Funeral for Jessica Pickering – March 2, 2018

Funeral for Jessica Pickering – March 2, 2018

Prelude:    “If I Die Young” - The Bar Perry

Procession: 
“All Please Rise”

Greeting:
God Looked Around His Garden
God looked around His garden
And found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, "Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home. 

Today we gather to celebrate the life of, and to mourn the passing of, Jessica Pickering.  A beautiful flower who today blesses the gardens of Heaven.

Please all be seated.


Opening Prayer:
God who creates and re-creates us, God who laughs with us and weeps with us, God who walks with us each step of the way, carrying us when our strength fails, we gather today with hearts breaking with grief, with voices crying out words of lament. And so we ask that you would move in and around us today. As we gather to remember and say goodbye to Jessica, be the shoulder we can cry on, the arm we can lean on, help us to see through the veil of tears that there is hope for life continuing. Gracious God, as mysterious and wondrous as you are, you are also a compassionate God, as attentive as a hen with her chicks, as tender as a mother with a newborn child, as watchful as a shepherd with the sheep, as protective as a father’s warm embrace. and so we come into your presence to grieve Jessica's death, asking that your Holy Spirit would be here to ease our pain. As we give thanks for all that she added to the lives of those around her, as we release our tears and sorrow, as we say our goodbyes, remind us that we are not alone, for You are with us...  In Jesus’ all-gracious and all-loving name we pray, Amen.

Music: Bell Choir - “Be Still My Soul”

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.

Reading from the New Testament:
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
4:16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— 3 if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Music:  “Amazing Grace” – Erin Blair

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church

On February 23rd, Jessica Pickering at the all too young age of 28, passed from this world in which we live and into the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior.  Jessica was born to Tim & Tracy Kelso on June 29th, 1989 in Carroll, IA.  She graduated from High School here in Lake City in 2007 and on September 3rd, 2011 Jessica married Nick Pickering right here in this Sanctuary at Union Church.  Jessica was involved in the Iowa SIDS organization, she worked at Kids Spot, and she was a member of Union Church.

Jessica leaves behind in this world her devoted husband Nick, and her three children; Emily who is 9, Bentley who is 5, and Cooper who is just 22 months old.  She has gone on to join in Heaven, her daughter Mariah who passed away as an infant in 2010.

The other day while visiting with Nick and his mother Karen, I asked them for words to describe Jess to me.  I was greeted with a torrent of words; that she had a heart of gold, she was unselfish, always placing others needs above her own, compassionate, caring, loving, that she had unconditional love not only for her children but for others in need, she was a peacemaker, a great mother, a true lady, she was a good wife, and Nick's best friend, she was his greatest supporter, his true soulmate, she was always positive even in the darkest hours, how she was always laughing even during her illness, she was brave and courageous, a fighter, who never gave up.  Some of her favorite lines were “we've got this” and “expect the unexpected”.

Jess was as I said Nick's greatest supporter, she was always up to try something, whether it be the semi or motorcycle, or just riding around in the wagon pulled behind the lawn mower.  She apparently trusted Nick with all her heart and Karen told me how Jessica just seemed to blossom after meeting Nick and how she became a true lady.

Nick told me that he and Jess first met at a party being held by a mutual friend on Valentine's Day in 2008.  From that chance meeting grew a love story and what Nick and his mother described as being a bit like Bonnie and Clyde... without the criminal activity of course, or Thelma and Louise... only different of course... since Nick's a guy and all...  But, seriously what a great way to start a love story, meeting on Valentine's Day, if Hollywood would write such a tale it would almost seem too contrived... but, instead real life wrote this story for Nick and Jessica.

They lived a lot of life in those ten short years, having four children together, seeking new adventures together, and at times having many miles between them while Nick was off driving truck.  But Nick told me that neither of them had any regrets.  You'll have to hear the rest of the stories from Nick later at the lunch or maybe even years from now while he sits and remembers the love of his life.

