Ready - Jim Bass

Prelude - Video Slideshow

Opening - Pastor Chris Baker

Opening Prayer

Greeting

This morning, we have come to this place to remember the life and legacy of James or Jim Bass. Jim was a member of this church… he was a good friend to many, a loving father to his children, and a caring husband to his wife. In recent months, Jim was fighting the battle of his life… the battle for his life. Even after being told that he had cancer, Jim held on to hope. And today, although we gather to remember at a time of his passing, Jim won that battle.

Someone might ask, “Preacher, have you lost your mind? That cancer won! Jim isn’t with us anymore because the cancer was too great!” And you’re right… the caner was too much for Jim’s physical body to continue on. HOWEVER… JIM NEVER LOST HOPE IN THE LORD and because of his steadfast faithfulness, Jim is now in a place where cancer can NEVER touch him again! He is healed, experiencing no pain, while celebrating in the presence of Jesus!

Yet today, our hearts are heavy. Today, we are filled with a mixture of emotions.

We grieve because he is not here. In this world, death would appear to be permanent. Death would appear to be the final end to our lives. But for those who are in Christ Jesus, death was conquered by our Lord and Savior the day He walked out of the grave.

As the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 NIV

55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jim not only knew of the victory that is in Jesus, HE LIVED AND WALKED IN THE VICTORY! I am thankful or the blessed hope that we have in our Lord. And… I am also thankful for God’s amazing comfort that He offers His children. Matthew 5:4 reads

Matthew 5:4 NIV

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

This beatitude reflects the heart and nature of our God. He sees our broken hearts and sends His Spirit to comfort us in our grief. Today… is not easy… loosing a friend or loved one never is. But today, may we never forget that Jim… BELIEVED in Jesus. And those who believe in Him WILL NOT PERISH, but will have eternal life.

This morning, we honor and remember our friend and loved one. We celebrate the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. We celebrate knowing that where Jim is, there’ll be no sorrow there… no more burdens to bear… no more sickness, no pain… no more parting over there… and forever he will be with the One who died for me… for you.

We sing of the day… and even dream of the day when we get to see Jesus. What a day that will truly be! For Jim… that dream is now his eternal reality. For Jim… the journey is now over. That day has arrived… Jim… has made it home.

SONG - When I Get Where I Am Going (recorded)

READING OF OBITUARY - Pastor Chris Baker

Jim Bass Obituary

James Edgar Bass departed this earthly life peacefully surrounded by family and friends Saturday, October 7, 2023. Jim was born on Friday, July 13, 1959 to Norman and Olive (Pitzer) Bass, the only boy and youngest child.

As a young child Jim lived with his parents and three sisters on the family farm in rural Inavale, Nebraska. When Jim was 5 his family moved to Kensington, Kansas, where he would graduate from Kensington High School with the class of 1977.

In December of 1977 Jim met the love of his life Wanda Dierking. They were united in marriage on August 27, 1978. To this union five daughters were born: Janice, Julie, Joanie, Jamie and Jessica. The couple made their home in Kensington, Phillipsburg, and north of Agra before returning and settling on a small farm east of Phillipsburg.

For many years Jim worked for Tamko as a utility lineman. After an injury accident at work Jim was forced to make a career change. He would work at an area salebarn and break horses to ride, before going into retail management for the local grocery store and Orscheln's store.

Jim shared his love and passion for horses with his daughters. One of his greatest joys was helping his girls show horses. When Jim and Wanda started having grandchildren and great grandchildren, he found a new love and joy in teaching them to ride horses.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Olive; in-laws Howard and Shirley Dierking; sister's Marjorie Bohrer and Betty Gleason. Also preceding him in death was brother-in-law's Roderick Bohrer, Phillip Gleason, Karl Dierking and Roger Streit; nephews Randy Bohrer, infant Bohrer and Benjamin Dierking; and close family friend David Dunning.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Wanda of the home. Daughters Janice Boland and husband Karl of Alton; Julie Huffman and husband Chris of Smith Center; Joanie Bass and husband Luke Martin of Phillipsburg; Jamie and Jessica Bass of the home. Eight grandchildren Dakota Boland; Nicole, Natalie (Jeremy), Nathan (Kandis), and Nolan Huffman; Mariah (Cordell) Nelson, Jaden and Michael O'Malley. Three great grandchildren Journee Wise, Emmett Ratliff and Kourtlynn Nelson. Sister Phyllis Osborne and husband Rodney of Holdrege, Nebraska, brother-in-law Dwight Dierking and wife Jeanine of Gillette, Wyoming, sisters-in-law Bonnie Streit of Sheldon, Nebraska, Deb Lamont and husband Steve of Kensington, Kansas and Donna Eckhart and husband Doug of Riverton, Nebraska. Many nieces, nephews and dear friends, David and Nancy DeWester, Karen Dunning, and Ashley Jones.

