Woodlawn CC

Woodlawn CC

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Following Christ - Sermon given Jan 21, 2018


This weeks sermon followed along with last weeks sermon about "what do you want" from Christ.  Sunday, I turned the tables and talked about the fact that it doesn't matter what we want, rather it's all about what God 'wants'.  What God wants is for us to follow Him, to do His work and His will here in this world.

I received many compliments on the sermon, though I will apologize for my coughing and voice during the presentation.  It seems that the remnants of the cold that I had over the New Year just won't completely go away.

With this caveat please take a few minutes and listen to the message, the message apparently surpassed the means of the message (as it should always).  Thank you for listening!

Be a blessing to someone today!

Following Him,
Roy

The sermon this week was pretty scripture-laden and please find below the verses that formed the basis of the message.

God Bless!



Luke 18:18-30  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Rich Ruler
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” 21 He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money[a] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” 
28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

James 2:14-26  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. 20 Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. 23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.

Luke 6:46-49  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.”

Ephesians 2:4-10  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.



Matthew 4:18-20
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Mark 1:16-18
As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Luke 5:11
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Mark 1:19-20
Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.

Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him.

Mark 2:14
As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him.

Luke 5:27-28
After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me." And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.

John 1:43-45
The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip And Jesus said to him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Matthew 19:21
Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Mark 10:21
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

Luke 18:22-23
When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Luke 9:59-60
And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God."

Matthew 19:27-30
Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

Mark 10:28-31
Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

Luke 18:28-30
Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You." And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life."

John 8:12
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 12:26
"If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:34-37
And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

Luke 9:23-25
And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

Matthew 10:37-39
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 14:25-33
Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

John 21:19
Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!"

Matthew 4:25
Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

Matthew 8:1
When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

Matthew 12:15
But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all,

Mark 3:7
Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea,

Matthew 14:13
Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

Luke 9:11
But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

John 6:2
A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.

Matthew 19:2
and large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

Mark 2:15
And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.

Mark 5:24
And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him.

Luke 7:9
Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith."

Matthew 20:34
Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

Mark 10:52
And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

Luke 18:43
Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.

Matthew 9:27
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

Matthew 8:23
When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.

Mark 14:51
A young man was following Him, wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him.

Mark 15:41
When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

John 18:15
Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,

Matthew 8:19-20
Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

Luke 9:57-58
As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go." And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

Luke 9:61-62
Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

John 6:66
As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.

John 13:12-17
So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

Acts 24:14
"But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;

Romans 15:5
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:6
You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

1 Peter 2:20-23
For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;

Revelation 14:4
These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

Revelation 17:14
"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."

John 13:36
Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?" Jesus answered, "Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later."



Monday, January 22, 2018

Funeral for Jeanne Batz - Jan 20th, 2018

photo by Christian Begeman
On Saturday, I performed the funeral services for Jeanne Batz at the Union Church here in Lake City.  The Union Church is between ministers at the moment and they have asked me to conduct any funeral services needed during this time of transition.  Jeanne was a long time member of their church and actually passed away in mid-December; due to various constraints, the services were delayed.  I was happy to assist the family in this time of closure and it was I feel a good service and what the family and Jeanne needed and wanted.

God bless all of the Batz family and friends and may you continue to feel the love of Christ about you in this time of loss and mourning.

To all those reading this blog entry, please remember to...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ always,

Roy


Order of Service – Funeral for Jeanne Batz 
January 20, 2018

Call to Worship:
Gathered in Christ's name, let us praise God
Who is our certain hope in all life's varied circumstances.
In the face of death believe the good news the scriptures proclaim:
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.
(Isaiah 66:13)

Greeting:
We have come together within the strengthening fellowship of friends and family:
to praise God for the life of Karen Jeanne Batz;
to share our grief with God and with one another;
to reaffirm our faith in God's unfailing goodness;
to hear again God's promise of resurrection;
and to commend Jeanne to God's everlasting care.

