Embracing Grace: Navigating Loss and Celebrating Legacy

 

Summary

Reflecting on the grace of God, we begin by acknowledging our deep need for His mercy and forgiveness. This practice, though repetitive, serves as a powerful reminder of the grace that welcomes us despite our shortcomings. We confess our sins, knowing that through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and embraced as children of God. This sets the tone for our gathering, as we greet one another with peace and gratitude.

In the season of Epiphany, we are reminded that God did not remain distant but entered into our world through Jesus Christ. This series, "God of the Valley," explores how God meets us in our darkest moments, particularly through the lens of Psalm 23. This well-known psalm offers comfort and assurance, depicting God as a shepherd who provides, protects, and guides us through life's valleys. It also illustrates the hospitality and protection extended to us, even in the presence of our enemies.

Grief, often associated with death, is a response to any form of loss. Whether it's the loss of a loved one, a job, or a significant life change, loss disorients us. Rituals can provide stability and reorientation during these times. We explore four types of rituals: continuation, transition, affirmation, and reconciliation. These rituals help us navigate loss by connecting us to a larger story, marking significant changes, affirming legacies, and reconciling relationships.

Psalm 23 embodies these rituals, offering a framework for understanding God's constant presence and care. It reassures us that even in the darkest valleys, God is with us, guiding and comforting us. The psalm affirms God's unwavering support and love, despite our imperfections. It also highlights the reconciliation we have through Christ, who intercedes for us and prepares a place for us in His presence.

Today, we celebrate Sherry Van Dyne's retirement, recognizing her 35 years of faithful service. Her life exemplifies the grace and love of Christ, pointing us to something greater and eternal. As we honor her, we are reminded of the continuation of God's work through His people. We express gratitude for her legacy and the impact she has had on our community.

As we conclude, we are led in worship by Sherry's family, celebrating the generational faithfulness and the eternal tapestry God is weaving through us. We are encouraged to remain faithful, leaving a legacy for those who follow. Through Christ's grace, we share in eternal life, and we go forth in peace, grateful for the love and grace that sustains us.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Grace: Recognizing our need for God's grace is essential. Despite our failures, God's grace welcomes and forgives us, reminding us of our identity as His children. This grace is not just a one-time event but a continual invitation to live in His love and forgiveness. [00:00]

2. Navigating Loss with Rituals: Loss is disorienting, but rituals can provide stability and reorientation. Whether through continuation, transition, affirmation, or reconciliation, these practices help us connect to a larger story and find healing in the midst of grief. [49:30]

3. Psalm 23's Timeless Comfort: Psalm 23 offers profound comfort by depicting God as a shepherd who provides, protects, and guides us. It reassures us of His presence in our darkest moments and affirms His unwavering love and support. [45:49]

4. Celebrating Faithful Service: Honoring those who have served faithfully, like Sherry Van Dyne, reminds us of the impact of a life lived for Christ. Her legacy points us to the eternal work of God and encourages us to continue His mission with gratitude and love. [01:07:15]

5. Generational Faithfulness: The celebration of Sherry's retirement and the involvement of her family in worship highlights the importance of generational faithfulness. We are part of a larger tapestry, and our faithfulness today impacts future generations. [01:10:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Acknowledging Our Need for Grace
- [02:00] - Prayer of Confession
- [03:30] - Greeting One Another
- [04:30] - Celebrating Sherry Van Dyne
- [06:00] - Introduction to Epiphany
- [07:30] - God of the Valley Series
- [09:00] - Exploring Psalm 23
- [11:00] - Understanding Grief and Loss
- [13:00] - The Role of Rituals
- [15:00] - Rituals of Continuation
- [17:00] - Rituals of Transition
- [19:00] - Rituals of Affirmation
- [21:00] - Rituals of Reconciliation
- [23:00] - Conclusion and Benediction

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 23:1-6

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Observation Questions:

1. How does Psalm 23 describe God's role in our lives, particularly in times of difficulty? ([45:49])
2. What are the two scenes depicted in Psalm 23, and how do they illustrate God's care and protection? ([45:49])
3. What types of rituals were discussed in the sermon, and how do they help us navigate loss? ([49:30])
4. How was Sherry Van Dyne's service and retirement celebrated in the sermon, and what does it signify about generational faithfulness? ([01:07:15])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does Psalm 23 provide comfort and assurance during times of grief and loss? ([45:49])
2. How do the rituals of continuation, transition, affirmation, and reconciliation help individuals process grief and loss? ([49:30])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of recognizing and celebrating faithful service within the church community? ([01:07:15])
4. How does the concept of generational faithfulness, as highlighted in the sermon, impact the way we view our role in the church and community? ([01:10:17])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace despite your shortcomings. How did that experience shape your understanding of His love and forgiveness? ([49:30])
2. Identify a personal loss you have experienced. What rituals or practices could help you find stability and healing in that situation? ([49:30])
3. How can you incorporate the lessons from Psalm 23 into your daily life, especially when facing challenges or uncertainties? ([45:49])
4. In what ways can you honor and celebrate the faithful service of others in your community, similar to how Sherry Van Dyne was honored? ([01:07:15])
5. Consider the legacy you are leaving for future generations. What steps can you take to ensure that your faithfulness impacts those who come after you? ([01:10:17])
6. How can you actively participate in the continuation of God's work in your community, even as seasons and roles change? ([01:07:15])
7. Think of a person in your life who has exemplified Christ's grace and love. How can you express your gratitude and appreciation for their influence? ([01:10:17])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Continual Grace
Recognizing our need for God's grace is essential. Despite our failures, God's grace welcomes and forgives us, reminding us of our identity as His children. This grace is not just a one-time event but a continual invitation to live in His love and forgiveness. As we gather, we are reminded of the peace and gratitude that comes from being embraced by God's grace. This understanding sets the tone for our interactions with others, encouraging us to extend the same grace we have received. [00:00]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt unworthy of grace. How can you remind yourself today that God's grace is a continual invitation to live in His love and forgiveness?


Day 2: Rituals as Anchors in Loss
Loss is disorienting, but rituals can provide stability and reorientation. Whether through continuation, transition, affirmation, or reconciliation, these practices help us connect to a larger story and find healing in the midst of grief. By engaging in these rituals, we acknowledge our losses and allow ourselves to process them in a healthy way. They serve as anchors, helping us navigate the turbulent waters of change and loss, and ultimately leading us to a place of healing and hope. [49:30]

Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: Identify a personal loss you are currently experiencing. What specific ritual can you incorporate into your life this week to help you process this loss and find stability?


Day 3: The Shepherd's Comfort in Psalm 23
Psalm 23 offers profound comfort by depicting God as a shepherd who provides, protects, and guides us. It reassures us of His presence in our darkest moments and affirms His unwavering love and support. This psalm serves as a reminder that we are never alone, even in the valleys of life. God's guidance and protection are constant, offering us peace and assurance as we journey through life's challenges. [45:49]

Isaiah 40:11 (ESV): "He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young."

Reflection: Reflect on a current challenge or "valley" you are facing. How can you lean on God's guidance and protection as your shepherd in this situation?


Day 4: Honoring Faithful Service
Honoring those who have served faithfully, like Sherry Van Dyne, reminds us of the impact of a life lived for Christ. Her legacy points us to the eternal work of God and encourages us to continue His mission with gratitude and love. Celebrating such service inspires us to reflect on our own contributions and the legacy we are building. It challenges us to live with purpose and dedication, knowing that our efforts have eternal significance. [01:07:15]

Hebrews 6:10 (ESV): "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do."

Reflection: Consider someone in your life who has served faithfully in their walk with Christ. How can you honor and express gratitude for their impact on your life this week?


Day 5: Weaving a Tapestry of Generational Faithfulness
The celebration of Sherry's retirement and the involvement of her family in worship highlights the importance of generational faithfulness. We are part of a larger tapestry, and our faithfulness today impacts future generations. This perspective encourages us to live intentionally, knowing that our actions and faith can influence those who come after us. It is a call to invest in the spiritual growth of others, ensuring that the legacy of faith continues to flourish. [01:10:17]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Reflection: Think about the legacy of faith you are building. What is one specific way you can invest in the spiritual growth of someone in the next generation this week?

