O God we have gathered in this place of our beginnings and we are surrounded by memories. Most of our memories are good but whether good or bad we know they each shaped us and made us who we are. There are memories up and down this very street from the Super Dog and Walker Stadium out to Lake Murray. There are memories in the various houses we lived in, the churches where we first learned of you and the schools we attended (some of us since the first grade) and in this very room the big screen lit up and we dreamed of other worlds! We remember that spring evening so long ago when we were last all together. We went out of the Civic Auditorium with "Pomp and Circumstance" ringing in our ears and tugging at our hearts. Our emotions were a jumbled mixture of happiness and sorrow, excitement and apprehension. Since that day our life's journeys have taken us many places but today it is good to come home! We pause to remember those who's journeys ended far too soon.....We are thankful that some of them knew the encouragement of fellow class-mates in the days preceding their journey's end. We who are still blessed by this wondrous gift of life say thank you God! You have been our help in ages past; our shelter from the stormy blast. Now we pray that you will be our guard while life shall last and our eternal home!
In your Holy Name we pray...AMEN |