In the old Augustana Synod, the Swedish branch of American Lutheranism, a death in the congregations was announced: “We are again reminded that here we have no abiding city. It has pleased the Lord in His infinite wisdom to call from our midst N. N.”  “No abiding city” refers to Hebrews 13:14 which calls on us to look forward to the life beyond death.

I become nostalgic sometimes. Many people who were part of my life now rest from their labors. The house where my family lived for four generations was torn down, our church  converted into a private residence, and now my old seminary has sold its building.

Some of the younger pastors become angry when we old fogies recall the church of the 1950s and 60s. My memories of those long-past days are of a more stable time in American church life. It gave me a sense of stability. Like it or not, you whippersnappers, that past is what the present was built on.

However, the real foundation of the church is not the past, but Jesus Christ. As John Mason Neale wrote:  
    Christ is made the sure foundation,
    Christ, our head and cornerstone.

As comforting as the past may be fore some of us, it is the future in Christ that gives us real security and certainty. So I pray the wonderful prayer from Compline that God would be present

     so that we who are wearied by the changes and
    chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read Ephesians 2:19-22 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne