Julie Carlsson Funeral
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Celebration of Life – Julie Carlsson
1:30pm, Friday 24th February 2023, Cornerstone Church
(Pre & Post service background music)
Introduction
Good afternoon, everyone and Welcome. On behalf of myself and the Carlsson family (myself and Emma, Jodie and darryl, stacey and dave, john and andrew and grandchildren, jemma, meg, thomas, owen, issy, alexis and nathanial) I welcome you here today. We value your presence with us. My name is Mat Carlsson, I am the pastor of Cornerstone Vasse and one of Julie’s Son’s ( Actually The favourite)
We have a saying in our Church - That we are HOT - Humble, Open and Transparent - So I appreciate you giving me a space to lead this service, but also to be vulnrable throughout and the grace to do so - As there is a slight chance, that I might get teary.
Today is a day to grieve our loss, to say goodbye,
but also to give thanks and celebrate a life well lived,
sending our loved one on a journey to a better place,
a place where there is rest and great reward
for one of God’s loved and precious children.
mum was a mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend. As we celebrate Mum’s life today and we remember her, we reflect on the amazing grace and love that God showed Mum, particularly toward the end of her life, I would love to invite you to stand – As we open this afternoon with the song “Amazing Grace” –
Song – Amazing Grace
It was amazing to me that Mum in the last couple of years not only found God, but grew a relationship with Him – She became our churches biggest Facebook fan, earnt one of those “Biggest fan badges” and today we celebrate her life, but also we celebrate what God did in her life and the place that she is going - Eternity. It’s a time to say goodbye, it’s a time to grieve, it’s a time to feel pain and it’s a time to contemplate the life that is after this one and it’s a time to celebrate Mum.
It’s a time to think about and remember the good times, the hard times and the real times, however your grieving today, it’s ok. However you’re feeling today, it’s ok - I want to invite you to be real in this space today.
Opening Prayer.
Please join me in prayer as we commit this service to God;
Father in heaven, as we come to this service today,
we thank you that it says in your Word,
“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy”
We recognise You today as the Lord of Life. You give us our breath.
We also recognise You as the Lord of Love.
We place our hope in who You are, Your character;
a God of compassion, mercy, grace and comfort.
I thank you for the overwhelming waves of comfort that you have given me personally in this time of overwhelming grief and I ask that those overwhelming waves of comfort cover us today.
We need all of who You are here today Lord,
so we may grieve, celebrate and seek comfort from You.
Be close to each one who needs you today, and…
May Your name be praised, in all circumstances, and at all times.
In Jesus Mighty Name,
Amen.
Scripture Reading
When Mum was lying in the Hospital bed, moments before her passing I got to read this scripture to her, and it’s been comforting to me ever since. It’s a promise of where Jesus leads us – It’s a promise of how great, and how loving our God is – It’s a psalm and it says;
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I would like to invite Treva up to sing a Song called “The Promise” - It’s a time to sit and reflect.
Mum didn’t have much in the way of materials in this world, but I know that she feels the peace of God, and I know that she is now in Heaven with our creator in complete peace.
Song – The Promise
Eulogy – I would now like to welcome Jodie, Mum’s daughter to share the words of Eulogy – reflections on Mum’s life.
Photo Reflections
We will now enjoy some photos giving us a picture of Mum’s life – To a couple of songs that Mum requested to be played.
Backing Songs – Elvis - I did it my way, Coldplay – Yellow.
Message – (10 Minutes)
As a Pastor, I will bring a short message, and even though you may find yourself in a Church, I wouldn’t say that I am religious, I would say that I have a relationship with God – and Relationship is why we are here - You had a relatiosnhip with Mum, or a relationship with someone that is here – and I want to talk a little bit about the relationship that Jesus offers us, and offered Mum that I believe bought her peace.
