Funeral Service—March 20, 2000
Opening Sentences
I AM the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Invocation - Lord God, heavenly Father, we do believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We meet here in His Name because He is our Shepherd who can lead us even through the valley. Lord Jesus! Be with us here this morning to comfort, to guide our thoughts, to help us worship You for your love; to honor the memory of this godly mother, wife, sister and friend, Eunice Cooper. Amen
Scripture Lessons from the Old Testament:
Proverbs 31:10 - 31
Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Eulogy, Words of Remembrance From the Family
Scripture Lessons from the New Testament
John 14:1-6 - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Text: (Matthew 11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light .
In the really heavy times of life, crisis times as in the passing of a loved one, human words seem to fall far short of what we would like them to say. But it is then that the Eternal Word of God speaks to us with power and healing if we will but listen. These words from Jesus Christ come across nearly twenty centuries. They seem like ancient, dusty history to many who look at them with curiosity, from a distance. But if we will listen, Jesus Christ speaks them to each one of us, here and now:
It is God's latest word to us: It is the last word in the Bible ("And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him that heareth say, 'Come!' And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely"(Revelation 22:17).
It is the invitation to us all, and to each of us, individually: "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden." God says "Come!" because God loves us very much.
The Golden Text of the Bible tells of God's love. God so LOVED!
St. Augustine said that we were made for God and will be restless until we find our rest in Him. God says "Come!"
In the quiet times, in the good times, and especially when our hearts are aching, God says: "Come!" [When a grandchild hurts himself or herself, my reaction is: "Come here!" I want to pick them up and comfort them! God's word is COME!]
Jesus told His disciples (in John 14) that He was going to prepare a place for them, and that they KNEW the way.
But Thomas said: "Lord, we don't know where You are going. And how CAN we know the way?"
Jesus said: I AM THE WAY! You can come to God, and to God's LIFE and to God's comfort and to God's peace ONLY THROUGH ME! Not through good works, nor through churches or doctrines, as important as they may be. BUT THROUGH SIMPLE TRUST IN ONE WHO SAID, SIMPLY, "COME TO ME!"
How is this? The WAY to God is a Person? Because Jesus is not an ancient teacher/guru. Jesus is alive today! He is living God! By His Spirit He is still coming into our lives to lead us to God. Thousands have found Him. Eunice well knew this living Way! You and I can, too!
God's word is always "present tense." Come— just NOW! Whenever you hear God speak, you can just then respond! The way we respond is not by WHAT we know—but rather by WHO we know— WHOM we SEEK to know. The Bible pictures Jesus as standing OUTSIDE the door of the human heart, saying these words: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If ANY PERSON HEARS MY VOICE and will OPEN THE DOOR, I will come in and fellowship with him, and they with Me!"
When Jesus comes in He brings peace and forgiveness and life itself.
Prayer: Thank You, God, for Your word: COME! Thank You for the WAY to come to You: Your Son, Jesus Christ! We do COME to You for assurance and comfort. We COME to You with thanksgiving for a life that has been lived in your faith.
The Lord's Prayer
Benediction:
* * * * * * *
At the Grave
Psalm 121 I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper" the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
John the Revelator wrote: " I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the LORD: even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labors.
Committal
Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God to receive unto Himself the spirit of our departed sister, Eunice Cooper, we tenderly commit her body to the earth, in sure and certain hope of the Return of our Lord, and the Resurrection of the dead, and of the life everlasting. As we have borne the image of the earthly, so we shall bear the image of the eternal and heavenly.
Benediction The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Amen.
(Amazing Grace)