Dear Friends in Christ,

Our days are “numbered.” In my 40 years of being a pastor, I have officiated at over 500 funerals of persons ranging in age from a few hours to 107 years – or as the deceased’s 84-year-old daughter said at her mother’s funeral: “107 – and a half – years!”

We never know “the length” of our days. But, of living, a fictional death-row character, prison guard, Paul Edgecomb, played by Tom Hanks in the 1999 movie, “The Green Mile,” said: “Everyone owes life one death.”

This debt is sobering at best. But living with it need not be! Especially for those who harbor a faith’s trust upon hearing Jesus say to his followers, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (for) “in my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places,” (and in) “a little while, you will no longer see me, but then, again, a little while later, you will see me.” (John 14:1 & 16:16)

Now, how about you and your faith’s trust? How do you experience living in the face of our common human destiny – or, as Tom Hank’s character puts it, our “debt.”

Whatever your experience and your answer, on this upcoming Sunday, All Saints and All Souls’ Sunday, we’ll be “eating and drinking” while remembering those who’ve paid their “debt” – including Jesus and Paul who each had something to say about life and living in the face of dying and death.

I hope to see you worshipping this Sunday,
Pastor Ed