5.2.34a 7.19.2023 Funeral of Claire Fopay Mark 5.38-41
Funerals • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Order of Service for the funeral of Claire Fopay.
Processional Song=Somewhere over the Rainbow
Invocation And Welcome=Bob
Scripture=Bob
1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;
4 you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.
Family Remembrances
Words from Friends
Song Home Free
Message
Benediction
Recessional song Goodness of God
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Start:
Entice: Loss can be fast or slow. Gradual or immediate. Miss Claire’s death includes a little bit of both. Death is always sudden even when it comes with blessed release. Even when there is an easing of burdens—a so called “blessing,” we do not wish it upon someone we love.
They are always gone too soon.
They are always gone too soon.
They are always, never forgotten.
They are always, never forgotten.
You remember Claire best by loving and cherishing every moment you spend with one another from here on out.
Engage: My goal is to give you some
Biblical guidance,
Biblical guidance,
focused on Christ,
focused on Christ,
designed to give you hope,
designed to give you hope,
provide perspective on your grief,
provide perspective on your grief,
and to remind you that
in Jesus we have the promise of eternal life.
in Jesus we have the promise of eternal life.
Expand: Our first instincts are often right. This is the first text that came to my mind when Libbie and I exchanged texts about Claire’s funeral on Sunday afternoon. This story in Mark 5 concerns bereaved parents, siblings, friends, and extended family reeling at the loss of their daughter, sister, and companion. Despite doubt Jesus makes it clear He has something to say
38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Excite: For someone whose life was restricted as was Claire’s going to sleep and waking up to hear the voice of our Savior say these words to her were not just a comfort—>They were revolution!
We all have some kind of infirmity. As we grow older, we obviously share the infirmities of old age.
We carry burdens, disappointments, heartaches, resentments, reservations, and plain old everyday fear.
No matter your burden, you like Miss Claire can hear His voice, and feel His hand grasping yours as He calls your name.
Explore: It is nearly always the same when Jesus calls our name.
Explore: It is nearly always the same when Jesus calls our name.
Body of Sermon:
1 There are tears.
1 There are tears.
1.1 Of course there is sadness, emptiness, and grief.
1.1 Of course there is sadness, emptiness, and grief.
1.2 This is no party. And though there is and will be laughter and memories and hints of gladness the emotional impact of loss brings tears.
1.2 This is no party. And though there is and will be laughter and memories and hints of gladness the emotional impact of loss brings tears.
1.3 Life will never be lossless. The promise of Jesus is to limit the loss and to expand the context of our experience to eternity.
1.3 Life will never be lossless. The promise of Jesus is to limit the loss and to expand the context of our experience to eternity.
2 There is disbelief.
2 There is disbelief.
2.1 The paradox at the heart of Christian belief is that basically Jesus says to us “Trust me, and everything will be ok.”
2.1 The paradox at the heart of Christian belief is that basically Jesus says to us “Trust me, and everything will be ok.”
2.2 Jesus was in Jairus’ house that day because of His reputation of healing, helping, and giving hope.
2.2 Jesus was in Jairus’ house that day because of His reputation of healing, helping, and giving hope.
2.3 Yet, in the crowded stairwells of Jairus’ house there were still those who snickered with disbelief. For a lot of people, the promises of Christ will always be too good to be true. Yet Claire knows. Jairus’ daughter knows.
2.3 Yet, in the crowded stairwells of Jairus’ house there were still those who snickered with disbelief. For a lot of people, the promises of Christ will always be too good to be true. Yet Claire knows. Jairus’ daughter knows.
3 There is resurrection.
3 There is resurrection.
3.1 He is climbing those stairs. He shushes the hangers-on. He comes forward with those who love her. And calls her; Talitha cumi. She opens her eyes and lives again, in this world. Her new life a reminder, a parable, a promise of fully remade, redeemed, restored, resurrected life. This is not merely a Bible story--now it is Claire’s story.
He approached her,
He took her hand in His,
He called to her Talitha cumi, Talitha Claire,
and she danced into His arms.
3.2 For each of and every one of us there will be a time when He climbs to our chamber amid the bereaved. Extends His hand and calls us by name.
Shut Down
When that time comes, when Jesus calls each of us, perhaps we will see Claire amongst the great cloud of witnesses sharing the joy of homecoming.