Woodlawn CC

Woodlawn CC

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Pastor Roy's January 2019 Newsletter Article

Woodlawn Christian Church, Lake City, Iowa
Pastor's Ponderings
Wow, what a last few weeks we've had.  Attendance on Sunday has been great and worship has been a lot of fun.  This last Sunday (Dec. 23) we had the pleasure of having Katelyn and Kaden Clausen along with Grace and Faith Holm singing for us.  Katelyn and her Dad Justin also played accompaniment for them with the piano and guitar.  Jodi and her crew did a wonderful job again with the Christmas Eve Children's program and it's always a joy to see the kids putting on their program.

Gail and I want to thank you all for the incredibly generous gift that you all gave us during the Christmas Eve Program.  We truly thank you and we are truly blessed by all of you each and every day.  Lake City is such a wonderful community and we are so very pleased that God led us here to serve Him and to serve all of you.  God Bless you all!


The Old White Church that burned down.
Moving on though, here we are, on the cusp of another New Year.  A New Year is always a time of looking ahead and reflecting on the future.  It's also a time to look at our current habits and behaviors and to try and correct anything we need to work on... it's a time for New Year Resolutions.  I can remember all too well being a youngster and thinking that I'd never live to see the year 2000, after-all I would be the incredibly old age of 40 if I were to live that long... well, here we are closing in on the year 2019 and the next turn of the Annual Calendar after this will put us into 2020.  There are many times I am stunned when I contemplate that these are the dates often used by the Science-Fiction stories of my youth with tales of mankind with flying cars, going off into Outer Space, and much, much more.  To be honest when I read some of the stories about current scientific research I am reminded of some of these sci-fi stories, and some of the stories that I remember didn't turn out so well for us humans.  For certain, this is an interesting time to be alive, it will be interesting to see what the next twenty years will bring.

What will the next twenty years bring for us as Christians?  Where (what) will the Church be in twenty years... or in forty years?  How can we remain relevant in a culture and world where 'Artificial Intelligence' is growing even faster than the researchers working on it thought it could grow?  Honestly, I don't know the answers to any of these questions, but what I do know (and what should be quite obvious to us all) is that it will be up to the children that we are raising right now to answer these questions.  Are we raising them up with a foundation in the faith that will allow them to figure out how to answer the above queries?  I am always excited to see youngsters in church, and the need to build a foundation for their faith is precisely why I am always happy to see them.  Children are little sponges, they are learning even when we don't realize they are learning... we are always teaching, and we need to remember this and stay attentive to teaching the right thing by how we act, talk, behave, and interact with our Church and fellow Christians.  Are we positive, supportive, forgiving, loving, helpful, attentive, do we attend Church regularly, do we participate in as many Church and Faith-based functions as we are able to (or do we constantly find excuses to do something else?), do we pray, do we read the Bible, what more can we do... think about all of these (and more) and then implement any needed changes into your daily life.

Far too often, when we make decisions about going to church or being involved in church activities (not to mention what we watch on TV or the movies we attend), we're making these decisions based off of our own selfish thinking.  We aren't thinking about our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren, or even our great-great-grandchildren.  But the reality is that these behaviors that we model today can and often do affect our descendants for many generations to come.  Even if our children don't immediately follow our example, there may well be (I've seen this over, and over, and over again) a time when they return to their 'roots' and begin to emulate the example(s) set for them by their parents and grandparents. We have an obligation to our offspring and to our Savior to pass along the teachings, heritage, and practice of Christianity.


