Help for Those Grieving

In December 2002, Emmanuel held our first service entitled, "Home for Christmas." It was an idea that I got from our previous church and an idea they got from a Christian magazine reporting on the same service held in another church. You see, we all benefit when believers share good ideas with others and don't care who gets the credit. Too many churches act like secret societies and don't want anyone else to discover what they are doing. I will admit that sharing your ideas results in MUCH added work, because soon other churches in your area will be doing what you are doing. So, you will have to continually keep coming up with new and innovative ideas for reaching your community. But remember, imitation is the greatest form of flattery!

Well, I said all of that to say, we borrowed an idea from someone else that has really evolved into something wonderful for our church and our community. Each December, we partner with local funeral homes in our area to offer hope and comfort to those families who are grieving during the holidays. While some are celebrating, others are spending their first Christmas without their loved one being present. For some families, holidays hurt; but we try to remind them that their loved one is celebrating Jesus' birthday in His presence! Wow! What a thought. That really does ease the pain.

During the service, we call the loved ones' names, the funeral directors distribute ornaments, the funeral directors address the families, one of the directors prays over the families, we pass out books with ideas to help them get through the holidays, and I usually preach a sermon focused on heaven and the hope found in Jesus Christ. While it is sad to watch the grieving families line the aisles of our church, it is exciting to watch our folks get up, embrace those grieving, pray with them, share encouraging words, and weep with them. It is a simple reminder that these families are loved, prayed for, and they are not alone.

The icing on the cake is that our efforts serve people across our community -- rich and poor, old and young, white and black. We put our differences aside and come together for the common purpose of helping people (all different types of people) who are hurting. This service is one of the highlights of my year and to top it all off, today four of those family members placed their hope for eternity in Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28 proved itself true again, as God can and did work good from all things.

Again, I offer my thanks and appreciation to Franklin Hines of Hines Funeral Home, Eldridge Norton or Norton Funeral Home, and Wendell Davis of Young & Young Funeral Home. I realize this type of service would not be possible without your involvement. It is an honor to partner with each of you in this community service to our community.