By David Key
Lake Oconee Breeze
LAKE OCONEE — Alvin Verette — in New Roads, Louisiana, he owned and operated the nation’s first drive-in mortuary. For the convenience of time-pressed mourners, the deceased was displayed before a five-by-seven picture window. Friends and relatives could drive up to the window and pay last respects without getting out. Says Mr. Verette, “We wanted something for people who didn't have time to dress.”
Now that is convenience. We live in a world striving for convenience. Some people try to bring that into the church. They want everything the church does to be convenient. But that runs counter to the biblical message. Lent is a try to move beyond convenience to commitment.
It is hard to believe that Easter is coming. It is not too early to make your Easter Sunday plans. Please join me for the 9th Annual Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m. at the Reynolds Plantation Pointe Pavilion. The Reynolds Chorus will be singing and everyone in the community is welcomed. If that is not an option, feel free to join me at 9 a.m. at the Reynolds Plantation Lake Club or at 11 a.m. at the Lake Welcome Center. There will be special activities for children at the 9 a.m. service. Please bring your family and guests with you. Make this the year to move from convenience to commitment. Wishing you much love and much light.
—The Rev. David W. Key, director of the Baptist Studies Program, is involved in recruitment, admissions, student life, counseling, placement, and development functions for Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. He teaches in the Contextual Education program. He is the founding pastor of the Lake Oconee Community Church at Reynolds Plantation. Contact him at (404) 727-6350 or dkey@emory.edu. His
column appears weekly in this space.