The Old White Church.  Woodlawn Christian Church in Lake City, IA
These children that we are teaching and raising right now, will be the leadership of the Church, if not in twenty years then in forty years.  We cannot afford to shirk our duty to prepare these youngsters for the task that lies ahead.  As difficult as the times are for us now, it is impossible for us to imagine what our offspring will face in the generations that lie ahead.  Again... remember, that what we are doing today we do not do for ourselves... we are doing all this for our descendants.  This is the same responsibility that laid upon the shoulders of our grandparents, our great-grandparents, and on back farther and farther... I think they perhaps understood this better than we do today.  We as a culture have grown too self-centered, we just want to do what we want to do in order to benefit ourselves.  Those of us that are baby-boomers are of the “if it feels good do it” generation, and sadly the generations that have followed us have become ever more and more self-focused.  Social media has intensified this phenomenon and everyone just wants their 15 seconds of fame.  Let's ask ourselves honestly, where would we be if Christ had been as self-centered... as only do what we want to do, and only looking out for 'number one' as most of us are today.
The Old White Church burning
Where would we be without the sacrificial mindset of Jesus who was and is the Christ?  I don't think you really want to be there... then ask yourself where will our great-grandchildren be if we don't step up to the plate every-time it's our turn at bat...  Yeah, maybe you've been up to bat a million times already, and maybe you've struck-out every-time you've picked up the bat, maybe you're tired and you'd like to rest... you know, Christ was pretty tired that day too... that day he prepared that place where ultimately you will get to rest.  Are we all so tired that we're not willing to prepare our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to join us in that place of rest?

Leon told me that during the Christmas Eve Program we had 124 folks in attendance, that's a GREAT turn out!  I am so thankful for those folks coming to support these children in what is for them a life-long memory of being involved in Church.  As I said at the beginning of this long article, we've had a great turn out for worship the last two weeks with 88 people this last Sunday and the Sunday before we had 73 in attendance.  Both of these are very good numbers for attendance and God Bless you all!  But................ where were those other 40-50 souls that showed up on Christmas Eve on those two Sundays?  Now, I understand that probably around half were people that were home visiting for Christmas (three of that number were my own family) but even if we say that over half were from out of town... that still leaves far, far too many that aren't regularly involved in Church.  What does their one time (maybe two if they come on Easter too) coming to Church each year teach those kids (their own children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews most likely) about how important Christ is in their lives and by extension how important He should be it their lives?  Well, it teaches them that He's not really particularly important unless you're involved in a play or a program (or coming to collect Easter eggs)... that's what it teaches them.


Now, I'm more than aware that most of you reading this are not the ones that need to read this... as usual, the minister is preaching to the choir.  But, we can and must continue to work hard to convince others of the great, great, unbelievable value that having a relationship with Christ is and will always be...


Be a blessing to someone today!  
(tell them about Jesus and bring them to Church)

Pastor Roy

The Old White Church building after a rainstorm.





Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Funeral Manuscript for Gordon Dooley - December 21, 2018


Below, please find, the manuscript for the funeral for Gordon Dooley that I performed last Friday afternoon.  Gordon was a wonderful soul and we will all miss him dearly.  Please pray for his son Gary and his daughter Deb, along with both of their families.  It is such a difficult thing to lose a loved one at any time but perhaps even more so right before Christmas.

God bless you, Gordon!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ's love & grace,
Roy

Photo by Christian Begeman - Prairie Sanctuaries

Order of Service – Funeral for Gordon Dooley


Prelude:

Call to Worship:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. (2nd Corinthians 1:3-5)

Greeting:
We have come together this afternoon to praise God for the life of Gordon Dooley: to mourn our loss with one another, to console each other in our moment of grief; to celebrate Gordon's life and all that he meant to all that loved him; to celebrate God's love for Gordon, and His love for each of us;
And to commend Gordon to God's everlasting love and care.

Opening Prayer:
Let us pray:
Father of all mercies and God of all consolation, You pursue us with untiring love and dispel the shadow of death with the bright dawn of life. Give courage to this family in this their time of loss and sorrow.

Secure in Your refuge and strength, O Lord, reassure them of Your continuing love and lift them from the depths of grief into the peace and light of Your presence.

Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by dying has destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life. Your Holy Spirit, our comforter, You speak for us in groans too deep for words. Come alongside Your people, remind them of Your eternal presence and give them Your comfort and strength.  Amen.

Solo:  Diane Sommerfeld - w/Fran Lawson - “Just As I Am”

Reading from the Old Testament:
Let us hear now a reading from the Old Testament,
Psalm 145:8-19
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.

Reading from the New Testament:
Let us hear now a reading from the New Testament;
Matthew 13:1-9
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil.6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears listen!”

