Funeral for Norma Jean Dow

Song

Welcome to this service as we celebrate the life of Norma Jean Dow.

Prayer

O God, giver of life and conqueror of death, our help in every time of trouble, we trust that you do not willingly grieve or afflict us. Comfort us who mourn;   and give us grace, in the presence of death, to worship you, that we may have sure hope of eternal life     and be enabled to put our whole trust in your goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Words of Welcome

Dying, Christ destroyed our death.

Rising, Christ restored our life.Christ will come again in glory.

As in baptism Norma Jean Dow put on Christ, so in Christ may she be clothed with glory.

Here and now, dear friends, we are God's children.

What we shall be has not yet been revealed; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Those who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure.

Words of Hope

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life.

Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I hold the keys of hell and death.

Because I live, you shall live also.

Time to Remember

Norma Jean Dow, age 92 of Jackson, Ohio passed away Friday, July 14th, 2023 at Four Winds nursing facility in Jackson, Ohio. Norma was born in Scioto County, Ohio on December 22nd, 1930 to the late Roy Rose and Minnie Stiles Rose. Norma was one of seven children, she was a retired cook with the Jackson city school system. She was a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church. Norma was married to Harold Wallace and John E. Dow who preceded her in death. She is survived by her children; Donald (Ann) Wallace, Gary (Tami) Wallace, Maryann (Scott) Allen, grandchildren; Doni (Tracey) Wallace, Shawn (Emily) Wallace, Kati (Jay) Dierfield, great-grandchildren; Cameron Wallace, Karly Perez, Clayton Kern, Ava Kern, Liam Dierfield, sisters; Mary King, Delores Hughes and brother; Larry Rose. Also surviving is sister-in-law’s; Cindy Rose, Betty Dickenson, Nina Rose as well as nieces, nephews, close friends and neighbors, Bill Taylor and Faye Humphreys and a special thanks to Four Winds and Hospice for her excellent care. Norma was preceded in death by grandson; Christopher Wallace, Chad Gilliland, Angelina Allen, daughter-in-law; Gloria Wallace, sister-in-law’s; Kathy Rose and Margaret Tope, brothers; Leroy “Bud” Rose, John Rose and Dale Rose, brother-in-law’s; Loren King and Paul Hughes.

Song

Psalm 23 KJV 1900

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

John 14:1–4 NASB95

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. “And you know the way where I am going.”

Song

THE LIFE BEYOND

The Bible teaches that life does not end at the grave. The eternal spirit and image of God within us cannot be destroyed by the death of the body. John must have had this truth in mind when he wrote

Revelation 14:13 NASB95

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

Obviously, this is a view of death from the other side. Viewed from our vantage point, death appears to be dreadful, defeating, and devastating. But from God’s vantage point, it is altogether different. He calls the dead, “blessed.” That word literally means “happy,” “to be congratulated,” “fortunate.” Far from being pitied, God tells us that those who die with faith in the Lord are to be envied.

1. THE DOORWAY TO REST

1) Death is the doorway to rest from our labors. The word “labor” describes a wearing out from work, a wearisome toil. It suggests to us that life is often hard. It can be full of difficulties, disappointments, and disease. God promises us rest from all of that.

2) Death is the doorway into that rest for God’s people. We need to thank God for death. There comes a time when we need to lay down our burden and to be at rest. The word “rest” that appears here is a beautiful word. It means to be at ease, to be refreshed. It suggests an end to the toils and tribulations of life.

This is what Jesus promised to us when He said:

Matthew 11:28–30 NASB95

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

In this world of trouble, we can know rest. But there is a greater and more complete rest for us when we go to be with the Lord. It is the rest of heaven and the presence of God. And those who have laid their burden down and entered into it are to be congratulated—they are truly fortunate.

But death is not only a doorway to rest, it is a doorway to reward for the Christian.

2. DOORWAY TO REWARD

Johns says in Revelation 14, “their works do follow them.” We are all making a record on earth. We carry the record of our life with us into eternity. By the lives that we live, by the words that we say, and the deeds that we do, we are laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Jesus said if we give a cup of cold water to a little child because we are His disciple, we will in no way lose our reward (

Matthew 10:42 GNB

You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward.”

