May 26, 2019 - Memorial Day 2019 - John 14:23-29

This past Sunday was, of course, the Sunday prior to Memorial Day.  Memorial Day Weekend is a major camping and going to the lake sort of event for many... and in another life, I spent every Memorial Day weekend (and Labor Day as well) at Fillenwarth Beach on West Lake Okoboji enjoying the lake and relaxing.

What I don't remember, is any conversation about what Memorial Day was all about.  I think that back then I like far too many... just thought it was about remembering all the dead and not just strictly those who have died in service to our Country.

Now, there is nothing wrong with going to the lake, or camping, or family gatherings, but what we do need to ensure is that within that celebration we find time to pause and reflect upon our freedoms here in the USA.  To pause and remember to recognize and thank those who have made it possible for us to have and enjoy these freedoms.  We owe it to those who have died for our ability to speak freely and to enjoy the remainder of the rights ensured to us by the Constitution.

In so much, much, much, much, much greater fashion... we must celebrate also each and every day, the sacrifice of Christ upon the Cross.  His suffering, His discomfort, His death, and resurrection... all ensure us that we shall be able to live our lives with the peace gained from the knowledge of the salvation of our souls and the life to come with the Father.

In the sermon, I mention the chaos and horror of war and how just as those soldiers could still find some thread of peace among the devastation through their faith and belief in Christ... we too can (in our so much more modest chaos) find peace through Him that saved us, even in the most difficult days.  I also mention in the sermon that one of the reasons I collect old military rifles is that after a hard day I can pull one or two of them out, clean them and just look at them and realize that as crazy as my day was... it was extremely pale in comparison to the days the young soldier that carried that same weapon saw on the battlefields of long ago.  I can also realize that if that young man was a believer, he could have, should have, and likely would have even amongst the horrors of war clung tightly to the peace of Christ.  I find these thoughts to be humbling and no small encouragement that no matter what life brings... through Christ all is well.

Today may you find... even within the craziness of life... the undying and unending peace that Christ left to all of us.

Be a blessing to someone today.

In His Peace,
Roy

John 14:23-29 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.

25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate,[a] 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. 27 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. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.

Footnotes:

a) John 14:26 Or Helper

Thursday May 23, 2019, Acts 16:9-15 "A Change In Plans" or "Adapt and Overcome"

This past Thursday, I preached over the verses found in Acts 16:9-15.  Here we find Paul listening to the urging of God to find not only a new church but a new way of extending a new church.  Paul is prone to going to the Synagogues in the towns in which he visits, but here he goes to the river because likely here in this pagan city there was no Synagogue.

Paul has to change his way of doing business and he even has to change his audience slightly, for here he is talking to a group of women.  Talking to women wouldn't have been something common for most Jewish men to do in Paul's time... even more uncommon he is talking to gentile women. In this regard, Paul is modeling himself after Jesus who had a long history of including women in his message and ministry.

Lydia though seems not to be just your ordinary run of the mill woman in the first century, no, she is a businesswoman a trader in purple cloth.  She is a woman likely with some means and she appears to be the head of her household, as she invites Paul and his companions to come and board with her and her family.

For Paul to go and stay at the home of a gentile was startling behavior for a Jewish man, but to go and stay in a household headed by a woman... well, Paul is without a doubt running counter to the prevailing norm.

Paul is 'going with the flow' or as we Christians probably like better 'following the Spirit'.  He's not entrenched in one way of doing things... he doesn't say "we can't do it like that... we've never done it that way".  Paul listens to the Spirit, he watches where God is already working and he goes there fully committed to the endeavor.  Paul is as always... "all-in".

Lydia's enthusiasm, joy, and insistence (it appears that Paul at first was reluctant to lodge in her home) displays that she is (like Paul and his conversion) "all-in" with this conversion.  Her's is not a faux baptism or an "I'll get baptized to make Mom happy" baptism... no, she is genuinely filled with the spirit and she's working to be a part of God's work in this world.

Spirit check... how in are you?  Are you "all-in"... "mostly-in"... "a little-bit-in"... or are you "in when it's convenient-to-be-in"?  Unfortunately, most of us fall into that last "in".

Be a blessing to someone today! (be all-in for God and let them know about Jesus)

In Christ,
Roy

Acts 16:9-15 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district[a] of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

Footnotes:

a) Acts 16:12 Other authorities read a city of the first district

June 2019 Newsletter Article - Pastor's Ponderings

Below please find my article for the June Church Newsletter.  It's been a busy week or so, and I am reminded of this when my computer informs me that I've proofed or published over 118,000 words online in the last week. That's a lot of words, I tend to write more than most but that's a lot of writing and proofing... please note that this includes all the Scripture verses which I have cut and pasted into my blog posts.

But, enough of that...