Music:  Song #1 – Jazz Instrumental

Opening Prayer:
Gracious God, your love endures forever.  Your faithfulness is unfailing and all your promises are true.  The movement of your Spirit is evident even in our darkest moments.  Attend to us now in our grief as we trust you will.  Speak words of comfort to our hearts.  Open us up to receive your hope. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our sister Jeanne.  We thank you for giving her to us, her family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see death as the gateway to eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth until by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Let us hear now a reading from the Old Testament:
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Let us hear now a reading from the New Testament:
Philippians 4: 4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Music:  Song #2 – Jazz Instrumental

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church
Good morning, on behalf of the family I would like to thank you all for coming here today on this winter morning in Iowa.  Coming here to Lake City, to remember and to celebrate a life, the life of Karen Jeanne Batz.

On December 21st, 2017, Jeanne passed from this world and into the Kingdom of our Lord at the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Jeanne is survived by her son Mike and his wife Dorothy, by her daughter Lisa, and by her granddaughters Lyndsey and Mackenzie.

Jeanne was born into this world where we all live today on March 26th, 1940 to Robert & Florine Bauman.  She married her husband Kenneth Batz in Fort Dodge, IA, on July 16th, 1960 and together they celebrated 55 years of marriage prior to Ken's passing in 2015.  To Jeanne and Ken's union there was first born in 1962 their son Mike and then in 1966 their daughter Lisa was born.

Soon after the marriage, the young couple moved to Marysville, Missouri where Ken attended NW Missouri State University, he graduated from the University in 1964 with degrees in accounting and mathematics.  Lisa told me that within a few years the family had moved several times, with Mike being born here in Lake City, and Lisa being born when the family lived in Keokuk, IA.  Eventually, though, Ken took a job with the McGladdery CPA firm in Des Moines, where Ken worked his way up to become a partner in the firm.

During those years, Lisa told me that Jeanne was a stay at home mother focusing on the home and family.  In fact, Lisa told me that her mother helped to design the home that Ken & Jeanne had built in West Des Moines.  There Jeanne enjoyed bird watching, even attracting at one time a Baltimore Oriole to her bird feeders, though Lisa said they all figured the poor bird was lost as Orioles aren't generally found in Iowa.

After Ken retired, he and Jeanne moved back home to Lake City.  Lisa said that Jeanne had always wanted to move 'back home' in order to be closer to her friends. Jeanne had a lot of friends from High School that remained in the Lake City area and she was very happy to be back home to spend time with them.  Here in Lake City, Ken liked to work refinishing antiques in his shop.  I asked if Jeanne enjoyed restoring antiques as well and Lisa said no, and that her mother always told her father to “keep the sawdust out of my house”.  

Lisa said that Jeanne was a bit particular... I asked Lisa for more words that she might use to describe her mother and she listed the following.  Ornery – she said her mom knew what she wanted and she was good at getting it.  That she was happy, solid, that she was always there for her friends and family, that she gave good advice, and that she was a very determined soul.  Lisa remembered that her mother was always the center of the family, at holidays and gatherings, and that her mom was there in all of the good memories of family events.  

Lisa remembered family visits to their grandparents Batz's farm, and visits with their grandma and grandpa Baughman here in Lake City.

Lisa talked about Jeanne being a planner, she was always prepared... she was prepared for the year 2000, she stocked up for the much worried about Y2K... Lisa mentioned that she still has boxes of wooden matches. 

As I already mentioned, Jeanne was always there for her family... Lisa talked about how much her mother helped her in raising her own two daughters.  Lisa's daughters Lyndsey and Mackenzie both graduated from High School here in Lake City, and Lisa told me that it was her mother that talked her into moving back to Lake City.

Lisa also told a story about how she always wanted an animal, and that her mother always said no... then suddenly one night Jeanne showed up with a little puppy.  The family named him Brody.  

Jeanne loved to crochet and made many, many afghans.  Lisa said that she made one for all the babies, all her friends, all her family members, even all the cars had to have their own afghan... and of course, living here in Iowa having an afghan in your car isn't a bad idea at all.

Lisa remembered family vacations to Florida in the winter, annual fishing trips to Table Rock Lake in Missouri, where the family went fishing every April.  Both Ken and Jeanne greatly loved to fish and did so as long as Ken's health allowed. Lisa mentioned that Jeanne often caught the largest fish much to her father's dismay.  In addition to the fishing trips, Jeanne and Ken also enjoyed visiting Las Vegas and did so on a number of occasions.

