Erl Purnell Sermon

bEaster 7 ~ May 28, 2006 ~ A sermon preached by The Rev’d Erl G. Purnell at Old St. Andrew’s Church, Bloomfield, CT

Acts 1.15-26; Psalm 68.1-20; 1 John 5.9-15; John 17.11b-19

Flags decorate many of the utility poles in our towns. Parades are scheduled. Fifes and drums are ready. Old uniforms and hats, now too small, find their way out of steamer trunks and the back of closets. Boxes of hamburger, hot dogs and buns await the grille. And Bob Maxon has provided absolutely splendid weather. It’s Memorial Day weekend.

We’ve finally made it. We’re at the gateway to summer. Things are looking lighter and brighter. And the bonus is having Monday off. What to do with that extra day?

For some, actually for many, however, Memorial Day is tough. Filled with pride, on the one hand, it represents bravery and sacrifice; on the other hand, there is loss and sadness that a single day could never contain. Let us pray.

We give thanks for and commend to your care and keeping, O God, all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad, those on active duty, in the Reserves, and National Guard, that they may know your grace, have strength in their trials and temptations, and courage to face the perils of duty with a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be. We also give tribute to those veterans who served with distinction in years past. We honor those still missing, knowing your loving care will always embrace them. We support the thousands who have been wounded—many gravely crippled in body and mind—and whose lives dramatically changed for ever in a single instant. Most especially, we remember those soldiers, sailors, and aviators who have died while preserving our freedoms.

We ask your blessing, O God, not only on these United States but on all nations of the world, their leaders and people; on the President, his Cabinet and advisors, on Governor Rell and all State Governors; on members of the Congress of the United States, State Legislatures, and all local governments and their officials; on Justices of the Supreme Court and on all courts and their Judges; that our leaders may be at peace and unity among themselves and a blessing to this nation and other nations of the world.

We take stock, too, on this holiday weekend of our many blessings. We thank you, gracious God, for the majesty and beauty of this land and our abundant resources. We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong. We thank you for the torch of liberty which has drawn and welcomed people from every nation to our shores. We thank you for all faiths in their rich variety that are free to worship here.

We are not prefect, however. So, help us, O God, when we are arrogant and belligerent so that we might restrain ourselves from injustice and see things in other ways, especially through the eyes of understanding, compassion, and patience, knowing that what may seem right for us is not always right for others; teach us again to lead selflessly for the good of all peoples; strengthen us so we might blot out ignorance and prejudice, abolish poverty and crime, make protecting and preserving the ecosystems of our precious earth a top priority, and educate and provide honest jobs and health care for all people. And God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Blessings & Peace.

Amen.