Today we celebrate those in our church who have served our beloved country in one of the branches of the military:

The United States Army,
The United States Navy,
The United States Air Force,
The Marine Corp of the United States,
and
The Coast Guard of the United States.

We are privileged to have veterans within our church family who served in

the Korean War,
the Vietnam War,
and
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We have at least one Grace Church son who is currently serving within the United States Navy—Cha Buffington. There will be a special card in our service this morning that you may sign and send your greetings of appreciation to him for the service he is performing for all of us.
 
Today is a day of remembrance. We set this day aside to honor the service of men and women who have given of themselves, some giving the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Today is a day of Thanksgiving in that we enjoy the benefits of democracy and freedom because millions have fought and shed their blood to preserve it.
 
Gilbert Chesterton wrote, “A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
 
Soldiers fight for their fellow soldiers.
Soldiers fight for their families and loved ones.
Soldiers fight for their principles and values.
Soldiers fight for the patriots who have fought before them.
Soldiers fight for the children that will come after them.
Soldiers fight for others whether they deserve it or not.
 
Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
 
Last Sunday one of our Deacons, Phil Callahan gave a brief description of the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery in Washington D. C. It is a very respectful and dignified event done regularly in front of the tomb on which is inscribed,

While Phil was describing the 21 paces the guards take during the ceremony representing the 21-gun salute given for fallen service men. Phil’s portrayal of the numerous salutes, weapons and uniform inspections, the commands of the officer in charge, reminded me of the other similar ceremonies I have witnessed in Moscow, Russia; Pyongyang, North Korea; and Beijing, China. All are done with similar reverence and respect, but there is a stark difference between what I’ve seen in those places and what happens in our country. None of those soldiers there perished for the cause of FREEDOM. They died for their country. They died for country are FREE to die for something worth dying for.
 
As we worship today, remember your

Today is a very special day because we recognize three of our graduating seniors.
 
Keden Whitehead, grandson of Chuck and Cherri Whitehead graduates from Chestatee High School. Keden has also just completed requirements to receive the Eagle Scout level award from the Boy Scouts of America.
 
Along with Keden, Noah Ferguson graduates, having been home schooled by his wonderful parents Harold and Amy Ferguson. Noah is an active part of our Sunday School and serves as one of our Student leaders who diligently carries forward the work of our Student Ministry.
 
Christie Bruce graduates from North Georgia University with a degree in Accounting.  I know that her husband Chris and son Adam are overjoyed with Christie’s successful completion of her college degree program.

 
We look forward to supporting each one of them as they go forward to pursue future goals and dreams yet to be fulfilled. We pledge our prayers for them. We all commit ourselves to pay attention and recognize how God works in their lives to nurture and guide them to become all He has called them to be. We praise God today for Keden Whitehead, Noah Ferguson and Christie Bruce. May God continue to bless your lives.
 
Two graduates were talking in line before they were to cross the auditorium stage after their names were called to receive their diplomas. The first student wore a yellow cord around his neck to which the next student asked, “You are graduating Suma Cum Lauda?”
 
The graduate stated proudly, “Yes, I am.”
 
The second graduate responded, “That’s great. Congratulations. I’m graduating, Oh Lordy.”
 
I know that’s what my parents said about me. I graduated 4 times and I can hear my dad say, “Oh Lordy, he’s done it again.” My dad liked to call me “The Genius” because of all the schooling I attempted and enjoyed doing.
 
Seriously, graduation is as much a celebration and back-slapping event for the parents as it is for the graduates. Parents have to:

• make sure their students get up and out of bed every morning,
• brush their teeth,
• gobble down some kind of breakfast,
• get them to the bus stop or drive them to the school on time,
• banter them to get their homework done,
• help them study for tests,
• do most of the work on their projects,
• get them to and pick them up from every practice,
• attend every game,
• work in the concession stand,
• complete the fund raising projects,
• make them behave,
• make sure they get enough sleep,
• monitor their internet,
• cellphone conversations,
• and X-Box activities,
• stay up to make sure they make it home safely after they’ve been out with friends—including dates,
• pray for them,
• worry about them,
• defend them,
• discipline them,
• listen to them,
• warn them and even applaud them.

