My friend Juta and I were riding the other day and the conversation turned to the TV schedule for the College World Series in Omaha. Juta said it reminded her of her dad, and I agreed. We reminisced about our fathers' influence on our love for the game. We are blessed to have those good memories.
In 1909 another lady felt moved to honor her father who had raised six children as a single dad after the death of her mother. She "pitched" the idea to local religious leaders and proposed the first Father's Day. Sonora Smart Dodd sat proudly at the Central Methodist Church in Spokane, Washington as the sermon honored her father and others.
This Father's Day, I hope you have memories to share of a father or father-figure in your life who has taught you to appreciate something and loved you while doing it. It is no accident that this year my daughter is celebrating with her dad at the Atlanta Braves baseball game and I am giving the pastoral prayer at the Methodist church.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Pomp and Circumstance
As graduation nears, I wanted to post what I shared with the FUMC parents, soon-to-be graduates and youth workers at the Senior Dinner on May 27, 2012. This is a special group of young people, both collectively and individually. They each made their mark on this community, their school, the youth group and the entire First Methodist congregation. By living their faith out loud, they let us know they were here. They will continue to do the same in the next Chapter of their life. Congratulations Class of 2012!
Last year about this time, I remember telling the youth and some of you parents, “It won’t be long till graduation.” And it’s here: that awkward time of parents hanging on for one last memory and seniors ready to get it done.
So enjoy tonight, whatever place you find yourself, because the next two weeks will fly by. They will be emotional and y’all may not have a chance to say the things you want to say so hopefully tonight you can.
Traditionally, I use a song that says what I want to say about the senior class much better than I can put into words. I hope I have done that. I will be using a song by Lady Antebellum and the title is “I Was Here.” I invite you to listen to the words. For those of you hard of hearing, I have them printed. Then I will make a few brief comments.
This song was used in the 2008 Olympics because each athlete competes and dreams of that moment and that achievement. Those of you gathered here have dreamed of this time – individually, for your children or for the kids in this youth group. And as great as these milestones are, just as important are the significant moments along the way – you have been making your mark for a long time. Some of you made a mark coming into the world, some of you made a splash in the nursery, some of you starred in plays and musicals, some of you stood together at confirmation. Others have come back into the fold gradually for specific events. Still others have joined the church as new members. Regardless where you appear on the timeline, you took LOL and saw something different. You’ve chosen to live your faith out loud. Many have carved your name in your school through academics, athletics, chorus, drama and ROTC. You’ve taken time to let this community and others know you were here by serving a meal at Potter’s House, playing with children at Camp Sunshine, serving a meal at the Boys and Girls Club – or tutoring and teaching them Spanish. You chose to do something better with your time in the summers beginning with the Mission Trip to Rockford. We left more than a trace in Choctaw. We touched a few hearts in Detroit, including Fran. We did more than just pass through the arch in St. Louis,
And your faith has been noticed by others at Valle Crucis, on Youth Sunday, through prayer texts, out back at Tequila’s, early mornings at McDonald’s for prayer breakfasts, and blogs and twitter feeds that tell the world what FUMC means to you. We have shared joys and sorrows. I will forever remember this class for the way you embraced me during my mother’s death. And as you move forth from this place tonight, as you graduate in a couple of weeks – yes, you’ve achieved a milestone but you are who you are because of your Creator, the people sitting beside of you, the families you represent and a church filled with pride when they think of their youth. So although many things will change for you in the coming months, the one constant is God knows the plans he has for you and I believe there is a reason “plans” is plural. You may take multiple roads to get to a variety of destinations but God and FUMC will work with you. If you don’t take anything else away from tonight, take away that you want to do something that matters and something that says “I was here.” And that goes for all of us here, we all need to do more than pass through this life.
Parents, you don’t need to quit doing, being, serving, praying, witnessing, and coming to church just because your kids are finished.
Seniors, don’t put your faith on the shelf for the next few years. Find ways to stay connected to the one who made you, died for you and rose again for you.
In a moment your parents will wrap a blanket around you carved with the cross and flame. Let this remind you of this evening and our love for you.
Last year about this time, I remember telling the youth and some of you parents, “It won’t be long till graduation.” And it’s here: that awkward time of parents hanging on for one last memory and seniors ready to get it done.
So enjoy tonight, whatever place you find yourself, because the next two weeks will fly by. They will be emotional and y’all may not have a chance to say the things you want to say so hopefully tonight you can.
Traditionally, I use a song that says what I want to say about the senior class much better than I can put into words. I hope I have done that. I will be using a song by Lady Antebellum and the title is “I Was Here.” I invite you to listen to the words. For those of you hard of hearing, I have them printed. Then I will make a few brief comments.
This song was used in the 2008 Olympics because each athlete competes and dreams of that moment and that achievement. Those of you gathered here have dreamed of this time – individually, for your children or for the kids in this youth group. And as great as these milestones are, just as important are the significant moments along the way – you have been making your mark for a long time. Some of you made a mark coming into the world, some of you made a splash in the nursery, some of you starred in plays and musicals, some of you stood together at confirmation. Others have come back into the fold gradually for specific events. Still others have joined the church as new members. Regardless where you appear on the timeline, you took LOL and saw something different. You’ve chosen to live your faith out loud. Many have carved your name in your school through academics, athletics, chorus, drama and ROTC. You’ve taken time to let this community and others know you were here by serving a meal at Potter’s House, playing with children at Camp Sunshine, serving a meal at the Boys and Girls Club – or tutoring and teaching them Spanish. You chose to do something better with your time in the summers beginning with the Mission Trip to Rockford. We left more than a trace in Choctaw. We touched a few hearts in Detroit, including Fran. We did more than just pass through the arch in St. Louis,
And your faith has been noticed by others at Valle Crucis, on Youth Sunday, through prayer texts, out back at Tequila’s, early mornings at McDonald’s for prayer breakfasts, and blogs and twitter feeds that tell the world what FUMC means to you. We have shared joys and sorrows. I will forever remember this class for the way you embraced me during my mother’s death. And as you move forth from this place tonight, as you graduate in a couple of weeks – yes, you’ve achieved a milestone but you are who you are because of your Creator, the people sitting beside of you, the families you represent and a church filled with pride when they think of their youth. So although many things will change for you in the coming months, the one constant is God knows the plans he has for you and I believe there is a reason “plans” is plural. You may take multiple roads to get to a variety of destinations but God and FUMC will work with you. If you don’t take anything else away from tonight, take away that you want to do something that matters and something that says “I was here.” And that goes for all of us here, we all need to do more than pass through this life.
Parents, you don’t need to quit doing, being, serving, praying, witnessing, and coming to church just because your kids are finished.
Seniors, don’t put your faith on the shelf for the next few years. Find ways to stay connected to the one who made you, died for you and rose again for you.
In a moment your parents will wrap a blanket around you carved with the cross and flame. Let this remind you of this evening and our love for you.
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