“God Does ALL Things Well.” (Gen. 1:3-4; Rom. 8:28)

S-1494 5/1/2015 Hymns: (O) #53; (S) #57; C) #32

Text: Genesis 1-5; Romans 8:26-30; John 10:7-18

Theme: “God Does ALL Things Well.” (Gen. 1:3-4; Rom. 8:28)

Celebration of New Life for Roy Johnson

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia amen!” The text for the celebration of Roy’s new life given by His loving and faithful Good Shepherd Jesus is from Genesis and Romans. “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.” (Gen. 1:3-4); And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

St. Shirley, family and friends; today is a bitter sweet day for you. It is sweet because we know that Roy is no longer on this earth suffering with the terrible disease of cancer. No longer does he have to endure the pain and aches of body that was falling apart. No longer will he take medicine, be pocket by nurses and doctors visits to make him feel better. That is sweet indeed!

But it is also a bitter day for you. It is a bitter day because your husband of over 30 years is no longer with you. He will no longer go to the store to get things. No longer will he be able to help you around the house. He will no longer be able to sit and visit with you about life and its challenges. No longer will he smile at you, hold your loving hands and bless you with his presence.

And yet as you consider the bitter sweet day, I want you to pay close attention to God’s glorious promises that Roy as His baptized child is with Him NOW. God’s glorious promise to do everything well for Roy has been fulfilled perfectly on Calvary’s cross! We can be certain without a doubt that God does all things well.

As many of you knew our departed brother Roy struggled with the dreaded disease of CANCER. Cancer was taking its toll on him. It made him very weak. He lost lots of weight and was unable to care for himself. He needed help!

Even though cancer had attacked his body and slowed him down, by the power of the Holy Spirit, he still put his hope in Christ His Savior. Often when I visited him I would remind him of Pastor Paul’s message. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose;” that God indeed has done all things well for him in spite of his condition, and he would smile and say: “Yes Pastor, the Man upstairs knows what He is doing and He does it well.”

Last Monday night, I got a call from you Shirley telling me “Roy had fallen and if I could come and help him.” I said, “I could! However, I don’t think it is a good idea. I should call 911 because he needs more help than I can offer.” You finally agreed. I called and they took him to the hospital and then to the nursing home.

When I visited him on Tuesday afternoon, we had a great visit and shared with him God’s comforting Word from Psalms 46 and 121. We held hands and prayed. He was smiling and said you know Pastor: “God does all things well!” I looked at him and said, “You know Roy that would be an excellent sermon title for the celebration of your new life.” He smiled and said again, “I like that Pastor!” Thus the theme for this celebration is, “God does all things well!” PAUSE.

Saints in Christ hear me well. I am not saying that God is the author of this bad disease that has attacked Roy. God is not punishing Roy because of His past sins. God did not condemn him because He didn’t like Roy.

No! On the contrary God loved Roy so much that He sent His Son to earth to redeem and restore Him. In Genesis chapters 1 and 2 we often hear the word, God in His creative activities Has done good things for His beloved people. In Paul’s message to the Romans God uses every situation and condition for the good of His people. Furthermore, Jesus in John chapter 10—in the discourse of the Good Shepherd declares: He will lay down His life for His sheep.

Roy IS one of His sheep. Please notice I am speaking of Him in the present tense because He is alive with Christ now. Jesus in love and mercy has done everything good for Roy. He permitted others to cause Him to suffer terribly. He has done all things well by permitting others to crucify Him. He has done all things well—He carried Roy’s sins and ours upon His shoulders. Christ has done all things well—He died for Roy. He has done all things well—He was buried in a cold grave. He has done all things well—He rose from the grave for Roy. He has done all things well—destroying the power of death.

Jesus has done all things well…overcome our arch enemy—Satan. He has done all things well—done away with the punishment of sin. He has done all things well—He forgave Him all of His sins. He has done all things well—offered Him eternal life. He has done everything well—welcomed Him to His table to dine and drink with Him. He has done all things well—wrapped His arms around Roy and said: “Roy, you are Mine! I have purchased your life with My blood. You are My child forever and nothing can separate you from My love and pierced hands!”

Roy’s confirmation verse affirms this blessed truth. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” With Jesus as your Good Shepherd there is nothing that you need. He supplies what is lacking in us—His holiness and righteousness. His love and kindness. His grace and forgiveness. His faith and eternal life

Yes, indeed, Christ has done everything well—not only for Roy; but for you Shirley and you saints in Christ. Know the truth and hold it tight. Your salvation is guaranteed by the Good Shepherd Jesus. Not because you have done something good, but because He is good ALL the time. He is so good that He works in His creative activities to give us all that is good from the sun and rain, family and friends. Everything around us is used by Christ to make our lives better.

But the greatest is when we gather in His house, confess our sins and receive all of the blessings He has given us out of His goodness and mercy--ALL that we need for this life and the next. Here in this house we hear the clear and pure message that God indeed has done all things well and He continues to do.

Around His Word and Sacraments we learn anew the promise of God that Roy knew so well that in every situation and in every condition He does everything well for us for today and always.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed Alleluia! Amen.

Now the peace….

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Delighted IN the Presence of Jesus” (Psalm 1:1-2)

S-1463 3SIA/3B 12/16/2014 Hymns: (O) #457; (S) #533; (C) # 57 SFD

Texts: Isaiah 43:1-3; Revelation 21:1-7; John 14:1-7

Theme: “Delighted IN the Presence of Jesus” (Psalm 1:1-2)

Question: “Celebration of the New Life of Alvera Luella Cunningham

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia! (3x). Beloved in the Lord, the text for the celebration of the New Life granted to our departed sister Alvera by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is her confirmation text from (Psalm 1:1-2) “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night”

Beloved people of God, Psalm 1:2 speaks of the Christian’s delight. A “delight” is something that brings a great deal of satisfaction, gratification and pleasure. We are not to be a discouraged or defeated but rather a people who are delighted in the things of God. What you delight in tells everyone around you the condition of your heart. If it is the things of the world alone that bring you delight, then you’re focusing on earthly things. But if your delight is in the things of God then your heart is focusing on heavenly things and that offers peace and joy as we travel as pilgrims in this ball of mud we call earth. For we all know that this world can’t satisfy or meet our needs but only God can and does in His Son, Jesus Christ.

In the cycle of life a child looks with great joy and anticipation to open the packages that sit beneath the Christmas tree. In a few days we will see many children who are delighted as they get their hands on the gifts. They care nothing about the wrapping or the ribbon, they just tear into the gift. Likewise at the end of life, a person who is near death looks with the greatest joy and delight to be in the presence of Jesus Christ his/her Savior—the GIFT OF HEAVEN.

The truth is however that the only desire that matters or lasts is the desire to be connected to Jesus. That is the ultimate goal for every son of Adam and every daughter of Eve to be in the presence of Him who came in the flesh—the Babe of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ. To be sure, to be with Jesus is our eternal delight. To find delight in His presence is our eternal joy and our eternal rest. All because of the Greatest gift—the gift that keeps on giving—Jesus our Savior.

That is precisely what our departed sister is experiencing right now—she is delighted to be in the presence of her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. But the desire to be with Jesus started long before she was even aware of it; it started with Him. The desire began with the One who created her in her mother’s womb. He confirmed this desire on September 25, 1922 when He called her in the waters of Baptism to be His very own for time and eternity. He solidified it to her on December 12, 2014 when He said to her, “Come, My daughter and delight yourself in My presence for the rest of your life!”

This delight was whenever she came to the Lord’s house. Here the Lord delighted her by forgiving her, her sins. Here in this place He delighted to offer her a sumptuous Meal of love and peace in His body and His blood. Here in this place she was delighted as she was privileged to be nurtured at the hearing of His Word.

Yes, Alvera meditated at His Word. She longed to be with her Lord and Savior. Even though for the last 8 years she hasn’t been able to be here, or was not in the best of health, yet she longed to be in His presence and to receive the life-giving Sacrament. What joy filled her heart as she took His body and blood into her mouth with the greatest delight.

Today, she is in His presence forevermore and that delight continues. She is indeed delighted to be in the presence of the One who came from heaven to earth so that He may die for her and all people who have been cursed by sin.

As we mourn our own loss, we rejoice that this Christmas our dear sister will be joining her voice with those she has loved who have gone before her, and with the angels and arch-angels and all of the heavenly host as they sing what the herald angel sang along with all voices then, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!" (Luke 2:14 ESV)

Yes, we spoke of her delight, her great delight in being in this house, with all of you, of praying for you, her family as you may have been scattered. Here and in her home, and finally, in her bed, where confusion reigned, she still delighted in that grandest news that Alvera was the daughter of the Most High God and that not only does He have her, but He has you, in those nail pierced hands that began as the stubby little digits of an infant.

As you go forth from this, the Lord’s House, the place where He gave birth to your beloved mother, where He washed her in the renewing flood of her Baptismal Grace as her sins were forgiven, where He fed and nourished her with nothing less than all that He is and all that He has, His very own Body and Blood, go forth, beloved, knowing that the good gift He has given in these walls and at her bedside, this Feast and this Forgiveness, this Love and this Peace has now gone from being a promise, to being sight!

