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November 2 Greetings

Life is a Journey


Birth is a beginning

And death a destination

And life is a journey:

From childhood to maturity

And youth to age;

From innocence to awareness

And ignorance to knowing;

From foolishness to discretion

And then perhaps to wisdom.


From weakness to strength or

From strength to weakness

And often back again;

From health to sickness,

And we pray to health again.


From offence to forgiveness,

From loneliness to love,

From joy to gratitude,

From pain to compassion,

From grief to understanding,

From fear to faith.


From defeat to defeat to defeat

Until, not looking backwards or ahead,

We see that victory lies not

At some high point along the way

But in having made the journey

Step by step,

A sacred pilgrimage.

Birth is a beginning

And death a destination

And life is a journey.


~Rabbi Alvin Fine from Jewish Reform high holiday prayer book, Gates of Repentance

As we move from Reformation Sunday into All Saints Sunday, the above reading helps us to recognize the journey we are all on. We continue to look to keep the church vital, welcoming all into the presence of the One—Who was, Who is, and Who is to come. While our human lives may be temporary, we are preparing for an eternal destiny.

Two weeks ago our family finally gathered for a Celebration of Life for my sister-in-law Sara. We met outside at Crescent Moon park in Sedona, one of Sara’s favorite places. Gathering around a table of her favorite foods, we shared stories about her personality and continued influence in our lives.

Her favorite flower: sunflower; her favorite teams: the Buffalo Bills and the MSU Spartans; her favorite season: Autumn; her favorite events: family gatherings. As we listened to her favorite music, The Dave Matthews Band, we laughed and cried together, and quietly and discreetly spread some of her ashes in a private spot.


That significant family event, along with the several memorials I have been involved with recently, has me thinking something: It is better to fumble around in the dark together than it is to do so alone.

Have you ever walked around your home or bedroom in the dark—reaching for walls and furniture you know are there, but you can’t see anything? It takes faith and courage to find your way in the darkness.

As we struggle and suffer losses in our life, sometimes it feels like we’re walking in the dark. And even though that may be a familiar space to us, it’s still easy to trip and fall along the way. So it’s important to reach out—as we’re fumbling through the darkness—for the people around us who have empathy and compassion for our journey. Like the furniture and walls in our home that guide us in the dark, there are fellow church members, grief support group members, and friends who will help us to find the light again.

May you find that help when you need it. And may Emmanuel Church be a safe place for others out there who are stumbling around in the dark.

This song comes from long-time Christian artist TobyMac.


His son died recently, which makes this song all the more powerful.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

Peace in Christ,

Pr Adam

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Prescott Valley, AZ

Here's a picture from Adam’s recent visit with Sue Rose & Zephyr (Ruth)!

Emmanuel Lutheran Church


7763 E. Long Look Dr.

Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

PH (928) 772-4135

FX (928) 759-3541



website: emmanuellutheranpv.org

email: emmanuelelca@gmail.com

submissions: ELCPVnews@gmail.com


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Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

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