can share God's love and encourage them for the next step in their journey.

I readily think of the Eisan family, the Jones family, the Rogoffs, and Joanne and Gabriel Paulsen. We were blessed when they were here. They gave us so much. But we gave them something too. We need to remember that church is not all about us. Sometimes we think that we better hear a good sermon or the choir better sing my type of music or else it isn't worth going. The truth is it is never about us and its always about us. God wants to bless us and sometimes he does that by using us to bless others. When we smile and accept the children in our church family, it assures them that God loves them. It leaves its mark on them. When we embrace a new family and welcome them into the church. We affirm God's call in their lives.

I think we forget this. As I conduct the funeral today, I will be sharing how the love of our church family 80 years ago shaped a woman's life. Now that is a powerful testimony. Thanks be to God it is still happening here today as we worship and serve God at FBC.

Cal