May 30, 1988

Part One

we heard about you Sunday in church

just after speaking of the beauty of the day

just before sudden exclamations of shock

and fear, and pain, and sympathy

we’ve known your families for years

you were of us

we were asked to pray for you

and we did

how could we not

you were of us

on Monday the tragedy went on

we could pray for your families alone

in their grief at your sudden calling

two decades is too short a time

in which to pack a life

the prayer of the righteous, it is said

availeth much in the courts of God

Sunday night we sang

I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness

Where is deaths’ sting?

Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still if thou abide with me*

I believe this

I pray you did too

I pray your families do still

In memoriam:

Chuck Bruinsma and Ferdinand Kloompmaker

May 29 & 30, 1988

*Psalter Hymnal (1976), # 470, verse 4