Charles "Mike" Hutchins, April 24, 1948 - December 11, 2022

Welcome & Gathering

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Charles “Mike” Hutchins. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow….hope, in death….resurrection.

Pray (Ruth Ann gets in place)

Special Music, Remain seated

Amazing Grace - Ruth Ann Person

Old Testament Scripture

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Pastoral Prayer

O God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray. You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Speak to us once more your solemn message of life and of death. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you, and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Add prayer for family:

Dee

Kids: Amara, Mike, Jodi and their families

Grandchildren: Emma, Kyndal, and coming grandson

Siblings, Extended family, friends, and coworkers

Amen.

Will you join me in the Lord’s prayer as you are able:

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US, AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL. FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER AND EVER AMEN

Celebration of Life

Me - Obituary

Charles “Mike” Hutchins was born April 24, 1948, in Walla Walla, Washington, to Chuck and Almeda Hutchins.

Mike Hutchins, affectionately known as “Hutch” and “Papa,” went to join his Lord and Savior Sunday morning, December 11, 2022, in Willis, Texas.

Mike graduated from Charter Oak High School in West Covina, California, where he was student body president and played football, which earned him a scholarship to Cal Western University and Utah State University. Additionally, he served his country by joining the army in between his college career.

After meeting his wife, Dee, in Texas, they married in 1978 in Redding, California, where they later had their two children, Amara and Mike. With Mike’s career in ophthalmology sales, the family transferred to Seattle, Portland, and Salt Lake City. After having enough of the snow, Dee said, “Take me back to Texas!” where they settled in Willis for the past 30 years. Mike retired in 2020 after 46 years of an outstanding career in sales in which he made many friends with his colleagues he stayed in touch with throughout the years. Mike and Dee had planned to start traveling and spend as much time as possible with their family and friends.

Mike was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, but what came first in Mike’s life was God.

His family was incredibly important to him, and he made a point to never miss his children’s and granddaughter’s school and sporting events. Mike never met a stranger, loved golf and westerns, and enjoyed talking politics, baseball, and - his personal favorite - football. The mountains were a favorite place for Mike, and he especially enjoyed family vacations there. Most of all, Mike loved big and never missed a chance to let you know that he loved you. His warm heart, genuine personality and steadfast presence will be greatly missed.

Mike is survived by his wife Dee Hutchins of Willis, Texas; children Amara Stalder of Willis, Texas, Mike Hutchins and wife Kalyn Hutchins of Palestine, Texas, and Jodi Coombs of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren Emma Stalder of Willis, Texas, Kyndal Pickard of Palestine, Texas, and he was joyfully anticipating the arrival of his first grandson in June; sisters Nancy Kutcher of Palmdale, California, Sandy Taylor and husband Gary Taylor of Springfield, Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews, brother and sister-in-laws and many dear friends whom he loved dearly.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Almeda Hutchins.

Mike Hutchins

Jay Mapson

Dusty Mapson

Amara Stadler

New Testament and Scripture

John 14:23–27 NIV

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Pray.

Mike Hutchins

It has been an honor to walk alongside you all during these recent days and to get to know the person, dad, grandfather, husband, friend that Mike was. What a larger than life legacy.

As I listened to story after story from the family…and then reinforced today, three words come to mind.

Family

Fun

Friend

Yeah three F’s....I am a pastor, cant help the three point message with alliteration.

Family:

From “Good morning” texts to the girls, to “I love you’s” at night, always present at any function…golf tounaments, football games, coaching, supporting....

Handyman, mr fix it.

Nephews, friends of the kids, all kinds of people saw Mike as a 2nd father. Someone to trust and look up to.

Foundation for the family.

Fun:

I am told this Fashion Major had an extensive and impressive closet of Astros gear.

Christmas time, he always gave his best Clark Griswold impression.

And he loved to tell jokes over and over again

Friend:

Mike was a great friend. A conversationalist, a salesman, a talker.... but he was also a listener.

I am told he couldnt hear but would smile and nod....who knows what he agreed to over the years....

But he really was someone who cared and remembered details about people.

Co-workers said he was the best to work with, others witness to his compassion and service to support someone in need.

He was quick to tears because he really cared for people.

Mike wasn’t perfect, but he was special and loved deeply.

That’s what makes today unfair, difficult, painful.

Peace I leave with you

The text I read from John 14 would have the disciples feeling the beginning of a similar emotion. Jesus is preparing them for his death, resurrection, and departure. He is trying to teach them and prepare them for the mission that Jesus is now passing on to them. In the next few days they would see their leader die and that would be excruciating. Then Jesus knows they will have difficult days ahead as well and Jesus promises Peace….His peace.

Reminder today that God can be trusted in this space. A few observations, from the text:

1. His peace is unlike peace of this world

a. He has conquered death itself and is the resurrection. He has walked through the darkest valley so that in our dark valleys, we know we are not alone. Jesus has the last word…this is the only way that he can say....peace I give to you and it can mean anything really when our hearts are broken.

b. His peace is comprehensive. Not just a rest…but deeper than that. Biblical peace is about a setting things right that are wrong. Rebuilding and restoring. The world promises allusions of peace…but goodness we know anything resembling peace is fleeting and difficult to grasp. God’s peace, even if hard to grasp right now is comprehensive.

God is not in the business of making life all copasetic for everyone… God is in the business of turning this rotten fallen world around. Rebuilding.

C. One of the images of peace in the bible is of a rebuilding of a wall that has been broken. Pieces missing and the wall has lost its integrity. God promises peace which is the setting right and rebuilding. Family: God can and will rebuild what is broken here. It will also be different than it was before. Mike was a foundation and a glue for all of you…things like an unfinished manger scene in the yard are glaring reminders that he is gone.

but his absence does not mean what was invested is gone. God can use the parts of Mike in all of you to restore

2. He is sending the advocate, the Holy Spirit, the testify to our hearts.

But God is not just an outside player in this story. He gives of his Spirit on those days when you just can’t. He promises to join them in the darkness.

3. And he is preparing a place for all of us that are in Christ Jesus. Blake is with the Lord. To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord.

· Earlier in this text there is the guy named Thomas who begins to challenge Jesus… Wait youre leaving? Let us go with you! Jesus speaks words to Thomas so that we might hear them today… I am the way, the truth, and the life. Mike came to that realization, so even today we can hold onto that piece of hope.

So....Jesus offers them peace in their struggle. That peace is comprehensive, it is tied to his presence

Peace conditioned only by God’s presence with his people. Not on circumstances

“Total well being, prosperity, and security associated with God’s presence among his people.”

· It’s the peace that even when things are not all alright…we still know he is with us.

This is the steady and reliable truth today.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Hymn

When we all get to heaven v. 1, 2, 4

Ruth Ann, have them seated

Special Music

Hallelujah, Nocholas

Benediction

The peace of God He which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.