People attending the second annual Olds and District Hospice Society Tree of Remembrance light-up ceremony received some comforting words from Pastor John Lentz of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Lentz quoted the Gospel of St. John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.”
“When we lose someone that we love, there are moments when we feel like we are without hope; moments when we feel like the light has gone out. There are moments when we feel even anger.
“Those are all moments that we share, each of us in our own journey,” Lentz said during the ceremony, held Nov. 27 at Centennial Park.
“We cannot bring back those that we have lost, but hope remains. Hope always remains.”
Lentz conceded it can be tough for people who have lost a loved one – especially during the Christmas season – when they don't feel as joyful as others seem to be.
“That first Christmas without is always the hard one. But the message of Christmas is a message of hope,” Lentz said.
“So at this time of year, as we light this tree, let us remember that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.
“Those who have gone before us, those we have lost, are in greater hands than ours,” he added.
“Our prayers are for a life shared. And though we have lost, we have gained the time that we have had with our departed loved ones.”
Lentz told the crowd that he too has lost someone – his father – about two years go.
“There are many things that I would not have remembered that I received if I had not lost him. And now my mother tells me I'm more like him every day,” he said, sparking some laughter.
“They leave stuff behind, don't they? And it's not his electric razor that hardly ever worked. And it's not the land that he raised me on. It's all the other little things – their laugh, the twinkle in their eye, the words they used to say, the phrases they used to say. They all remain. They are gifts.
“May we always remember, the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it; God has seen to it,” Lentz said.
Lentz led the group of about 25 people in prayer as they gathered around a big tree holding candles. The tree was decorated in Christmas lights.
“Before you on this evening, oh God, in your mystery, you hold our loved ones in your hands. You keep them. We pray that you hold them close. We have prayed this prayer for a long time,” Lentz said.
“May you continue to hold them in your hands and may you share with us continually, constantly – always -- the hope, the light that shines in the darkness that darkness cannot overcome.
“And in that way, you hold them and you hold us too, together.
“We pray that you bless us on this evening. Bless our memories always to our hearts, amen.”
Charlene and Jim Schramm concluded the event by singing In The Arms of The Angel by Sarah McLachlan.
In part, the lyrics say:
“You're in the arms of the angel May you find some comfort here
So tired of the straight line And everywhere you turn There's vultures and thieves at your back.”
Olds and District Hospice Society vice-president Kathy Kemmere added some final remarks.
“As the days of Christmas unfold before you, whatever they may be, just know that there are a lot of people who are with you and we just appreciate being here to support those in our community – especially here,” she said.
“May the peace of Christmas hold you tight and comfort you and we are grateful that you came tonight.”
"We cannot bring back those that we have lost, but hope remains. Hope always remains."JOHN LENTZPASTORST. PAUL'S LUTHERANCHURCH