When Jesus came, it was the ‘religious’ and the people that where ‘doing everything right’ that he actually had an issue with. The sinners, the prostitutes, the people that society had turned their back on, is actually who Jesus came for, and it’s who He comes for today – It gives us great hope, and hope is what we need today – Hope that Mum is resting in eternity in peace and in glory with our creator.
Story of dead boy on coffin– [context of coffins] – Mother with him – No husband = Widow
those days | No man | Life would get difficult
Not allowed job | begging or worse
The Bible tells us;
Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
love small detail = “The Lord Saw Her” – Not just weeping | Saw pain lied before her | Grief she was feeling | everything she had lost | and Jesus SAW HER.
Extremely comforting to me that Jesus saw Mum | Saw all her mistakes | All her grief | All her burden | All her heartache and reached out a hand - to give her peace.
The word of God goes on to say;
Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
In those days Religious people set rules | No one touch sick, become sick = Dead, become dead etc | Bringing the boy to life was miracle, but Jesus saved the mother from a life of torture | Jesus crossed those lines to reach this widow | I like that - Mum was a bit of rule breaker | Liked to cross a few lines - In story we see religion draws lines to keep people out | Jesus crossed lines to bring people in | and he chased after Mum and gave her life that was truly life | And she accpeted it.
When Jodie opened mum’s phone first time | Mum achieved badge - 100 days in the word of God | 100 days connecting to Jesus | One verse saved as favourite |
There are some goodies in the Bible;
“We are more than conquerors through Christ that strengthen us” – but she didn’t save this one.
“He will turn all things for good” – but She didn’t save this one. No…
She saved acts 3, which says this;
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
Repentance – Turning from a life ruled by us, to a life ruled by Jesus, the compassionate, loving, life giving Jesus.
It says that there will be refreshment for the soul – 6 days before Mum left – She was reminded there would be refreshment for her soul.
Trust in Jesus is what makes us right with God – Not religious efforts which Jesus despised – Not our good behaviour or how much we try – Not what we look like on the outside – No – Just a simple trust in Jesus, and it’s open for everybody. A simple trust that Jesus came, he lived, he died for our Sins and He rose again so that we could live a life in Freedom and forgivenesss.
brings comfort - Jesus Saw Mum | Jesus was compassionate on Mum, that Jesus gave her Mercy and Grace and I can only imagine what eternity will be like for her right now.
I can only imagine what peace she would be feeling right now – What grace she would be feeling.
Join me as we sing a song that asks just that – I can only imagine.
[Please Stand]
Song – I can only Imagine
I would now like to ask you to join us in saying farewell - We have some gum leaves as a tribute - one of mum’s favourite camping spots was cainbreak and camping was one of her most favourite activities. You are welcome to come forward and lay some at the table as a tribute.
We just ask that once you have finished, please return to your seats.
Farewell - Spirit in the Sky
Closing Prayer and Scripture –
Please join me in prayer as we commit Mum to God.
Father God,
You have blessed and enriched our lives by giving us Mum to know and to love here on earth.
Though our time together was not nearly enough, we selfishly want to hold on to her; It brings us great pain to let her go.
I thank you that you meet us where we are. You meet us where we are in our pain, in our grief, in our faith and in our hearts.
To Everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose on earth. A time to be born, and a time to pass. And so in this last act, in sorrow but without fear, in love and in thankfulness, we let her go.
We thank you that you reached out to Mum, and you gave her peace, love and grace as a merciful lovin God you are.
We thank you for the hope and assurance we have, through our faith in Jesus Christ.
And that Mum has now entered into eternity with you. Eternal rest, eternal happiness and eternal life - And so we realease her to you, in Jesus Name,
Amen.
Song - There is a blessing in the Bible called Aaron’s blessing - and it’s about our God blessing us, and keepign us - May God’s glory shine all over mum in eternity. - Please stand as we sing a blessing over Mum.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Outro - Thank you for joining us this afternoon - The service will conclude shortly, and we invite you to stay behind for afternoon tea, coffee and tea.