Barbara Brown Funeral

The Processional:

Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

John 14:1-3: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Opening Sentence

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Invocation

"Gracious and loving God, we gather here today to remember and celebrate the life of Barbara Brown, who has left us but will never be forgotten. We ask for your comfort and peace to be with us in this time of mourning and remembrance.

We give thanks for the memories we hold dear, the love we shared, and the impact that Barbara Brown had on our lives. We pray that we may continue to feel her presence and be inspired by her legacy.

We ask that you would bless this time of remembrance and reflection. May it bring us closer together as we support one another in our grief, and may it remind us of the hope we have in you, that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones in your eternal presence.

We pray all of this in your holy name. Amen."

Title: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of a Woman of Faith and Service

Scripture: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) Reflection: Today, we gather to celebrate the life of Barbara Brown, a woman who lived a life of service and faith. She was a shining example of what it means to be a follower of Christ, and her love and compassion touched the lives of countless people.

We acknowledge this day that she has run her race, she has finished her course, and in doing so she left an indelible mark on our world, impacting and helping shape the lives of others, sisters, brothers, her children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, many cousins, and friends, and many other lives which are too numerous to count. Throughout her life, Barbara Brown dedicated herself to serving others. She was a nurse who cared for the sick and the vulnerable, and a dedicated member to VBS, Health Fair, leader of the ushers and greeters, at Monroe Street Christian Church who shared her love of God with others. She lived a life of purpose and meaning, always putting the needs of others before her own. Her life was a testament to the difference that one person can make in the world. As we remember Barbara Brown, we find comfort in the memories we hold dear. We remember her kindness, her generosity, and her unwavering faith. We remember her sense of humor and the way she made us laugh. We remember her love of music and how she used it to lift our spirits through The Sanctuary Bronze Handbell Choir. But most of all, we remember her unwavering faith in God. She lived her life according to His will, and her faith was a guiding light that led her through every challenge and every joy. And now, as she has gone to be with her Lord and Savior, we can take comfort in the knowledge that she is at peace and in the presence of the One she loved and served so faithfully. As we say goodbye to Barbara Brown, we take comfort in the words of 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Barbara Brown fought the good fight of faith, she finished the race set before her, and she kept the faith until the very end.

This passage is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance and faith, even in the face of difficult circumstances. It speaks to the idea that life is a journey, and that we all must fight to keep our faith and remain true to our values and beliefs. The phrase "I have fought the good fight" suggests Barbara Brown lived a life filled with purpose and conviction. She faced challenges and obstacles, but she persevered and stayed true to her beliefs. This is a testament to her strength and courage, and a reminder that we can all draw inspiration from her example. The phrase "I have finished the race" speaks to the idea that life is a journey with a beginning and an end. Barbara Brown has completed her journey, and her legacy will continue to live on through the lives of those she touched. It is a reminder that our time on this earth is finite, and that we should strive to make the most of every moment we have. Finally, the phrase "I have kept the faith" speaks to the importance of faith and belief in our lives. Barbara Brown remained faithful to her beliefs, even in the face of adversity. This is a powerful testament to the strength and importance of faith, and a reminder that we should all strive to remain true to our beliefs, whatever they may be. Overall, 2 Timothy 4:7 reminds us of the importance of living a life of purpose and conviction, of persevering in the face of challenges, and of remaining faithful to our beliefs. It is a fitting tribute to a life well-lived, and a powerful reminder of the legacy that Barbara Brown has left behind.

Here lies a heart so full and kind,

A gentle soul, a brilliant mind.

In life, she loved and laughed and gave,

And in her passing, left a wave Of sorrow and of joy untold,

A legacy that can't be sold.

For in our hearts, her memory lives,

And all the love she freely gives Is felt by all who knew her well,

A treasure that no time can quell.

So here we lay her down to rest,

With grateful hearts and tears that attest To all she meant to us on earth,

A cherished soul of boundless worth.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. Refrain: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

the psalmist closes with a simple song of praise

• “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”

• And that is what I would say here today. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” Rest in peace, Barbara Brown. You will be forever missed and always remembered. Closing Prayer /Benediction Dear God, As we come to the end of this memorial service, we thank you for the time we have had to remember and honor the life of our loved one Barbara Brown. We are grateful for the memories we have shared and the impact she had on our lives. We ask for your comfort and strength as we continue on this journey without her. We pray for healing and peace for all those who are grieving today. May your love and grace surround us and give us hope in the midst of sorrow. We also thank you for the reminder that life is precious and fleeting. Help us to cherish the time we have with those we love, and to live our lives with purpose and meaning. Finally, we ask for your blessings on the family and friends of Barbara Brown who have gathered today. May they continue to feel your love and support in the days ahead, and may the memory of Barbara Brown bring them comfort and peace. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with all. Bless the food, friendship, and fellowship. We offer this prayer in your name, Amen.

Recessional

The services here are now concluded, let us now proceed to Crystal Hall and instructions will be given about the interment at Camp Butler National Cemetery at 2:00pm.