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church
The day before yesterday, Gary and I had lunch together and during that lunch, I shared some stories with him about my grandfather Roy Fletcher.  That last bit of scripture, from Matthew's Gospel, was read at my grandfather's funeral for grandpa was a farmer, in fact, his father my great-grandfather purchased the first tractor in their county back in South Dakota.  Those words in the 13th Chapter of Matthew are an especially appropriate set of verses when talking about a farmer's passing... especially a good farmer's passing.

Gordon Dooley was a good farmer... he cared about his cornrows and about his farmstead... he was, just like the man in the parable in Matthew's Gospel... a sower.  But Gordon didn't just plant seeds into God's rich Iowa soil... no... Gordon also planted seeds for the Kingdom in the hearts of God's people.  Deb and Gary shared with me that their Father (under the influence of their mother) had the gift of 'Hospitality'.  Jean and Gordon made friends wherever they went from Iowa to Arizona.  Jean and Gordon together planted deep within the hearts of both of their children the love, belief, and faith in their God... the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob... the God whose birth into this world we are preparing to celebrate this coming Tuesday... on Christmas morning.  Gordon was a sower... and the seeds of Christ were the most important crop he ever planted.

Before I go any further with the message today, I will confess... as I have before in other funerals... that I never enjoy conducting funerals.  There's simply nothing about the experience that I enjoy... I do funerals because I am called to be a minister to God's people and a vital part of that ministry involves funerals and grieving.  And though I dislike conducting any funeral... I especially dislike doing funerals for old farmers.  It is especially difficult for me to bury these men and women that have been stewards to God's creation.  But, as difficult as it is... I count these occasions as a true honor and privilege to acknowledge these important souls.


Farmers like Gordon are literally a dying breed... each day there are fewer and fewer of these old-timers who truly knew what it was like to farm before the advent of today's modern equipment.  In no way am I discounting the difficulty of modern farming, but there was just something about the old ways... those so intimate to the soil ways... they molded and steeled these men and women into something truly, truly, truly special.  There is some intangible component that comes from hard... back-breaking labor, the scorching sun and freezing temperatures that builds steel into the heart of mankind and this union of labor along with God's rich earth gives birth to a farmer... 

Gordon Keith Dooley was born on February 19, 1925, in Lohrville, Iowa to Roland “Moses” and Neva (Hitchins) Dooley. After graduating from Lohrville High School he worked in 1944-45 in Wichita, KS at the Boeing Factory building B-29s for the War effort. Health issues had precluded Gordon from serving in the military but he was proud of his contribution of helping to build these amazing aircraft. Later Gordon moved back to Iowa and worked on a delivery route for Pfaff Bread Company out of Fort Dodge.  Later he worked at Rosedale Dairy in Fort Dodge before moving to the Lake City area and spending the next 38 years farming.

On June 17, 1947, in Atchinson, Kansas, Gordon married Laura Jean Benckendorf.  Jean was 19 and Gordon was 22, they had eloped and ran off together to Kansas to be married by a Minister there.  Gordon once told me that upon their return home a rumor was started that they had to get married, and sure enough five years later Gary was born. Jean and Gordon enjoyed 69 years of marriage together before Jean's passing in November of 2016, a true testament of their love and devotion to one another.  Praise be to God.

The young couple met while Jean was still in High School and both were living in Fort Dodge at the time of their marriage.  Gordon told a story about when he and Jean were first dating, about how Jean's parents would lock the front door and turn the yard light on if Gordon didn't have her home on time for her curfew which was midnight.  He told of how he'd have to take the screen off of one of the windows and shove her up to and then through the window.  He confessed that he got pretty good at taking that screen off, so apparently, her missing her curfew wasn't a once or twice affair.  His dedicated efforts must have been endearing though for they were married barely a year after Jean graduated from Lake City, High School.  And thus began their 69 years of life and love together.

Once Gordon started farming, the young couple moved around for a short time while Gordon was farming on various different farms, but eventually, they ended up on the family farm North East of Lake City where they stayed for 30 years.  The farm had been in Jean's family for many, many years and is a Century Farm.  It was the farm where Jean grew up and it was always a special place for Gordon and more especially for Jean.