PERSONAL REMARKS

We know that there is no way to capture all who Jim was in just a few short paragraphs. Theses are but highlights… heading titles, if you will, to chapters beyond chapters of memories, experiences, and life moments that we shared with Jim.

And although these chapters have not been written down on paper, they remain forever inscribed upon our hearts. And I pray we tell these stories, we share these stories, we laugh and we cry in the details of these stories.

Why? Because they are good stories… they not only help us to remember who Jim was, but they help keep him a part of lives in the days to come.

I’ve heard it said this way… when a person passes on, their life is summed up by a simple dash on the head stone. That dash sits between the date they were born and the date the took their last breath.

A dash… does no justice… it is up to us to fill in the blanks. Today serves as an opportunity to do so as we remember our friend and family member, Jim Bass.

Comments from family member, Michael

SONG - Daddy’s Hands (recorded)

Message - Ready - Pastor Chris Baker

It was only a few years ago that Jim made a big impression on my life. We hadn’t crossed paths much… we were new to the area and still getting settled in.

It was cold outside… in fact, we had snow on the ground… and we had scheduled to host an all church super bowl party at the house.

We almost decided to cancel the event due to the weather… but we decided not to. We wanted to get to know the people in our church and community a little bit better while we watched the game.

So the Baker family was in the house, scrambling to get things ready for the event. In a house of four kids and crazy schedules, it can sometimes be a challenge to keep up with the housework.

My mind was consumed with the work that needed to be completed on the inside of the house… I hadn’t given much thought to what was happening… outside.

And then, one of my kids asked, “Hey dad… who is that outside?” There was a man out in the street shoveling snow. He was making pathways in the snow to make sure people could make it to the house without falling.

I had cleared the driveway and porch, but not the street. I wasn’t sure who it was… but when he showed up the house for the party with the same hat on his head, his identity was revealed: It was Jim Bass.

Jim wanted to make sure that everything was ready for this event… and he was taking care of a need I had overlooked.

Jim was a guy who wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and get the job done.

I had a great opportunity to spend time with family this week and I got to hear many stories of what life was like in the Bass home… and it sounds like… there was NEVER a dull moment!

One of the comments that I found to be interesting was that Jim and Wanda were lucky to have five girls… because if they would have had five boys… they wouldn’t have survived!

From breaking and riding horses to cutting wood to making roadways with shingle tabs to coyote hunting and going fishing and being chased by someone holding chicken feet… things were always on the move!

They shared a story of trying to ride one of the horses… into the house… because it was easier to get water that way! A story of riding Wilber… who was Wilber? Wilber was a large pig that they routinely dug mud holes for… but one of the girls rode this pig one day in her church clothes!

It sounds like there was always something to do… or always something going on!

And even with all the activity, Jim found the time to go fishing with the grand kids. He would make sure that if they were coming over, one of the goats would need fed so the grand kids could feed it.

Jim and the family were very much outdoorsy people… he was good at re-purposing things, and building things… but not as good at fixing things!

In fact, after fixing something, he would often say that if you didn’t have extra parts after making the repair, you didn’t do the job right!

I guess Jim was always looking to do the job right because Wanda said he always had too many extra parts after the repair!

Jim was good at making do with what he had...

Like when the girls would get into a water fight… he didn’t have water balloons, but he would ALWAYS get the water hose!

Jim had a great laugh… he had a great smile… and he had an amazing family. And on top of all of this… Jim had amazing faith.

Then came… cancer. I don’t like that word. Then came this battle. It came suddenly… and it was fierce.

And I’ll never forget when he sat in my office to tell me what was going on. The doctors had given him a bad report. He took a hit… but his faith remained.

And I looked at Jim and said, “The doctor’s are NOT the author of your story. Only God knows how and when your story will end.” That was true for Jim… and that is true for all of us in this room today.

No one knows your story today… better than God. God created you… in His image… on purpose… for His glory.

We may not know what kind of struggles or challenges we might face in this life but I can tell you this: so long as you trust in God… He will get you through.

Although the diagnosis came suddenly… unexpectedly… and took a fierce toll on his body… Jim was… ready.

Maybe not physically ready or mentally ready… but Jim was spiritually ready for the battle ahead. How can I make this declaration? Because Jim’s trust and hope was in the Lord.

The readiness I speak of is something that can only come from within a relationship with the Lord.