This certainly has been a spring to remember, we have had snow, rain, and flooding like never before in my lifetime.  As I write this there was hail in Omaha overnight so deep that folks were getting stuck in the piles. It's continuing to rain here in Lake City, across the Midwest, and especially back home in South Dakota; the Missouri River (to me just called "The River") is nearly as high as I have ever seen.  If the rain doesn't abate it will surpass those levels very soon.  The problem throughout the entire Midwest is that the ground is saturated and any new rain is running off quickly.  At this point, nearly every creek and river is at or beyond flood stage.  Back home "The Creek" (Counselor Creek) is running at a constant rate that I don't ever remember seeing.  There were always 'Gully Washers' but then the creek went back to a quieter state, now it's running continuously at a flood stage.

As you go about your week, please pray for all of those who are being affected.  If you are fortunate enough to not have flooding please consider helping those who have been and who are.  The way things are going many of the folks flooded by the melting snow are seeing the flood levels rise again, and as I said if the rain continues up North eventually they will have to let water downstream causing even more issues.  As I indicated... it is a spring that we shall all long remember.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Pastor's Ponderings:

Well, it's supposed to be getting warmer since we're almost in June, but as most of us know this last winter seems to be the winter that just won't end.  With recent cold temperatures here in Lake City and with actual snowfall in parts of the mid-west this week, we are all left wondering when will it all end.  To top it off there's been a whole lot of rain up in South Dakota and all that rain is going to come down the River and keep the flooding going even longer.  With all this, we are reminded why the Men's Group recently embraced a new program entitled “Water Ministry”.

The Men's Group “Water Ministry” is a program aimed at stockpiling bottled water to have prepared for emergencies.  If there is flooding, a devastating tornado, fire, what have you, which leaves a nearby community in need of potable water we will be able to quickly load up a truck and deliver some form of aid to that community.  The men are asking for donations of cases of bottled water on the 3rd Sunday of each month.  The next date for the “Water Ministry” donations will be June 16th.  Please mark your calendar and remember to bring some water to the Church on the 16th.  We will have someone available to carry it into the Church for you if needed.  Thank you all so much!

This year's Rummage Sale for the WOW group was a huge success!  Thank you to everyone who donated and worked the event.  I'm sure that there will be a report from the WOW group later in the Newsletter so I will allow them to comment more but it was a great effort and very fruitful!

This past weekend brought both joy and sorrow to us here at Woodlawn.  Joy in Spencer Moon graduating; Spencer is such a remarkable young man and we are all very excited about what the world holds in store for him.  We've all been blessed to help him mature and grow into the wonderful soul that he is, all the best to you always Spencer!

The sorrow over the weekend was that for the first time (and hopefully the last) since I've been here to Woodlawn, we had two funerals on the same day.  On Saturday, May 18th, we laid Jim Bruce to rest in the morning and then in the afternoon we held the funeral for Deloris Krause.  Jim became ill suddenly down in Texas and thanks to the valiant efforts of his cousin Neal, our own Gary Dooley, and Steward Hospital's Brooke Minnehan, Jim was able to be brought back to Lake City before he passed.  Jim's heart was so devoted to Lake City that I believe he held on just long enough to know he was home.  Thank you to Neal, Gary, and Brooke for working so hard to grant Jim his last wish.  God Bless!  We are all going to miss Jim, his dry wit, and his incredible range of knowledge, rest well James!

Deloris had such a wonderful turn out of family and friends and she was so well loved by so many.  She was however very much prepared and consigned to her passing, it was a true testimony to those who loved her.  I do want to again thank everyone that worked so hard preparing for and serving the meals to the two gatherings.  You all did a remarkable job and I am very proud of the way you ministered to both families!

On a happier note, we do have a wedding coming up in June!  On June 8th, we will be joining Tabitha Fergason and Corey Clausen in matrimony here in the Sanctuary.  Corey and Tabitha are a very sweet young couple and I am confident that they will have a long and happy union.  And speaking of long and happy unions, our own Leon & Judy Hendricks will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary in June!  Make sure to wish them many more and congratulate them on their determination and devotion to one another.  God bless you all!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the “Son Celebration” Concert on July 27th.  Make sure to tell all your friends and family to mark the date as well!  This year we are planning and preparing for a bigger and better event, you won't want to miss this one!!  We've got three great and talented acts booked and this will be Fun!

With that, I'm going to let you all go, BUT... please remember to...


Be a blessing to someone today!  Pastor Roy

Sunday, May 19, 2019 - John 13:1-35 "Glorified"

Last Sunday's sermon over John 13:1-35 focused primarily on the last few verses of the passage.  Through the betrayal by Judas, ultimately Jesus is glorified.  Honestly, the sermon was short because I was a bit worn out from conducting two funerals the day before.

Jesus through the crucifixion glorified God as well as redeemed all of us.  The question is how might we follow the example of Christ and strive to glorify God today... (one clue please avoid the whole cross thing).  Take a listen and see how I link the ministry provided by the women's group for the friends and families of those whose funerals we hosted this past Saturday and the glorification of God.

