Funeral For 97 Y/O Christian Lady

2 Songs

1. Welcome – Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[i] against us? . . . 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. The Funeral is a universal custom. It is our attempt to Remember; Honor; Offer Comfort; Prepare

3. Funerals remind us of:

a. The Certainty of Death (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

b. The Shortness of life (James 4:14)

c. The Shortage of life (John 10:10)

d. The sovereignty of God and Reality of Eternity.

4. We preach our funerals by the way we live.

~~~~Prayer~~~~

Obituary (Linda Cordon) Video (How Old?) Eulogy Video (Piano Music)

“Enlightening” Sermon

I want you to know that it is an honor to be a part of this service. This is especially true since I did not know Mrs. Jones personally, only by the words of Charla and Jim.

When I spoke with them regarding the service and Mrs. Jones’ life, the passage of the “Virtuous Woman” (or “The Woman Who Fears the LORD”) in Proverbs 31 kept popping into my head. So, the family will tell personal stories, but I would like for us to look at a few verses from that passage to appreciate Mrs. Jones’ life and influence.

#1 – She was a woman of Strong Character

Verse 25 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

She was part of the “Greatest Generation” – Depression & WW2

Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional Strength – 97 Y/O!

Strength until Dementia took over – Opportunity to Honor her in care (Exodus 20:12)

#2 – She was Spiritual in Character

Verse 30 – Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

• Founding members of the Mayfair congregation – 1950; Visitation Teams; Awards for Visits

• The most important focus of life – Ecclesiastes 12 13

#3 – She Worked as a Teacher and an Effective One for 43 years (past opportunity to retire)

Verses 17-19 17 She dresses herself[ with strength and makes her arms strong. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

• Student’s letter in her memorabilia to commend her for the care and respect she showed him as a “troubled child” that other teachers could not handle

• Motivation – her love for children, hers and others

Great quality of Jesus to “suffer the children to come to him”

“If she had been there, she would’ve been helping Jesus take in the children, especially the rowdy ones.”

#4 – She Was a Substitute Mother for Niece and Advisor to Nieces and Nephews

Verse 20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

• Stayed with them for a time

• Paid for some expenses – pictures, Christmas gifts, etc.

Verse 26 (Fountain of advice for nieces and nephews as well as in classroom)– She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

#5 – A Great Homemaker (A Busy “Martha”)

Verse 27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

• Kept a great house – always ready for company

• Emphasized “Home” – Trip to Hawaii – stayed in Hotel – preferred to be at home

#6 – She LOVED Her Children

Verse 28-29 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

• Encouraging and Teaching

• Enjoyed Vicarious Success through them – “The hand that rocks the cradle. . .”

• Protective – even about their mates

Video; Remembrance – SIL; Audience Comments; Song (Teach Children Well); Daughter’s Memories; Song (When We All Get to Heaven)

Concluding Remarks

John 11:21-27 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Prayer