When Gordon retired in August of 1990, Jean and he moved to Fort Dodge once again and enjoyed many years of retirement there.  They also spent many years wintering in Arizona where they also made many friends.  In December of 2015, due to Jean's declining health, Gordon and Jean moved into Shady Oaks Nursing Home here in Lake City.  There they were surrounded by old friends and made many new friends among the staff and volunteers.

When I asked Deb and Gary to provide me with words that described their father they said:
Integrity, Gordon believed that integrity was the true measure of a man.

They stated that he was always poised, and stubborn... he would listen to you and then do what he wanted to do, to begin with.  He was very cautious and didn't like taking risks. Even if all looked positive he would hesitate at whatever risk he thought might happen. Then that 'quiet stubbornness' could be seen. But he did forge ahead many times even when the risk seemed strong if he was convinced it would bring a benefit in the end.

A thinker, he ruminated upon his thoughts, he was contemplative, a planner, one who envisioned things... he was very wise. He could think calmly in most situations and have ideas or give wise counsel.  Gordon would often hesitate to give advice even when asked but usually provided valuable counsel.

He could also improvise and be spontaneous as well. As a farmer you have to be able to adapt, weather is unpredictable and what you plan for the day's work might have to change at the last minute due to the weather.  Gary remembered being frustrated when asking his dad what they were going to do tomorrow and Gordon would reply “we'll just have to wait and see”.

Deb told me that he enjoyed figuring and was good with numbers. It was common to see him at his desk or kitchen table 'penciling out' business decisions or something for fun like how much grain a bin would hold or how much water might flow over the dam during flood stage.; what the exact measurement a board would need to be to fit into a spot. It was kind of a hobby to him she believes. He kept excellent records and said he thought about taking up accounting at one time.

I was told that he had a generous heart and would help anyone who needed it if he could. He was good with an encouraging word or some comic relief when things got too sad or tense which would bring a smile or laugh even sometimes through tears.

He was witty, humorous, quick-witted, good with zingers, loved to banter but he could be a little bit shy or reserved.  Still, he made friends quickly, finding people wherever he went.  He had the gift of hospitality, this though I was told was taught to him by Jean.

Deb told me how he had a great memory and loved telling stories of memories from boyhood to recent times. You would generally hear a few stories each time you went to see him and it always made for an interesting and fun visit. He could also use a good story to help you contemplate some event you were dealing with in life.

Deb also mentioned how Gordon always strove to be honest and fair in all his dealings. He could always work out fair a solution to difficult situations. Even if someone didn't get their way they usually couldn't argue the logic that he used. Once a landlord thought his side of the crib had less corn in it than Gordon's. He wisely offered to switch sides with the landlord who immediately backed down and never mentioned it again.

He was always neat and clean (as much as a farmer could be). His shirt was always tucked in with a belt, his hair combed, face shaved, teeth brushed and fingernails clean. He often missed the days when people used to dress up for weddings, funerals, graduations, even for going out to eat or to a show. He was known for his farmer tan which was easy to cover on his white upper arms, but the white forehead was a little more difficult to conceal... as it is for all farmers.

Gary really stressed that Gordon was proud to be a good farmer.  Gordon studied farming, he read, he learned, and he adopted new methods and technology once they'd been proven as productive and reliable, it was always very important to him to be a 'good farmer'.  And Gary emphasized that Gordon was a great farmer.

Deb and Gary said there weren't many vacations as children, their Dad milked cows and as all those who've been around dairy cows know, they have to be milked come rain or come shine. Gordon and Jean made up for the lack of these vacations once they retired and started going south for the winter months.  Still, Gary and Deb remembered going to the park, “University 40” near Lohrville with their parents and the 'gang'.  Friends were always important and Gordon and Jean were especially close to the Carish family, the Stoffregen family, and the Hanks.  These families along with the Dooley's constituted the 'gang'.  They spent a lot of time together in both work and play.  They helped each other with their farming and then relaxed by playing cards, going fishing, or just going out to eat dinner and maybe a little dancing. Though Gordon was the last of the adults from the 'gang', the children remain and are still good friends to this day.