The same Lord that brought so much delight to your dear Alvera also desires to delight in you. The call that came to her comes to you as well. He desires to forgive the crushing burden of your sin. It is His delight to bring you into His house and feed you with the very same heavenly manna with which He was delighted to feed Alvera. Even amidst the tears of this day, it is His delight to call you to look beyond this life to an eternity that He is calling you to spend with Him! He is calling you to delight in Him and His Word this day! This call is the only true answer to the grief that you feel. He gives it to you freely! It is His true delight this day!

Yes, and as we gather again in just eight days to sing the carols of His birth and as the Advent Wreath puts forth the full light of the Promise Kept, we will gather knowing that your beloved mother, that our dear sister delights, fully delights with you, for the God who loved her in this life, loves her still, and the God who loves you now, He is faithful and He shall surely keep you… in His perfect peace for: CHRIST IS RISEN! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia and Amen!

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“True Blessedness” (Luke 11:28)

S-1454 19SAP/3A 11/12/2014 Hymns: (O) #59 (S) #32; (C) #18 SOD

Texts: Psalm 23; Romans 8:28-39; John 14:1-7

Theme: “True Blessedness” (Luke 11:28)

Celebration of life for Loren Gene Horsley (passed away on 11/1/2014. He was cremated.

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. The text for our the celebration of the new life promised to our departed brother by His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is his confirmation verse: “…But He [Jesus] said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28).

Beloved in the Lord, especially you Delores, Kevin, family and friends, we have gathered in the Lord’s house today to celebrate the new life given to you dear husband, father, grandfather and friend. By the Holy Spirit’s power, we have been gathered in God’s house to hear His Word, find comfort and consolation in His promises that those who die in Him shall live with Him forever.

For this reason today, we will listen with attentive ears to hear the message from God’s own lips that truly comforts us in the hour of sorrow and give us hope as we walk in the valley of the shadow of death as you are doing today.

However, all of us here have a problem with hearing. No, I’m not talking about the inability to hear that you are in need of a hearing aid. But rather, it is the absolute fact that we don’t want to hear what is being said to us; least of all from God. Instead we want to talk and be heard. In our fallen nature that is just the way it is. But that is not what God designed us for. If you paid close attention to your face, you realize you have two ears and one mouth. That is to say listen more and talk less.

The text of Loren’s confirmation is indeed a true blessing because in it the Lord states: “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” But to help us understand this text we need to know the context.

Jesus was casting out demons. What He did made people marvel. The people who saw Him do it knew, instinctively and by religious training that what was happening could only happen if God were present and at work through the man, at the very least. It simply was so good that it touched the people who witnessed it, and so, those who were Jesus’ adversaries were troubled by it, and they tried to ‘spin’ what Jesus did negatively. They suggested boldly that Jesus was in league with the devil. After all, who had ever seen anything like this before?

Then Jesus describes the Jews with another parable. That the Jewish leader were misleading the people of God from hearing the truth. He is speaking of Israel when He describes the man from whom the unclean spirit is driven out. Then those who reject Jesus are the unclean spirit that finds the house all cleansed and put in order, and goes out and find seven spirits more foul than itself. It is Israel that Jesus is describing; when He says that the last state is worse than the first. He is picturing Israel as a man (which God does throughout the Old Testament), and He is saying that when His cleansing is done, they - the Jewish leaders - will wreak havoc and ruin on Israel by rejecting their own Messiah. Which to this day still deny that Jesus is the Messiah. They are still waiting for the Messiah to come.

“And it came about while He said these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice, and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which You nursed.’” These words are true enough, But Jesus responds in this manner. “'On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and keep it.’”

Let this truth sink in your ears. Jesus is certainly worthy of all that praise - and we also praise Him with our whole heart. But Jesus meant to turn the attention of that woman, and everyone in the crowd, and us, too, who read the account centuries later, to where true blessedness is to be found, and what it is comprised of. His odd-sounding response to this wonderful saying of this woman in the crowd is, ‘Go to the Word, and pay attention to that Word.’ Jesus tells us to ignore everything but the Word of God, and to pay close attention to that, and let every decision be made solely on the Word of God that endures forever.

This is the true blessedness that we SHOULD hear the Word of God and keep it. For this reason when the Creator Father, Son and Holy Spirit made man in His image He gave him two ears and one mouth to hear that Word.

Yet it is so hard for us to keep quiet. As I shared before we would rather talk than listen. We want to be heard rather than hear. But thankfully, the Holy Spirit teaches us the truth that true blessedness comes from hearing the Word and keeping it.

Our beloved and departed brother Loren knew this Word intimately. He heard the Word spoken over him in the waters of Baptism on April 12^th, 1936. He continued to hear that Word as his parents brought Him to the Lord’s house. The Spirit continued to teach him the truth as he attended Sunday school, VBS, Confirmation classes and private devotions. He heard the Word because that Word took root in his heart, head and home.

He continued to hear the Word as he came often to the Lord’s house. Here in this place He received the true blessings from God as he heard the Word of forgiveness spoken to his guilty conscience, and filthy heart. He received the true blessings from God as he listened to the sermons. He received the true blessings from God as he received on his sinful tongue the life giving body and blood of the Lord.

Even into his old age he continued to hear the Word, because that Word was special to him. He loved hearing the Word. However, as often the case with age, he was unable to come to the Lord’s house as he desired, but the Word of the Lord came to him as I visited him, prayed with him, read scripture and broke bread with him. He loved seeing me, because he knew he would be hearing the Good News again-receive forgiveness and dine with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the Lamb made flesh.

Few days before, I left on my Holy Land Nour Tour (Thursday 10/16) I visited him at the nursing home in Mitchell. There he, Delores and I heard the Word of God and gave him the Sacrament of the Altar for the last time. Then God called him home (11/01) to be in His presence forever and ever.

Beloved in the Lord, true blessedness comes in hearing the Word and keeping it. By the Spirit’s power, you and I have a golden opportunity to gather in this house to hear the glorious promise of God. Therefore, I challenge you to set aside that time where you can be with Your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and hear His Word and grow and mature until the day He calls you home to be with Him forever.

Do you want to be truly blessed? Then, hear the Words of Jesus “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!” By the grace and mercy of God Loren did and so can I you. Therefore with joy we look forward to the true blessings from God as we gather often in His presence to hear the Word.

True Blessedness is faith. Listen to the Word of God, as Jesus says, and do what He tells you to do. Gather, don’t scatter. Hope, don’t despair. Trust in God, don’t fear life and what is going on in the world around us. Set your values and attitudes by the Word, not by the world around you. Take and eat and drink often of His holy Supper, as Jesus tells us to do. And love one another, as Christ has loved each one of us. Listen to the Word, and observe it - keep it - believe it - do it. If you do all of this, you are living in true blessedness. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Let the people say “Amen!”

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!!!

“FOREVER Abiding” (John 15:4-5)

S-RUTH 26SAP/C 11/22/2013 Hymns: (O) #32 SOD; #457 (S) ##552; (C) #533

Texts: Isaiah 41:8-10; Rev. 21:1-7; John 11:

Theme: “FOREVER Abiding” (John 15:4-5)

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed Alleluia! The text for the celebration of the new life promised to our departed sister Ruth is her confirmation verses “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I Am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

INTRODUCTION: In Nomine Iesu.

To you most precious children of the resurrection, let this day be of great comfort and joy though you are in the midst of sorrow and pain. Let it be a day of light and not of darkness. Let it be a day of blessing rather than a burden. Why? Why? Because, today, by the power of the Resurrected Christ we celebrate life not death! Today we rejoice in God keeping His promises to His beloved daughter in the faith—Ruth! Today we thank the Lord that your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-great-grandmother is in the arms of the crucified and risen Christ. Today we declare to the world that Ruth is FOREVER abiding with Her faithful Good Shepherd Jesus.

I say this with great confidence because these are not my words, but the Words of the Author of Life—Jesus Christ our ONLY Lord and Savior. The sermon hymns we just sang “Abide With Me Fast Falls the Eventide” was written by Henry Lyte in 1847. Lyte was in­spired to write this hymn as he was dy­ing of tu­ber­cu­lo­sis; he fin­ished it the Sun­day he gave his fare­well ser­mon in the par­ish he served so ma­ny years. Here are some of his farewell words to his beloved congregation: “O breth­ren, I stand here among you to­day, as alive from the dead, if I may hope to im­press it upon you, and in­duce you to pre­pare for that sol­emn hour which must come to all, by a time­ly ac­quaint­ance with the death of Christ.” With these last words spoken by this preacher, he gave his congregation and us joy that fills our hearts.

The opening stanza of the hymn is this: Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me. What is the goal of this hymn? To abide forever with Jesus. For this reason I have titled the sermon FOREVER abiding. I can say for certainty that our departed sister Ruth even now is abiding FOREVER in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

When she was only 27 days old (Baptized Feb. 29, 1920) her parents brought her to the font at St. Peter’s Lutheran church and the minister of the Gospel spoke these precious words over her, “Ruth, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” That day, by that majestic water connected to the Word she was grafted into the eternal Vine, Jesus Christ.

