Welcoming All, Empowered by Christ, Sent Forth to Serve

June 24, 2018 message: “Long Enough?”

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Vicki Corona said that in 1989 when she was writing about dancing and people often quote her when they talk about living life to the fullest, but that sounds pretty trite when we’re grieving. What can young (and not so young) children tech us about God’s desire for using every day we’ve been give to find meaning and purpose – and leave a legacy?

We opened worship with “Childlike Faith.” Pastor Mary’s last message in the series is based on Mark 10:13-16, 2 Corinthians 4: 16-5:1, and Psalm 90: 12. To read it, click here. Links to other resources used in Pastor Mary’s message are shown below.

Print version of Gabe Valentine’s eulogy

Audio version of Gabe Valentine’s eulogy used in worship (read by Ivan and Luka Ivanov)

 

Gabe’s vision of heaven

Charles Krauthammer’s letter

“Held” as sung by Natalie Grant

Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling

Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It’s unfair

This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow
The wise hands open slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow

This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held

If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held

Songwriters: Christa Nichole Wells
Held lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Mike Curb Music