In a moment I will share with you some additional memories from family members, and after that, I encourage you to share memories and stories among yourselves at the lunch that we will enjoy in just a few more moments.

When we lose a loved one, it is such a terrible shock.  We never know from day to day what joys or losses that day might hold for us.  As we celebrate Jeanne's life and mourn together her passing, let us each remember to hold our loved ones close each and every day and to tell them repeatedly how much we love them and how much they are appreciated.  For only our God knows the number of our days, and only our Lord knows the day of our passing.

Psalm 139 - New King James Version
1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

And let us hear these words spoken by Jesus himself found in the 14th Chapter of the Gospel of John.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and will take you to myself,
So that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way to the place where I am going.
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
But you will see me; Because I live, you also will live.
I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
Whom the Father will send in my name,
Will teach you everything,
And remind you of all that I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”  
(John 14:1 – 4, 18 – 19, 25 – 27)

Thus we have the promise of life ever-after, the promise of the resurrection, and of a home with our Lord, our God... also we have been reminded not to fear.  We do not fear death, for we know the glory and the love that awaits us on the other side of life.

Though we each grieve the loss of Jeanne, we should all rest assured that this is only a temporary parting and that we'll each get to see her smile once again when we are all reunited in Heaven.  Praise be to God.  

Today Jeanne is reunited with all of her friends and family that have gone on before her, today she is reunited with her husband Ken, who she missed so dearly... and today she is in the very presence of our almighty and all-loving God... Praise be to God indeed...

Eulogies and Reflections:
At this time I would like to read for you some remembrances written by Jeanne's sister Jolene and her granddaughters Lyndsey and Mackenzie. 

First some words from Jolene:

Thoughts on my sister, Jeanne

Although this is not my earliest recollection of her, it’s what I know….she wanted to be the youngest in the family.  And…. if not that….then at least the only girl.  So, we were not very close the first years of my life.  Like, maybe the first 30.  Not really…

One early memory is one Christmas, Dick & Jeanne didn’t get downtown to pick a Christmas tree.  So, Mother brought one home.  It didn’t touch the ceiling!!  So Dick & Jeanne dragged it back downtown and got a taller one.  Jeanne was always in charge of putting on the icicles.  She put them on individually.  That’s right…..each little aluminum foil piece, separated out and laid on a limb, just so.  We always had a beautiful tree, thanks to her.

One time while Dick and Jeanne were babysitting me (they both loved that) Jeanne did something to make Dick mad and then she ran and then he chased her.  In and out of the house, around and around, up and down the stairs, yelling at each other.  It was sort of like being in a movie for me….standing in one spot watching them run!  Then Jeanne ran behind our kitchen door.  It had glass in the top.  She stood there and made faces at Dick through the glass.  He had his baseball.  He threw it.  Yup.  Broke the glass, a piece went in Jeanne’s chin.  Blood.  All of us screaming.  Then….”Don’t tell Mom!”  She had a scar for some time.  I was pretty sure they would kill each other at some point and dreaded it when Mother and Dad left me alone with them.  But after all that fighting, many years later, it was Jeanne who was the first at Dick’s bedside to care for him while he was dying.  She never stopped to think or question.  She was just there.  And she did it so well.

She went to Sunday school and church was a member of the Rainbow girls and went to church camp most summers.  As a family, we vacationed for a week in Okoboji with aunts and uncles and so many cousins!   We had a blast!  

My best memories of my sister are when she and Dick were in high school and I thought they were both movie stars.  Dick played his trombone and Jeanne played the piano and sang with his little combos.  She played the piano well throughout her life.  

She loved listening to Johnny Mathis, The Four Freshmen, and Rachmaninoff.  She was a good student and had many friends.  Most of whom were at our house a lot of the time.  She remained close and was true to these friends her entire life.

It was a fun time for us.  When I was little and they were my idols. 
Jeanne and I went through a lot together as adults.  She was loyal.  She was a wonderful caregiver.  She was fun and smart.  She was beautiful.  And she was always, always there.  She will be greatly missed.

