First Responders were honored Sunday, Sept 8, at the Sherman Church worship service.
People: You are a blessing, and we thank God for you.
Pastor: You signed up for training. You studied countless hours; you sweated through exams and waited for the results. You showed up for drills, when you might have spent the evening or the Saturday with friends.
People: You are a blessing, and we thank God for you.
Pastor: You got the pager and the uniform. You took on the responsibility to respond when your neighbors, your friends, or even a stranger passing through needed someone to help.
People: You are a blessing, and we thank God for you.
Pastor: The pager went off during dinner; it went off during the big game; it went off when you finally fell asleep at the end of a long day. You grabbed your gear, and went to the building, to the scene. You set aside your comfort and your plans, that someone else might have life, or hope, or comfort.
People: You are a blessing, and we thank God for you.
Pastor: Then came the tough call. Too young. The long-time neighbor. The unimaginable scene. You gave your best. Then you went home, and hugged your loved ones, and prayed for those who had lost so much. You wondered if you’d done enough.
People: You are a blessing, and we thank God for you.
Pastor: We give thanks to God for you. You exemplify for us, and for the next generation, the values of courage and service and commitment. You do not seek or wish our recognition, but this morning we say THANK YOU for all you do, quietly, faithfully, each day to make our community stronger.
People: You are a blessing, and we thank God for you.