Remember, to witness is to glorify God.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Glory,
Roy

John 13:1-35 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table,[a] took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] but is entirely clean. And you[c] are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants[d] are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread[e] has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.[f] 20 Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”

Jesus Foretells His Betrayal
21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”[g] So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.[h] 27 After he received the piece of bread,[i] Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

The New Commandment
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him,[j] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Footnotes:
a) John 13:4 Gk from supper
b) John 13:10 Other ancient authorities lack except for the feet
c) John 13:10 The Greek word for you here is plural
d) John 13:16 Gk slaves
e) John 13:18 Other ancient authorities read ate bread with me
f) John 13:19 Gk I am
g) John 13:26 Gk dipped it
h) John 13:26 Other ancient authorities read Judas Iscariot son of Simon; others, Judas son of Simon from Karyot (Kerioth)
i) John 13:27 Gk After the piece of bread

j) John 13:32 Other ancient authorities lack If God has been glorified in him

Thursday Night Sermon, May 16, 2019, Acts 11:1-18

The sermon for last Thursday night was based upon the verses found in the Book of Acts 11:1-18.  The point that I focused upon was the 'witness' of this new way of being Jewish.  This new way of being Jewish that wasn't just for the Jews.  Peter sees the sheet descend three times and then three men show up to the door... and then six brothers go with Peter.  What's up with the numbers three and six?

Well, according to Jewish Law, one witness isn't adequate, two is okay... three is great... twice three (or six) is pretty much as they say a "lead pipe cinch".  To hear more take a listen to the video on YouTube linked below.

Have a very blessed week and remember as always to...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Acts 11:1-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Peter’s Report to the Church at Jerusalem
11 Now the apostles and the believers[a] who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers[b] criticized him, 3 saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” 4 Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6 As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I replied, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a second time the voice answered from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ 10 This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11 At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us.[c] These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14 he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” 18 When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

Footnotes:
a) Acts 11:1 Gk brothers
b) Acts 11:2 Gk lacks believers
c) Acts 11:12 Or not to hesitate

Funeral Manuscript for Delores Krause - May 18, 2019 - God's Peace

Saturday afternoon, we held the funeral for Delores Krause here at the church.  Delores had been in hospice care for a while and I believe I made three visits to her while she was down in Carroll at 'Swan Place'.  She was a wonderful soul to visit with and she was blessed with many friends and a very large and loving family.

May God comfort them all as they work through these difficult days of grief and mourning.  May His strong arm encircle them and hold them tight.  God bless you all.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy

Order of Service – Funeral for Deloris Krause
Deloris Louise (McChesney) Krause 

Prelude:

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 Deloris brought each of you did not leave you Wednesday morning... indeed the essence of her soul still lingers.  It cannot escape your hearts, for it has been there your whole life long. Cling to the memories and let them find their way to comfort and 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. Deloris... has left you that love... her love, to hold in your hearts forever. It was and is, the most precious gift she gave you.

Today, we have come together within the strengthening fellowship of friends and family, to praise God for the life of Deloris Louise Krause;
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 Deloris to God's everlasting care.

Special Music:  Tracey Amano

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 Deloris. 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 139: 1-18
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is so high that I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from your spirit?
    Or where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
    if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light around me become night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is as bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.
13 For it was you who formed my inward parts;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
    Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
15     My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
    all the days that were formed for me,
    when none of them as yet existed.
17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 I try to count them—they are more than the sand;
    I come to the end—I am still with you.

Let us hear now a reading from the New Testament:
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9  New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
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 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.

Special Music: Tracey Amano

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 though changed 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.

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church

In the very early morning hours of Wednesday, May 15, 2019, Deloris Krause was born anew into the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Deloris Louise McChesney Krause blessed her parents, Millard and Wilma McChesney by her birth into our world on October 6, 1931, in Rockwell City, Iowa. Deloris attended school in Rockwell City and graduated from High School there in 1950.  Then barely six months later on November 6, 1950, she married August “George” Krause at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.

George was a few years older than Deloris and it was George's sisters who first introduced them. After the couple was married they first lived in Rockwell City, where George worked as a truck driver, a farm hand, and also did some farming on his own.  Later they moved to what was known as the 'Cook Farm' and then to Sherwood.  In 1983 they moved to the farmstead west of Lake City, and it was from there that when George retired in 2004 they moved into Lake City and Deloris joined Woodlawn Christian Church. Their home in Lake City was on South Street, but after George passed away, Deloris moved to her 'California House' on Illinois Street.  During George and Deloris' life together, she worked on the farm with George and she also worked as a telephone operator and as a dietary worker at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital.

When I asked the family for words to describe Deloris and what she meant to and represented in their lives, they told me the following;  That she was strongly family-centered, that she was always loyal, that she had many friends, that she had a wonderful sense of humor, she was determined, supportive, a caregiver, she was open and available to her family and friends, hospitality was important to her, she was an inviting soul, and how very, very much she loved her family.  They emphasized how she especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Her family was her world, and she had a locket made up with all the birthstones of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she treasured that locket and she's holding it today.