Jolene Wilder


And now a few words from Lyndsey and Mackenzie:

Hello Pastor Roy,
This is Lyndsey, Jeanne Batz's Granddaughter. I wanted to express a few sentiments about our Grandma that could possibly be incorporated into the service on Saturday. 

But first I'd like to share a few thoughts from my sister, Mackenzie. The first thing that Mackenzie said is that our Grandma (she and I called her Gami) is that she was not the strongest woman, she was the strongest person we ever knew. She knew how to be a pillar of strength for us and for everyone she loved. When times were hard she would let us learn to handle it our own way, but would always be there to support us and offer advice and love, even tough love. She always knew the right thing to say and how to help us grow from the experience.


My Grandmother loved us unconditionally and did so much for our family. She worked hard without ever complaining and would do anything to ensure others' happiness. Growing up, she was one of my best friends. She taught me how to play solitaire and I remember spending summer afternoons with her watching all of our favorite soap operas together and predicting together what would happen next to the characters on the shows. I can't watch Murder She Wrote or The Golden Girls without thinking of her. Gami was strong and stubborn and loved without judgment. She is, and will always be one of the biggest role models in my life.

I hope these sentiments help in preparing for the service. I really appreciate you taking the time to read this and for helping my sister and me to convey our love for our Grandma into the service.
Thank you,
Lyndsey 

Closing Prayer:
The family invites you all to join them in further celebration of Jeanne's life and a time of shared remembrances and further closure, by joining with them in a luncheon in the Church's fellowship hall immediately following this service.  Please let this closing prayer also serve as the blessing for the meal that we shall enjoy together.

Let us please pray:  Lord, we ask humbly that this meal that we are about to eat strengthen our bodies and our spirits for the days ahead.  We ask your blessing on the kind hands and hearts that have labored to prepare this food.

O God, our Strength and our Redeemer, Giver of life, and Conqueror of death, we come to you today in mourning and open our hearts to you just as we are.  We celebrate your gift of life freely given, but are grieved by a sense of loss in the face of death.  The love which binds us to one another leaves us aching as ties are broken.  Accept our tears as emblems of devotion, and transform them into waters of life to nourish us in the days ahead.

We trust you.  We love you.  We know in Christ that your love is everlasting.  Nothing can separate any of us from your abiding care.  With you is eternal life.

With confidence, we now entrust Jeanne to your unfailing love and overflowing goodness.  Through the power that raised Christ from the dead to live eternally with you, lift up this, your servant, to life fulfilled beyond our imagining.  We give you but your own, enfold her in your everlasting arms, hold her for she is your child.

Now strengthen us, through the gift of your Spirit, to face into the future with confidence that you stand with us.  Grant that the changes of life may leave us stronger as we journey through life.
Reassured of your abiding presence, help us to knit more firmly the ties that bind us one to another.  Renewed by your love, help us to love in ever larger circles so as to embrace your people everywhere till at last we are all united eternally through Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

Benediction:

Music:    Johnny Mathis – Chances Are  


Committal Service 
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

We gather here today to lay to rest this body that has served Jeanne throughout this life, knowing that we commit to the earth only that which is of the earth. The Scriptures teach us that our bodies are made of the dust of the ground and to the dust of the ground we will return.  But we are more than dust, for when God breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, man became a living being.

Genesis 2:7 says, “…the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

He breathed a spirit into these temporary bodies, and that is what lives on today. These bodies serve us only as the temporary dwelling place for our restless spirits.

II Corinthians 5:1-5 says, “1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

Jeanne has laid aside her temporary house. It was made of this earth and to the earth, it shall return. But her spirit lives on with eternal life.  And now her spirit is in the hands of the same loving God who tenderly cared for her in life. He also has provided for each of us the promise of life everlasting.

The Bible promises that one day death will be no more. How we long for that day to come! Until then, may we live in anticipation of the time when we, too, shall lay aside the cares of this life, as Jeanne has, and take up the joys of eternal life.