Gordon loved to farm, he loved the land, and he loved his Lord.  The Lord blessed him for his devotion and hear now these words found in Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 11:13-15
13 If you will only heed his every commandment that I am commanding you today—loving the Lord your God, and serving him with all your heart and with all your soul— 14 then he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, and you will gather in your grain, your wine, and your oil; 15 and he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you will eat your fill. 

And now I will share with you a poem by an anonymous author:

They Buried A Farmer Today:
They buried a farmer today, 
Gave him back to the dirt from which he came. 
Earlier his family and neighbors walk by, 
Looking at memories of a simple man’s life. 
A table of photos, toy tractors, and cards, 
Telling the story of life on the farm. 
There are the overalls he wore every day, 
Except on Sunday, when he bowed his head to pray. 
All things that kept him close to his roots. 
Not born in a barn, but not far away, 
From the fields where a boy learned how to play. 
There are photos of his children and grandchildren, too, 
And he and his wife, there are more than a few. 
The smiles betray the hard times that he faced, 
The worries and fears, the profits erased, 
By weather and markets out of his hands. 
In the end, all he really had was his land. 
The soil, the crops, and even the weeds, 
To his way of thinking, that’s all he would need, 
To take care of his family, and help them stay safe, 
From a faster-paced world, not too far away. 
A good life, a simple life, that’s what he led, 
He’d struggled like most, but came out ahead. 
And eventually, retirement, if ever a farmer could, 
Stop worrying or working, but he did it, for good. 
He enjoyed his last years, and made sure that he thanked, 
The good Lord above for his life, and his land. 
His time ended quickly, his loved ones in tears, 
Hoping he knew what he meant to them all through the years. 
Today they gather, to remember and pray, 
About a simple man they loved, who was there every day. 
Through joy and sorrow, laughter and pain, 
He was there when they needed him, right up to the end. 
Out to the cemetery, they carry him home, 
To a small plot of land, just under a stone. 
For they know he’s at peace, and praying for them, 
As they stand on a slope, not far from his land. 
The service now over, they leave him alone, 
Knowing someday, he’ll greet them once more. 
A dust cloud forms as the trucks drive away. 
They buried a farmer today.

In closing, Gary and Deb mentioned that holidays were always important to their family growing up... especially Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's always difficult to lose a loved one so close to Christmas, but we can rejoice in the knowledge that this year Gordon is reunited with Jean in Heaven and they after having spent so many Christmas' together here on this earth get to spend an eternity of Christmas' together in our Lord's presence... Praise be to God.  

My First Christmas In Heaven: by Wanda Bencke
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars,
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away that tear.
For I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs,
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can’t compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.
For I have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring.
For it is beyond description,
To hear an angel sing.
I can’t tell you of the splendor,
Or the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas,
With our Savior, face to face?
I’ll ask Him to light your spirit,
As I tell Him of your love;
So then pray for one another,
As you lift your eyes above.
Please let your heart be joyful,
And let your spirit sing.
For I’m spending Christmas in Heaven,
And I’m walking with the King!
I know how much you miss me;
I see the pain inside your heart.
But I’m not so far away,
We really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones,
You know I hold you dear,
And be glad I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory
Of my undying love.
After all “love” is the gift,
More precious than pure gold.
It was always most important
In the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other
As my Father said to do,
For I can’t count the blessings
Or the love He has for you.
So have a Merry Christmas and
Wipe away that tear.
Remember I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year!

Eulogies:
The family has asked me to at this time open the floor for anyone that would like to share a memory or perhaps share a poem or scripture reading with the family and friends.  You may either come forward or if you would rather please rise and speak from where you are seated, please do though speak loud enough for others to hear you.

Closing Prayer:
Following the service today, please feel free to remain here at the funeral home as long as you wish in order to visit with the family and share condolences for... and memories of Gordon. 

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 Gordon 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 a life fulfilled beyond our imagining.  We give you but your own, enfold him in your everlasting arms, hold him for he 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:  


Committal Service – Gordon Dooley

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

PSALM 121
We lift our eyes up to the hills.
From where does our help come?
Our help comes from the Unseen One,
The Maker of the heavens and the earth,
Who will not cause our feet to stumble,
Our protector who never sleeps.
The Abundant One preserves us,
The Watchful One is our shelter and
support.
The Vigilant One guards us from evil,
And keeps our Life-breath safe.
The Shepherd guards our going out
and our coming in from now unto eternity.