She loved watching her grandchildren grow up, she loved taking care of them and having them stay with her. Even though there were stories of them picking on and teasing her, there was a particular story about a snake placed in the dishwasher, a toy one mind you.... but, I'll allow the family to share more about that story with you during our time together after the service.

They told me about how she happily played cards with them all, even though they all knew that she hated playing cards.  There were stories about many camping and fishing trips to Minnesota. The family talked about how she enjoyed cooking and mentioned her great pickles and how there were always cookies. It sounded like you could never go hungry when you went to visit Grandmother.  If you were at her house in the morning you couldn't leave until you'd had breakfast, a full breakfast too, they talked about how great her pancakes were.

They also talked about how Deloris liked to sew and how she did quilting as well.

There were stories illustrating how caring she was, putting tea towels and bread sacs around the children's feet inside their boots to help keep their feet dry.  About warming up towels to ease the pain of ear infections and how she took care of her husband George. That she always tried to make things special no matter what.  She was always available when she was still able to drive, to take family members to Doctor appointments and such.  The family said she was always helping others and that she passed this important lesson on to all of them.

They told me that Deloris was a 'Shopaholic', right up to the end of her life.  She was always looking for a treasure at the Thrift Stores.  She liked clocks, and she collected plates, and glassware of several kinds, milk glass, depression, carnival glass, and others. It seemed that Deloris particularly enjoyed collecting Coca Cola memorabilia and in fact, she had the hallway by her room at Swan Place decorated with Coca Cola items.  She always drank Coca Cola.

Deloris enjoyed her friends and she was devoted to the 'congregant meals' while the program was still going here in Lake City.  She loved getting together with all of her friends for meals. She was an easy soul to visit with and I enjoyed visiting with her when I stopped in to see her while she was at Swan Place.

The family asked for me to share with you this poem in Deloris' memory:

To My Dearest Family:
To My Dearest Family
Some things I'd like to say
but first of all to let you know
that I arrived okay
I'm writing this from Heaven
where I dwell with God above
where there's no more tears
or sadness there
is just eternal love
Please do not be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight
remember that I'm with you
every morning, noon and night
That day I had to leave you
when my life on Earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me
and He said I welcome you
It's good to have you back again
you were missed while you were gone
as for your dearest family
they'll be here later on
I need you here so badly
as part of My big plan
there's so much that we have to do
to help our mortal man
Then God gave me a list of things
He wished for me to do
and foremost on that list of mine
is to watch and care for you
And I will be beside you
every day and week and year
and when you're sad
I'm standing there
to wipe away the tear
And when you lie in bed at night
the day's chores put to flight
God and I are closest to you
in the middle of the night
When you think of my life on Earth
and all those loving years
because you're only human
they are bound to bring you tears
But do not be afraid to cry
it does relieve the pain
remember there would be no flowers
unless there was some rain
I wish that I could tell you
of all that God has planned
but if I were to tell you
you wouldn't understand
But one thing is for certain
though my life on Earth is o're
I am closer to you now
than I ever was before
And to my very many friends
trust God knows what is best
I'm still not far away from you
I'm just beyond the crest
There are rocky roads ahead of you
and many hills to climb
but together we can do it
taking one day at a time
It was always my philosophy
and I'd like it for you too
that as you give unto the World
so the World will give to you
If you can help somebody
who is in sorrow or in pain
then you can say to God at night
my day was not in vain
And now I am contented
that my life it was worthwhile
knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile
So if you meet somebody
who is down and feeling low
just lend a hand to pick him up
as on your way you go
When you are walking
down the street
and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind
And when you feel the gentle breeze
or the wind upon your face
that's me giving you a great big hug
or just a soft embrace
And when it's time for you to go
from that body to be free
remember you're not going
you are coming here to me
And I will always love you
from that land way up above
Will be in touch again soon
P.S. God sends His Love
-Author Unknown

Truly, God sends his love to us, He did so through the life of His son Jesus Christ and by extension through the love of all those who love Christ.  When I asked the family about particular scripture verses they mentioned these verses found in the Gospel of John.

John 14:1-7   New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Jesus the Way to the Father
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2 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? 3 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. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Though all of you gathered today shall miss Deloris, you should all rest assured that this is only a temporary parting and that you'll each get to see Deloris' smile once again when you are reunited in Heaven.  Praise be to God.  Today Deloris 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... In her new home, the one made just for her in Heaven... Praise be to God...

Today, I have shared with you many things about Deloris' life, all of these are stories that the family relayed to me... I would now like to share with you one final story.  A story that the family does not know.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 14, 2019.  A group of 36 first graders from Kuemper Catholic School, were singing in the Chapel at Swan Place.  The staff asked the teachers, the leaders of the children if they could come down the hall and sing outside the room of one of the residents... a resident that they told the teachers, but not the children, of course, a resident that they told the teachers was dying.  The children gathered outside that room... that room adorned with Coca-Cola memorabilia.  And the children sang several songs for the women inside.  The woman was, of course, Deloris... and as the children sang loudly and gleefully the so, so familiar to us all song... “Jesus Loves Me”... the staff came out crying and told the teachers that Deloris responded and that they knew that she had heard those sweet little voices.

