During the century of westward migration in America, the trading post was a familiar landmark in every frontier town. To the trading post came the hunters' trappers, miners, and homesteaders with such things as furs and gold, and these they traded for things they needed more - food, tools, weapons, clothing.

In a very real way, you and I have come this morning to a kind of trading post. Here before this altar some things may be put down and left, and others may be picked up and taken. We may bring our cares and fears, our sins and guilt, and we may take forgiveness, joy, and peace.

As you come to church this morning, I hope you can leave here something you may have brought with you - all anxieties or enslaving doubts or unbearable burdens. If you have brought any of these, put them down and leave them here.

As you go from church this morning, I hope you can take with you something that perhaps you did not bring - certainly you can take more of love, a greater measure of peace, a stronger faith, and increased strength for your journey.

This would be a nice trade, don't you think? And it isn't so difficult, really. For this is a kind of trading post, a place of exchange, where you can put down a burden and take up a song.