Funeral Service for Barbara Cibak

Good morning,

Today, we give thanks to God for the life and legacy of Barbara Cibak, a long-time member of St. Stephen and, more importantly, a committed Christian. She joyfully lived out her calling of not being subject to anyone and being a servant to all. She served as a Girl Scout Leader and supported local high school wrestling and band programs, among many other things.

During this service, much has been said about Barbara, but what truly matters now is that she has completed her baptismal journey and is with the Lord. The psalms we read today assure us that the Lord is our shepherd who leads, protects, and guides us. They remind us that God provides for us, cares for us, and is always near, watching over us.

Barbara is now at peace in the Lord, no longer burdened by the ailments she faced in her final years, such as dementia. Being in the presence of the Lord must be truly wonderful!

However, this service is also about all of you - coming to terms with your loss and giving your grief to God. In a culture where we are often expected to put on a smile and suppress our emotions, here you are free to express your feelings. It is okay to grieve in the sanctuary of the Lord. God understands - even Jesus wept and grieved, feeling sadness and needing time to come to terms with uncomfortable realities, such as the violent death of his cousin John the Baptist.

It may be challenging to simultaneously hold onto the hope we have in Christ Jesus and allow ourselves to grieve. But this is not a competition, and there is no perfect way to hope or grieve. All forms of hoping and grieving are valid and exactly what you need to be doing. So let us hope for eternal life in Christ and believe that Barbara is with a loving Lord. At the same time, let us feel the loss and the empty space left after Barbara's passing. May God bless you in both aspects. Amen.