Thirteen years later on her confirmation day June 4, 1933 she was given these verses from the Gospel of St. John “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I Am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” These words were of great comfort and strength for her in her earthly pilgrimage. By the grace of God she remained connected to the Vine not by her own works, but only by the grace of God her Savior.

She remained connected to the Vine as she gathered often in His house to hear His Word and dine at His table. She bore fruit of repentance and joy as she confessed her sins and received absolution. Even when she was unable to be in the Lord’s house, the Lord went to see her and give her His precious body and blood often.

Even until her final days the Holy Spirit used her to bear fruits of faith, love, compassion and kindness to others. As I visited with many of you—family members and friends you would say: “Mom loved people. Treated me like her own daughter from the day I was married into the family. She helped many who were in need. She is a great aunt. Not only by name, but truly a GREAT AUNT!

But there is more, not sure how many of you know this. Ruth paid out of her own pocket for the oil to keep the Eternity Light burning in this house of worship. I don’t share this because by these acts she earned points in the sight of God to let her into heaven. No, I share these thoughts with you because she lived the life of one who knows that to abide in Christ is to live for Christ; to declare His praises and shout to the world that I am marked forever to be His own as His very little lamb. PAUSE.

Remember that her name RUTH means “friendship” And she was a friend to many. And now she has unending friendship, only now she beholds face to face her dearest FRIEND of whom we sang “What A Friend We Have in Jesus”. I will use her name as an acrostic

R = Remained called by gospel, she was fed and led by W & S. She cherished the time she got to spend around His Word growing and maturing in that Word. She never cut herself off that vine, but was forever abiding in Him.

U = Unending existence in paradise that began when she left this world.    She is part of the unending Alleluia Chorus of the saints who are by the throne of Grace in heaven who shout saying: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Rev. 7:10b-12).

T = Trusting Jesus she was not disappointed. She knew that this Jesus has kept every promise ever made. He defeated satan, destroyed death and done away with the punishment of sin. Sin has no hold on us. The grave can’t keep us and the devil can’t accuse us. Jesus has paid the payment of our redemption.

H = Hope, her hope, now realized is our hope to which we look forward too, and which often I read to her from 1 Peter “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”, (1:3-9). Hope is faith looking towards the future based on Jesus perfect keeping promises in the past. How do we remain in Him? “To obtain such faith, God instituted the Office of the Ministry, that is provide by the Gospel and Sacraments.” In this Jesus gives us a BIG promises.       

In the Gospel of St. John 15 the word “Abide or “Remain” is mentioned nine times. Jesus uses this word for a reason to assure us that He is the Vine and we are the branches without Him we can’t do anything.     

“Abide with Me and I will abide with you.” Jesus said. He has done that to our departed sister Ruth. As we heard in our Gospel reading today from John: “I Am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world” (John 11:25-26).

Ruth by the power of the Holy Spirit has believed this and therefore is FOREVER ABIDING with her Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.

My prayers for you as well are these: that you too, would remain and abide in Him. Amen.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Now the peace of God…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Peace In Spite Of…” (1 Peter 5:7)

S-1361-Easter Season/C 5/08/2013 Hymns: (O) #457; (S) #200; (C) #533

Texts: Psalm 23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 10:11-18

Theme: “Peace In Spite Of…” (1 Peter 5:7)

Celebration of the New Life for Irene Lenora Gjoraas, Armour, SD

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the celebration of the New Life granted to our departed sister in the faith—Irene, is her confirmation text: “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Beloved in the Lord, today is a day of rejoicing and celebration amidst sadness and sorrow. PAUSE. Today, we give thanks to the Lord for the gift of life He earned for our departed sister Irene. Today, as we are gathered in His house to commend this precious child into the hands of our Lord, we lift our voices heavenward in praise for ALL He has done for us—His suffering, death and glorious resurrection. On account of His mighty act of love on Calvary’s cross, Jesus gives us peace in spite of our situations of grief, suffering and sadness. Today, Jesus reminds you and me to cast all of our cares on Him because He cares for YOU.

As People of the Resurrection, we are attacked daily by so many forces that it can rob us of the peace that Christ has earned for us. We are attacked by fear. We are attacked by the adversary-the devil who doesn’t want us to have peace or joy or happiness. But remember People of the Resurrection that God is greater and stronger than our attacks, says St. Peter in this concluding portion of his letter. It ends on an upbeat but practical note. He tells us how to face life, how to face our spiritual enemy, how to face suffering, and how to face God.

Peter instructs us to face life by trusting God saying: “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” And today, in this place, Peter reminds each and every one of you to put all of your hopes and dreams in the One who answers every prayer. Place your whole life in the hands of the Carpenter, because those are the tender, loving hands that bring peace and joy.

But when death comes knocking on our door, it disturbs our life. It knocks us and turns our world upside down. Even when we know it is coming it can spin us around and even lead us to doubt the care our Lord has for us. We begin to question God saying, “Why did you have to take my mother from us so quickly? Lord, this is my grandma; couldn’t You have kept her just a little longer with us? Besides, she was in Church this past Sunday, and quickly her life began to spiral out of control and by Friday she left us and went to be with you. God, don’t you care about me?!”

But sin puts a damper on things and our eyes are distracted from God as they gaze upon the one who die d. Sin clouds our eyes and tears begin to fall down our cheeks. Sin troubles our hearts and causes us to wonder does God really care. Does He even know what pain I am going through? Sin plays games with our minds and puts us at odds with our family and loved ones but especially the peace we have with God. And we all face the heartaches, difficulties, testing—and even death. All these events cause us stress. We worry, we fret, and we forget to trust God who is our only source for life and salvation. Left in sin, we have no peace; our lot would be only God’s eternal judgment. PAUSE.

But the good news is we are not left in sin. Peter speaks from personal experience exhorting us to: “Cast all of our anxieties on Jesus, because He cares for you” (5:7). More than likely the Holy Spirit brought to mind the similar words of the Psalmist who also wrote: “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22).

But oh, People of the Resurrection. God does care about you. God loves you unconditionally. God desires for you to have the peace that surpasses all understanding because He has earned that peace for you through His shed blood. God wants to comfort you even now as you taste the bitter pill of death. God wants to still the storm raging in your heart and head and home. God wants you to know that YOU matter to Him.

Irene mattered to the Lord. She mattered enough to Him that He was willing to go to the cross for her. That trip to the cross and empty tomb was one that He made willingly. On that journey, He suffered greatly. He knew what was coming. He knew the pain, suffering, anguish, affliction and humiliation. And He still faced it FOR HER! And with that comes the promise not only of HIS presence but HER resurrection. Irene still matters to Jesus because as she rests from her labors in this life, she rests in the great comfort of the nail scarred hands of Jesus!

And those same nail scarred hands reach out to you this day. YOU matter to Jesus! YES YOU DO! That cross of Christ is for you too. It is cross that calls you to lay down all of the harm and hurt that the sins of others and your sins have earned. Jesus calls you to peace this day. Peace in the midst of death. Peace with the Lord rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Peace in the relationships you share within your family. He wants this for YOU! That’s how much He cares for you EVEN NOW!

In the opening portion of Peter’s letter we read these words: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials” (1 Peter 1:3-6).

We believers in Christ have a lively hope through a living Savior of an inheritance that fades not away but also reserved for you in heaven...This moves us to cast all our cares upon Jesus...this lively hope, this glorious future, this certainty which for Irene has become a wonderful reality as she beholds the Savior face to face. PAUSE.

Irene, whose name in Greek means peace, knew that peace personally because she had a personal relationship with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Though she was a sinner and had hardships and difficulties all of her life—lost two husbands, had many surgeries, suffered a lot, she was found faithful being in His house often to hear His Word that brings hope, joy and eternal peace. Even a week ago Sunday, 5 days before she was called home, she sat in this house of worship, heard the Good News again, that her sins are forgiven her on account of Christ her Savior, and dined with Him at His table and had peace with God.

But of more importance it is not that Irene knew the Prince of Peace, but that the Prince of Peace knew her and called her by name in the waters of Baptism on February 1^st, 1931 and nurtured her through His ever living Word and Sacrament. The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ came into the room where the Disciples where huddled behind closed doors on that first Easter Sunday because they were afraid and their hearts were broken at His death. Into that room He stepped, calmed their spirits and said: in Hebrew Shalom alechem, and in Greek, Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν “Peace be upon you”. (John 20:19b).

Those words spoken by the Prince of Peace so long ago to the Disciples are not just empty words or spoken to them, but they are spoken to you as well even now in the midst of your broken hearts at the death of your mother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, and grandmother. Into this room Jesus enters and calms your spirit and assures you that He is indeed the PEACE GIVER. He is the forgiver of all of your sins. He is the One who blesses you, enriches your life and guarantees your future with Him in heaven.

Yes, indeed, His peace be upon you here and now and always. The Prince of Peace, Jesus has done away with sin and took upon Himself God’s eternal judgment so that we might be judged righteous and holy not because of what we have done, but because of what He has done for us.

Today, rejoice and celebrate life, because He cares for you. Today, know with certainty, you need not be anxious about anything, but rather, led by the Holy Spirit take Jesus at His Word, hold unto His tender, loving, and pierced hands and walk with Him as our beloved sister Irene had done for the past 82 years, and you will have peace in spite of. Amen.