Our hearts still cling to this body because it is so difficult for us to disassociate it from the one who lived in it. But really it is just a worn-out garment waiting to be cast aside. It is altogether fitting and proper that we just now turn it over to the One who designed it for His will to be accomplished. We, therefore, commit this body to the ground and this soul to the Lord. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, knowing full well that Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Prayer:
Almighty God, we gather beside this grave today to lay to rest the body of our friend and loved one, Jeanne Batz. We do so remembering another grave in another place—the tomb that received the body of our Lord Jesus. As Jesus came from the grave to live again, we know that all who die in Him shall never truly die. Thank you, Father, that Jeanne has finished the course, that she has kept the faith, and that she now has rest from her labors. As we commit her body to the ground, we do so in perfect trust, remembering Jesus’ victory over death and knowing, that because He lives, so too, shall we. Comfort our hearts through His words today; strengthen us now with His presence, and may Your grace and peace be ours both now and forever.  In Jesus’ name,  AMEN.



Monday, January 15, 2018

The Calling of the First Disciples, according to John's Gospel


This past Sunday, January 14th, 2018, the sermon covered the calling of the first Disciples to Jesus' ministry.  This year the Lectionary steered us towards the calling as found in the Gospel of John.  I did also use the reading as found in Mark's Gospel for the 2nd Scripture reading.  I have included both scriptures below for anyone who wishes to read them.

The sermon is sixteen minutes in length so it's not a long listen.  I choose to hit upon the passage in three sections, with the kicker being the second block (from John 1:35-42).  Here the closer focused upon the 38th verse; When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?”

Each of us who has chosen to follow Jesus needs to ask ourselves the question that Jesus asked these first two Disciples; "What are you looking for", or as it can also be translated "What do you want".  I left the congregation with this question, I can't answer it for them, and I can't answer it for you either.  But, you need to ask yourself "What are you seeking" in following Christ?

Be a blessing to someone today!

Seeking Him,
Roy



1John 1:29-51  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”

35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Mark 1:14-20  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

16 As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.





Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Baptism, Obedience, and Witness - Sermon given January 7th, 2018


The sermon this past Sunday was over the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist.  I touched upon why we here at Woodlawn require baptism in order to become a member of the Church.  The sermon is just shy of 20 minutes long but it was one of my better sermons and I received a great number of compliments on it so I encourage everyone to take a listen and see what they think.

Ultimately, the physical act of Baptism has two elements not often considered, these are obedience and witness.  I'll leave it at that and again urge everyone to watch the video.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy



Mark 1:1-11 (NRSV)

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way;
3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with[f] water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”


Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve)
Chapter 7. Concerning Baptism.  And concerning baptism, baptize this way: Having first said all these things, baptize into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, in living water. But if you have no living water, baptize into other water; and if you cannot do so in cold water, do so in warm. But if you have neither, pour out water three times upon the head into the name of Father and Son and Holy Spirit. But before the baptism let the baptizer fast, and the baptized, and whoever else can; but you shall order the baptized to fast one or two days before.


Matthew 3:13-17 (NRSV)

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”



1st Corinthians 1:11-17 (NRSV)
 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters.[e] 12 What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God[f] that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.


Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Funeral for Betty Ann Carroll - January 2, 2018


Today I officiated at the funeral for Betty Ann Carroll.  Betty was not a member of our congregation but she and her husband Ralph grew up here in the Lake City area.  Ralph passed away in 1974 and is buried at Cottonwood Cemetery and so that is where Betty was laid to rest today as well.

I have attached the manuscript from the funeral below for Betty's family and friends.  May God bless and comfort you all during those difficult days ahead.

As always... Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Order of Service – 
Funeral for Betty Ann Carroll

Welcome:
A loved one is a treasure of the heart and losing a loved one is like losing a piece of yourself, but the love that Betty brought each of you did not leave, for the essence of her soul still lingers.  It cannot escape your hearts, for it has been there forever. Cling to the memories and let them find their way to heal you. The love and laughter, the joy in the togetherness you shared, will make you strong. You will come to realize that your time together, no matter how long, was meant to be and you were blessed to have the precious gift of her love in your lives. Keep your hearts beating with the loving memories and trust in your faith to guide you through. Know that though life moves on... the beauty of love stays behind to embrace you. Your loved one... Betty has left you that love... her love, to hold in your hearts forever. 

Today, we have come together within the strengthening fellowship of friends and family, to praise God for the life of Betty Ann Carroll ;
to share our grief with God and with one another;
to reaffirm our faith in God's unfailing goodness;
to hear again God's promise of resurrection;
and to commend Betty to God's everlasting care.

