Greetings Siblings in Christ,
We are now fully into the summer season. I hope all has been well so far. I have already heard about so many fun adventures. Unfortunately, my adventures have not been as fun. I write this letter to you from my hometown of Edinburg, IL. I have spent the last several days at the hospital with my family. For those who may not know, my grandmother, Janet Stender, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on June 2, 2024. It is now with a heavy heart that I announce that she passed away and entered the Church Triumphant on June 18, 2024, at 2:49pm. This day was honestly one of the hardest of my life. My mother had summoned me to the hospital at 3:00 am that morning. My mother knew that my grandmother's time here on earth was nearly through. As I entered the room, I was at a loss for words. I did not know what to say, and I did not know how much time she had left. My grandmother had not been responsive for several days. I had a similar experience when I first was told the news of her declining health. Five days earlier on June 13th, the healthcare team informed us that they believed my grandmother had less than 72 hours. This moment was also a time that I was at a loss for words, and again my grandmother was non-responsive. At that time, I was still at my house in Pennsylvania. However, later on in the night, my grandmother almost miraculously opened her eyes and began to speak. I was on FaceTime with my family for hours. However, phones then started to die, and it was time to say my goodbye. I did not know at that time if I was going to see or hear my grandmother again. I was again at a loss for words. So, I simply said “I love you grandma.” Then, five days later here I was still saying goodbye. So, I sat down next to my grandmother and started to sing. There was a song that I had been singing to myself the last few days in my grief. The song was “Give Me Jesus” (ELW 770).
1 In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.
Refrain: Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.
You may have all the rest, give me Jesus.
2 Dark midnight was my cry, dark midnight was my cry,
dark midnight was my cry, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
3 Just about the break of day, just about the break of day,
just about the break of day, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
4 Oh, when I come to die, oh, when I come to die,
oh, when I come to die, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
5 And when I want to sing, and when I want to sing,
and when I want to sing, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
Sometimes there are moments when there are no words to be said. However, God gives us the words and gives us the Word, Jesus Christ. So, in these moments, when we have no words, God reminds us of the gift of Jesus Christ and the promise that was made known in his death and resurrection. This is the promise of everlasting life. A life where God’s presence is made known in every aspect of our life. A life where God is present in the morning, the dark of the night, the break of day, in death, and even in song. This is our God, and in our grief and sorrow we can continue on knowing that God is with us in the gift of Jesus Christ! Let this be a comfort to us in all circumstances, and may we carry on making Jesus, the Word, known. So, let us lift our voices and receive the Word for God has indeed given us Jesus. Amen.
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
We are now fully into the summer season. I hope all has been well so far. I have already heard about so many fun adventures. Unfortunately, my adventures have not been as fun. I write this letter to you from my hometown of Edinburg, IL. I have spent the last several days at the hospital with my family. For those who may not know, my grandmother, Janet Stender, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on June 2, 2024. It is now with a heavy heart that I announce that she passed away and entered the Church Triumphant on June 18, 2024, at 2:49pm. This day was honestly one of the hardest of my life. My mother had summoned me to the hospital at 3:00 am that morning. My mother knew that my grandmother's time here on earth was nearly through. As I entered the room, I was at a loss for words. I did not know what to say, and I did not know how much time she had left. My grandmother had not been responsive for several days. I had a similar experience when I first was told the news of her declining health. Five days earlier on June 13th, the healthcare team informed us that they believed my grandmother had less than 72 hours. This moment was also a time that I was at a loss for words, and again my grandmother was non-responsive. At that time, I was still at my house in Pennsylvania. However, later on in the night, my grandmother almost miraculously opened her eyes and began to speak. I was on FaceTime with my family for hours. However, phones then started to die, and it was time to say my goodbye. I did not know at that time if I was going to see or hear my grandmother again. I was again at a loss for words. So, I simply said “I love you grandma.” Then, five days later here I was still saying goodbye. So, I sat down next to my grandmother and started to sing. There was a song that I had been singing to myself the last few days in my grief. The song was “Give Me Jesus” (ELW 770).
1 In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.
Refrain: Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.
You may have all the rest, give me Jesus.
2 Dark midnight was my cry, dark midnight was my cry,
dark midnight was my cry, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
3 Just about the break of day, just about the break of day,
just about the break of day, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
4 Oh, when I come to die, oh, when I come to die,
oh, when I come to die, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
5 And when I want to sing, and when I want to sing,
and when I want to sing, give me Jesus. [Refrain]
Sometimes there are moments when there are no words to be said. However, God gives us the words and gives us the Word, Jesus Christ. So, in these moments, when we have no words, God reminds us of the gift of Jesus Christ and the promise that was made known in his death and resurrection. This is the promise of everlasting life. A life where God’s presence is made known in every aspect of our life. A life where God is present in the morning, the dark of the night, the break of day, in death, and even in song. This is our God, and in our grief and sorrow we can continue on knowing that God is with us in the gift of Jesus Christ! Let this be a comfort to us in all circumstances, and may we carry on making Jesus, the Word, known. So, let us lift our voices and receive the Word for God has indeed given us Jesus. Amen.
Peace and Blessings, Pastor Ethan Doan
