Family Enters – Amazing Grace (Celtic Woman version)
Welcome and Obituary
We were all shocked to hear of the passing of Barbara W. She had been battling her condition for some time but suddenly she passed. We have gathered here, as is our custom, to conduct a service to remember Barbara; to comfort her family; and ultimately honor God.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11.25-26
A question we might ask is, “Do we believe this?”
The truth is, Barbara is alive, and she has just changed her address. She is with God and will one day be resurrected to fully live with him forever.
Obituary
Song – How Great Thou Art
Eulogy
Matthew 13.44-45
44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
Barbara found some treasures in her life. She embraced these and she made them available to others.
Treasure #1 – Jesus and His Church
• As a teen she went by herself to church – became a Christian and shortly began teaching a bible class
• Today is a reminder of one of the reasons we follow Jesus – preparation to meet God
o Jesus paid the price for us
o Jesus offers a great privilege of being with God forever
o Jesus invites – Matthew 11.28-30
• She also knew that God deserves our love and adoration
o Even if there were no rewards, God deserves our worship
o But there ARE rewards Life now (Romans 6) and forever (John 11)
• Jesus and His church were foundational to Barbara’s Life
o She was not perfect but was faithful and forgiven
o Her bible did not have markings but it did contain Prayer Requests and a Bookmark that had the story of Making a Difference for One Starfish
Treasure #2 – Her Family
• In discussing her life with her family, the consensus was that she was devoted to her family – her children and then grandchildren
o She attended her grandchildren’s activities, even sitting in 105 degree heat to hear them sing
o She always believed that things would work out and somehow it always did
o “Worry doesn’t help” – she knew you have to act
o Biblical principles – Do not be anxious (Philippians 4.6); Faith and works (James 2.17)
o “She deserved a trophy for her care for two very active sons.” – ER knew them by first names as they made so many trips there; Barbara got so she could remove stitches and save a trip back
o Rick spoke of her support when he bought a used 1965 Mustang. When the transmission went out he was frustrated and tried to fix it even though he had no idea what to do; she crawled under the car with him and said she would do whatever she could to help.
o Christmas was a special time for her and the family.
? When the family refused to tell her what they wanted for Christmas, she threatened them with a juicer;
? She set up her trains, a working Christmas Carnival (if one of the elements didn’t work, she put up an Out of Order sign), and North Pole with the 7’ Elf, Will Farrell
? Hired a Santa for the grandchildren
? Loved dirty Santa game
? Made sure everyone got a present, even those who might not be family and always sent people home with something, even though she liked keeping her stuff
o She kept the family busy with a lot of activities
? As many local Festivals as possible (Czech Festival and State Fair)
? As many activities as she could find for them – she did not like to sit, she liked to do
• Part of that Devotion was her Work
o She was proud that she was still working at 75 – gave her a sense of purpose
o She had a bullet in her desk with boss’ name (also SIL, Dan) on it and would say, “Be careful, I have a bullet with your name on it.”
o She had planned ti keep working even after her diagnosis – wanted to train her replacement
o She was outgoing, joking at work, made customers feel at ease and important
Treasure #3 – Filled Full Life (John 10.10)
“Spunky” [MTM – I hate spunk.
• She liked New and Fun Things
o Purple Hair (had to dye back – in trouble with boss)
o Dressed up for Halloween: She would set up a lunch with her sister, who had forgotten it was Halloween. Her sister would dress up but Barbara would dress in costume //She dressed for Halloween Festival at church – the “Mad Doctor”
o Even in times when she might’ve been tempted to act harshly – Tiffany: She and Barbara went out to lunch. Barbara asked for fruit with no “green stuff.” The meal came – with lots of “green stuff” and little or no fruit. Instead of getting angry she had fun with it and left a big tip. She said, “Kill ‘em with kindness.”
• Embraced Change
o A challenging issue – Mark Twain said that the only one who likes change is a wet baby.
o Barbara – “Things never stay the same.”
? True in this world
? Some things do not change – Hebrews 13.8
? Yet circumstances do change and we need to be wise when to be flexible and when to be firm
• As her physical condition changed she wanted someone in the Family to be with her at all times
o “Just be with me.”
o 1 Grandchild was with her at all times; schedules were adjusted so some slept in the day to be with her at night; then she adjusted her schedule and everyone wound up with crazy sleep times
o Two things occurred to me
1. She did not want to be alone
2. Opportunity for more family time and special days for the family to remember
Summary
1. “Outgoing and Upbeat”
2. “Diligent and Self-sustaining” (didn’t rely on others when she could do for herself – did rely heavily on Tiffany and the family at the end)
3. She gave advice to each one she could before her passing
“Take care of those boys.”
“Raise my grandchildren so that I can see them again someday.”
“No pedicures, you can lose a leg.”
“Don’t marry a tennis bum.”
She took selfies with her oxygen tubes, etc. as her last pictures
4. She was ready to go and be with Jesus
She had a calm assurance
2 Timothy 1.12
But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
2 Timothy 4.6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Prayer
Song – When We All Get to Heaven
Video
Song as Congregation Exits – Various Oldies Songs