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!!! AMEN!!!

“He’s Got It!!!” (John 20:31)

S-1342 11/15/12 Hymns: (O) #537; (S) #801; #744; #748 (all from LSB)

Text: Psalm 23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; John 14:1-6

Theme: “He’s Got It!!!” (John 20:31)

Celebrating the New Life promised to Carl Peter Gjoraas by His Savior, Jesus Christ.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for the celebration of the new life of our departed brother Carl is his confirmation verse: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name”(John 20:31).

In the name of Christ Jesus Amen, at times when say we say “he got it” we mean he deserved it. A basketball player gets the Mr. Basketball award, because he has shined on the court. A student gets a full ride scholarship because he has excelled in the classroom. A salesman is awarded the Salesman Year Award because he has sold the most in his department. And a week ago Tuesday, President Obama got the win to serve another 4 more years.

All of these examples are a means to convey that people get things they deserved because of their efforts in life—be it school, work or marriage. Today, we remember with thanksgiving to God the life of one of His saints—Carl Gjorass. How is it that he “got it” – this servant of God, a man who knew his place in this world and gave diligently and freely towards those he loved? For over 57 years He was the loving, caring, husband of Laura, tenderly and gently he nurtured his children Ron, Karen, Noreen and Wayne. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren. He was truly a hard working man, farmer and businessman who took pride in what he did. He knew his place as the redeemed of God and he joyfully served His Lord and His church in many and varies ways. We are grateful to God for all these ways that Carl was a gift to us. Carl, in his long life, may have received this or that honor. However, the text for us today speaks of another getting—one that is a gift and not a reward, that is an undeserved honor from our gracious and loving God.

Listen please to Pastor John’s emphasis in Carl’s confirmation verse. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” This pastor teaches the early Christians and us “But these are written” to suggest that what he has written is to confess, comfort and console his hearers that Christ is the Messiah promised of old. That He is God’s Son in the flesh. That He did everything to demonstrate He is the heaven-sent Savior and the One who had defeated the grave, demolished the devil and done away with the stench of sin through His resurrection on the third day.

Second, John says: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” that is to say, this Jesus, the One called, the son of Mary, the son of Joseph, the carpenter’s son, Jesus of Nazareth, and of Galilee, was the Christ, the true Messiah; the One anointed by the Holy Spirit and sent by God to redeem the world. He is the One and only who has been anointed to fulfill His mission as Prophet, Priest, and King, and offering His life as a ransom for all of humanity. He is none other than the One promised to our first parents in the Garden when they fell into sin. He is the One Moses spoke about in Deuteronomy “The Lord Your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to Him you shall listen” (18:15). He is the One the prophets spoke about and the Psalmists praised.

Through these signs men are called to believe in Him and through the greatest sign of His resurrection, He demonstrated to the world that He is the True Son of Man and God. Jesus is the Divine taking flesh and blood and standing among the Jewish people of Palestine. This is an article of faith that is attested by God, by angels, and men; and is confirmed by all the disciples as the One who conquers death and the grave and gives us eternal life.

Third, John continues by saying “and that by believing you may have life in His name.” believers have their spiritual and eternal life through Christ; their life of grace, of justification by Him, of sanctification from Him, and communion with Him; the support and maintenance of their spiritual life, and all the comforts of it: and also their life of glory, or eternal life, they have through, or in His name; it lies in His person, it comes to them through Him as the procuring cause of it; it is for His sake bestowed upon them, yes it is in His hands to give it, and He gives it to all that believe: not that believing is the cause of their enjoyment of this life, or is their title to it, which is the name, person, blood, and righteousness of Christ; but faith is the way and means in which they enjoy it; and therefore these signs are written by the evangelist for the encouragement of this faith in Christ, which is of such use in the enjoyment of life, in, through, and from Him.

That is why we can say with confidence that He’s got it! What is it that Carl has gotten? On August 11, 1919, as the Pastor poured the water over Him in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—in that gift we call Baptism; he got new life, salvation, forgiveness of sins, and peace with Christ and became a child of the heavenly King. Because of Christ’s life-giving Word, Carl got to hear and learn the message of the cross that saved Him. As he knelt at the Altar to receive the body and blood of His Lord and Savior he got the confirmation of how much he is loved and cherished.

Indeed Carl got it. He didn’t get it because he deserved it. He didn’t get it because he excelled at holy living. Nor did he get it because he shined more than others. No, Carl got it because our Lord Jesus Christ gave it to him. He got it this past Friday when the Lord called him home and said, “Come home son, your room is ready!” He got it ALL—life—eternal life with Christ His Savior in the blessed heaven prepared for him. He got life and salvation because by faith he believed in Jesus as His only Savior and God.

This why we can say with great joy, CARL GOT IT! He got the gift of eternal life through and on account of Christ His Savior. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Princess in God’s Garden” (Isaiah 55:8-12)

THIS SERMON WAS PREACHED IN GREGORY SOUTH DAKOTA FOR THE FUNERAL OF ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO LOST HIS INFANT DAUGHER AFTER ONLY LIVING FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS!!!

S-1320 P/3B 6/02/12 Hymns: (O) #740; #465; 709; (S) #594; #566; (C) # 490

Text: Psalm 139:13-18; Isaiah 49:13-16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2:9-10; John 10:11-18; 14:1-6

Theme: “Princess in God’s Garden” (Isaiah 55:8-12)

Funeral for Evelyn Ameera Nies” St. John Gregory, SD

My dear, dear brother Jared, Sister Sarah, family, friends, members of St. John and you fellow colleagues in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! (3x). The text for the celebration of the New Life granted to our departed sister in the faith Evelyn Ameera Nies is from Isaiah 55 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (8-13).

You who are loved by the Father of all mercy and compassion, by His Son, Jesus, who paid the penalty of our sins and by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit; who consoles and comforts us by His Word.

What might I say to bring healing to your wounded hearts? How shall I comfort you as you weep the death of your little princess? With what eloquent words may I fill your heart with peace as you walk through this terrible tragedy that came upon you like a tsunami?

Jared and Sarah, there are no human words that I can use to take your pain away. There are no human thoughts that I might share with you, that will remove the tears running down your cheeks. And there is nothing that I or anyone else can say or do to remove this heavy load from your hearts, heads and home. But wait; there is one thing that I can share with you. It is the Living WORD of Christ. The WORD that is strong, solid, stable, sturdy and sound. I point you to the Word that speaks of Christ’s mighty victory over sin, death and the grave.

It is that WORD, that I give to you and all who have gathered in this place, that we may know with certainty and confidence that this WORD IS LIVING and ACTIVE and brings about healing, restoration and fills our hearts with peace; and even causes our lips to sing His praises in spite of the circumstances that brought us here in the first place. Hear now the very WORD that will strengthen and sustain you every day until you join your sweet princess in eternity! PAUSE.

There is a unique story in the O.T. book of 2 Kings. The prophet Elisha had often stayed as a guest at the house of a Shunammite woman. This woman was barren until Elisha prayed to God on her behalf and blessed her with a son. One day the child died and she went to see the man of God. When Elisha saw her, he asked her “…Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” Though her son was dead, yet by faith working through the Holy Spirit she recognized what could have been and what is and thus with resounding confidence she declares, “ALL IS WELL.” Her response should be your comfort now beloved children of the heavenly Father. And we can say with boldness and confidence that all is well with Evelyn Ameera—this little Princess too.

We can say that all is well with her because she is a baptized CHILD of God. All is well with her because her heavenly Father has made it possible for her to spend eternity with Him in His Garden. All is well with her, because Jesus Himself said, “I Am the Resurrection and the Life He who believes Me though He die, yet shall he live.” Evelyn is not dead, but is alive and is in the Garden of God even today.

Please know this is not just wishful thinking, this is not a platitude of a pie in the sky. NO this is a fact based on a concrete event in the past, that hold us fast for the present and guarantees our future—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—God’s Son. Because of Him we can say with joy in our hearts and praise on our lips that this Princess is in God’s Garden now and forever. PAUSE.

Today, in the midst of your sorrow, suffering and sadness, I point you to Your Savior who walks with you every moment of your life; for He promised us saying: “I Am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” And again, “I Am with you always, to the end of the age” (John 10:11; Matthew 28:20b). Indeed, this little Princess is God’s own CHILD, made His own on Friday May 25^th @ 5:34 when you, my dear brother, poured upon her the water and baptized her in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We were reminded of this blessed gift again today, when we sung the sermon Hymn, “God’s own CHILD, I gladly say it.” (LSB 594).

Yes, by all means our departed sister Evelyn is now and forever in the Garden of God. You may have had her and held her for a brief time of 35 hours and 47 minutes. But these hours and minutes are measured by earthly time and not heavenly. She is now and ever will be in the presence of Her great, merciful and compassionate Father.

Jared and Sarah, at a moment like this, we question God. We doubt His love. We wonder what we have done to deserve this. And it doesn’t help when people who mean well say something like, “God only takes the very best of us! Or God loved her so much that He wanted her with him more than with you! Or this is God’s will.” I know they mean well, but that is not the case. This is theologically incorrect and proves that salvation is by works rather than by grace.

