We Remember

November 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veteran’s Day if you live in the United States of America. It’s the day we pay tribute to all those men and women who fought so we could live in freedom.



In Memory of James Gordon McCowan

  Last Sunday, Pastor Lorne said he remembers when his Uncle Ed came back from the army. Ed couldn’t hold a regular job because of injuries received while on duty, so he worked as a salesman. Pastor Lorne also remembers his neighbors coming home in their uniforms and the straps on their shoulders (epaulets) and the way they shoved their tam under them.

He believes we owe military people a debt of gratitude for what they’ve done for us. To thank the Lord for families who had relatives who served.

Right now, 150 families in Canada are missing family members because they died while serving in Afghanistan.

We don’t want to spend time looking back, but it’s good to look back once in a while. Pastor Lorne said he’s sure you’ve heard of or even been to a Hall of Fame. Hebrews 11:32-40 is God’s Hall of Fame. When we consider heaven’s Hall of Fame, we see some important people and they didn’t all live the good life. No high salaries like athletes. But these men listed were able to deal with things in a supernatural way:
“32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

The world wasn’t worthy of these men although they weren't perfect. But they were all commended for their FAITH. God planned for Jesus to die and be raised so we could be made perfect through Christ. We have so much to be grateful for when we look back at our salvation. All these things took place because people were willing to stand up and proclaim the word of God.

1 Cor 11:26 says “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” But before that in verse 24, He said do this in remembrance of me.

So this month, the focus is on Remembrance Day. At school, they’ll do a Remembrance Day service to remember those who have given their lives and those who have fought to protect freedom.




Erected in Loving Memory
by Father and Mother, J.A. and May McCowan


Each month we as a church celebrate these things and remember what He has done. Christ died for you for me.

We celebrate Remembrance Day because we have freedom. Because no one is going to come and break down the door and stop us from worshipping. We can revel in the Lord without worry. It’s good to remember and think about what Christ has done and to give God the praise for the freedom we have today.



Stained Glass Window, Church on the Hill, Glenavon, Saskatchewan

The stained glass window above is the only one at Church on the Hill. It was donated by J.A. and May McCowan in loving memory of their only son, James Gordon McCowan who died during the World War II. The inscription reads,

In loving memory of our only son, James Gordon McCowan R.C.A.F. 22 years, who paid the supreme sacrifice May 11, 1942. "At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."

Thank you to all the veterans and to all those families who lost loved ones so we could enjoy freedom.