Winter has not yet challenge us. But today a gentle snow is falling, lightly covering the ground. hiding the grass and covering the cars, not enough to snow blow, but enough to be pretty.

On this date (Jan 28) in 1977 in Western New York State it was a different story. The great blizzard of 1977 hit locking down that part of the state for several days. I was in Rochester going to Divinity School and it was not as bad there as it was in Buffalo and Batavia but still it was a challenge.

For years afterwards people would tell their stories of being trapped at work or having to seek shelter in the homes of strangers.

It was a defining moment for many.

Storms like that don’t hit often but when they do they leave a legacy.

Have you ever stop to think about your legacy, What will others think and say about you? Have you been a help or a storm?

This day,
We ask for blessings on all those who have served their country in the armed forces.
We ask for healing for the veterans who have been wounded, in body and soul, in conflicts around the globe.
We pray especially for the young men and women, in the thousands, who are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan with injured bodies and traumatized spirits.

Be with those vet who find themselves homeless, jobless, hopeless and helpless,
Bring solace to them all, O Lord; may we pray for them when they cannot pray.

We ask for, an end to wars and the dawning of a new era of peace,
As a way to honor all the veterans of past wars.

Have mercy on all our veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and from operations whose names have not made it into the public eye.

Bring peace to their hearts and peace to the regions they fought in.

Bless all the veterans and soldiers this day,
May their calling to service continue in their lives in many positive ways.

Give us all the creative vision to see a world which, grown weary with fighting,
Moves to affirming the life of every human being and so moves beyond war.

Hear our prayer, God of Peace, hear our prayer.
Amen.

March 28, 2010:  Palm Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday Service at 7:30 p.m. at Christian Temple

(We will be joining with First Congregational and St. John’s UCC for a combined service. There will be a fellowship potluck at First Congregational at 6:00 p.m. Combined choir will rehearse at 6:45 p.m.)

Good Friday Cross Walk begins at noon at First Lutheran Church

Holy Saturday Bible Study at 10 a.m. at Eat and Park

Easter Sunday; Sunrise Service at Lakeview Park at 7:00 a.m.

Breakfast at Christian Temple at 8:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m. El Faro Spanish Service

7:30 p.m. Christian Temple Service: Lessons Carols, and Candles

Bill Cundiff

535 West Seventh St.

Claremount, CA 91711

Lorain, Ohio

God of grace and God of Glory, Hear our prayers as we gather on this Veteran’s Day.

For centuries the willing have plunged to answer the call, to maintain freedom around the world.

For centuries, the tip of the spear has been made up of man and woman who were willing to defend the ideals and liberties represented by a piece of cloth and a plot of land.

We pause now to honor them, O God, those who have fought in every corner of the globe, in cities, deserts, farmlands seeing awful things and enduring awful things.

Braver men and women have never been found.

Bless now O’ Lord:

Those who have served

Those who are serving

Those who have been discharged and seek civilian life in a downturned economy.

Those who have been wounded in body and spirit because of their service.

Those Vet who are homeless and feel helpless.

Families who have stood by watched and waited, Making unnumbered sacrifices themselves.

Allow this day your particular blessing to fall upon those who have been touched by the tragedy at Fort Hood, A senseless act of frustration, violence, and madness.

As we pray for them we pray also for all who have been the task of care over our veterans, the mental health workers, the chaplains, and medical personal, the workers of the VA and our veterans’ organizations.

We pray for our leaders that they might be people of peace and that they might be mindful of the needs of our veterans.

Hear our prayers this day for our veterans and all who presently serve, May they know although we are at times slow to say it , a grateful nation appreciates their service and their sacrifice.

Bless now all who have worn the uniform and all who wear the uniform.  In the name of the God of peace, we pray. Amen

Rev. Dr. Brad Donahue

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