Jim Bass… knew Jesus Christ. Jim Bass was a servant of the King, he was a child of God. He knew the Lord… and that makes ALL the difference in this world.

Jim knew what it meant to be… born again. Jesus told us in John 3:3

John 3:3 NIV

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

In his day, Nicodemus… a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council, didn’t understand what Jesus was saying. He didn’t understand what Jesus was trying to tell him. How can a person be born… twice?

What Jesus was speaking of is a spiritual… rebirth of sorts. Jesus was talking about regeneration. What this is… is an inward re-creating of a person spiritually. It is the transformation of life meaning the entire person is affected.

Sin… is something that destroys a person’s heart and soul. It’s very nature is destructive and will bring death to anyone living in it.

But those who die to sin… and come alive in Christ Jesus, are brought from certain death by sin to promised eternal life in Christ Jesus!

We see that promise spoken of in John 3:16

John 3:16 NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

What Jesus was saying was… your life must be found… in Him. And Jim understood this truth.

In my last visit with Jim, I was taken back by the words he said to me.

Jim was began talking about all of the things he had yet to accomplish. He had things he wanted to get done… things he didn’t want the family to have to worry about. But then his tone changed and he said, “Pastor, I’m ready.”

And at first, my heart was saddened by those words. I didn’t want to lose my friend… I know this family did not want to lose their loved one. My mind immediately went to the idea of Jim being ready to be done with this battle.

But the next day, God’s Spirit revealed something to me… When Jim said he was ready, Jim was not only speaking of being ready for this season and battle to end… his soul was ready. His heart was ready. Jim had made the choice long ago to follow Jesus and NO EARTHLY SICKNESS was going to change that choice.

Jim’s readiness was not born of the pain he was in… his readiness was assured through the peace that he had in Christ Jesus.

Jim knew that Jesus lived within him. Jim knew that his sins had been forgiven. Jim knew that his life had been transformed and renewed and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Jim knew… he had been born again!

And in that knowledge, Jim knew that these days that might be called his final days… were not his final days by a long shot! Jim knew that eternal life was waiting for him on the other side and because Jim had a relationship with Jesus, he now waits on the other side for you and me!

This earthly vessel that is before us today is simply the vehicle that carried Jim’s soul… and it could no longer function or sustain his life. But make no mistake about it… Jim is in heaven living in the promise of eternal life spoken of by Jesus.

Jim… was ready.

So today, I want to ask a question of everyone in this room. I believe it is a question Jim would want me to ask. Is your heart… ready? Have you given your life to Jesus? Have you repented or your sins, called on His name, and received Him as Lord and Savior?

Why do I believe Jim would want that question asked today? Because Jim had a story to tell. Jim felt a calling to share the good news with others.

Maybe you didn’t know that today… but he shared with me early on in this battle that God had called him to ministry. and Jim passionately told me he did not believe this battle was going to change that.

Again, someone might speculate that… Jim was wrong. This battle did change that. But I want you to hear me today… although he is now in heaven… Jim’s testimony… his story remains. And this moment together is an opportunity for his story to be heard.

So I implore you today… I ask you as I believe Jim would be asking you this very moment… ARE YOU READY?

Should the Lord call you today, would you be found ready to meet him… or would you perish for your sins?

We have no answer for sin… no solution to fix the problem. We have no way of overcoming the sin problem on our own. That is why God sent His Son for us. Where we had no answer, God sent us the answer who is Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is in this room today with us as we mourn the loss of this incredible man… He comforts us… and He asks us… are we ready?

To be ready is not to say that we welcome the end. TO be ready is not to say we look for life to end soon. To be ready is simply to say I have placed my faith in Jesus that should my days on earth come to an end, I KNOW I will see Jesus face to face.

The Bible reveals to us what we must do… to be born again. And I want you to see this instruction today.

Romans 10:9–13 NIV

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

So what does the Bible say we must do?

First, declare that Jesus is Lord. Lord of your life, Lord of all. He is our risen Savior.

Second, believe in your heart. Place your faith in Him.

Third, call on His name. What is it that we are calling for? The forgiveness of our sins. Jesus’ blood has the power to cover and cleanse you of ALL sin.

Jesus gave His life on the cross… that we might ALL be ready. God’s desire is for every single person to come to repentance… to be born again through Jesus. Not everyone will make that choice… But I truly believe Jim would want you to have that opportunity today… to be ready.

The next song that is going to play is… is a song that speaks of the Old Rugged Cross… a place where God’s dearest and best… for a world of lost sinners was slain.

It was on that cross that Jesus won the victory over sin and death… three days later He won the victory over the grave… and He wants you to live in that same victory today.