It is ok to question God. It is ok to pour your heart to Him with tears and ask why oh God, why? It is ok to feel the pain and anguish. But don’t let the devil or anyone to cause you to doubt the love of God and feel He has abandoned and forsaken you. BUT that that is not the case. Don’t let your sorrow drown the image of your loving and merciful Father who grants us by faith to see His compassion streaming from the cross.

To be sure God DIDN’T cause or brought this about, but God is using it for your good and His glory. I have no clear idea how our good and gracious Lord will use this time of sorrow in your life for the extension of the kingdom. Indeed, no good parent will do anything that is hurtful to their child. And neither will God. Yet, God sees things we can’t see. He is loving and gracious and uses every event and circumstance in our lives to bring us to a closer walk with Him.

Certainly no father or mother would ever want to experience or go through what you are going through right now. This grief is too heavy to bear. This is a heavy cross to carry, the heaviest to shoulder. Indeed, you would have never chosen it for yourself or others; but God’s ways are not like our ways and His thoughts are not like our thoughts because we can’t see into the future and how this event will be used by both of you to minister to others.

Study the Living Word of God, and dig deep into the goldmine of His strength and you will see how God takes something so terrible and makes it sooo good to spread His salvation message. King David lost a son, but through that death God comforted him personally and David became great man of compassion and a great king of Israel.

Think of the Apostle Paul who on many occasions was beaten, flogged and thrown into prison. Certainly He wouldn’t have chosen that. But because of his imprisonment salvation was brought about to the jailer and many others. God takes that which is evil, painful, hurtful and disastrous and turns it into good.

You know all too well of that kind of pain, you have tasted the bitterness of a life cut short-death that seems so senseless. And it is natural for you to cry out in grief and anger when you see such things happen. But in this understandable grief and anger, we don’t turn away from our Lord. No, instead we turn toward the One who holds His people safely in His loving hands, no matter what happens. Living or dying, they are the Lord’s and even our death can’t separate us from the love of God the Father in Christ our Savior. PAUSE.

Who knows how God will use both of you as you rely more and more upon Him to do the work of the ministry. Who knows how God will lead you in the future to minister to many who will walk in your shoes some day. What if this death were to give birth to a ministry where a dozen children who might have been lost are saved? Remember my dear brother and sister in Christ this golden nugget: “Faith draws the poison from every grief, takes the sting from every loss, and quenches the fire of every pain; and only faith can do it.” Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–1881).

Having said the above statements, I don’t make light of the situation or disregard your pain and sorrow. Of course this a difficult time in your life, of course there is anguish in your heart, of course there is sadness in your home, of course there is an emptiness in your life. Of course this is a heavy cross, BUT it is not as heavy cross as the Savior carried on His shoulders as He trekked up Calvary’s Holy Mountain. That is the heaviest cross the world has ever seen. And it is from that Cross that Christ, the loving Savior looked down upon her and loved that child more than you, her parents could or ever would.

This precious Child of God is today in His tender nail pierced hands. Death makes no sense, especially of an infant. That is why the Cross of Christ means so very much. He has taken this broken, sinful world with all its horror and has set it aright. Evelyn Ameera is today and forever in the Garden of God walking with Him, talking to Him and listening to Him. She needs no doctor to care for her, no nurse to check her monitor, no tubes or ventilators or anything else, because she has the Great Physician Jesus Christ who has made her whole and complete and blessed.

Evelyn Ameera now has gone out with joy and has been led forth with singing, all because the Resurrection has made all that sin has destroyed - brand new! That is why in the midst of walking in the Valley of the Shadow of death, we can rejoice in the hope of the Resurrection. That is why in the midst of our grief that is too heavy to bear, we look up to the One who invites us saying: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:28-30). In Jesus, rest is yours because He knows what you are going through. Rest is yours because we know that those mighty outstretched arms have carried your little Princess with Him to His Garden to eternity. Rest is yours, even now in your grief, in your sorrow, in your pain and in your sadness; because you know His comfort and His consolation. You know this because you have Hope in Him who is the Resurrection and the Life—even Jesus Christ!

To that end, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, continue to hold on and rest in the arms of Him who loved you to the end and gave His life for you. What a blessing to be here today, in His presence around His WORD that guides us to look with faith to the future and say ALL IS WELL WITH EVELYN! Therefore, with confidence and certainty, I say to you “Evelyn Ameera Nies is walking in the Garden of God for now and forever. Amen and Amen”

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! (3X) AMEN!!!

“I’m in the RIGHT Place!” (Psalm 1:1-2, John 14:2)

S-1228 Epiphany/3A 01/06/10 Hymns (O) #193; (S) #201; #394; #123; #335; (C) #47

Text: Psalm 23; 121; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; John 14:1-21

Theme: “I’m in the RIGHT Place!” (Psalm 1:1-2, John 14:2)

CELEBRATION of the New Life for Herman Konard Fuerniss

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text for this celebration is Herm’s confirmation text “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2) …“In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2). Please be seated.

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

You who are blessed by the Father of love, especially you Alice, Sherman, Perry, Cameron, Laurie, Garrett, Peggy, family and friends, we have gathered in the Lord’s house today to celebrate the New Life of our departed brother in the faith, and find comfort in His Word and promise—a promise that is anchored in the cross and the empty tomb.

Today, as you mourn the passing of your loved one—husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, brother and friend, from this vale of tears to life eternal, take comfort in the One who has destroyed the sting of death, the grave and the power of sin—Jesus YOUR Savior.

Jesus was and still is the hallmark of this saint. Ever since I met him (about 9 years ago) when I became the vacancy Pastor of St. Paul, I was impressed with his love for the Word, the church, and family in that order. And when he became one of our saints here, I got to know him better. What impressed me about this brother were His devotion, trust and confidence in His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He loved His Lord and His Church; that is why when St. Paul Lutheran Church in the country closed it was hard on him. He wanted that Church to be used so that others might know of the love of the Savior that took Him to the cross.

Now, anyone who knew Herm would often hear him say, “It is not about me, but about the Lord.” And that is the truth. I am not here to eulogize this man or paint him in a bigger picture than he really is. But to share the truth of his trust in His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The text of his confirmation is a fitting tribute to him because it describes him to a tee.

Listen, again, please to his text. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night” Yes, Herm was blessed because for over 84 years, 6 months and 2 days that he walked the dusty roads of Choteau Creek he walked it hand in hand with His Lord and God.

How blessed was he? Blessed with a lovely wife who stood by him for over 55 years! Six wonderful children and their spouses, grandchildren and friends galore! He is blessed not because of the earthly treasures, (though they are many) but because His parents shared with him the heavenly blessings of knowing the Savior, and in his life he along with Alice passed it on to their children and others by word and example.

Yes, he WAS blessed and IS blessed. And, I, as a Pastor, was blessed to know him and be taught by him of the preciousness of the Word. I know of other Pastors who were drawn to him as well. Why blessed? Because his delight was in the Law of the Lord upon which he meditated daily. There has never been a time when Herm or I whether at the house or hospital that we didn’t share the Word. As late as 14 hours before he saw the Sonrise in heaven (as one of his daughters told me) we shared the Word together. The Word was his hope, his anchor and his joy. PAUSE.

The last few years haven’t been the most enjoyable to this man. Cancer had made his dwelling in his stomach and thus began the many trips to Sioux Falls, surgeries, Chemo and radiation treatments and long stays at hospitals. These were hard days, but he never gave up. He fought the good fight and he ran the race that was set before him as the Epistle for today reminds us. He kept the faith never wavering or wondering if God still loves him.

About 6 weeks ago, the word came back from the doctors that there is nothing that they could do. Your time on earth is running short, and the hour glass is running empty. Those were hard words to swallow, and yet he trusted in His Lord and God to see him through and so did the family. Brother Herm was brought home and I attempted to visit and commune him often. A week ago, today, was my last time to commune him and his family in his bedroom because he was so weak to sit in the chair. After receiving the Lord’s Supper, I asked the family if “I could have a moment of privacy with my parishioner?” The family kindly left me alone with Herm.

Sitting by the bed, I took his hand in mine, rubbed it for a while and prayed with him. I said I will come back to see you again unless the Lord calls you home then I will see you in heaven and his response was, “That will be ok Pastor!” After some moments of silence, I said to him, “Herm, what is the one thing that you want me to tell your family during the Celebration of the New Life?” He said, “Tell them I AM IN THE RIGHT PLACE!” Thus the title of this celebration. Herm is in the RIGHT PLACE.

Our loving and gracious Savior always puts us in the RIGHT place. Study the Scriptures and you will see that God’s place is the RIGHT PLACE. God placed Mary to be the mother of Jesus in the Right place. God chose Joseph to be the adopted father of Jesus in the Right place. When the babe of Bethlehem was born it was in the Right place. And when His parents took Him to the Temple to circumcise Him at 8 days old there was Simeon at the Right place.