On the afternoon of May 14, Deloris heard those sweet little voices of those 36 little earth angels and knew that Jesus loved her.  That lovely little choir singing a prelude to the choir of Heavenly Angels that Deloris would hear only a few hours later... those Heavenly Angels that welcomed Deloris home... to the room prepared just for her... Praise be to God Indeed.

Special Music: Tracey Amano

Closing Prayer:
Immediately following the service, we will proceed directly to the Lake City Cemetery.  After the graveside service is complete, the family invites and implores you all to gather once again here in the Fellowship Hall at Woodlawn.  Fellowship Hall is just down the long hallway from the back of the Sanctuary.  There will be treats and beverages available and more importantly a time to share memories and to console one another. For those who don't wish to travel to the cemetery, you are welcome to wait here at the church for the family to return.  Once the family returns from the cemetery we will then bless the food and drink.  You are all welcome to remain, visit, and share memories for as long as you wish.

Let us please now pray:
God of life, and light, and hope... with Your whole Church in heaven... and on earth... we bring to You our thanks, we offer to You our praise... for all that You have done for humankind through Jesus who is the Christ.   You sent Him, Your Son... to live and die for us. You showed Your plan for the world and proved that Your love has no limit, and on that first Easter when You raised Jesus from the dead You promised that all humankind might share His resurrection life. For the hope of our faith, for the good news of Your Kingdom, and for all those whom You have welcomed into Your loving presence, we thank You, gracious God... But especially now, we thank You for the life of Deloris whom we loved. 

We thank You for all the ways in which Deloris became special and precious to each of us who knew her; for the values and standards she set by her example and her life; for her sense of what was good and right and decent; for her warmth and humor and sense of family; for every life that she enriched and all that she invested of herself in our lives; for the faith by which she lived and in which she died. 

We thank you for the glorious treasury of memories that are ours to keep, to hold on to and to enjoy – the moments that were deep, special and personal, the times that rang with laughter and fun, and for the ordinary days when affection and love, trust and respect, grew and were deepened. We thank you for the courage shown, and for a life fulfilled, and for all that Deloris reflected of Your goodness and love. And now though we mourn... we also are glad... for we celebrate today that Deloris has found peace and will neither suffer nor mourn again... she has laid her burden down before You and is with You... safe, happy, whole, and welcomed by those for whom she once mourned. Help us to hold on to what we should... and to let go of what we must. Help us not to cling to the past constantly brooding for what might have been, but rather to take forward what she gave us for the rest of our lives’ journey. Help us to trust and to know that Deloris will never be far from us till that day when we all stand together in Your presence. 

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 Deloris 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:
May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine down on you and grant you all His peace.  Amen.

Postlude:  


Committal Service:
Gathering:
We have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Deloris Krause.  We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

O God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray. You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you.  AMEN

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.

Please allow me to share with you the following poem by an unknown author:

The Broken Chain:
We little knew that morning,
that God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
in death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide;
and though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same;
but as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

Into your hands, O merciful God, we commend your servant Deloris.

Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold,
A lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.  Receive Deloris into the arms of your love and mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of those that have gone before.  Amen

Following the Benediction, the family will perform a ceremonial releasing of doves.  The dove has long been a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God residing here with us on this earth.  By releasing these doves the family wishes to represent symbolically the carrying of Deloris' spirit to her home in Heaven.  These doves symbolize the loving Spirit of our God carrying Deloris to that room made ready just for her... Praise be to God.

Benediction:
May the all-abiding love of our all-gracious God... support you, guide you and uphold you in the days, and weeks and years ahead.  His peace be upon you today and all days.  Amen.


Release of the Doves:

May 18, 2019 - Funeral for James L. Bruce - God Bless Your Soul Our Friend.

This past Saturday was a very difficult and busy day for all of us here at Woodlawn.  In the morning we held the funeral for Jim Bruce and then in the afternoon, we buried Delores Krause.  Holding two funerals in the same day is not something that I wish to repeat anytime soon, it was a very physically and much more so an emotionally draining day. Our prayers go out for both of the families and I will post Delores manuscript in a separate blog post.

Jim Bruce was a very dear friend and though he and I didn't necessarily see eye to eye on many topics of our day, he was a man whom I both respected and loved.  He and I loved to trade jabs back and forth and I will miss my friend until I'm able to see him again in our Father's House.

In honor of Jim's capacity as "City Historian", I've scattered among the manuscript photographs of Lake City's past along with photos of the interior of Woodlawn Christian Church.  He did love this old Church so very much.

God's speed to you James!

In Christ,
Roy

Windows in Woodlawn Christian Church, Lake City, IA

Order of Service – Funeral for James Bruce 5/18/19

Jim Bruce, working the sound system during worship at Woodlawn Christian Church

Prelude:  

Procession: 

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 morning to praise God for the life of James LeRoy Bruce; to mourn our loss with one another, to console each other in our moment of grief; to celebrate Jim's life and all that he meant to all that loved him; to celebrate God's love for Jim, and His love for each of us; And to commend Jim to God's everlasting love and care.

