A Weekend Of Remembering

 

Bill Sachs, 2nd from right, first row, West Pointe Military Band

This past weekend was a time of reflection, with a Celebration of Life service on Saturday for a person who befriended us when Al and I were new to the church; celebrating Pentecost on Sunday; and finally on Monday, Memorial Day, honoring those who died in the service of our country.

There were several pastors at the service honoring Cliff Bath, our friend, including the two that officiated. The others were there out of respect for him and his many years of service in the military, in their churches and in the community.

 One of the pastors present shared that Cliff had been his Sunday School teacher! After Cliff’s young Bible student had grown up, was ordained and had begun preaching, Cliff and his wife were among the members of his congregation.

In the first pew, across the aisle from Cliff’s family sat several generations of another family, one that the Baths helped sponsor and support when they left Cambodia and came to America. Cliff and his wife opened their hearts to the Cambodian refugees, welcoming them as they adjusted to a whole new way of life.

The service was beautiful and inspiring, centering around the life of this 96-year-old man, which was described as a “heartfelt” life. It was evident that his legacy of faith, commitment and service to God would be continuing long after his departure.

After a rainstorm that Saturday, the weather on Sunday was beautiful. We returned to church, this time for a service that included a precursor to Memorial Day with a special prayer and hymn, and then a message on the Holy Spirit, appropriate for Pentecost Sunday.

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus promised His disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit to fill and empower them to be His witnesses, sharing the good news of Jesus with people, “beginning in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8b NIV)

On the day of Pentecost, a Jewish celebration of the harvest, Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims who had come from all parts of the world. Jesus’ followers had gathered together in Jerusalem. when the Holy Spirit was poured out on His followers, just as Jesus had promised.

The house was filled with the sound of a violent windstorm, and tongues of fire came to rest upon each person present. They were empowered with the ability to speak in different languages, and amazingly, the crowd outside who had quickly gathered to see what was happening, heard and understood the gospel message as it was preached in their own native tongues. How could that be?

Accused of being drunk, Peter stood up and addressed them, telling them about Jesus—His ministry, his crucifixion and resurrection, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. When they asked what they should do, Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NIV)

Pentecost marked the beginning of the spreading of the gospel worldwide, from Jerusalem and beyond. Not only was the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the first century believers, He is still bringing transformation, renewal and the promise of eternal life to all who follow Jesus.

Then, Monday, we had an early barbecue with Grandson Elliot and neighbor Jim.  At 3:00, Al, Elliot and I stopped for a moment of remembrance for those who have passed away in the service of our country. Elliot’s grandfather on his dad’s side was drafted during the Viet Nam war and after completing basic training, played in the West Pointe Army Band.

Many of his comrades fought in Vietnam, some of whom never returned home. According to Elliot’s dad, “Literally, his saxophone saved his life.” Things might have turned out much differently otherwise.

What a weekend of remembering, honoring and celebrating… Cliff Bath, those who have died serving their country and the gift of the Holy Spirit!

 

 ^“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’  By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39 NIV