Janice Lutz Funeral
Notes
Transcript
Reading of Obituary: Shannon
Janice Margret Howden Lutz, 85, Lawrence, KS passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at LMH Health in Lawrence, KS.
Janice is survived by
Her husband:
Frederic J. Lutz,
Her children:
Thomas Lutz & Melinda Lutz,
Her grandchildren:
Matthew Howell
Nicholas Lutz
Jordan Vande Velde
Garrett Lutz
Her great-grandchildren:
Rowan
Katereena
Harper
Matthew
Elias
Maverick
Janice was preceded in death by her parents.
Janice was born on November 20, 1937, in St. Joseph, MO the daughter of Dr. Thomas Lawrence and Jeanette Howden.
Janice attended the University of Kansas and was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority.
During her time at KU Janice met and married her husband Fred of 64 years.
She graduated with BA degrees in English and Education.
She taught English at Shawnee Mission East High School.
She volunteered at the St. Lukes Kansas City Hospital Auxiliary including managing the gift shop.
Janice enjoyed watching Jayhawk football and basketball. She loved to read and entertain her family and friends.
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Scripture:
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Prayer: Shannon
Our Father in heaven, we acknowledging your presence. Nothing is hidden from you, O Lord.
You know each and every person who has gathered at this church today to honor the life of Janice.
Lord, I commit every person in this room to you. Let Your Spirit move today and bring peace. Direct our thoughts to you.
We acknowledge all feelings of sorrow, pain, longing, and even doubt. We recognize that we need your help today.
We commit our life to your hand, and we commit our loved one to you today.
We give her to your care as we also entrust every soul in this room into your capable hands.
Amen.
Song: Amazing Grace - Garrett, Makenzie, and Jordan
Stories and Memories: Open to all friend and family
Poem: Don’t use big words - Anna Howell
Poem: Jabberwocky - Matthew Howell
Message: Shannon
Janice was a teacher. She believed that having a good education was important. Teachers play an important part in our lives. Everyone in this room has been affected by the teachers. Yes, school teachers, but also by other people who teach. Some of the teachers in our lives are our, brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents or our church family members. God allows teachers in our lives from the moment we are born until the day we meet Him face to face. Part of God’s plan for our human development is that we become life long learners.
Today, as we remember Janice I wonder what she would want to teach us about her passing? For me, I believe we have to go to the greatest source of information about death, if we are going to learn the truth about death. The Bible is that source. In fact, the Bible mentions death 333 times in the NKJV. It’s am important topic because we are all going to face death one day.
So what does the Bible say about death?
Death is Not the End
Death is Not the End
Some believe once we die, we simply cease existing. The Bible, however, says differently. Scripture teaches that while our present physical bodies will decompose, our souls will live forever, either in God’s presence or eternally separated from Him.
Jesus says that if we believe in Him that we will never truly die.
25 Jesus then said, “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die.
26 And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?”
Jesus is letting us know that He controls our eternity future. We can live forever with Him if we place our trust in Him to save our souls from eternal death.
Death Should Not be Feared
Death Should Not be Feared
God doesn’t want us to be afraid of dying. The apostle Paul understood that death was nothing to be feared when he wrote:
21 If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.
He understood that when we die we are in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s nothing to fear because in his presence is peace, comfort, and love.
In fact, he teaches his readers that we have something to look forward to after this life. He even goes so far as to say that he would rather be away from this earthly life.
8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
The reason can have hope instead of fear is that we know the moment we pass from this life there is a heavenly dwelling waiting for us.
We have nothing to fear.
We can Mourn with Hope
We can Mourn with Hope
When we lose a loved one, it may feel as if a part of ourselves has been taken with them. We grieve the moments we’ll no longer be able to share and the dreams or desires that may never be realized. Though this pain is real and deep, if our loved ones belong to Jesus, our sorrow is always tinged with the certainty that one day, we will see them again.
Scripture teaches us that Jesus’ resurrection from death is proof that we will also live again after this life.
14 We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died.
This means, for those in the family of faith, our goodbyes are never truly goodbyes but rather we look forward to seeing one another again.
Our Joy is knowing Heaven is Real
Our Joy is knowing Heaven is Real
We’ve all experienced great things in our lives. I’m sure Janice did too. Taking vacations, laughing, hosting parties, eating ice cream on a hot day, and just enjoying the fellowship of our friends and family. But all of the good things in life pale in comparison to an experience life Heaven.
In fact, heaven will be better than all the earthly pleasures combined across the span of time. Regarding this, the Bible says, 1 Corinthians 2:9
9 But it is just as the Scriptures say, “What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!”
Physical death is inevitable this side of heaven, but this was never God’s intent for His beloved creation. Nor is this where He wishes for us to remain. In Christ, He offers us life—to experience, through relationship with Him, all the good and lovely and amazing blessings He has planned for us. He wants to surround us in His love, from now into eternity, and in so doing, casts out all fear.
Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we, His beloved, can confidently say,
54 The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true, “Death has lost the battle!
55 Where is its victory? Where is its sting?”
56 Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin.
57 But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!
What can death teach us today? Above everything else it teaches us that it’s actually part of living. Living each and every day to it’s fullest knowing that even when our bodies are gone from this earth we will have an eternal home with those who have gone before. To die is really just opening the door to life eternal.
We live with the memories of Janice and with the hope of making new memories with her in the life to come.
Song: Garrett, Makenzie, and Jordan - I’ll Fly Away & How great thou art
Closing Prayer: Shannon
Everyone is welcome to stay for food.