The Bible tells us that God will not forget our works and labor of love which we have done in His name as we minister to others.

Listen to

Hebrews 6:10 GNB

God is not unfair. He will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for him in the help you gave and are still giving to your fellow-Christians.

The purpose of the judgment is not only to determine our destiny but to determine our reward in that destiny. We are saved by grace, but we will be rewarded by our works. If we have lived faithfully and served our Lord lovingly then death becomes the doorway to our reward. And those who have gone to a good reward are fortunate. They are to be congratulated.

So Death is a doorway:

A doorway to Rest

A doorway to Reward.

But it is also a doorway to Resurrection.

3. DOORWAY TO RESURRECTION

While the resurrection is not mentioned in this verse, it is affirmed in

1 Corinthians 15:20–22 GNB

But the truth is that Christ has been raised from death, as the guarantee that those who sleep in death will also be raised. For just as death came by means of a man, in the same way the rising from death comes by means of a man. For just as all people die because of their union with Adam, in the same way all will be raised to life because of their union with Christ.

The Bible teaches more than the immortality or the survival of the spirit of man. It also teaches the resurrection of the body. Those who die in Christ go immediately to be with the Lord.

Listen to Paul

Philippians 1:21–23 GNB

For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then, will bring more. But if by continuing to live I can do more worthwhile work, then I am not sure which I should choose. I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing;

And when Christ returns we will get a new body. It will be a new and glorious resurrection body and will be like the resurrected body of Christ. As His body was recognizable, so our friend and loved one will be recognizable also. As His body transcended the limitations of time and space, so our body will not be subject to the limitations of this life. As His body was no longer subject to disease and decay, so our body will be an immortal body. It will live forever.

The words of the song “Breath.”

After the phone conversation with Teresa.

After my visit with Norma Jean at Four Winds.

After the Jackson Crusade last night.

Gettin' Ready To Breathe by Wes Hampton

Album: Stubborn Hope

She gave him her ring It hadn't been off for 52 years slipped it into his shirt pocket He couldn't hold back his tears She said I know this feels like the end And you're afraid But we're gonna be together again someday I'm getting ready to breathe Just like a baby's first moment Getting ready to see The place I've been dreaming of for so long When I take my last breath here I'll take my first one there So don't cry for me I'm getting ready to breathe Now I'll get to know what gold feels like under my feet I'll see my brother Joe He's been waiting since I was 16 It's hard to believe it now 'Cause this body shows every mile But I'm about to sing with an angel I'm gonna run like a child I'm getting ready to breathe...

I'm getting ready to breathe Just like a baby's first moment Getting ready to see The place I've been dreaming of for so long When I take my last breath here I'll take my first one there So don't cry for me I'm getting ready to breathe

Prayer

O Jesus Christ our risen Lord, you have gone before us in death.Grant us the assurance of your presence,     that we who are anxious and fearful in the face of death       may confidently face the future,     in the knowledge that you have prepared a place for all who love you. Amen.

Benediction

The peace of God which passes all understanding     keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,       and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.And the blessing of God Almighty,     the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,  be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Song

Graveside Service

In the midst of life, we are in death; From whom can we seek help?

The Palmist reminds us, “Our help is in the name of the of the Lord who made heaven and earth. God who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also throught the Spirit that dwells in you.

Romans 8:11 NASB95

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Listen, I will tell you a mystery!We will not all die, but we will all be changed.For this perishable body must put on imperishability,     and this mortal body must put on immortality.Then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:     

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."     

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

But thanks be to God,     who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:

Almighty God,     into your hands we commend your daughter, Juanita,  in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life     through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This body we commit to the ground,  the earthy body of Norma Jean Dow,  earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. (TRADITIONAL)

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors     for their deeds follow them.(REVELATION 14:13, ALT.)

Let us pray

O Lord, support us all the day long of our troubled life,     until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes,       and the busy world is hushed,       and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging,     and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.