Music: Rock of Ages

Opening Prayer:
Gracious God, your love endures forever.  Your faithfulness is unfailing and all your promises are true.  The movement of your Spirit is evident even in our darkest moments.  Attend to us now in our grief as we trust you will.  Speak words of comfort to our hearts.  Open us up to receive your hope. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our sister Betty. We thank you for giving her to us, her family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see death as the gateway to eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth until by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Let us hear now a reading from the Old Testament:  

Psalm 23  King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Let us hear now a reading from the New Testament:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NRSV)
13 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. 9 For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; 10 but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Pastoral Prayer:
Let us please pray: God our Father, Your power brings us to birth, Your providence guides our lives, and by Your command, we return to dust.  Lord, those who die still live in Your presence, their lives change but do not end. I pray in hope for this family, relatives, and friends, and for all the dead known to You alone.  In company with Christ, Who died and Who now lives, may they rejoice in Your kingdom, where all our tears are wiped away. Unite us together again in one family, to sing Your praise forever and ever.  Amen.
Music:     Just As I Am, Without One Plea

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church

On December 29th, 2017, Betty Ann Carroll passed from this world in which we live and into the Kingdom of God.  Betty passed away at the Southfield Nursing Home in Webster City, IA, but Betty was born right here in Lake City, IA on December 10th, 1928 to George & Emma Higgins.  She married Ralph Carroll on March 13th, 1948 in Jackson, MN.  Betty is survived by her sons David and his partner Jun, by Dennis and his wife Jackie, and by her daughter Janice.  She is also survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ralph, her daughter Judy, and by her brothers and sisters.

When I asked David for words to describe his mother he said, sweet, hardworking, that she loved to play cards, and that she loved to cook.  She was a good cook and used her love of cooking combined with her hard-working nature to work through the years at Lake City Cafe, the Gowrie Nursing Home, Webster City Golf Course, the Fort Dodge YWCA, and the Burnside Elementary School.

David recalled that Betty was also a good seamstress and that she even made several wedding dresses.  Betty made clothes for the girls and tried to make clothes for the boys, but the boys didn't want to wear them and have to admit to their friends that they were wearing outfits their mom had made.

Betty and Ralph first lived in Fort Dodge, then moved to Harcourt, where all of the children graduated from High School. It was while living in Harcourt that Ralph passed away so long ago in 1974.  Later Betty moved with her daughter Judy to Webster City, next they moved to Fort Dodge, and then finally four years ago David moved both his mother Betty and his sister Judy into the nursing home in Webster City.

David remembers his mother as a quiet, reserved woman, who always worked hard.  He did, however, remember her once trying to discipline him by spanking him, all that happened was she broke the yardstick that she tried to use to spank him.  David said after that she never tried to spank him again, likely because she didn't want to waste any more yardsticks.

David also shared a story about going shopping with his mother one time in Fort Dodge.  While they were shopping she managed to hit seven cars in various parking lots. David stated that she was well known to be a terrible driver.  In fact, it was after an accident approximately ten years ago that she surrendered her license.  Sadly, David also shared that it was shortly after this that Betty started to decline.

The family attended the Methodist Church while living in Harcourt.  It was there that David recalled a particular Mother's Day when Betty had repeatedly told the children to not purchase anything for her for Mother's Day. When Mother's Day rolled around the children had listened to their mother and didn't get Betty any gifts.  Betty was so upset she said that she couldn't possibly go to Church, that she would be too embarrassed if anyone asked her what the children had given her. The moral of the story... never listen to your mother when she says you don't need to get her a gift. It's a wonderful story and hopefully, the family will share more stories like this later as we enjoy a time of shared memories over lunch today.

David shared with me that Betty had a great life, that she had a loving family, a wonderful husband, and that she was so very proud that her children had all turned out so well.  She was always very supportive of her family and so very proud of them all.  

