Grief and Hope

 

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here. Unfortunately, the internet at the church was down on Sunday morning. The service was recorded and will be uploaded when possible. This was transfiguration Sunday and Rev. Irwin preached one of his powerful sermons. Come back later in the week and listen, once the technical gremlins are vanquished.

Sorrow and thanksgiving have mingled in the hearts of the congregation this week. We lost one of our own and me miss her, yet we give thanks to God. We mourn the loss of Ruth, and we rejoice that she is free of pain and home with her Lord.

To outsiders, Christians may seem a strange lot in that we encounter death with tears and rejoicing. We grieve, but our grief is tempered with hope. John 14: 1-3: Let not your heart be troubled . . . is one of my favourite passages for times like these. What glorious reassurance for those who mourn. I go to prepare a place for you. The tears shed are for ourselves, missing the physical presence of a loved one. Our rejoicing is for the departed, called home to her Lord.

Ruth was a stalwart member of the congregation. At one time she helped in the Sunday school, she acted as an usher, and she could be counted on to help with the clean-up after any church event. Most recently she helped to prepare and serve the Sunshine Lunch. In fact, when we were able to meet again after the pandemic, it was Ruth who pushed to get that ministry running again. She loved to serve. She also sat on the Mission and Outreach committee. That work held a special place in her heart.

Her obituary mentions that her name means "friend." At SPPC we would add the word, "helper," for she was always glad to lend a hand, whatever the task.

Outside of the congregation, she worked for twenty-five years in the Foster Parent Office in Victoria. Her regular walks around Sidney brought her into contact with friends and strangers. There, too, she offered a friendly smile and a helpful bit of information if it was needed.

Her memorial service was attended by people from many walks of life, a testament to the number of lives she touched.

A gentle soul, Ruth faced her final illness with a brave smile. On Sunday mornings she assured her well-wishers she was "as well as can be expected," offering her friends as much encouragement as she received. When she entered hospital, she made friends with the nurses, and doctors, and the volunteers in the gift shop.

As we surround Ruth's family with our love and sympathy, may we all remember the old song,

In the Sweet By and By we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Assignment from Bible Study, Book of James, Chapter 2: 1-13

"The cross is the ultimate example of mercy triumphing over judgement. How has the mercy you have received there affected the way you interact with others?

Who are some people you avoid? In what ways could you reach out to one such person. Bring these ideas to God and make a commitment about which one you will follow up on.