In January 1926, six-year-old Richard Stanley showed symptoms of diphtheria, signaling the possibility of an outbreak in the small town of Nome. When the boy passed away a day later, Dr. Curtis Welch began immunizing children and adults with an experimental but effective anti-diphtheria serum. But it wasn't long before Dr. Welch's supply ran out, and the nearest serum was in Nenana, Alaska 1000 miles of frozen wilderness away. Amazingly, a group of trappers and prospectors volunteered to cover the distance with their dog teams! Operating in relays from trading post to trapping station and beyond, one sled started out from Nome while another, carrying the serum, started from Nenana. The plan was to meet in the middle and cut the delivery time in half. Oblivious to frostbite, fatigue, and exhaustion, the teamsters mushed relentlessly until, after 144 hours in minus 50-degree winds, the serum was delivered to Nome. As a result, only one other life was lost to the potential epidemic. Their sacrifice had given an entire town the gift of life.

Every year in Alaska, a 1000-mile dogsled race, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, is run for prize money and prestige, It's running commemorates that original "race" to save lives.

In Communion we commemorate another mission. The journey of Jesus from Pilate's prison to the hill on which he died to save our lives form the tyranny of death, sin, disease, hatred, loneliness, the list is endless and the race isn't over. That cross, our Lord's finish line, has become our mission. His cross has become our cross. Take up the cross and let us, his church, finish the race.