I had an experience this past week that had me on the verge of tears the whole time…and very humbled.  Sandy and I joined with some of the most amazing people and families in our city—Gold Star families—to help honor the lives, memories and sacrifices of their loved ones. One of those amazing families is in our own Mosaic Fellowship.

These Gold Star families are parents, siblings and other close relatives whose loved ones gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in battle over the past 13 years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.  It has, by far, been the longest war in American history.

So Saturday night at the Armed Forces Torchlight Lilac Parade downtown, we each carried a banner with a large picture of a service man or woman who died in action along with their name, birth and death date and city and state of origin.  These hundreds of family members and volunteers stretched almost a city block as we marched six-abreast through downtown Spokane.

Just to be standing next to these dear families who have given so much was humbling.  But to march the entire length of the parade seeing the thousands of viewers stand to their feet, some saluting, some whipping tears from their eyes, almost all clapping in support and recognition of these amazing families and their sacrifices, kept me blinking back tears the whole time.   

So as we come to Memorial Day Weekend, take time to thank God…and the family members of any servicemen or women you know who died in battle…for the sacrifice of so many great heroes.  These are the true heroes of our nation, people who have given their lives and loved ones so that we can live in a nation of such amazing freedom and opportunity.   

In a way, every Sunday for God’s people is Memorial Sunday.  Every week we’re celebrating the heroic sacrifice of the only self-sacrificing God of the universe.  Every Lord’s Supper reminds us of the truth that our righteous God gave his own life while we were still in sin, still ignorant and still rebellious.  Our God is THE sacrificial Hero of divine proportions.  May we never lose that sense of wonder, gratitude and humility that comes by being around someone who has made such a sacrifice.  Every day can be a grateful Memorial Day for those of us who have Jesus Christ as our brother, friend, Savior, Lord and God. 

Upcoming Items of Importance

• Crockpots for Pioneer Pathways Residents: We’re looking for a total of about 40 crockpots for the Pioneer Pathway residents so we can join together, cook some great recipes together and enjoy conversation over a few meals.  If you have one you’re not using at home, find one at a garage sale or just want to get a new one to donate, please bring them to church and help our neighbors discover the joy of crockpot cooking.
• Moving Saturday, May 30^th @ 9:00 a.m. Join us at Mosaic for a “move-out morning” as we vacate the storage closets and ground floor side room in preparation for the remodeling work that will begin June 1.  Many hands make lite work.  We’ll even supply the donuts and coffee!
• All-Church Picnic Honoring our Graduates, June 7, 1:00p.m. @ Manito Park. We’ve reserved the main covered picnic area (north end) from 1-4 so we can enjoy some great food, fun games and honor our departing high school and university graduates.  Bring your favorite dish, lawn chairs and games, and come enjoy the beauty of Manito and the blessing of hearing from our graduates. 
• Register for the Mosaic Silverwood Theme Park Day, Friday, June 26^th by going on-line at our website (mosaicspokane.com) or getting your tickets on Sundays at the Info booth. Regularly $47 for a day pass, we have a group price of $32!  For an additional $9.99 you can add a full dinner buffet while $2.99 gets you all-day fountain drinks.  Grab a friend and come have some screaming-good fun in the sun and water park surf.