Passing On A Legacy Of Faith

FUNERAL SERVICE FOR RENA WALLBRIDGE

March 10, 2009 @ Brett Funeral Chapel, Havelock

Officiating Minister: Rev Ralph Juthman

Opening Greetings and Prayer: Pastor Ralph

Scriptures: Psalm 23 Psalm 91 Rev David Estabrooks

HYMN: What a Friend We Have In Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

CONGREGATION: THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Tribute:

We have a short tribute to be given by ROBERT MACPHERSON from Toronto. Son of Rev OJ and Gladys MacPherson our first pastor in Marmora. He was to be a palbearer but due to getting an MRI tomorrow he had to decline but wanted to give tribute to Mom who was like a god mother to him as his parents were to me.

Musical TRibute: Bryn and Dane Madsgaard

Euligy Tribute: Amber and Virginia McGriskin

Homily: Rev Ralph Juthman

Rena Mary Wallbridge: Passing on a Legacy of Faith

2 Timothy 1:3-5

In 1913 the year Rena was born, Sir Robert Borden was Prime Minister, and Woodrow Wilson was president of the USA.

Ford introduced the first mass assembly line and the National trans Continental Railway was completed. It was the year the zipper was invented.

When Rena was born, woman were not considered persons. In fact they did not receive the right to vote until 1917 and then became persons under the law in Canada in 1927.

During her lifetime, Rena lived through the great depression, and two world wars. She saw the creation of the nation of Israel, the development of air flight, and man walking on the moon.

Is the purpose of this history lesson, and what does it have to do with Rena or Lois?

Who here has heard of Lois? She is only mentioned one time in the Word of God. The Bible doesn’t say really all that much about her – she will go unnoticed by most of us; however, for any of us who have spent any time in the New Testament – though we may not know who Lois was, we certainly have heard of her grandson: Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:3-5 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

What is it that Paul thanked God for?

What came to Paul’s mind when he thought of Timothy?

What filled him with joy?

When he called to “remembrance” the UNFEIGNED FAITH in Timothy.

This passage tells us that Timothy had a sincere and genuine FAITH – just as his mother Eunice had, and just like his grandmother Lois also had!

Lois was the first to receive Jesus. While she is never credited with building great churches, preaching to great crowds, she lived her faith throughout her life without apology or wavering. It was this legacy of faith that Lois passed on to her children and grandchildren.

As I meditated upon this passage this past weekend, I could not help but think of how much Rena’s faith reflected the same unwavering faith that is spoken of Lois. In 96 short years, Rena had seen and experienced many firsts. She experienced more history than any of us here put together. I have heard it said that the times make the person.

As I got to know Rena, one of the things that struck me was, that she maintained a strong, consistent faith no matter what life through at her. Her spirit and attitude was always encouraging. In fact, I never told her this but when I went to visit her, I always made her visit the last of my day. The reason was, if I had not been having a particularly good day, I could always count on Rena to brighten it.