Yesterday we held a memorial service for my mom at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas, the congregation where she was a member for more than half a century. It was a wonderful service in which everyone present was pointed to the hope that we have because of what Jesus did for us through His life and death and resurrection. It was a message I needed to hear and I am grateful for all those who attended to remember mom, support our family, and worship Jesus.

My family moved to Dallas in the summer of 1966 so dad could serve that congregation as their pastor. I was going into the 3^rd grade. Shortly after we arrived, the congregation broke ground for the sanctuary. It was completed and dedicated the following year. That house of worship was constructed in such a way that there was a large hill outside the entry to the Narthex, which sloped down to a courtyard. My siblings and I were among the first to roll down that hill even before the grass started to grow on it. Later, my own children would do the same when we visited there. After the service yesterday, we had a reception for all those present, and I watched and listened as my grandchildren were laughing and rolling down that same hill, getting grass stains on their clothes and having the time of their lives! Generations of youngsters have done that now. It gave me a new slant on the passage, I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1 ESV).

But watching my grandchildren roll down that hill reminded me of another passage as well.

Amos 5:24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Just as a flowing river brings life-giving water to plants and animals and people, so the message of God’s justice and righteousness needs to flow in order to nourish otherwise perishing souls. We go to worship and take our children to worship to hear and be built up in the Good News of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. While they enjoy rolling down that hill, the message of the righteousness Jesus earned and gives to us will roll on through the ages and generations as God’s people share it in their places of worship, their homes, and their daily conversations.

Cheryl and I brought our grandchildren to our house last night. We will take them to Sunday School and Worship with us this morning so we can all hear and rejoice in the message of Jesus and his love. We need to make sure this message will “roll on” to the coming generations.