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SASA MEMORIAL SERVICE 2022
MYRTLE BEACH S.C. |
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| Unfortunately every year the Black Camel takes far too many
Nobles from us to that eternal heaven where the Supreme
Architect of the Universe presides. For the next few minutes we
will respectfully honor those Nobles that have spent their lives
serving God and our great fraternity. |
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| Let us pray. Supreme Architect of the
Universe, We would reverently invoke thy blessings at this time.
Today we come before you with subdued hearts. We are reflecting
on our brothers that we have lost way too soon. Man born of
woman is of few days and full of trouble. All would be lost but
our faith is in you God. You are the alpha and the omega. You
keep us steadfast and your blessings upon us will never cease.
Keep us in your service Lord, Bless the Shriners Father, Bless
our work. We pray that it is pleasing in your eyes. Keep us
healthy and in your service almighty God. We strive to be your
good and faithful servants. Amen. |
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| For I will turn their mourning into joy, and
I will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
–Jeremiah 31:13 |
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| I would like to share a popular poem at this
appropriate time. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not
there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the
diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am
the gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the morning hush, I am
the swift, uplifting rush. Of quiet birds in circling flight. I
am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and
weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. Do not stand by my grave
and cry. I am not there, I did not die! – by Mary Frye. |
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| We thank Illustrious Sir Len Noble for
his diligence in gathering these names. I will now call the
names of the SASA member-temples. |
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| During the past year the Black Camel has
called at ACCA Shrine 39 times, including Illustrious Sir Aubrey Stratton, PP |
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| Alee Shrine has lost 34 Nobles including Illustrious Sir Frankie D. Rivenbark, PP |
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| Alhambra Shrine has suffered 55 deaths including Illustrious Sir Rex Elmore, PP |
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| Amaran Shrine lost 32 Nobles including, Illustrious Sir Dewey Critchfield, PP |
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| Beni Kedem has lost 50 Nobles this year, including Illustrious Sir James White, PP. |
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| EL Hasa has had the Black Camel call 36 times including Illustrious Sir Pat Caniff, PP
and Illustrious Sir Larry Evans, PP. |
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| Hejaz Shrine has lost 170 Nobles through death, including Nyoda Scott, Lady of
Illustrious Sir Joe Scott, PP, Past President of SASA. |
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| There has been 46 deaths at Jamil Shrine including Illustrious Sir Joe Hilton, PP,
Illustrious Sir R. Paul Gregg, PP, Past President of SASA. |
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| Jericho Shrine has had 53 deaths including Illustrious Sir Daniel Sanders, PP. |
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| Kazim Shrine has endured 18 deaths. |
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| Kerbela Shrine has suffered 23 deaths that include Illustrious Sir Bart Iddens, PP. |
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| Khedive Shrine has lost 58 Nobles including Illustrious Sir Don Meyer, PP, Illustrious
Sir Troy Woodrow Brown, PP. |
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| Kosair Shrine has suffered the deaths of 65 Nobles including Illustrious Sir James
Booher, PP, Illustrious Sir Eddie Chrisman, PP. |
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| Nemisis Shrine has had 32 deaths including Illustrious Sir James Deem, PP. |
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| The Black Camel has called at Oasis Shrine 98 times including Illustrious Sir Walter
(Sticky) Burch, PP, Past President of SASA. |
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| Oleika Shrine has lost 61 Nobles including Illustrious Sir Robert Drake, PP, Robert
Davenport, PGM, Gary Rose, PGM. |
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| Omar Shrine has experienced the loss of 51 Nobles, including Robert Van Pinkston,
PGM. |
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| Sudan Shrine has lost 132 Nobles including Illustrious Sir L.R. (Pete) Thomas, PP. |
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| Rizpah Shrine has experienced 36 deaths including Illustrious Sir Herman Forrester,
PP, PGM, Illustrious Sir Benny Deffendoll, PP, Illustrious Sir Fred Tate, PM. |
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| Yaarab has lost 106 Nobles including Illustrious Sir Daniel Huggins, PP. |
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| I believe God loves the Shriners one and
all. The work we do at our hospitals is miraculous! But right
now I want to speak of another reason God Loves our great
Fraternity. God made us social beings. We are built by our
Heavenly Father for the fellowship the Shrine provides. We are
born helpless and dependent for years for others to provide us
with sustenance to eat and keep us alive. For protection against
the wild beasts of the field and shelter from inclimate weather.
Don’t get me wrong I can spend 8 hours in a deer stand or by the
water fishing in total silence and be totally fine, but
dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society. We are made
for a social and active life that honors God. |
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| “Two are better than one, because they have
a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one
can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one
to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep
warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be
overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands
is not quickly broken” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. |
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| My son never joined the blue lodge or our
Shrine Association. He was a great young man who enjoyed life to
the fullest. He got married and had two beautiful daughters, but
one day his wife moved out and took the girls with her. We
prayed about it and I told him it would all work out somehow. My
only child had no fraternity, no real friends, no band of
brothers that watch each others back in time of need. Someone to
lean on during the hard times. At 24 years old he took his life
thinking he was all alone. I truly believe that if he had joined
the Lodge/Shrine he would be alive today. The fellowship and
brotherhood at Shrine Temples around the world is biblical based
and pleasing in the Makers eyes. There can be no doubt. |
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| Hebrews 10: 24-25 “And let us consider how
we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the
Day approaching” |
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Let us pray: Almighty and merciful God we come to you thanking
you for the lives of our brothers. We pray that as we reflect on
the lives that have past, We must serve you God with all of our
minds, with all of our heart, and all of our soul for whatever
precious time we have left. We will keep your commandments and
give you all the honor, and all the glory, and all the praise!
Amen |
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