Hymn: Be Thou My Vision # 595

Opening Prayer:
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 all these who gather today in their loss and sorrow.
Be their refuge and strength, O Lord,
reassure them of Your continuing love
and lift them from the depths of their 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,
speaks 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.

Hymn: “Are Ye Able,” Said the Master #621

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:
Matthew 5:1-12  (NIV)
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Old White Church - Woodlawn Christian Church

Hymn:    How Great Thou Art # 33

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church
In the early morning hour of 6 o'clock on May 5th, James LeRoy Bruce left behind the world in which we reside and stepped onto the very streets of Heaven.  Jim's friend Gary Dooley was there to bless him and wave one final farewell as Jim crossed that threshold of bodily death to become one again with the Father.  Jim loved his Lord and we all must rejoice that Jim is no longer suffering and has truly and genuinely become a new creation today in the Kingdom of God.  Praise be to God!

Jim was born January 22, 1936, at the McCrary Hospital right here in Lake City, Iowa, this little town that he loved so deeply and about which he knew so very, very much.  His father was Roy Bruce and his mother Ruth Madden Bruce.  Jim spent most of his childhood growing up in the little grey house that still sits just kitty-corner from the church.  He was baptized by Reverend Shepard here in this baptistery on April 21, 1946, at the tender age of only ten years. Growing up Jim worked at various businesses here in Lake City, the Lake City Graphic, Osborn's Cafe, Bandy Studio, the Coast to Coast Store, and for Woodlawn Christian Church, serving as the Church Secretary.

Jim attended school here in Lake City from Kindergarten to graduating from High School in 1954.  Upon graduation Jim then attended and received a Bachelors Degree in Education from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA, graduating in 1958.  Jim served in the US Army after college during 1958 and 1959 where he worked as a Chaplain's Assistant.  After being honorably discharged from the Army Jim remained in the Army Reserve for a number of years.  After completing his time as active service military, Jim used his Teaching degree to teach English in both Albert City, IA and Cherokee, IA.

Jim's next move was all the way to Chicago where he first worked for Morton West High School, in Berwyn, Illinois, then he attended Indiana University working towards his Master Degree in Education, graduating in 1966.  While going to school at Indiana University, Jim also worked for the National Congress of Parents & Teachers, better known as the PTA.  

Some years later Jim felt a special calling to join the medical profession and he received his RN degree from Northwestern in Chicago, graduating in 1983.  His first nursing assignments were at Gary Methodist Hospital and Illinois Masonic Hospital.  He next worked as a nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was involved in programs at the forefront of AIDS research and care.  Jim remained at Northwestern Memorial Hospital until his retirement.  Even after his formal retirement, Jim continued to follow the Nursing profession and kept his Nursing Insurance Policy active right up to the time of his death.  Most if not all of Jim's nursing career revolved around AIDS research and caring for AIDS patients.  Jim relayed to me several times how he was involved in the first studies that started to slow down the onset and progression of AIDS.  He was there as the disease went from being a death sentence to finally something that through the use of drug-cocktails could be managed for a lifetime.  Jim kept in contact with and maintained some involvement with the ongoing research at Northwestern until the very end of his life.

Almost exactly twelve years ago Jim decided to retire and move back home to Lake City.  Transferring his Church membership back to Woodlawn on June 3, 2007.  He purchased a home and became active with Historic Central School, here in Lake City.  Jim had attended school at Central as a child and after returning home he could be found right there most afternoons, working away, in what had once been one of his classrooms, digging through old news articles and working on his computer.  As part of his duties at Central School he wrote for many years the “Years Ago” column for the Graphic, in recent years he began sharing these duties with Gary Dooley.  Growing up Jim had worked for the Graphic here in Lake City helping out his mother Ruth who worked there for many, many years.  My understanding is that she once retired and the paper convinced her to come out of retirement and to come back to work because they couldn't find anyone to replace her.  Jim loved to comb through those old newspapers and hunt through the history that they retained.  I have long suspected that a part of Jim's devotion to those old Graphic articles was the memory of his mother writing and proof-reading them so long ago.

Jim was also very involved with the Cottonwood Preservation Committee sitting on the board and serving as the Treasurer, as such he devoting many hours of his time. The Cottonwood Committee was very appreciative of Jim's involvement and activity.  He was a very respected and much-loved part of their organization. 

Shirley Deuel Miller, the Chairperson of the Cottonwood Cemetery Preservation Assn., sent to me the following:

James LeRoy Bruce 1-22-1936 to 5-5-2019: 
Jim joined the Cottonwood Cemetery Preservation Association as treasurer in October 2012, just a few months after our official inception. He was a devoted and integral part of the board not only because of his accounting skills but also as a wonderful community historian. Jim’s love of Cottonwood Cemetery was due to the large number of family members interred there. 