Though we are now parted for a little while from Gordon, he has not left us entirely... for as long as his memory affects our lives, our interactions, our relationships, our decisions here in this world... a little bit of Gordon yet remains... cherished and hidden away in our hearts.


We Remember Him
When we are weary and in need of strength,
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember him.

When we have a joy we crave to share
When we have decisions that are difficult to make
When we have achievements that are based on his
We remember him.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember him.

At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We remember him.

At the rising of the sun and at its setting,
We remember him.

As long as we live, he too will live
For he is now a part of us,
As we remember him.

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

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

Let us now pray together the prayer that our Lord and Savior taught us to pray...
Our Father...

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

This concludes our graveside service.  Thank you all for coming.


Friday, December 21, 2018

December 16, 2018 - Lighting the Candle of Joy - The Third Sunday of Advent


Last Sunday for us here at Woodlawn it was the Third Sunday of Advent, the day when we light the candle of 'Joy'.  The crutch of the sermon was the joy that our Lord wants us to feel over the good gifts He gives us each and every moment of our lives.  God feels joy in giving to us and all that He wishes from us is our acknowledgment of the gifts that we have received.

I compared these aspects of joy to our own gift giving to our children, family, and friends. As we grow older we understand this component of 'Joy' more and more fully... as a parent or even more-so perhaps as a grandparent, we take much greater joy in giving than in receiving... but, a part of this joy is seeing genuine appreciation from our friends and loved ones.

Let us make sure to acknowledge in prayer our joy in the gifts our Father in Heaven gives to us each moment of our lives.  There is no way that we can list these gifts... they are just too numerous... but, we should at least once a day lift up a prayer of appreciation and worship to the One that loves us so very, very much.

Be a blessing (and joy) to someone today!

In His Joy,
Roy

Luke 3:7-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,[a] 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Footnotes:
a) Luke 3:15 Or the Christ

b) Luke 3:16 Or in



Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Thursday Night Worship, December 13, 2018, Preparing for the 3rd Sunday of Advent - Joy


Last Thursday night we looked at the closing verses of the letter written to the church in Philippi by the Apostle Paul (most likely while in prison in Rome).  Philippians is a letter filled with 'Joy' and it is a fitting letter to discuss on the third Sunday of Advent the Sunday upon which we light the 'Joy' candle.

Last week we discussed 'Peace' and how one can have peace even in the face of chaos and discord, having 'Joy' in the midst of troubles is perhaps a tougher concept to grasp than the idea that we can have 'Peace' amidst troubles... but in fact, we can have joy in our hearts no matter what we face as long as we hold God in our heart.  Paul and his letter to those early Christians in Philippi is a testimony to this phenomenon.

As long as we believe that Christ is our Lord and Savior, we can be joy-filled even when life's troubles rain down upon us without cease.  We can do this because we know that whatever we face here it is temporary, we live to prepare ourselves for our eternal home, our home with God.  Live a life of 'Joy' just as Paul lived in order to be a witness to others, just as Paul was a witness to so many generations of Christ-followers.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Joy!
Roy 

Philippians 4 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
1 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion,[b] help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice[c] in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.[d] 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, beloved,[e] whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about[f] these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice[g] in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.[h] 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends[i] who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[j]

Footnotes:
a) Philippians 4:1 Gk my brothers
b) Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus
c) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
d) Philippians 4:4 Or Farewell
e) Philippians 4:8 Gk brothers
f) Philippians 4:8 Gk take account of
g) Philippians 4:10 Gk I rejoiced
h) Philippians 4:10 Gk lacks to show it
i) Philippians 4:21 Gk brothers

j) Philippians 4:23 Other ancient authorities add Amen


Friday, December 14, 2018

Luke 1:67-79; The Second Sunday of Advent, 2018 - Lighting the Candle of Peace


Last Sunday was the 2nd Sunday of Advent and here at Woodlawn that means we light the "Peace Candle".  The sermon covered the verses concerning Zechariah’s Prophecy after the naming of John (the Baptist) found in the first Chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

Peace is an elusive and an evasive thing, at least as far as 'Earthly' peace is concerned. In order for us to find lasting, permanent, and enduring peace... we must reach to God.  For true peace is found only in a relationship with the Almighty, any other momentary peace we find in this life is just that, momentary, fleeting, and honestly an illusion... true 'Peace' comes from our faith in Christ and our relationship with Him.