As this song plays, I will have a slide on the screen that shares how you can give your life to Jesus… how you can be ready. If you desire to give your life to the Lord, simply pray what’s on the screen to Jesus and be born again.

SONG - The Old Rugged Cross (recorded)

If you prayed that prayer today with all your heart, I want to be the first to welcome you to the family of God!

Heaven and all the angels are rejoicing with you… and I believe Jim is as well! Live your life as one who is ready… as one who’s sins have been forgiven… as one who has been born again… as one who will not perish, but have eternal life in the Lord!

Our journey in this life will not always be easy… but as I said to Jim… I now say to you. GOD is the author of your story. No doctor, no person, no individual can say otherwise. So long as you’re living for Him, you know how your story will end. God has great things in store for you. He has promised believers eternal life through the blood of His Son.

We still grieve in moments like this… and rightfully so. But in that grief is hope… knowing that today is not goodbye, but rather see you later. For Jim stand in the glory and presence of God… and he wants you there as well.

Let’s bow our heads and pray together one more time.

CLOSING PRAYER

CLOSING REMARKS - Pastor Chris Baker

On behalf of the Bass family I want to thank you all for coming out and celebrating Jim’s life and legacy. The grave side service will be taking place immediately following this service at the cemetery just west of the Thornburg United Methodist Church that is north of Smith Center.

May I encourage you to continue to pray for friends and family in this difficult time. May God’s peace and blessings be poured out upon you. Thank you for coming… this concludes our memorial service today.

AFTER SERVICE - Video Slideshow

Graveside Service

Today, our hearts ache in these final moments as we lay Jim’s body in its final resting place. But… do you know… that there is coming a day… when no heartaches shall come?

No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye?

All is peace forever more… on that happy golden shore.

What a day… glorious day that will be!

For Jim, that day was last Saturday. It was the day that this body went to sleep, but his soul woke up in heaven. And I believe as he arrived, he saw the face of Jesus… the face of the One that gave His life for our sins. One day… we will see Jim again! We know heaven is on the other side of this life for those who believe.

Even as we know this truth… It is never easy to approach this moment… this end of life as we know it moment. For it is in this moment that we say our final goodbyes… that we say farewell to a loved one, a family member, and a good friend. Jim will be greatly missed.

And we understand today that even Jesus knew what this moment felt like. When He recieved the report that His friend, Lazarus, had died, the Scriptures tell us that Jesus wept. He wept for the loss of a friend… and He wept for the heartache of the loved ones. But even in that moment of death… there was hope of new life.

Even in this moment… there is hope. Even as this body is laid to rest, we know his soul has never been more alive. For Jim loved the Lord… he served Him with all his heart… and with that faith was given entrance to heaven.

Our hearts grieve through the loss… but we find peace in knowing that in this moment, we say goodbye only to the body… for we shall see Jim once more when our time on earth is done.

John 14:1-6 reads,

John 14:1–6 NIV

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 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? 3 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. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus came to lead us back home. Jesus came to make a way where there seemed to be no way. He came that through Him we might find our way back to the Father. He came… that we might be ready.

He has gone to prepare a place for all who place their faith in Him. And because Jim knew the Lord… he has found his way home.

We know that in this moment, Jim is not here. He stands in the presence of the Lord who said to one who was dying on a cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” What lies before us is but the earthly tabernacle, the house in which he lived among us for a time. Tenderly and reverently we commit that house to the grave. The body returns to the earth from which it came: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Spirit returns to God who gave it, waiting the day when both spirit and body shall again be united at the coming of the Lord; “for the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise.”

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

“Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Jim will never again feel the pain or discomfort of sickness. Jim will never again experience the hardships and trials of this world. Jim has forever been set free as he came into glory… undoubtedly while hearing the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Jim is home… in the Father’s house… no doubt taking care of the horses… doing all he can to honor and celebrate the One who gave His life for him.

May the Holy Spirit continue to comfort you and bring you peace… and may the Spirit of God fill your hearts as we pray...

PRAYER - Heavenly Father, we are so thankful for Your leading. We are so thankful that You lead your children home. We are so thankful for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, as He made for us the way back to You. It is in Christ that we find our peace… that we find our comfort… and that we find our hope.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort family and friends as we share this final moment.

Fill us with your peace as we navigate this difficult season.

Help us to listen to Your voice and to find our direction through Your Word.

Keep us in Your loving arms and surround us with Your Spirit. We thank you again for being with us all as we remember Your faithful servant. Bless us and keep us in Your precious Name we pray, Amen.

This concludes our service today. We will be praying for you and available to help or serve in anyway we can. God bless.