The Brazilian Church of Christ in Newark, NJ is mourning the loss of our brother Paulo Magalhaes.  He was a Brazilian man who moved to the United States way back in 1952.  The funeral was today, and for my part I shared the following remarks:

It isn’t unusual to remember the situation in which you first met someone: Where you were and what you were doing.  It may be less common to know the date.  I can say with confidence that I and most members of the Brazilian church first met Mr. Paul, as I came to know him, on May 30, 2005.  It was Memorial Day and a friend had taken him to a cookout at a church in Westfield.  Several families from the Brazilian church were there, including mine.  He sat quietly for a while in the shade near the church building before walking over and stunning all of us by speaking in quite fluent Portuguese.  He sat down in the midst of our group and quickly became the center of attention, regaling us with stories from his life and observations about culture and recollections of Brazil.

For a time Mr. Paul became a regular at our church services and other gatherings.  He decided to take full owndership of his faith and discipleship through baptism by immersion.  He was in everything a thoughtful and decisive man.  When weather or health didn’t permit him to get out, we went to him, talking the Lord’s Supper on Sundays and occassionally holding small group Bible studies in his apartment.

Mr. Paul became a part of the fabric of who we are as a congregation, and his mark and memory will remain with us.  It is perhaps fitting that a man who began his life in Brazil and proceeded to make a new life and career in the United States was able to rediscover to some extent his Brazilian roots towards the end of his natural life.  Most importantly, he found his focus and assurance in the message and hope of Christ.

It was and is our joy to count senhor Paulo Magalhaes as our brother, and he will be deeply missed.

Until we meet again.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.” (John 11:25 NRSV)