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"A Pause to Remember" (or What the heck is an Ebenezer?)

Remembering is holy and sacred work. Christian faith is rooted in remembering God's story as it has unfolded through history. Pastor Rick Blunt of Okemos Community Church explores 1 Samuel 7 where the Samuel erects a stone so that generations will remember what God has done.

Rick draws a parallel between Samuel's action and our tradition of marking graves of loved ones with stones--a reminder for generations. This Memorial Weekend in the United States, the usual parades and prayers in cemeteries are not happening, but we can still pause to remember and give thanks.

Think about these and consider commenting with a reply... What parts and symbols of worship especially resonate with your soul and help you remember Jesus? Things like: candles, choir anthem, unison prayer, Lord's Prayer, silent prayer, pastoral prayer, scripture reading, sermon/message, communion, baptism, connection with fellow worshippers, offertory music, handbell music, children's choir, children's message, visuals on the altar, cross, architecture of sanctuary...

Name a time in your life when you know for sure that God rescued you or showed you simple kindnesses. Who are you remembering with thanksgiving this Memorial Day weekend? Did anyone in your family die while in active service?

Music to accompany the message "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by Eclipse, a men's sextet, acapella 4:21 minutes https://bit.ly/ComeThouFountEclipse --or--
"Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by the Atlanta Masters Chorale with the Morehouse College Glee Club with pipe organ. Large ensemble. 5:10 minutes https://bit.ly/ComeThouFountAtlantaMorehouse  --or--
"Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing with Above All Else" by Shane and Shane. Worship band with strings, drums, piano, guitar, soloist, and ensemble. 5:58 minutes https://bit.ly/ComeThouShaneShane

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" classic arrangement by Peter J. Wilhousky, Mormon Tabernacle Choir with Orchestra 5:03 minutes https://bit.ly/BattleHymnTabernacle

For information about how to respond to the floods in the Midland area, go to https://bit.ly/MidlandFloodResponseUMCOR

For information about the greater Lansing Prayer-demic for unity in the face of rising racialized hatred, on Monday, May 25 at noon, go to https://bit.ly/PrayerdemicLansingMI

For more information about Okemos Community Church, go to www.OkemosOCC.org.

To access the most recent e-newsletter from Okemos Community Church, click here.

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Sermon Link:  https://youtu.be/ctJtxgFzbDw

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