2.11.16a 3.18.2023 Memorial for Carol Kramer Hebrews 4.14-16

Memorial Service for Carol Kramer 3.18.2023

• Mike Cunningham will play Bagpipes as people arrive. Video looping from 12.50 on.

• Opening Song Amazing Grace

• Invocation: Bob Beckman

• Obituary Reading: Bob Beckman

Carol M Kramer, 84, of Grayville, Illinois, died Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Fairfield, Illinois. She was born February 22, 1939, in Grayville, the daughter of Orval Carrol Loven and Gerladine Maxine (Wells) Loven. She was married to Julian Neil Kramer on January 12, 1955, and he preceded her in death on July 2, 2017.

Carol was a member of the First Christian Church in Grayville. She was a CNA and previously worked at Baldwin Nursing Home in Grayville. She also worked for Johnnye Manufacturing Company, and as a cook at Wells Restaurant. She was an excellent seamstress.

Survivors include son Jason Orval Kramer of Grayville; daughters Kelly Bunting of Grayville, Krystal (Morris) Seibert of Albion; brother Dallas (Vicki) Loven of Evansville, Indiana; sister Donna Yvonne Fisher of Grayville; grandchildren Lacey (Tim) Hill, Ryan Amos, Joseph (Ashlee) Seibert, Daniel Siebert, Amber (Ryan) Robinson, Tashauna Amos, Jade (Brett) Guthrie, Dallas Kramer; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughters Ronda Kramer, Karen Kramer, Krista Kramer; and son David Neil Kramer.

• Scripture Reading: Bob Beckman

Ecclesiastes 12:1–7 ESV

1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— 5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— 6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 ESV

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

• Family Remarks

• Song: Dancing across the sky

• Memorial Message Bob Beckman

Start:

Entice: Death disorients and discourages us. When we lose a loved one it reminds us that we all are mortal, that life is fragile, and we are wholly dependent on Christ for the hope of Eternal life.

Engage: Your grief will be tempered by time. Your tears will be transformed into memories, those memories evoke laughter and appreciation. The last couple of weeks have been difficult for each of us because the wounding of

this loss is fresh.

Expand: Grief is transformed to gratitude when we recall the grace of God in Christ Jesus which brings us salvation and includes us in His own eternal life. The Hebrew author reminds us that Jesus not only provides hope for eternal rest but also healing of our hearts in times of distress.

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Excite: Jesus does not take away the loss nor does He replace the departed. Jesus meets us in the valley of the Shadow of Death reminding us that He has been here before and knows how to negotiate our way past the pain of this present moment

Explore: Jesus Knows our need and shows us grace.

Expand: Consider these grace-gifts given to temper your grief…

Body of Sermon: He

1 Empowers our confession.

1.1 His receptive acts.

1.2 His divine ability.

He

2 Sympathizes with our weaknesses.

2.1 He had gone where we’ve gone, felt what we’ve felt…

2.2 And yet was without sin.

He

3 Meets our immediate needs.

3.1 To draw near to the throne

3.2 To there be enfolded with mercy and grace.

Shut Down

In our most difficult circumstances Jesus is here for us. He shares our grief, knows our pain, and understand the sense of loss.

Time will pass. You have and will continue to comfort one another. Carol’s memory will linger in you hearts and remind you to live each day clinging to Christ in hope of eternal life.

• Benediction Bob Beckman

• Recessional (video looping while people exit)