"What Unites Us"
This past week, I was privileged to be involved in two ministries that united people near and far. My services, as a care pastor for our church, as well as a law enforcement chaplain with the state police, have given me unique opportunities to minister to others. I was privileged to officiate at the funeral of Terry Nydegger on Wednesday. Terry served the New Berlin community as Chief of Police and the Sangamon County Rescue Squad for a combined record-breaking 48 years of service!
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| The Stars and Stripes credit: adobestock.com |
The life
and service of Chief Nydegger was memorialized and widely celebrated across the
county and state for his five decades of self-less dedication. His numerous skills
and achievements were remembered along with his calm presence, hands-on
experience, and steady leadership. He rescued and saved many lives and guided
countless individuals through challenging circumstances as a SWAT team medic
and member of the dive team.
For the
eight-mile motorcade from the church to Oak Ridge Cemetery, it was a solemn
sight to see what seemed like an endless row of rescue trucks and law enforcement
vehicles. They represented the various county agencies along with the funeral
hearse and family cars that had lined up.
Traffic
came to a standstill at every intersection along the way as officers and the public
paid their respects. It was gratifying to see so many individuals who stood
outside their parked vehicles along the route. Some had their hands over their
hearts and others were at attention and saluting this fallen hero.
As we
arrived at the cemetery a reverent stillness fell upon the site of the committal
service. The county honor guard carefully folded the flag of the United States
that draped the casket and handed it to the family in a brief but emotional presentation.
The first responders conducted the “final call” from the county dispatcher that
caught many standing near me breathless for those moments of reporting Chief Nydegger’s
completed assignment on this earth.
Many were
in tears as the military bugler played Taps and the bag piper shared his
rendition of Amazing Grace. Stepping forward, I said, “I have never been
prouder to be an American citizen!” I then read the 23rd Psalm and emphasized
the hope we have in the final resurrection of the dead and the Second Coming of
Christ. As I touched the casket, I reminded those present of the brevity of
life and said, “We commit Terry Nydegger to your keeping this day… earth to
earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. Amen.”
The
expression from the early 1960’s, “What unites us is far greater than what divides
us,” has been equally ascribed to President John F. Kennedy and Pope John XXIII.
Pope John applied it religiously and President Kennedy spoke in a political
context to the Canadian Parliament about our shared geography, history, and
democratic values. This statement of unity, amidst diversity, is still a good
word for our day!
The final unique
ministry of my week was in the context of an at-home celebration of the Lord’s
Supper. Like many of today’s churches, our community of faith has a growing
number of senior adults who are challenged by in-person worship. They are
watching our traditional and contemporary services online. That means they are missing
the opportunities for participating in the monthly Communion service. Therefore,
our pastors are being dispatched to make home visits to these individuals to
serve them the Lord’s Supper.
I recently
became acquainted with a retired pastor, from our fellowship, who was
undergoing rehabilitation in one of our assisted living facilities. He had
remarked on that visit that he would appreciate the opportunity to be served
Communion. I commented that we would be willing to do this soon. I learned a
little later that this member had completed his rehab and returned home.
So, it was
a blessing last week to receive a call from this pastor’s daughter with an
invitation to come help celebrate his birthday on Sunday and she asked if we
could have a Communion service with other family members as well. Of course, I
said, “That would be perfect!”
As I
arrived at the house and greeted eight family members present, I was told that
two others would be joining us on FaceTime from England and that a
thirteen-year-old nephew would be playing the hymn, Great is Thy
Faithfulness, on his keyboard instrument. I cannot describe how reverent
and joyful that occasion turned out to be as we stood in a semicircle holding
hands and singing that great hymn followed by Scripture reading and celebrating
the Lord’s Supper together.
I reminded the family in that Lord’s Day setting that we were unified like a small church meeting because the Lord says in His Word, “For where two or three gather together in My Name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20, NIV). Ultimately, the community of faith is much larger than we realize. It spans the county, the states, and includes the entire world! God is Lord over all! Let’s never forget how much He loves each of us!
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com
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