 
I’ve made myself tired trying to remember what all was involved in getting a child to the point of graduation. So, to Chuck and Cherri, Harold and Amy, Chris and Adam this “Oh Lordy” is for you.
 
Congratulations! Getting your loved one to graduation is a monumental achievement which you have accomplished with honor.  We all love you and applaud all you have accomplished in parenting and supporting your graduate.

When I read this description of God’s creation of mother’s, I thought of my mother. Maybe this analysis of the first mother model created by God will bless and refresh your memory as well:
 
By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into the sixth day working overtime. An Angel appeared and said “Why are you spending so much time on this one?”
 
And the Lord answered and said, “Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 moveable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands.”
 
The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one. “Six pairs of hands! No Way!” said the Angel.
 
The Lord replied, “Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!”
 
“And that's on the standard model?” the Angel asked.
 
The Lord nodded in agreement, “Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks the children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of the head are to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word.”
 
The Angel tried to stop the Lord. “This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish.”
 
“But I can't!” The Lord protested, “I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower.”
 
The Angel moved closer and touched the woman, “But you have made her so soft, Lord.”
 
“She is soft,” the Lord agreed, “but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.”
 
“Will she be able to think?” Asked the Angel.
 
The Lord replied, “Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate.”
 
The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. “Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.”
 
“That's not a leak.” the Lord objected. “That's a tear!”
 
“What's the tear for?” asked the Angel.
 
The Lord said, “The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride.”
 
The Angel was impressed. “You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!”
 
The Lord looked at the Angel and smiled and said, “I'm afraid you are wrong again, my friend. I created the woman, but she created the tear!”
 
Source unknown

Good Words from God’s Word
 
Mother’s Day is next Sunday, May 13th. I pray that you are planning something special to tell your mother how much you love her and how you thank God for all that she means to you.
 
Billy Graham said, “A mother’s influence upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. They know and absorb her example and attitudes when it comes to questions of honesty, temperance, kindness and industry.”
 
You might say that much of who we are is provided by the influence of our mothers.
 
I want to ask you to make Grace a part of your Mother’s Day celebration. We are going to emphasize Mother’s Day as “BRING MOM TO SUNDAY SCHOOL” day. If you are not now a regular part of Sunday School, Mother’s Day would be a great day to start. Bring mom along with you. There will be special recognition of all of our mother’s during the Sunday School hour. A special remembrance gift will be provided to every mother present. It will be a great expression of your love and devotion to your mother by taking her to Sunday School.
 
I got this idea the other day by watching Good Morning America. The show recognized a young man who took his mother to his Senior Prom rather than inviting a school friend. This boy’s mother was not able to attend her prom when she was in high school, so her son decided to give her what she missed. He did the whole thing. He bought her a prom dress and a corsage. He rented a limousine and planned dinner at a very nice restaurant. He paid to have her nails and her hair done at a beauty salon. This boy gave his mother the works in appreciation for all she meant to him and for all she had sacrificed for him. Rather than the normal pattern of this mother giving to her son things she never had. For once, the son turned the tables and gave her something she never had.
 
My mom took me and my father to Sunday School along with her every Sunday. In fact, my mom was my Sunday School teacher when I was in elementary school. Mom taught me key verses of scripture and helped me memorize Bible verses that I still quote. Mom led me to faith in Jesus when I was eight years old. Next Sunday, I’m going to bring my mom to Sunday School with me even though she’s in heaven now with Jesus. I have a great picture of her. It’s one of the last pictures taken of her before her death. I’m bringing that picture to Sunday School with me next Sunday Morning and I’m going to set it in the seat next to me in Sunday School.
 
If your mother is in heaven, bring her picture with you to Sunday School. We will have a designated place in the Worship Center to put all the pictures of our mothers who are now with Jesus in heaven. 
 
Next Sunday morning, we will not only have our mothers with us during Sunday School, they will also be there when we worship. Why not honor our mother by bringing her with you to Sunday School to study God’s word and share in worship together on Mother’s Day at Grace next Sunday morning? We could have more mothers at Grace than we have ever had before. That would make this Mother’s Day celebration spectacular.
 
Pastor Mike