One was his namesake, Civil War Veteran James W Bruce 1846-1916, whom we featured in a Cemetery Walk by a Civil War re-enactor. He was a kind and thoughtful person, blessed with a detailed, and near photographic memory that served him well throughout his years. Whenever we had an event or activity planned, he was right in the midst of it. He will be greatly missed! Rest in peace our dear friend.

As Shirley mentioned, Jim's great-grandfather and namesake James W. Bruce is buried in the Cottonwood Cemetery and was one of those figures that was highlighted during their re-enactments at the Cemetery.  James W. Bruce served in the Union Army and was wounded during the Civil War, shot through the chest with the bullet just missing his spine. Had I known this story before Jim's passing I would have teased him that he owed his life to a Confederate's poor aim... but I'll just have to hold onto that bit of ribbing until I see Jim again in Heaven. There is more information about Jim's great-grandfather James among the items in Fellowship Hall.  Please feel free to take a look during the luncheon following the interment. 

James W. Bruce - Civil War Veteran and Lake City Merchant

In addition to serving Central School and Cottonwood Cemetery, Jim also was a member of the Iowa Museum Association and attended their meetings and conferences.  He was proud of his family, local community, and State history and loved to explore and share the knowledge that he had gained.  We all mourn the loss of so much knowledge of and such dedication to our past.

Jim was a lifelong member of the Disciples of Christ Church, growing up here at Woodlawn and while away he was always involved with a DOC church somewhere.  While living in Chicago, he was a very active member of Austin Blvd Christian Church in Oak Park, and he told stories about them all of the time.  He served on their Church Council as Treasurer, and as an Elder, he was also at one time their Property Chairperson.

Jim was very involved with Woodlawn during his youth, among the items displayed for his visitation is a Bible given to him by the Reverend Howard Prather in 1958 for all the things Jim had done for Woodlawn.  Jim was a close friend with the Prather family and I believe he helped babysit their children.  Jim also told stories of playing in the attic of the Parsonage with the minister's children, I apologize that I don't know which minister he was talking about but perhaps if you ask members of the congregation one of them will recall.

When I would go out to visit Vera Mae Doty prior to her passing at Shady Oaks, I would always take Jim along.  Vera couldn't remember who I was but she remembered very well the CYF outings that she and Herb took Jim and the other youth from the church on back so many, many years ago.  It was a blessing to see her eyes light up as she and Jim talked about things they'd done for the Church so long ago.  Jim in those visits was certainly a blessing to Vera Mae and he was so very fond of both Vera and Herb.

Jim was among so many other things... very interested in electricity and electronics, and as a youth, he was always happy to help with wiring here in the Church building.  Some of Jim's handiwork from those days still persists here in this old building.

After returning home to Woodlawn Christian Church, Jim was at one time or another the Property Chairperson, the Church Council Secretary, for many years the Treasurer, and for a time volunteered as the Church Office Secretary.  Jim loved this old church and for many, many years he was the cook for the Sunday Evening Service.  For many years he not only did all the cooking for that gathering but he provided all of the food at his own personal expense.  It was to him a ministry.  He loved to cook and took great pride in serving up a meal for a group as economically as he could possibly do so.  After hearing of Jim's passing Kim Anderson, another one of our wonderful cooking soul's here at Woodlawn, stated: “well, Jim's in Heaven now showing Jesus how he could have fed 6,000 with those loaves and fish.”

Jim loved to serve... though he sometimes also loved to grumble about it... you could always tell though... he loved doing it.  There are few aspects of this Church where Jim wasn't involved at some point or in some way.  Jim was the Chair of the Search Committee that brought me here to Lake City.  He was the first soul that I met upon arriving in town to meet with the Search Committee.  You may not know this, but it was entirely Jim's fault that we had the tornado strike Lake City back in 2015.  You see, one of the first questions my wife asked during our meeting with the search committee was if there were ever tornadoes here in Lake City.  Jim did that little nod of the head and handwave that he so often did... and stated that there hadn't been a tornado in Lake City for fifty years... I was here for approximately two weeks... and that fifty-year hiatus came to an end... all thanks to Jim and his reassurance to my wife Gail.

I spent many hours since coming to Lake City in April of 2015, sitting and visiting with Jim, helping him with Sunday evening meals or clean up in the Church Kitchen.  He and I traveled together to Indianapolis for the Disciples of Christ General Assembly in 2017 and we had many great conversations on that journey.  We also spent about eleven hours in the Emergency Room after Jim tripped and fell giving himself a bloody nose.  In fact, we were in the ER twice on that trip due to that fall.  

Often when I was preparing for a funeral, I'd go and visit with Jim down at Central School and he would fill me in on the person's history and background.  There were very few times when Jim wasn't able to tell me about the individual, their parents, their grandparents, their great-grandparents, and who their fifth cousins twice removed on their mother's side were... and what those cousins did back in the day.  Jim knew it all, even though he'd been gone for many years he kept up on the Lake City happenings by reading the local paper and by visiting with his mother Ruth.  He was very much a momma's boy, he was an only child and it was always my understanding that he was the apple of his mother's eye and that he and she were very close.