At the end of her life, Jessica worked hard to comfort Nick, preparing him for what she realized was coming all too soon.  She wasn't worried about herself, she was only concerned with Nick and their children.  As she drew nearer to her passing, she began talking about Mariah the daughter she and Nick lost to SIDS on March 13, 2010, at the age of only four months.  These are definitely stories that you need to hear from Nick's lips, stories of how Jess told him she could see Mariah, that she had grown, but how then as Jessica slipped gently into our Lord's Kingdom she seemed to be cradling a child in her arms.  Stories that bring a tear to the eyes of even the most hardened heart, but stories that should comfort us all... knowing that our loved ones do indeed go to a much more beautiful place.  A place where they are reunited with loved ones who have passed, and where we as followers of Christ believe they are reunited with our all-loving, all-forgiving, and all-gracious God.  Praise God for the testimony and witness that Jessica left for us all.  It is truly, truly, a wonderful story.

Jessica was able to rally and be alert at the end of her life and to talk to her family and friends providing the closure that all too often alludes us when loved ones are in failing health.  What a wonderful blessing Jessica was able to give to Nick and their children.

Nick and his family, especially Emily, Bentley, and Cooper, will need all of our love and support for many, many years to come.  Please stay close to them, put your arms around them, and remind them that our God, who we all serve, loves them each so very, very much.  Remember... we are the hands, feet, the comforting shoulder, and the reassuring voice of our Lord Jesus, who is the Christ.  Praise God for you all.

I will share in closing what is one of my favorite verses, the words of the Apostle Paul as found in the first letter to the Church in Corinth.  I confess, it is one of my favorite passages for funerals, but... it is one I could hardly avoid using here today as we celebrate the love and life of Jessica Pickering.

1st 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,[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant5 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,[b] 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.

Today we mourn the loss of a life taken far, far too soon, but we celebrate a life that burned brightly and left behind an endless legacy of love in the heart of her friends and family, especially her husband Nick and her beautiful young children.  Let us praise God for the life of Jessica.

Eulogies:
The family wishes at this time to allow guests to come forward and share memories and stories about Jessica.  First, let us hear from Jessica's mother-in-law, Karen. 

Closing Instructions:
Following this service, the family invites you all to join them in further celebration of Jessica's life and a time of shared remembrances and closure, by gathering with them for lunch in the Church's fellowship hall.  On the tables in the hall, you'll find some sheets of paper or note-cards, these are provided for each of you who desires to write down a memory of Jess that you'd like to share with her children.  Perhaps a message that you'd like for them to know someday about their mother once they've grown.  Please help and share these memories and stories with the family... with Jess' children.  Thank you all.

At this time Emily would like to share a few words concerning her wonderful mother.

Letter to my Mother: Emily Pickering
“My Mommy” by Emily Pickering
My Mom was a awesome Mom.
She always had a good smile on her face.
But she also loved to give love.
She was always nice and kind.
She was always so happy for us and proud of us.
And she was always funny.
She always had a love a 'love you' in her.
Now I will read a poem that my Mom left for us.
Thank you.

Love You From Heaven: Poem by Hazel Birdsall
As I sit in heaven and watch you every day,
I try to let you know with signs I never went away.
I hear you when you’re laughing, and watch you as you sleep.
I even place my arms around you to calm you as you weep.
I see you wish the days away, begging to have me home.
So I try to send you signs so you know you are not alone.
Don’t feel guilty that you have life that was denied to me.
Heaven is truly beautiful, just you wait and see.
So live your life, laugh again, enjoy yourself, be free.
Then I know with every breath you take
You’ll be taking one for me.


An Angel - Author Unknown
An angel lived among us,
A gift from God above.
She showered us with kindness
And shared with us her love.
She cherished every moment
With the man who was her life;
Walking hand in hand together,
Facing life with all its strife.
She loved her children dearly,
Each one a different way,
Nestled close within her heart.
Though, now, she’s far away.
She’s gone to live with Jesus.
But, she’s here with us, today,
Smiling down on every one of us,
And telling us she’s O.K.

Closing Prayer:
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 Jessica 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:

Postlude:  “You Should Be Here” - Cole Swindell