On October 19, at the Troy Vets Club, the Troy Christian Council sponsored a time of Prayer and Remembrance for families of people who have passed away. Paul Zaleski provided organ music as background prior to the event, and accompanied the singing during the evening. Rev. Garry Zuber gave a brief introduction and then Rev. Mickey Cavanaugh welcomed the audience. "In here, all are neighbors. We are one community, impacted by the loss of someone. This is a service of Remembrance and Prayer…and we are bringing our hurt to the foot of God."
Rev. Zuber read from John Chapter 2 and said, "Names are important; they signify the character of the person." He read "He Knows My Name," by Tommy Walker: "I have a Maker, He formed my heart. Before even time began my life was in his hand. He knows my name, He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call. I have a Father, he calls me His own. He'll never leave me no matter where I go."
Rev. Zuber and Rev. Chris Nauta then read names of departed loved ones:
James Forrest, Janet Tillotson, John & Sybil Pyle,Charles (Pete) Luckey, Stuart Wrisley, Sam Hurlburt, Scott Rogers, David Morris, Clarabelle Decker, Pete Goodrich, Patty Turner, Christopher Harrington, Marlene Schucker, Lew Ameigh, Betty Boyden, Brandon and Katie Evans, Daniel Wilber, Georgia Jenkins,Wayne Barrett, Hayden Riggins, Katherine Kupchin Anne Coles, Ellen Dean, Shawna Miller Comfort, Lester Wolfe, Margaret Perkins Louise Ayres, Vera Bruce, Mary Bruce, Vera Harper, Dorothy Lehman, Jack Knouse, Betty Knouse Margaret Rosenwinkel, Greg Powers, Joan Addison, Nancy Prutsman.
"God knows our name and listens when we call," Rev. Zuber reminded the audience.
Patrick Kelly read from Ephesians 1:5 and said, "God adopts us so we can have a life we would not otherwise have, and so we can have the blessings of true peace. We are adopted into a family that shows us Godly love. A supernatural family with the incarnation of love dwelling within; a family to bless us in our difficulties." He led the singing of It Is Well With My Soul.
The guest speaker was Michael Hughes, Lead Chaplain at Robert Packer Hospital. He read Psalm 23, and after relating his personal experience as a young man when he tried bull-riding in Oklahoma, Pastor Hughes said, "Grief, like that bull, turns us every way but loose. Grief has its twists and turns and its confusing moments, and ends with a thud…Grief is not something to get around, or get by or get over, but something we get through. We have to take The Shepherd's hand and move through it."
He said that four "T's" can help us through grief: Talking, Tears, being Together, and Thanksgiving. Rev. Ozzie Osgood read from I Peter 1 and then told the audience, "As we go through trials, there is a living Hope, imperishable, undefiled and unfading, and we are being guided through it by God. We should receive God with inexpressible joy!" He led the group in singing Just A Closer Walk With Thee.
Rev. Hughes concluded the service by reminding the audience, "We are people of Hope."