Anna Funeral

Scripture

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Song

In the Garden

Message

Good afternoon. We are here today to celebrate the life of Anna Lillian Amos-Nickerson. Let me start by saying that I am honoured to be here and so glad that you trusted me to be a part of your time together. You have already heard that I am the lead pastor at Cornerstone Community Church. Let me also add that I am not a complete stranger to members of your family. I went to High School with Emily about a bajillion years ago and I know Laura because Reaghan and my daughter are good friends. So, again it is my pleasure to be able to be here with you today.

I have been asked to share a few thoughts that I have been given about Anna’s life. Although I did not know Anna I was given a quick snap shot of her life. My prayer is to help you all today to say good bye and to walk beside you in the celebration of some good memories. I hope I capture a small portion of her life in what I am about to say this afternoon.

First and foremost, 100 years! What does someone say about an entire century of life? 100 years looks like:

2 parents

8 siblings

2 spouses

7 children

12 grand children

and 11 Great grand children

What a family! What a legacy! 42 lives directly tied to hers. I am sure within this large family there were ups and downs as with every family. I know that this is likely not the first time that many in this room today have gathered to say good bye to one of those 42 lives that I mentioned.

That is exactly what we are here today to do. Say good bye.

and we can and should focus on the good bye but we can and should also acknowledge a life well lived. Again I did not know Anna but I understand that Anna loved her life in Fredericton. In the 100 years of her life she got to see all of Canada as she made her way to live in British Columbia. I also was told that she spent time in Australia and Hawaii. She got to see some of the most beautiful and diverse places in the world.

But HOME was right here, in NB. Where a majority of her family lived.

We can and should also think on the things she loved to do. I hear that one of her favourite things was to knit mittens. Which made me smile when I learned what her maiden name was. Of course one of Anna Mitten’s favourites things to do was knit mittens.

She also knitted socks. I have been told to let you all know that you don’t have to worry because she is wearing a pair of her knitted socks right now so her feet wont get cold.

She was also right at home in her garden. She loved pansies. Her mother always told her that they were her favourite because they always had a happy face.

It is good to remember all of the good times and stories that fit into 100 year life time. We also have to acknowledge the reality of today. We are here to say good bye to a daughter, a wife, a mom, a sister, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and so much more.

What a gift to be able to celebrate an 80th birthday, then 85th, and 90th, and 95, then the big 100.

I am sure we are feeling all sorts of confusing emotions. Sadness because she is no longer here, relief because she is no longer struggling with her memory, guilt for feeling relief, or maybe a deep sense of loss. Maybe we don’t know WHAT we feel. What ever it is we DO feel, it is okay.

I read a passage at the beginning of tour time together.

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This serves to remind us that no matter how we feel and no matter what we face God is with us. We will lie down in green pastures , our cups over flow, and we are not alone.

Remember, it is times like this where family is so important. Remember to lean on one another. Share stories and laugh and cry. When we remember someone’s name they are never really gone. I think that is what 100 years means for Anna.

What a legacy sitting in this room today and beyond. I pray that you take the time this afternoon to share stories, be together, and remember the life of Anna.

Poem

Song

How great thou art

Prayer

Merciful Father, as we mourn the death of Anna and thank you for her life, we ask you to look upon us with compassion. You have promised that you are near to the broken-hearted and close to those who are crushed in spirit. Draw near to us, Lord, and may we find comfort in your presence. Give rest to our troubled hearts and replace our fear with faith. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Help us to follow you, to know you, and to find life in you.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

Graveside

We have gathered here to celebrate the life of  Anna.  We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss.  May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

PSALM 121

We lift our eyes up to the hills.

From where does our help come?

Our help comes from the Unseen One,

The Maker of the heavens and the earth,

Who will not cause our feet to stumble,

Our protector who never sleeps.

The Abundant One preserves us,

The Watchful One is our shelter and

support.

The Vigilant One guards us from evil,

And keeps our Life-breath safe.

The Shepherd guards our going out

and out coming in from now unto eternity.

Anna your life we honour. Your departure we accept. Your memory we cherish.

And although there is grief today as we say goodbye, there is gratitude for your life.

We are truly grateful for the privilege of having shared life with you.

But rest now at the end of your days. Rest in the hearts and minds of all those who love you.

And so with love we shall leave you in peace.

And with respect we bid you a fond farewell.

Into your hands, O merciful God, we commend Anna. We acknowledge and humbly ask you, to receive Anna into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints of light. 

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; the spirit is with God who gave it. And we look for the resurrection of the dead according to His promise who was dead and is now alive forever and ever

Amen.

Now to the One who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of God's glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.