Remembering the Class of 1920

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly ³    remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

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--I Thessalonians 1:2-3, New Revised Standard Version

 

Just to be clear: I was not there in 1920 when the last German-language confirmation class gathered in the school house on the parish lawn.  I was not there on Palm Sunday (March 28, 1920) when the class members accepted their baptismal promises and committed themselves to following Jesus at St. Paul Evangelical Church.  I was not there, but I had the privilege of being the pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ sixty-two years later.  All but one of the members of that class were still active in the life of the congregation.  One had moved on to become a pastor and a leader in the denomination, but the rest remained life-long residents of the community and active members of the church.  Confirmation in 1920, by the grace of God, was real for Lizzie, Bill, Helen, Ida, Ella, and Paul.  I remember.

Following Jesus was at the core of their lives and faith.  They worshipped.  They kept their heart attuned to the voice of Jesus (piety), and they were able to hear and respond to the deep cries of the world (mission).  They were generous.  They gave themselves to the work of the church because they were disciples of Jesus, living in community.  When they died, they left generous bequests for the future of the little church that had nurtured them throughout their lives.

There is a legendary, inspirational story of a Saturday night pinochle game.  Two couples, each with a spouse from the Class of 1920, began to visit about what the church had meant to them and what they would leave in their wills.  This is not the kind of casual conversation that one encounters at a social event; but it was normal for these church members.  Their feelings for the church ran deep and were at the heart of their beings.  This was an early planned giving seminar--heart to heart, eye to eye, faith to faith testimony time. 

The Class of 1920 shaped the spirit and ministry of a young pastor far more than they could possibly know.  I continue to hold them in my heart and be inspired by their example.  My prayer is that I, too, will embody our faith by following Jesus, sharing the bounty that God has given, hearing the Spirit speak and responding to the cries of those around me in the world.  I pray that I will love the church as much as they did--even with its complexities, conflicts, and brokenness.  I pray that God will grant us generous and hopeful hearts that we may be disciples whose example is worthy for others to follow.

And then, there was the Class of 1921 . . . another inspirational story for another time.  I remember with humility and deep gratitude.