Betty was a loving great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and wife.  A wonderful woman and a treasure to her family.  Let me share with you all these words written by the Author of Proverbs:

Proverbs 31:10-30
Ode to a Capable Wife
10 A capable wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant,
    she brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night
    and provides food for her household
    and tasks for her servant-girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds 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.
20 She opens her hand to the poor,
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
    for all her household are clothed in crimson.
22 She makes herself coverings;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates,
    taking his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her happy;
    her husband too, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Today we mourn the passing of Betty Ann Carroll...
When you lose someone you love, your life becomes strange, the ground beneath you becomes fragile.  Your heart has grown heavy with loss; and though this loss has wounded others too... no one knows what has been taken from you when the silence of absence deepens.

Flickers of guilt kindle regret for all that was left unsaid or undone.  There will be days when you wake up happy once again and inside feel the fullness of life... until that moment breaks and you will be thrown back into the black waves of loss.  Days when you will have your heart back, and you are able to function well... when suddenly with no warning, you become ambushed by grief.  It becomes hard to trust yourself, and all you can depend on is that sorrow will remain faithful to itself.  More than you, it knows its way and will find the right time to pull back the curtain of grief.  And when the work of grief is done, the wound of loss will heal and you will have learned to wean your mind from that gap in your heart and be able to enter that deep place in your soul where your loved one has awaited your return all along.

Though all of you gathered today shall miss Betty, you should all rest assured that this is only a temporary parting and that you'll each get to see Betty's smile once again when you are reunited in Heaven.  Praise be to God.  Today Betty is reunited with all of her friends and family that have gone on before her, and today she is in the very presence of our almighty and all-loving God... Praise be to God indeed...

Music: It Is Well With My Soul

Closing Prayer:
Due to the extremely cold weather today, we will conduct the entire committal service here at the funeral home.  We will continue directly into the committal service immediately after this closing prayer.  Please allow this closing prayer to serve as 'Grace' for the meal that we will share together at the close of this service.

Let us pray, O God, our Strength and our Redeemer, Giver of life, and Conqueror of death, we open our hearts to you just as we are.  We celebrate your gift of life freely given, but are grieved by a sense of loss in the face of death.  The love which binds us to one another leaves us aching as ties are broken.  Accept our tears as emblems of devotion, and transform them into waters of life to nourish us in the days ahead.


We trust you.  We love you.  We know in Christ that your love is everlasting.  Nothing can separate any of us from your abiding care.  With you is eternal life.

With confidence, we now entrust Betty to your unfailing love and overflowing goodness.  Through the power that raised Christ from the dead to live eternally with you, lift up this, your servant, to life fulfilled beyond our imagining.  We give you but your own, enfold her in your everlasting arms, hold her for she is your child.

Now strengthen us, through the gift of your Spirit, to face into the future with confidence that you stand with us.  Grant that the changes of life may leave us stronger as we journey through life.

Reassured of your abiding presence, help us to knit more firmly the ties that bind us one to another.  Renewed by your love, help us to love in ever larger circles so as to embrace your people everywhere till at last we are all united eternally through Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.


Committal Service:

Selfishly, we as mortals wish to hold on to Betty. It brings great pain to let her go. Living in the resurrection hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the trust of a loving God and in the promise of eternal life, we now commit her body to its place of rest. We will continue to mourn Betty, but now her laughter will warm the kingdom of God. We will continue to love Betty, but God will now take care of her. We will continue to carry Betty in our thoughts, but she will now be kept safe in God's hands. Receive her in the arms of your mercy, O God, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of all your saints.

1 Corinthians 15:50-57  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Believing in the Resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we now entrust Betty to the care of our Almighty God and we ask our Father to open the doors to his mansion and lead Betty to the room made ready just for her. As we now commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we commend her spirit to its new home. Rest eternal grant her; and let light perpetual shine upon her.

God has blessed and enriched our lives in giving us Betty to know and love here on this earth. Though our time together was not nearly enough, in committing her body to the earth, we give over to God the care of her spirit, and we acknowledge that we will one day reunite with her in God's Kingdom. The Lord bless her and keep her; the Lord make his face shine upon her and be gracious to her; the Lord look upon her with favor and give her peace.

This concludes our graveside service.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His strong arms encircle you and uphold you in your hour of grief.  God's peace and strength to you all.
Amen


Music:     Amazing Grace