Quotes

Good morning. We've been in the practice for over a year now of starting our worship services with just a time of recognizing our deep need for God's grace. And it's one of those things that we kind of come from a tradition that's not wildly liturgical. And so some of these elements that we've put into our service, it's like, okay, we're doing the same thing every week, every week. But there's a lot of power in it. And I want to continue to persist in it. Because what we're doing is simply reminding ourselves, because we're quite forgetful, that every single time we gather together, it's because of the grace of Jesus that has gone before us and also brings us in behind. [00:17:28]

So let's take a few moments this week reflecting on how good the grace of God is that welcomes us in despite the fact that we do fall short and that we have sinned. And that even this week we've disobeyed God's commands, either intentionally or unintentionally. And yet God still welcomes us in and embraces us and loves us as sons and daughters of the living God because of our need for him. So let's take a few moments to reflect on our need for grace and then we'll pray a prayer of confession together. [00:18:10]

By the shed blood of Jesus Christ and the perfect testimony of God's word, 1 John 1 .9 says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us. So, we are a forgiven people. Let's stand and greet one another this morning with a word of peace. Let's stand and [00:20:08]

And this is our second to last week of the God of the Valley series in which we're reminding ourselves that in Epiphany, not only does God show up in person through Jesus Christ, but he also shows up for us when we are in the most difficult, the most lonely, the most overwhelming situations of life, the dark valleys of life that we're not always sure how to navigate. God shows up to those places as well. Today, we're going to be talking about one of those famous valleys from Scripture, the valley of the shadow of death or the valley of darkness from Psalm 23. [00:43:27]

The other reason I think that we return to it time and time again in addition to the fact that it's simply just a beautiful written psalm is that it articulates two really comforting and encouraging truths that Scripture has to say to us in every season of life. And David does this through kind of articulating two scenes, the first of which is obviously the description of the care that a shepherd would provide with his flock, one in which they are being... provided for and protected. They are enjoying beautiful abundance and rest and shalom. [00:46:17]

But I want to suggest this morning that it's important for us to realize or remember, if we've forgotten, that grief is actually a response to loss. And loss, there can be great loss and there can be smaller loss. But I happen to agree with one of my college professors who argues that all loss should be grieved, right? Even the small ones. Now, I'm not suggesting that you hold a funeral service for when the milk goes bad in the refrigerator. But I am suggesting that recognizing that loss is disorienting. [00:49:02]

Whenever you lose something in life, it helps to destabilize your world and confuse and disorient you. In a sense that we are traveling on this path and then loss occurs. Again, it could be the big losses like death, separation, divorce. It could be the little losses, the losing of a job, the moving of a new town, the just simply growing apart from a childhood friend, seeing a pet pass away, watching your kids grow up and move out. All of these things are on a continuum, but they're all loss. And loss is disorienting. [00:49:58]

The greater the loss, the more disoriented our lives become. So the valley of the shadow of death or the valley of darkness is one of the most perplexing places that we could ever find ourselves navigating. This great valley that all of us will have to walk in one way, shape, or form when we lose someone precious to us or we lose something incredibly important to us. How do we navigate this sense of confusion and disorientation? Well, throughout the years, Christians have relied on Scripture to help provide signposts for us. [00:51:08]

And I want to talk this morning about the stability that can be provided in the midst of the disorientation of loss through rituals. And again, we're recognizing who we are. We're low church brethren. We're a little suspicious of rites, anything that smells of sacrament. We're like, wait a minute, what is this? But I want to suggest to you that rituals can help reorient us to the story we inhabit and get us moving in the right direction again. [00:52:06]

And these are just simply thanking the memory or the legacy or something. And so the first picture there is the famous Marie Kondo, right? The house -tidying expert who became famous for helping people declutter their homes a few years ago. And she has this practice that a friend of mine, we were just talking at dinner a few weeks ago about, you know, getting rid of their kids' clothes. Maybe they've grown out of them, and you don't have them anymore. And you're going to hand them off to the next family, or you're going to take them to be used somewhere else. And just literally, it seems silly to thank the clothing item. Thank you. Because like, okay, unlike Marie Kondo, we're not animists, right? We don't think that there's a soul in the t -shirt, right? However, for your own good, it's good to say thank you. It's good to say thank you to the Lord. It's good to recognize the provision and protection He's given you. Christian weddings, I would argue, are rituals of affirmation. [00:58:10]

And finally, today is a embodiment of reconciliation. Because the thing that we are most grateful to Sherry Van Dyne in her life and her ministry is that she shows us what Jesus is like through her life words and actions. She shows us what it looks like for Jesus to enter the room, to extend compassion, to joyfully serve the young and the old, and to be a presence of peace and love wherever she goes. She embodies the gospel of reconciliation. She glorifies Christ with her life. [01:10:01]

We are grateful that we are just one small part of a beautiful and eternal tapestry that you are weaving by and through your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for those who have gone before, who have made a way for us. And we pray that in this season, you would find us faithful so that those who come after us would be blessed by our legacy of pursuing you as well. [01:18:02]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?