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The Mid-Week Message is an On-Line Ministry
Of Pastor Dick Hurd and the “Caton Church”
A Global Methodist Community of Faith May 20. 2026
“Decoration day” Do you remember that term? Do you remember what it meant? Parades and speeches and flags waving in the early summer breeze. Rows of geraniums adorning the final resting places of loved ones, in particular those who died serving their country. I will visit the little country cemetery near my home sometime this week and there will be flowers, and flags will be placed by those markers of our service members. But it will be a quiet lonely place, because many of those who once remembered, will be among those now interred there.
Generations come and generations go and many once cherished by family and friends are known only by names and dates chiseled in granite. It is of course a place of peace, but it is also a sad place, a place of finality. It is a place where history has come to rest and one day our places here will be a part ofthat history. You know I will never leave you in these messages without hope. We know by faith that death is not the end for those who place their trust in Christ. The grave was not the end for Jesus and because of Him it is not the end for us either. So, when you go to visit and remember, when you go to decorate your loved ones final resting place, remember that final is no longer final. Even though your body might join them in this quiet place, your soul will join them in an eternal place a place called heaven, a place called home! We will arrive there to receive wonderful greetings from those who have preceded us. “And maybe, just maybe—in the back behind the crowds, the one who would rather die than live without you will remove his pierced hands from his heavenly robe and applaud.” From Max Lucado “The applause of heaven”
So I encourage you to go and find those places that are sacred for you and remember and give thanks for those lives that gave you life and love. And while you are there look around and remember some of those whose loved one can no longer come, and give thanks for them as well. And remember there is no need to say goodbye, just proclaim in faith “I will see you in the new Jerusalem!”
Yours in the love of Christ
Pastor Dick
Breath Prayer: May we ever look forward to that new morning with you! Amen
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