With eyes of faith, Simeon saw more than the Christ Child he was holding. He saw the Christ Child holding him. That’s why he could speak so peacefully about death. His words “Lord, lettest now Thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have see Your SALVATION…” don’t sound much like the abject fear the world connects with the monster it calls death. They sound more like the confession of a man who is ready for discharge from service on earth and who is eager for enlist­ment in heaven’s ranks. They come from someone who knows whose loving arms are wrapped around him and who trusts those powerful arms to hold him even into eternity.

Yes, Simeon, Anna, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and our beloved brother Herm were and are in the RIGHT PLACE. And oh, what a place it is. The Lord Himself spoke these comforting words in the Upper Room just as He was about to give His life on the cross for the sins of the world saying…“Let not YOUR hearts be troubled, you believe in God believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will COME back again to take you to be with Me!” Indeed, that is what the Savior did for this saint who saw His Sonrise in heaven this past Sunday @ 6:10 a.m. Can you envision the look on Herm’s face when He awoke to see His Savior? Can you imagine the joy that filled his heart when he walked into heaven and saw the pierced hands of His Savior? Can you visualize him walking with all the strength as a young man not bothered by cancer, not needing any assistance and oh eating pecan pie? Can you picture him now made new by the blood of the Lamb who said, “Behold, I make all things new!!!”

Yes, my beloved and His beloved, Herm is in the right place—a place built with most the most expensive materials in the world, and by the Greatest Carpenter in the World—the Carpenter from Nazareth. This Carpenter didn’t use timber or nails, concrete or steel, or gold or silver; but His own precious flesh and blood, bones and muscles to guarantee Herm and all the world that the Right place for the believer is with Jesus.

What a joy to celebrate the New Life today of this beloved saint, who is now in the glory of heaven. What an honor to know that the Carpenter from Nazareth said to Herm last Thursday THIS IS NOW THE NEW RIGHT PLACE FOR YOU! In time and space Herm knew that church was the place to receive the abundant grace of God. From heaven, Herm witnesses to us yet on earth. His life is a legacy that this House of worship is the RIGHT place. For here in this place, the Word of the Lord is proclaimed, forgiveness is delivered, and the Sacrament is bestowed. This house is a major GRACE PLACE. Here you find comfort for life and confidence when death comes so that you can walk through the valley of the shadow knowing the risen Redeemer is intimately by your side. No wonder you found Herm sitting (point to his spot) right here hearing, singing and praising His Savior. OH WHAT A PLACE IT IS!

I would like you to remember as you depart from this place the good news of Jesus that held your husband, father, father-in-law in His pierced hands what the word “RIGHT” Stands for”

R – Rejoicing

I – In

G – God’s

H – Heavenly

T – Truth

CELEBRATE LIFE MY DEAR FAMILY OF FAITH BECAUSE HERM IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE. AMEN. CHRIST IS RISEN! (3X)

SOLI DEO GLORIA…

“What A Wonderful Gift.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

S-1211 17SAP/3C 9/19/10 Hymns (O) #461; S# “In the Garden”; (C) #770

Texts: Isaiah 43:1-3a; Revelation 21:1-5; John 20:11-18

Theme: “What A Wonderful Gift.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Celebration of the New Life of Sandra (Sandy, Sam) Vogt

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for The celebration of the New Life promised to our departed sister in the faith, is from St. Paul’s 2^nd letter to the church at Corinth chapter 5:18-19 “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen and beloved, especially you Todd, Sondra, Cory, Kasie family and friends, we love getting and giving gifts. Some gifts are more special than others. Some cost little and others cost a lot. Some gifts we cherish and appreciate, at other times we don’t appreciate the gift we have received until it is too late. As the years go by we forget the gifts we received or who gave them to us. None-the-less gift giving is special between family and friends.

Sometimes, when we get a gift we say to the giver, “You shouldn’t have!” At other times we act surprised, but we knew all along that the gift was coming our way. Today, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we will talk about the gift that we all need—the Wonderful gift the Father of all mercy and compassion gives to us sinner not because we deserve it, not because we are such good people; but ONLY because He is so gracious, loving, merciful and compassionate.

Listen now to the giver of the greatest gift the world has ever received as we meet the Savior’s encounter early on Resurrection morning visiting with a woman weeping at the sight of His tomb.

Beloved Captives of the Resurrection Certainty, did you notice how in our Gospel reading Mary cried? The first were tears of the deepest of sadness and sorrow. Her friend, mentor, and much more, the One in whom she had put her hope and trust was seemingly gone, dead, buried, and never to be held nor to be beheld, again. How deep was her grief and sorrow! You and I know the pain of loss. For you Todd, Sondra, Cory, Kasie and beloved family, these tears of Mary are mirrored in your own hearts today. Your wife of 27 years is no longer here, your mother, your sister, your aunt, your friend, she will no longer drop in for a cup of coffee, no longer watching over and holding the grandchildren, no longer share a lingering phone conversation, or a bite to eat with you. Ah yes, death it seems so final. And indeed it WAS.

Mary cried again, her cry became the cry of surprised joy: “Rabboni!” or “dear, precious Teacher!” He rose, as He said, as He promised. He told her that she could not continue to cling to Him, but to go and tell the disciples that He is to ascend not just to God, but to My Father, who is become Your Father, and to My God, who is become most intimately Your God. Now we celebrate that same joy, we are given that same gift today—the WONDERFUL gift of forgiveness that brings about peace and joy. Jesus’ rising from the tomb, and His ascension to the Father means that Jesus’ Father is Sandy’s Father, and Jesus’ God is Sandy’s God… and He is Your Father and Your God as well. Mary cried the cry of joy, of faith, and of life, for Jesus kept His promise. He rose. Now your wife, mother, sister, cousin, friend, she is alive. Her cancer, like all her sin, is cast into the depth of the sea, it is remembered…. No more (Micah 7:19; Jeremiah 31:31-34)! PAUSE.

One of her children wrote this message on Caringbridge.com “Tonight was a very peaceful night for our wonderful mother.  She has left us tonight and has gone to a place where cancer will never be able to touch her or hurt her again.  She will not have to worry about any more bad bubbles.  She is at home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Sondra her eldest daughter). How true that is—peace at last—through the Lord, Jesus Christ—the Great Physician who gave her such a wonderful gift through His death and glorious resurrection.

Forgiveness and life go hand in hand. Forgiveness brings about peace of mind and heart. Forgiveness allows you to sleep at night without tossing about. Forgiveness builds up instead of tearing down. Most of you here know that Sandy and I had a wedge between us for most of the past four years. What the issue was is now of no consequence, for it has been forgiven, cast into the depths of the sea and remembered…. NO MORE. This now forgiven matter caused deep pain, but just recently we were reunited. I confessed my sin to her, and she, her sin to me, and we celebrated the broken body and shed blood of our Savior as the guarantee that all is now at peace, that the sin is now no more. Forgiveness, reconciliation and healing are mighty and wonderful gifts from God Himself to sinners like us.

King David once sang as one of the shortest, yet more powerful of the Psalms, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity, It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing—Life forevermore. (Psalm 133:1-3).

This song we share now. Your beloved wife received the full adoption as beloved daughter of the Most High God and King (Luke 6:35). Her name WAS and IS and WILL remain written in the Lamb’s book of Life (Revelation 21:27). She has received Life from the One who is the Lord of Life, Jesus…. Forevermore!

Sandy knew that her journey here in this life was coming to an end. But she wept not with the first tears of her sister, Mary, but with the later tears as she saw her risen Savior and Teacher Jesus Christ through the eyes of faith. Sandy dearly loved you Todd, Sondra, Cory, Kasie and family. She knew what her Baptismal Grace meant: that a bruised reed, smoldering flax, a simple sinner’s life meant more to Jesus than all the riches and strength of the world. Sandy knew, by faith then what she now sees with the sight of certainty, the sight of the resurrection glory: That her God and Savior, Jesus makes all things new—through the cross and the empty tomb.

Oh, for this brief time we call life on this earth, you will not behold her as you have before, for that we are all saddened and full of sorrow. You, her dear family, you miss her so much. But the grave is never, ever, do you hear me, the end of the story for those who trust in Jesus. On account of Jesus, sin is no more; there is no past, but the present reality of the Resurrection and the hope of Glory. You may cry now and in the days and years to come. You miss her and rightly so. But do not let those tears be tears of despair. Let them be salted with the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection, that indeed, Jesus has already made all things new, and that neither death nor life, angels nor principalities, height nor depth, yes, absolutely nothing including cancer is able to separate you from the Love of God… nothing will keep you from seeing Your Savior, and nothing, absolutely nothing, will be able to keep you from the love you shared here below, and the eternal love you will share in heaven when you see your beloved one…. This time in the joyous, nail-pierced hands of Him who was dead and is alive. PAUSE

Saints in Christ travel to the Delmont cemetery (not far from here) and you will find a unique head stone with these words etched on it.

“STOP, LOOK AND READ,

AS YOU WALK BY.

AS YOU ARE NOW,

SO ONCE WAS I

AS I AM NOW

YOU SOON SHALL BE

“TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME!”

