Reflections From Sunday Evening

Thirteen names. Thirteen names that represent a person, a life, a variety of experiences, family, friends, faith, hope, dreams, pain, joy, peace, tears, laughter.

Thirteen names. Thirteen names of people who lived and died. Thirteen names of people who stood before Platte Woods UMC at one time and said yes to Jesus Christ.

Thirteen people who professed faith. Thirteen people who sang in the choir, shared in a Sunday School Class, taught young people, fixed meals, gave to the needs of others, volunteered in the office. Thirteen names.

Today we named thirteen people -- members of our church -- who have passed on to glory in the last year. Today we remembered thirteen people. They were husbands and wives. They were all someone's child. They were children of God.

We read their names -- people across the congregation stood in remembrance and honor of them -- we rang a bell -- we gave thanks.

Today we remembered the lives of thirteen people who have gone before us and showed the way of life and faith. We gave thanks for the lives lived.

It was a meaningful day for me. I felt a great appreciation for people today. Their faith made me feel good. It was a good day. I hope you had a good day too.