Be a blessing to someone today!

God's peace and love to you all!
Roy


Luke 1:67-79   New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Zechariah’s Prophecy
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior[a] for us
    in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71     that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
    and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
    to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness
    before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high will break upon[b] us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Footnotes:
a) Luke 1:69 Gk a horn of salvation 
b)Luke 1:78 Other ancient authorities read has broken upon


Wednesday, December 12, 2018

No God - No Peace / Know God - Know Peace, Thursday Night Sermon Dec 6, 2018


Last Thursday Night was our first night after changing the time from 7 pm to 6 pm, which was done for just the winter months. Our turn-out was a bit off and I suspect several people forgot that we were moving up an hour.  Also, as the weather has continued to get colder, I have noticed more and more folks watching the 'Livestream' on Facebook that were coming to the service when the weather was a bit more favorable. This really is not a concern, the important part is that folks are taking in the service, no matter which route they take they are still being reached... Praise God.

The sermon covered the fact that in our lives we will never know peace if we are expecting that peace to come to us from the world... The only place we can find peace in this life is if we focus upon God and find comfort and reassurance in His love, grace, and peace.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In God's peace,
Roy


Philippians 1:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Salutation
1 Paul and Timothy, servants[a] of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops[b] and deacons:[c]

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Prayer for the Philippians
3 I thank my God every time I remember you, 4 constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5 because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart,[d] for all of you share in God’s grace[e] with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Footnotes:
a) Philippians 1:1 Gk slaves
b) Philippians 1:1 Or overseers
c) Philippians 1:1 Or overseers and helpers
d) Philippians 1:7 Or because I hold you in my heart
e) Philippians 1:7 Gk in grace



Thursday, December 6, 2018

Sermon Dec 2, 2018 - Luke 21:25-36 The First Sunday of Advent "Hope"



This past Sunday, December 2nd, was the 'First Sunday of Advent'; which for those of us here at Woodlawn meant it was the Sunday on which we light the candle of 'Hope'.  In the sermon, I looked back at the previous three sermons I've given here at Woodlawn on the occasion of the 'First Sunday of Advent' and the lighting of the 'Hope Candle'.  This year I again told a story from my days back home on the Ranch in South Dakota.  It was again a story of going from a sense of hopelessness to a sense of hope... this is the condition that we experience when we become believers and followers of Christ.  Where there was once no hope, there is now firm knowledge... faith... in the love and grace of our God.

One of the things that we need to remember about the 'Advent' season is that it is a tool, just as the Bible... and so many of the other trappings of our worship service are... tools to direct us to and in our worship and relationship with God.  Some Christian denominations (and non-denominational churches as well) eschew the whole 'Advent' concept out of the contention that it is not in the Bible.  Well, that ignores the fact that it is simply a tool to prepare us for the coming of Christmas and beyond that the Second Coming of Christ.  To contend with Advent simply because it isn't in Scripture would also mean that 90% (or more) of our worship practices should also be scrapped... for they're not in the Bible either.

Advent is a tool, think of it that way, use it that way... utilize this season to help you draw near (and dear) to the coming of Christ.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Hope & Grace!
Roy



Luke 21:25-36 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch

34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”



Monday, December 3, 2018

Thursday Night Worship - Sermon from November 29th, 2018 - 1st Thessalonians 3:9-13


Last Thursday night's sermon was over the verses found in the letter known as 1st Thessalonians, verses 9 through 13.  I especially love the beginning verse, what a wonderful blessing Paul gave to those dear souls in Thessalonica:
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

I am trying to get caught up with blogging this week and so I will simply post the video below and allow those who are inclined to take a listen and see how Paul blessed those to whom he was writing and how these verses can bless us today as we prepare for the 2018 Advent Season.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.


11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.