During High School, Jim had a group of girls that were his closest friends and he often jokingly referred to them as his 'Harem'.  Down in Fellowship Hall, there is a photo or two of Jim with his 'Harem' and I'm sure that at least some of them are here today and perhaps they can share more stories with you during the luncheon after the service.  There are far, far, far too many stories about Jim to share... far more than I could ever relay from the pulpit this morning.  All of us knew James... I always called him James and he always got a chuckle out of that... we all knew James and we all loved him.  Often, we loved him in spite of his cantankerous, and slightly eccentric ways... or maybe we actually loved him because of his cantankerous old eccentric soul.  It's really hard to say...

Roxy Crandall can tell you endless stories, and nobody can tell a story like Roxy, stories about Jim working the sound system during weddings. For years Jim ran the sound system and Roxy was for many years the wedding coordinator so she and Jim worked together many times... and it was no secret that Jim hated weddings.  He would make faces and comments to Roxy during the events and leave poor Roxy in stitches with his dry commentary.  Roxy told me that she'll always remember and always miss those days with Jim.

At the very end of Jim's life, his cousin Neal Miller and Neal's wife Virginia were, and still are, absolute God sends for Jim.  They took him to the hospital in Westlaco and fought hard to get him back home to Lake City.  It wasn't an easy task at all... and honestly, if it hadn't been for the efforts of Neal, Virginia, Gary Dooley, and finally but not the least Brooke Minnehan up at Stewart Memorial, Jim probably wouldn't have been granted his final wish, his desire to be back home to die.  I will always believe that Jim's stubborn soul held on long enough to make sure he was back in Lake City, back home, to go back home to Heaven.  On that early morning on May 5th, which I must interject that one of the most surprising things to those of us who knew and loved Jim, was that he passed in the early morning... we all knew that Jim never did anything before about 11 am and preferably afternoon... But seriously, that morning, was a lot like this morning.  It was a beautiful morning a nearly perfect morning, though we knew then and we knew now that there was rain ahead... at that moment when God called Jim home to heaven, it was about as perfect a day as they come on this side of God's heavenly home.  I'd like to think that on that perfect Sunday morning, James sat one last time in the pews of Woodlawn Christian Church and then took the hand of an Angel and went home to see our Lord and of course his mother Ruth who I'm certain has longed to see her darling little boy.

We all miss you James, perhaps those last few winters that you spent down in Texas... trying to get the chill of Iowa out of your bones... perhaps those months with you away helped to teach us here how to get by without you and your steadying hand.  God bless you, Jim...

Ecclesiastes 3   New International Version (NIV)
A Time for Everything
3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
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 from embracing,
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.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Today... is the time for us all to say good-bye to James LeRoy Bruce, we will miss you Jim but we take reassurance in the knowledge that today you are in the very presence of our Lord Jesus Christ... by your faith in Him and your acceptance of Him... He has made you pure and whole... Praise God for His Mercy, Grace, and Love.

The old Fountain in the Lake City Square

Let us please pray:
Abba, Father... we thank you for the life of Jim Bruce, our friend, and fellow Christian.  Lord we know that Jim was not a perfect man, none of us are, we know that Jim did not live a perfect life, none of us has or ever will... we all fall far, far short of the glory of God.  We thank you, God, for the love, grace, and reconciliation that is ours through Jesus Christ the Messiah, and the Savior.  Thank you for leading Jim to Jesus at the tender age of ten years old.  Lord, thank you for all the years of service that Jim gave to You and to serving Your will.  Lord let us each strive to serve you as Jim strove to serve you, here in this place and far beyond.

All of this we pray to you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
Amen.

Woodlawn Christian Church, Lake City, IA - The Old White Church that burned down

Hymn: To God Be the Glory # 72

Closing Prayer:
Following the interment at Cottonwood Cemetery, the family invites you all to join them in further celebration of Jim's life and a time of shared remembrances and closure, by gathering with them for lunch in the Church's fellowship hall. For those who do not wish to attend the graveside service, please feel free to remain behind and wait here at the Church.  Let us please allow this prayer to serve as grace for our meal.

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 Jim 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 him in your everlasting arms, hold him for he is your beloved 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 – James Bruce

Selfishly, we as mortals wish to hold on to Jim. 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 Jim, but now his smile will warm the kingdom of God. We will continue to love Jim, but God will now take care of him. We will continue to carry Jim 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 139: 1-10
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
3 You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
5 You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is so high that I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from your spirit?
    Or where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
    if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me fast.

Believing in the Resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we now entrust Jim to the care of Almighty God and we ask Our Father to open the doors to his mansion and lead Jim 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 Jim 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...

Benediction:
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

Military Ceremony, presentation of the flag:

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

Woodlawn Christian Church (DOC & ABC), Lake City, IA