From Bruce Gillette -
Presbyterian elder's grandson killed in Israel
... and A Hymn for Peace
[11-20-03]
A tragic death - yet another one - has struck another
Presbyterian congregation, as the grandson of a Presbyterian elder is killed
in Jerusalem.
Bruce Gillette, co-pastor of the church, responded with
his thoughts, and his co-pastor, Carolyn Gillette offered a new hymn - a
hymn of lament and of trust.
Not From This World
Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my
kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from
being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here."
From John 18:33-37 (Gospel Text for Christ the King Sunday, November 23)
We got the news early Tuesday morning that a grandson of a
Pitman church elder was killed in Israel. Shaul Lahav, the 20 year-old
grandson of Paul and Helen Loeb, was killed today while serving in the
Israeli Defense Force. The Jerusalem Post has a front page article
about this tragic death:
"The army has released the names of two soldiers killed
Tuesday morning on the tunnel road which links the Bethlehem-area Gush
Etzion communities to Jerusalem. The two were Sgt.-Maj. Shlomi Belski, 23,
from Haifa and St.-Sgt. Shaul Lahav, 20, from Kibbutz Shomrat in the north.
The shooting attack took place at 6am when a Palestinian gunman approached
the roadblock with his rifle - an AK 47 - concealed in a prayer mat, then
shot the soldiers from point-blank range. The gunman fled the scene on foot
and was picked up by a waiting vehicle which sped him off in the direction
of Bethlehem. IDF troops have begun operating in Bethlehem as a result of
the attack…
"Army post commander St.-Sgt. Shaul Lahav of Kibbutz
Shomrat was the 2nd of 4 children born to David and Yehudit Lahav. The
couple made aliya in the early 1970's as part of an American Nahal group.
Shaul's mother Yehudit is a lecturer at Yad Nathan regional college, where
their eldest daughter Ya'el studies. The father, David, works in high-tech.
Lironne -- Shaul's younger brother -- is currently doing national service in
Be'er Sheva, and sister Neta is in the ninth grade. Kibutz secretary Dorit
Becker described Shaul as a popular boy, a tall and enthusiastic volleyball
player who was also an outstanding student. "He was so young -- he didn't
even manage to live his life, yet." Details of Shaul Lahav's funeral will be
released pending the arrival of family relatives for the US; Sgt.- Maj.
Shlomi Belski will be buried at the Haifa Military Cemetery."
For a more complete report, see the
article in the Jerusalem Post,
Nov. 18, 2003, page one
A prayer mat was used to conceal a gun to kill another
human being. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not from this world."
One of the Loebs' sons (David Lahav) is a
convert to Judaism and has lived in Israel for thirty years. Paul Loeb
serves as an elder on the session of the First Presbyterian Church in
Pitman, NJ. He was at our church on Monday evening for the Property
Commission meeting. Monday night he talked with me about going to Tuesday''s
West Jersey Presbytery meeting. Helen Loeb is a Professor of Education and
Chairperson of the Education Department at American Baptist Churches-related
Eastern University. They are a couple of deep faith who have given their
lives to serving others and are rich blessings to the Pitman church. We all
grieve with them today. Tuesday night I drove Paul and Helen Loeb to Newark
airport for them to catch a flight to Israel to attend the funeral of Shaul.
We all grieve with them today. Your prayers for the family and for peace are
appreciated.
We are singing a new hymn for peace this Sunday in Pitman:
A Hymn for Peace
Tune: LEONI 6.6.8.4 ("The God of Abraham Praise")
A Hymn for Peace dedicated to the Memory of
Shaul Lahav, Grandson of Helen and Paul Loeb, who was killed on November 18,
2003 on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem
Another son is killed,
Another daughter dies,
And loving, waiting homes are filled
With loved ones' cries.
As rivers never sleep,
So wars flow on and on.
Hang up your harps, sit down and weep
For those now gone!
We grieve for children lost,
For hearts too sad to pray;
We mourn, O Lord, the growing cost
Of hatred's way.
And sure as threats increase
And anger turns to war,
We pray that we may find a peace
Worth struggling for.
We know your way, O Lord,
For all your people here:
A plowshare from a fighting sword,
A transformed spear!
Now comfort those who grieve,
Be in each saddened home,
And by your grace may we believe--
And seek Shalom.
Psalm 137:1-2 and Isaiah 2:4
Tune: Hebrew melody adaptation by Thomas Olivers and Meyer Lyon, 1770.
Text: ©© 2003 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Email:
bcgillette@snip.net A complete list
of her other hymns can be found at
http://firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm
"In a world that assumes the status is quo, that things
have to be the way they are and that we must not assume too much about
improving them, the doxologies of God's people are fundamental indicators
that wonders have not ceased, that possibilities not yet dreamt of will
happen, and that hope is an authentic stance." Patrick D. Miller, Jr. of
Princeton Theological Seminary, Theology Today, 1988, p. 186.
Blessings on you and your ministry for Christ's kingdom of
peace, justice and love.
Grace and Peace,
Bruce
Bruce & Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Co -Pastors
First Presbyterian Church, 305 South Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071
Office Phone: (856) -589 -1050
Home Phone: (856) -589 -8444
Email: bcgillette@snip.net
Church Fax: (856) -589 -1051
Church website:
http://www.firstpresby.org/
