We are gathered here this afternoon to pay our respects to _______ _______. We can never understand the ways nor reasons of God. But, for comfort and hope, let us turn our thoughts to His Word. God cares for us even when we don't deserve it. He is a God of sympathy and understanding. He knows our hurts and loneliness. He knows how we feel. The Bible tells us that He knows our sorrows and records our tears. If He takes the time to see our tears then He knows why they fall from our eyes.
Let us prayer: Gracious Father, we bow before You with thankful hearts for Your great love. For You who are love and grace. For the fact that Your love was so evident in _______'s life. For the assurance that he/she is now in Your presence enjoying eternal life with You. Help us who are left here on earth to rest in Your strength and comfort. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Song:
I would like to just share from my heart this afternoon. Sharing about _______'s life and scriptures that bring comfort.
_______ enjoy her life, all who knew her knew she enjoyed the days God gave her. A smile and a laugh where always part of her conversation. Life wasn't always easy, for she was raised during the depression when life was difficult. It was family that was important, her parents and brothers and sisters. And it was family that always remained important, her husband, _______, her children, __________________. And later, their mates, the five grand children and two great-grandsons. She loved her family and bragged about them often. She left you a heritage to cherish.
It was that fact that she knew Jesus Christ as her Savior that gave her life and family it's rich meaning and purpose.
_______ has gone home. And there waiting on the other side were many loved ones and friends. She wanted to see ______, her parents and siblings. A great reunion took place on Tuesday morning. Now she waits there for the rest of you. And she does expect you to come. She wouldn't ask you if you are coming, she would tell you to be there she'll be waiting. She set an example of godliness for all of you to follow.
Although our hearts are filled with a loneliness, they are also filled with gladness. One of my favor passages is found in John 11 where we are told of one of the two times Jesus wept. This is the account of Lazarus' death and resurrection. We find that as Jesus walked with Martha and Mary to the tomb of Lazarus, He wept. Why would Jesus cry? It couldn't be because of Lazarus's death. For Jesus was about to raise him from the dead. No, there must be another reason why Jesus shed tears that day. Jesus wept because He was moved by the words and tears of the two sisters. As He listened and watch He felt their sorrow and loneliness in the lost of their brother. And Jesus began to cry with them. This show us just how much Jesus empathizes with us. It is true that whatever we feel, He feels. Truly Christ is a Savor of understanding and feels the depth of our hurtings. Can we ask for more than a Savior who literally hurts with us? That is how much we are loved by our God and Savior!
So family and friends allow God to meet your needs today and everyday. He truly is a God of love and compassion. He truly does care about each of us.
_______ was a believer and loved Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 11:25-26, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? _______ believed and so do we!
_______ asked that this not be a time of tears. This isn't a funeral service, but a service of joy for a life lived in Christ and called home to her rewards. If any persons work abide which they have built upon it (Jesus), they shall receive a reward (I Corinthians 3:14). _______ built on the foundation of Jesus, her Savior. She served Jesus in the Church. She attended SS and church learning more about God's love. She sang in the choir praising God's love. She help weekly in the Church Bus Ministry sharing God's love with others. Besides her rewards she isn't suffering with the limitation of a worn out body (II Corinthians 4:17-5:1).
It was evident that she walked daily with the Lord for it showed in her attitude and in her courage. She was a great prayer warrior. It was this regular talking with God that gave her strength. She read her Bible daily and could discuss any topic with you.
Yet, she was ready to go home. She was tired of all the efforts to make her life more comfortable. She wasn't afraid of death. She didn't mind talking about it. In fact she wanted to. She wasn't morbid it her talking. She knew who held her hand and she was ready to go any time God was ready. Actually she wished God would hurry up.
I told _______ on Monday afternoon while visiting her for the last time in the hospital, to hold God's during her spells. On September 28 at about 1:30 am during one of those spells and while she was holding God's hand, He opened the door to heaven. God was gracious in taking her quickly. Then God told _______ that since they were closer to His home than her's, that she should just come on home with Him. And she did!
Song: Going Home
Prayer:
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