Memorial Day Sermon Ideas and Stories

Since Memorial Day always falls in the month of May, and since I have always found when called upon to preach on this day, it is difficult to find something appropriate, I am going to try to help with some sermon openers, and some sermon illustrations.

Sermon Opener

Here, upon this living, green grass, 
Here, amid the glory of flags and flowers, 
Here, in the somber embrace of memories more precious than any gold, We have come to be renewed.

Here, upon this gentle hilltop, caressed by spring breezes, and peopled by stones of remembrance, 
Here, under tall trees old before our birth and yet still young after we shall have gone home,
Here, in keen awareness of the mysteries of life and death, We have come to remember.

Here, in the company of our friends and families, 
Here, with the children entrusted to our raising, 
Here, in the sight of our Creator, We have come to give thanks.

Here, among the tombstones of our loved ones and especially those who fell in battle,
We come to honor and pay respect.
We come with our memories, our fond recollections of times passed.
We come in the hope and promise of the resurrection of Christ.

An Humorous Illustrations

THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE

A boy stopped before a large marble plaque in the church. "What are all those names for?" he asked the minister.

"Sonny," said the minister, "those are in memory of all the people who died in the service."

The boy replied: "WHICH service, Reverend? The morning or the evening service?"

Author Unknown

There is no better illustration of commitment to principle and honor than is seen in a letter written by Major Sullivan Ballou of the Union Army. He penned it to his wife, Sarah, a week before the battle of Bull Run, July 14, 1861. They had been married only six years.

My Very Dear Sarah:

The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more....

I have no misgivings about or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing, perfectly willing, to lay down all my joys in this life to help

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