Today is the Celebration of New Life service for Sue.  For those of you who do not know Sue, refer to my previous posts "What is my purpose?" and "Where is your hope?".  Sue died last week but the family wanted to wait until everyone could get here.  That is why this service is so late.  But that is beside the point.  The point I want to make this morning is two fold.  First, I want to clue you in on the title of the service today.  At Salem Lutheran Church we no longer call a service like this a funeral; rather we call it a Celebration of New Life.  This new title is very appropriate considered that New Life is exactly what Jesus gives us through his death and resurrection.  That is why Sue’s family can gather today with hope; hope that they will see Sue again.  And that hope is yours as well.  You too will get a chance to meet Sue someday.

The second point is actually a request.  Please keep Sue’s family in your prayers.  Even though this is a time to celebrate the New Life that was given to Sue and is given to us all, there will still be tears and hard times.  But with the prayers of many people around them hopefully they will feel the love and support that comes with prayer.  Prayer does make a difference.  People can feel it when you pray.  So remember Sue’s only son and her three grandsons and three great-grandchildren.  Remember the promise we have through the cross.  Remember that you too are loved.  Celebrate today the New Life another child of God is experiencing.  Praise be to God and Amen!