This past Saturday He who is the Resurrection and the Life Jesus Christ gave her the GIFT of eternal life. He took the cross away from her and gave her the everlasting peace and joy that He alone gives to all people who believe in Him. That is the Wonderful GIFT He gives to all people. Remember, what I said earlier? Some of the gifts we get or give cost a little and sometimes a lot. This wonderful Gift was given at a very high price—the life’s blood of the Lamb of God shed on the altar of the cross.

Sandy made her peace with those she loved before her Savior took her home. That is what was behind our reconciliation, and the joyous meal of forgiveness we shared just 14 days ago. And that peace she made with us came because God the Father made peace with Sandy through the blood of His Only-Begotten Son. What a wonderful gift! What a precious gift! What a joy! What an eternal certainty… Life…. Forever more. Amen.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Hallelujah!

“With His Finger.” (John 3:16)

S-1209 Snookies Funeral 9/14/10 Hymns (O) #199; S #457; #342; (C) #205

Texts: Job 19:21-27; Rev. 21:1-7; John 14:1-6

Theme: “With His Finger.” (John 3:16)

Celebration of New Life for Orville “Snookie” Olson

SOLI DEO GLORIA, Armour, SD

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for the celebration of the New Life of our departed brother Snookie is: “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and ONLY Begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

People of God, chosen and beloved especially you Wilma, family and friends. Today is a sad day and a happy day. Sad, because you Wilma lost your son, but so did the community lose a son. But it is also a happy day. Happy, because Snookie is now in the presence of the Almighty, Amazing and Awesome God who called Him by the Gospel, and made him His child in the waters of Baptism. A happy day because Snookie has been transported from this earth to heaven above, where there is no more pain or sorrow, or cancer or death.

As long as we live on earth we will have sad days and happy days. Sin is the reason for the sad days. Grace is the reason for the happy days. Sin brings about sorrow and suffering. Grace brings about sweetness and salvation. Sin causes pain and punishment. Grace brings about peace and pardon. Sin brings about tears and terror, Grace brings about treasures and triumph.

This is why today is a sad and happy day. Because today we mourn the passing of someone we love. Someone who no longer will greet us, or see at any of the school sports activities. No longer will you see him at the corner of the street by the Bank, or post office saddling his bike, with his rolled up sweats and radio in his ears. But it is also a very, very happy day, because the fight with cancer is over. The hardships this world offered will no longer touch him. But above all, He is in the presence of the One who loved Him and sent His Son to redeem him and claim him as His very own.

Indeed Snookie was one of those unique individuals that God made and created in His own image. With child-like simplicity he lived his life without a worry in the world. Give him the radio, and the bike he rode around and he was content. Take him to watch the Packers play football or Basketball, and he was in 7^th heaven. He loved cheering on his team. Even when they were practicing you could hear his voice saying, “Go Packers!” That voice will be missed in the gym. PAUSE.

But you know what really made him special to me? It was the joy of seeing him come to church, always happy. When he came up to the table, he couldn’t wait to receive the precious body and blood of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the precious gift that is the Lord’s Supper. Always using his fingers to encourage others to come to the table sooner, because he wanted to receive this life-giving Sacrament that he longed to take into his mouth and give thanks to the Lord.

As a Pastor I have indeed been privileged beyond my wildest imagination to be Snookie’s “Bud” as he often referred to me. I have spent much time one on one with him. And I must admit to you that in the 16 years of ministry, 5 years of preparation to the ministry, I have never been touched by someone who confessed the faith as Snookie did.

In late 1999 and early 2000 I began to teach Snookie the faith. Now Snookie couldn’t read or write. So I used a special booklet to help me educate him. Those times when I would sit with him around the kitchen table were such a joy, because you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth as I shared with him the story of salvation with pictures.

On more than one occasion he said things that I still remember. In one lesson, we were talking about the gift of forgiveness that Jesus earned for us. As I was explaining the concept of forgiveness to him, I said, “Because of Jesus’ blood all your sins are gone away.” And in his own special way he said, “Bye bye sin!” Out of the mouth of children the truth is declared and with child-like faith he trusted and believed.

In my final session with him I asked him, “Snookie, “Why should God let you into heaven?” He thought for a moment and looked at me and smiled. Then he took the book in his hands (show the book.) and kept flipping through the pages until he arrived (show the page, I have also enlarged this picture and placed on an easel for those in attendance to see); to the page where Christ is hanging on the cross. He took his finger (demonstrate) and kept pointing to the picture by pounding on it.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I sat in amazement in his kitchen at how the Holy Spirit was at work in this man’s life as he confessed his faith. With his finger he confessed the faith of our Fathers. With His finger, he confessed that he is a sinner in a need of a Savior. With his finger he pointed to the cross upon which Christ was crucified. With His finger he taught me that no matter how old you are, no matter if you can’t read or write, you can believe and know the gift of God’s eternal love in sending His Son to claim this simple child and take Him to heaven to spend an eternity of joy and peace.

Yes, I remember vividly the day in 2000 in the Olson’s kitchen when Snookie confessed his faith. And as long as I live I will never forget how he touched me and taught me, you don’t have to be a college graduate or one that has many degrees to believe, but with the simple child-like faith, you can by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Those fingers of Snookie never stopped working. Often you found him in the Lord’s house and kneeling at the table of the Lord. As I gave him the body of Jesus, he would take it with his fingers and place it in his mouth, and he did the same with the cup of salvation and always left with joy in his heart. Even last week when I was at the hospital he did the same, with his fingers he touched the Body and drank the blood for the forgiveness of his sins and strengthening of his faith. PAUSE.

This is why today is a happy day, a celebration day, a victory day! The text of Snookie’s confirmation attests to this truth. Hear again the text please: “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and ONLY Begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). His love for sinners brought Him to that cross and kept Him on it. There His love poured the life blood from His sacred veins for sinners like Snookie, and you and me.

Yes, God loved him, sent His Son to die for him and rose for him so that he may have life and have it abundantly. This past Saturday His loving and gracious Lord, the One who sent His Son to die on the cross of Calvary, reached from heaven with His outstretched and pierced hands and said, “Snookie, come home! You have lived as a child all of your life, come be my BELOVED child. Come rest from your labor. Come and rejoice in the Living hope that I gave you through my death and resurrection. Come and live and laugh and know that I love you!”

Saints in Christ, Snookie always called me his “Bud.” That is a very endearing term that I will cherish and miss hearing. But I want you to know that Snookie budded on earth to blossom in heaven. Certainly our town will never be the same. We will all have an empty place in our hearts. But oh, the joy that awaits us when we are joined with Snookie and the throng in heaven and celebrate the New Life Christ earned for us without end.

Wilma, family and friends I pray that the peace that filled Snookie’s heart and moved him to use his finger to confess His Lord, move you to worship the same and fill your hearts with that same peace; now and forever. Amen.

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

“What A Price!!! (1 Corinthians 6:20)

S-1202 8/14/10 10SAP/3C Hymns: (O) #537; #744; S#461; (C) #878 (All from LSB)

Texts: Psalm 46, 23; Acts 4:1-12; John 10:11-18

Theme: “What A Price!!! (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Question: What did it cost God to save you?

Armour, SD SOLI DEO GLORIA celebration of New Life of Donald Ray Peiman

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleuia. The text for the celebration of the new life for our departed brother is his confirmation text from Paul’s letter to the Church of Corinth: “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:20).

IN NOMINE IESU,

Family and friends, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has gathered us by His Holy Spirit to celebrate the life of our dear departed brother Don and to receive from that same God the precious comfort that comes in His Holy Word. Our Lord’s precious Word brings us to the talk of cost. We know about cost don’t we?

Let me ask you. What would happen if you visited a car dealership and drove away with a car without paying? More than likely you would head to jail for grand theft. While there is no crime to shopping, have you priced a car lately?

Let me ask you a second question. Have you tried to buy a car/truck lately? If you have you know that the coast for new vehicles is very pricy. Most people can’t afford to buy a new vehicle, so they resort to making payments. It is interesting to note that the advertisement industry today, don’t sell you cars, but sell you payment plans. For only $340.00 a month you can own this 2010 Dodge Truck.

Today, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul tells us of the cost that was paid for the unbeliever. Listen again to the text please: “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Notice what Paul states here, “YOU WERE BOUGHT with a price.

Have you ever considered the price paid for the soul of Donald and all believers? Consider this event. Jesus is walking on the streets of Jerusalem. On His journey He encounters Satan standing guard over a prison-cell filled with unbelievers. They have no hope of escape—they have no hope period. Jesus looks at the cell and asks, “What’s to become of these?” Satan answers with far too much glee, “The Law condemned them to death. The Law has them prisoners. There is no escape. They will spend eternity with me in torment! They will suffer with me forever in the fiery hell!” It is then that Jesus looks heavenward. “Father,” He prays. “What would the price be to set them free?” The Father’s voice answers, “There is only one price, My Son. Your life for theirs!” Without hesitation, Jesus replies, “It is done! My Life for theirs, Father!”

And so it was that Jesus paid for the soul of Donald our departed brother. Not with gold or silver, but as Peter reminds us; with His holy innocent blood on the cross of Calvary (1Peter 1:19) and as the author to the Hebrews teaches: “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2).

