Preaching In The Public Square...Continued from page 1
Kurt Fredrickson
The funeral was filled with elements that bring goose bumps ? the rider less horse procession, the flag draped casket, the playing of taps, the testimonials of Matt's life and service, the presence of California's new governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, and police chiefs and police officers from all over California, the missing man helicopter flyover.
And my task was to bring Gospel into this situation. Here is what I said:
The Sermon:
Matthew Michael Pavelka
September 1 1977-November 15, 2003
We gather here to say goodbye
And we wish we didn't have to be here.
We shouldn't be here today.
Parents are not supposed to bury their son
Police officers are not supposed to die protecting and serving
Criminals are not supposed to win a round
But we gather here, we must gather here . . . .
Confronted by the fragility of our lives
And we are filled with sadness and grief
And we are filled with anger and resolve
I met Matt when he was just a boy ?
He and his family were part of Simi Covenant Church in Simi Valley where I was their pastor.
Matt was a great kid growing up
Smart ? a thinker
Respectful
Quiet, not flashy
Always ready to step in and help
A great athlete ? a wrestler
Determined ? motivated
And he was kind ?
What I remember most about Matt was his gentle strength.
I watched Matt grow up ? through Junior High and High School
And then into the Air Force
And then into the Burbank Police Department.