Closing Remarks
One of the EFG’s annual traditions was to spend time visiting and celebrating Miss Astrid Peterson’s birthday. Since I returned to FCBC, I was fortunate to attend two of these events. I can only imagine that there were many of these birthday parties that everyone has lost count. Jimmy would make sure there’s plenty of good food. Ken and Emelene would fuss over the details. James would make us follow his hand attentively as we sing “The More We Get Together, The Happier We Are.” His brother, David, the more serious one, would lead us in singing your signature hymn, “Living for Jesus.” Karen would come late and with her magnetic personality, would steal the show. And Nancy would be snapping away to make sure that everyone who’s important was in a picture. For Nancy, that means everyone.
But then like all good parties, there would be a moment of seriousness, a time of reflection and prayer. Everyone would turn to Miss Peterson who even in her frail and senior years remain alert and caring for each person as she had been doing for so many years as your advisor. With a memory that was as clear as a young person, she would ask about each of your family members. One time, after she read the church newsletter, she was giving me advice about how I should be promoting mission education. I was duly impressed!
At Miss Peterson’s birthdays, she would take out this little candle which I believed she bought in Jerusalem and light it with her trembling hands. All of us were sitting at the edge of our seats hoping that she wouldn’t burn herself. She would share the same devotion as she had for many years.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the
lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let
your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
40 years of being together is a long time. You have made a significant difference in our church, in your community, with your family, and in the world. For 40 years, you have seen how Miss Peterson kept the faith, lit her little candle and in some divine way, the candle light has shown brightly in our lives. Through your lives, you have lit up the lives of many others of which, they are very blessed. I know that you have selected the service project to install brass letters and characters of our church name on the front of the church. These shiny bronze letters will continue to symbolize how your lives have lightened up the world.
For tonight in order to commemorate the 40th anniversary, we each will light our own candle. I would like you to take this little candle home and perhaps on your birthday, as you gather your own family together, that you, like how Miss Peterson taught us, light this candle just for a moment. You see, when we are faithful to God, know him in our lives, and do his work in this world, we are truly like a light, not hid in a basket, but shining brightly for the whole world to see.
Light candles.
Benediction
Go into the darkened world and be a light to the nations.
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God look upon you with love and give you peace. Amen.