When Donald’s father picked this text for his son’s confirmation text, he knew the meaning of the word “BOUGHT with a price.” The Greek word used is in the aorist, passive, indicative. To you it means nothing, but to Paul and every other preacher it means that the payment paid was not an installment plan—so much every month, but one time payment—a full payment for the souls of all of humanity.

And that payment was costly. For 6 hours Jesus hung on the cross. For 6 hours He tasted hell. For 6 hours He suffered the wrath of God. For 6 hours blood dripped from His aching body. For 6 hours His tongue stuck to the roof of His mouth. For 6 hours His lips cracked under the Palestinian sun. For 6 hours He paid the full payment for Donald, you and me so that we may never taste hell or suffer under the torture of our arch enemy Satan.

Paul brings comfort to all of us who trust by the Spirit’s power in the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That we, too, have been bought with a price—the price paid on Calvary’s cross to free sinners from the shackles and prison of Satan. Donald too, was bought with a price and what a price it was.

That is the first part of the text, but the second part is just as important. Paul tells us to honor God with our body.

This Donald did. Not because he was so good. Not to earn salvation. Not because he lived the perfect life. You know, and I know that he was a sinner in need of God’s redeeming grace. His adopted Father, Pastor Peiman understood that very well so that on January 4, 1936; he took him in his arms and with simple water and Word baptized him in the Name of the Triune God—Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. That was the beginning of honoring God with His life.

Under the watchful eyes of his father, Don was instructed in the faith and on April 29, 1945 he confessed the faith as he stepped to the Altar to receive Christ’s body and blood for the forgiveness of his sins and the strengthening of his faith. As he became a young man, he met a young lady that would become his wife—Virginia Knodel who would help him to continue to honor God in his life.

These two became parochial school teachers. By the grace of God, they were blessed with two sons—Gregory and James who they brought to the Lord’s house, to baptize them and continued to bring them to Church so that the next generation would honor God as well. PAUSE.

Throughout his earthly life Don honored God as much as humanly possible. In the few times I visited with him when they returned to SD, I learned and saw his love for God, devotion to his family and to the Church family.

I remember vividly the call I got shortly after his mother-in-law Lea passed away. “Pastor, my wife and I would like to do something in honor of my mother-in-law. What memorials can we give to the church that might help the church continue doing its ministry—of spreading the Gospel?” At the time of the call, we were preparing to replace the pews. I informed him of our plans. And he said, “We will give enough money to purchase one pew!”

This man honored God with his life, not so that he may win God’s approval, but rather to bring glory to the God who paid for his life with His innocent, holy, precious blood. Donald understood the gift of salvation. Donald in his own hand writing chose some verses to be used for his funeral. From the book of Acts: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). And from 1 John: “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). PAUSE.

Dear friends, we heard the words of Paul this day. But better than that, we have the life of Don as a testimony of that word. In it you are exhorted to live a life worthy of the name you bear—Christians! The price paid for us leads us by the Spirit’s power to actions that befit it. Remember, Donald and YOU are free. What a price has been paid! AMEN

Now the peace…

SOLI DEO GLORIA

“Walking With God” (Psalm 23:4)

S-1099 7/23/10 9SAP/3C Hymns: (O) #744; (S) #752; Solo “How Great…” (C) # SOD #18

Texts: Psalm 23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-6

Theme: “Walking With God” (Psalm 23:4)

Celebration of New Life for Letha L. Kramer

Armour, SD SOLI DEO GLORIA

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The text for the celebration of the new life promised to our departed sister in the faith Letha is from the Good Shepherd Psalm: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You ARE with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Introduction: In Nomine IESU

Family and friends, especially you Janet, Karen, Bruce and Barry we gather today in the house of the Lord to take comfort and consolation in His Word and His promise given to us who trust and believe in Him. His Words are hope and help in the hour of sorrow. His Words of promise are a sweet honey to the taste that otherwise would be bitter as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

Today, as you gather in the Lord’s house to say farewell to someone you love, there is a lump in your throat, a knot in your stomach, a tear in your eye and empty spot in your heart. No matter how you view death—death always interrupts, it always intrudes and it always interferes with our lives. Even when you know that death is drawing near as was the case with your loved one; you are never prepared when it arrives.

This happened to you this past Tuesday about 10:12 a.m. when the Lord in His mercy called our beloved sister in the faith home. She is gone to be with the One who claimed her in the waters of Baptism, but you are left to walk in the valley of the shadow of death. PAUSE.

Did you know that walking for exercise was not always in? Some of you walked because you had too. You walked to school, the barn, chicken coup, the grocery store, and the courthouse for that was the mode of transportation then. But in the last 20 years you began to notice people walking all over the country. Even here, in our little town of Armour, you see people walking and some even have their iPod tied to their arms and swinging back and forth to get exercise. Some people call a friend to walk with them.

And so today, you need to realize and know for certain that even though you are walking in the shadow of death, you are not walking alone. David, the author of the text stated, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You ARE with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” Indeed, the Word of the Lord is true. You are not walking alone, for the Lord of heaven and earth is with you wherever you go. As the hymn writer states, “He walks with me and He talks with me along life’s narrow way.” Jesus the Good Shepherd and the Friend of sinners walks with you through the valley of the Shadow of death. And this walk is not burdensome but a blessing. For it is only a shadow, not death itself. A Shadow can’t hurt you, frighten you or rob you of your peace.

Sometimes we are frightened because we see a shadow, but there is no need to fear a shadow, for it is not the real thing, but simply a shadow. And so we take comfort in the walk that Jesus leads and direct us on our journey of life. PAUSE.

Anyone who knew Letha knew she walked. As a young child she walked in the house of her parents Luther and Annis. Later on she walked down the isle of Trinity Lutheran Church at St. Peter, MN to confess her faith and receive the Sacrament. Later still she walked that same isle as she was joined to her husband Earl in holy matrimony. And she continued to walk. She and her husband faithfully and joyfully walked each of their children to the Lord’s house, baptized them and watched them grow in the faith. She walked ahead and behind her children. She walked to tidy the house, pick the toys up, buy groceries, prepare food, and do the laundry. After her husband past away she moved to Carter Wieses’ apartment. Often you saw her walking to the post office, grocery store and even to church to walk up these steps and kneel down to be fed and nurtured with the heavenly manna.

But as the sand through the hour glass began to empty, her legs were not as sturdy as they were once, but she continued to walk to church to receive God’s heavenly gifts. However, the time did come when she was no longer able to walk and had to be placed in the nursing home. There she had to use a wheel chair to get around. And when that happened and she couldn’t come to church, the church came to her and offered her the life-giving body and blood to sustain and strengthen her in the faith. I have visited her often and she was found faithful in confessing her sins and longed to get the sacrament. It never failed, with tears in her eyes she would say, “Thank you Pastor for coming to visit us and not forgetting us!” What a blessing it was for me to minister to this saint in Christ.

Walking can be a joy or a chore. If you are out walking for fun enjoying God’s wonderful creation it is not bad, if you are out walking to hunt it is not terrible, but if you are walking because your car broke down, it is pretty bad and you probably are angry and mad at God because the car broke down.

But walking is nothing new. Throughout all of Scripture we see people walking. We read of the Israelites walking to freedom from Egypt to the Promised Land. Jesus walked with His disciples to many villages preaching repentance and the Good News. He even walked to Calvary carrying His own cross as the ultimate payment for sins including Letha’s. On the night of Christ’s resurrection there were two disciples who walked with Him for 7 miles to the village of Emmaus without recognizing Him, but when they discovered who He was, they walked back and told everyone, that He has risen from the dead and that He is ALIVE!

Yet, the greatest example of walking with God is found in Genesis where we read: Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” (Gen. 5:24). Can you envision the scene of Enoch walking with God? I sure can. Here is Enoch walking and talking to God. Moses tells us that He walked with God and God took Him. This is another way to say that Enoch didn’t die but was transported directly from earth to heaven.

I like to share with you a picture to help you understand how this walking took place. It probably went something like this: Enoch and God were walking together one day and they just kept having so much fun and Enoch didn’t realize how far they had gone. When Enoch looked back he said to God, “Lord, I should go back I am getting far away from my home and I will soon be missed.” And God said, “Oh, Enoch, don’t worry about it, we are having such a great time, let’s keep on walking.” They walk some more and again Enoch says, “Lord, I should go back I am getting far away from my home and I will soon be missed.” And God said, “Enoch, don’t worry about it, we are having such a great time, let’s keep on walking.” They walk some more and talked some more and again Enoch says, “Lord, I should go back I am getting further and further away from my home and I will really be missed.” And God with a big smile on his face said: “Enoch, your home is so far away, but Mine is close, why don’t you come and stay with Me forever.” And so God took him.

That is precisely what the gracious Lord, the Good Shepherd and Friend of sinners Jesus did this past Tuesday. He looked at Letha with a smile and said, “Letha, you have walked on the earth for 94 years and no need to walk any further. My home is closer come and stay with me. And she did.”

Beloved in the Lord, you may miss her. You may weep her passing. But know for certain she is forever walking with the Lord. What a joy to know that God walked with Letha and she is walking with Him even now. What a privilege for us to look forward to the day when we will walk with our Savior forever. Amen.

Now the peace…