After our gracious dinner hosts went home, the 19 of us gathered in Grace's sanctuary for worship. Mark and Gail Ritchey got us started with guitar and singing. Gail Haverdill presented a cross that husband Tom cut from a live oak log cut from a tree in the Liberty home front yard. The cross reads "hope" and has our signatures front and back -- it will have permanent home at EACC. Gail Ritchey and Carol David read from Isaiah 40 and Matthew's story of the disciples being called from their nets to join Jesus. Our group homily for the evening was the story of the first Pentecost from Acts 2 when the disciples were bewildered by how they could understand in ways they never understood before. How could that be? It could be only because the Holy Spirit was at work. We shared with each other, with both laughter and tears, what it is we now "understand" that we did not before we left Cleveland and Indianapolis.
There were as many different understandings as there were people speaking. It was Pentecost all over again, I do believe. One that I will share came from Gail Haverdill who said she now understands "mission" -- that mission is not "mission accomplished" but "mission continues."
Isn't that the message of the gospel? The mission of those early disciples was not accomplished, but it continues through us.
And, so, because we are Disciples, we broke bread at the Table, standing in a circle and serving each other from whole-wheat sandwich bread slices and grape juice in a Grace chalice. Russ Goldner used as meditation -- when did we see you, Jesus? -- and wife Bonnie and our new Indy friend, Jerry Stuff, prayed for the bread and the cup.
To close, and already the tears are welling up again as I write -- we opened your beautiful letters and each person read one or more to the group. Thank you, dear Leslie, for making sure we felt this love and received this special attention. As we read, we described who you were to the men from GCC who do not know you, but now know your prayers. We also each received a forever gift made by Mahala Huff -- a beautiful bookmark with a flower from Huff's garden. What better benediction than receiving your love from this distance.
Today, we are working a half-day and then hitting the road. We came down somewhat "in convoy" but we are returning in all sorts of ways and according to some different time schedule needs. Many of us will see you on Sunday morning. If we could all fit in the pulpit, we'd certainly all have a message to deliver.
We are forever changed. We will be so glad to see you.
Pastor Kris
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