Today, Crankeverend (CR) witnessed the goodness of G-d — in two wonderful expressions — in the place and manner most would not expect. I have talked recently about the losses that CR has been dealing with — two untimely and unexpected deaths — a young man and a young woman. But after this Saturday, the crankiness in CR’s heart is melting…..melting……melting away.
It is not often that one witnesses the depth of G-d’s love, mercy and Grace so expressively — but in the span of five hours on Saturday, this cranky pastor was blown away. CR first attended the funeral for the young woman (Nita) — and having arrived a good twenty minutes before the service, CR and Mrs. CR found a church where there were no empty seats to be found. The “Standing” room was running out quickly, and people continued to pour into the church. CR and his wife ended up standing in the lobby (in CR’s church we call this the Narthex, every room has a Latin term in the church) toward the back where you could not hear the speakers, and could barely hear the organist. It was a testament to the life of a woman who died much too young. The community, the friends of the family, the church family and her own family came out in droves — came out to show this family that Christ is present — that Christ is with us even in the most devastating losses we experience in this life. This is how Jesus comes along side us in the midst of loss — through the people who gather to sit with us, to grieve with us, and to support us. CR and Mrs. CR could only stay for about thirty minutes (they still had not finished the tributes to Nita’s life) before they needed to leave to prepare for a funeral at CR’s congregation. But CR and Mrs. CR were lifted out of that church by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The other death CR was struggling with was a 33 year old member of his congregation who died of an overdose of Heroin. When CR spoke to the mother of this young man, she did not believe many people would come out for his funeral. But there was one thing this mother did not know about CR’s friend (Jack) — what she did not know was that the people in CR’s congregation loved Jack — even though he struggled with his demons, the people did not ostracize him (as a lot of people would think “Churchy” people would do) – and they did not reject him (as many unchurched people might do) — instead the members of Trinity Lutheran Lemoyne loved Jack, walked with Jack in his struggles, and then came out on a Saturday afternoon to celebrate his life. Christ was so present in the church yesterday that if people think the church is dying, and is not relevant any more, then they are so D _ _ _ wrong about the church, and about us “Churchy” people. (Sorry about CR’s language, but sometimes CR must go blue).
My friends, CR has a Mea Culpa again today — CR might complain about being Cranky, but in real life, CR is a servant of the Lord — and not a Cranky servant (though my members may say that I am a little Cranky on a Sunday morning, but thus the Genesis of the Cranky Reverend). And today, CR is walking a little taller, is ready to preach Christ crucified and Risen and alive in the world — and if you want to experience a place where people believe, and celebrate an ever-present Jesus Christ, without being pretentious, or snobby, or “Judgy” — come to Lemoyne — or any Lutheran church in the Lower Susquehanna Synod — and you will find people who love the Lord — and love people.
Crankeverend…………Not so Cranky!!
The "Frowning Glory" 
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