Carole Jane Dubbert Funeral

Video

Welcome:

Dear friends and family,

Today, as we gather to remember and honor the beautiful journey of Carole Jane Dubbert, we also come together to celebrate the legacy of love, kindness, and joy that she left behind. During this service of reflection, let us embrace the beautiful memories, the shared laughter, and the countless moments of joy that marked Carole's journey on this earth.

On behalf of the family, I want to welcome you and thank you for gathering here today to celebrate Carole.

Reading of the Obituary: Family Member

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we acknowledging your presence. Nothing is hidden from you, O Lord. You know each and every person who has gathered at this church today to honor the life of Carole.

Lord, I commit every person in this room to you. Let Your Spirit move today and bring peace. Direct our thoughts to you.

We acknowledge all feelings of sorrow, pain, longing, and even doubt. We recognize that we need your help today.

We commit ourselves to you, and we commit our loved one to you today.

We give her to your care as we also entrust every soul in this room into your capable hands.

Amen.

*** Carole loved to listen to music from Peru. We are very blessed that Pedro, Carole’s son-in-law, has agreed to provide the music for today’s service.

Song:

Scripture:

Psalm 23 (KJV 1900)

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 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.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 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.

Message:

Carole Dubbert lived a life as an example for us to follow. She was sweet, funny, caring, giving, loving, and spiritual. If you met Carole, you’d soon find out that you had just met your next best friend.

She had a way of connecting with people. Even random people. She might call you up telling you all about a problem someone was going through. You’d hear all the details and you might start to scratch your head wondering why you didn’t know this person. Well, it’s because you didn’t know that person, because that person was just someone Carole met in line at Sam’s club!

She was a connector. We can learn from her life. Carole was a Christian. She loved the Lord. I’ve even heard her described as a Bible thumper! I’m not sure I know what that is, but I think I’d like to be remembered in that way. She was a member of this church for more than 40 years.

What would Carole want you to know this morning? In part, I think she’d want to tell you to keep living. Be brave. Go on an adventure. Remember that all things are possible. Stay honest. And love the Lord with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. She’d tell us to Turn to the Bible for truth.

Today as we celebrate her life we need to turn to the Bible to learn what it says about passing from this life to the next.

Death is Not the End

Some believe once we die, we simply cease existing. The Bible, however, says differently. Scripture teaches that while our present physical bodies will decompose, our souls will live forever, either in God’s presence or eternally separated from Him.

Jesus says that if we believe in Him that we will never truly die.

John 11:25–26 CEV

25 Jesus then said, “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. 26 And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?”

Jesus is letting us know that He controls our eternal future. We can live forever with Him if we place our trust in Him to save our souls from eternal death.

Death Should Not be Feared

God doesn’t want us to be afraid of dying. The apostle Paul understood that death was nothing to be feared when he wrote:

Philippians 1:21 CEV

21 If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more.

He understood that when we die we are in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s nothing to fear because in his presence is peace, comfort, and love.

In fact, he teaches his readers that we have something to look forward to after this life. He even goes so far as to say that he would rather be away from this earthly life.

2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT

8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

The reason can have hope instead of fear is that we know the moment we pass from this life there is a heavenly dwelling waiting for us.

We have nothing to fear.

We can Mourn with Hope

When we lose a loved one, it may feel as if a part of ourselves has been taken with them. We grieve the moments we’ll no longer be able to share and the dreams or desires that may never be realized. Though this pain is real and deep, if our loved ones belong to Jesus, our sorrow is always tied to the certainty that one day, we will see them again.

Scripture teaches us that Jesus’ resurrection from death is proof that we will also live again after this life.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 CEV

14 We believe that Jesus died and was raised to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died.

This means, for those in the family of faith, our goodbyes are never truly goodbyes but rather we look forward to seeing one another again.

Our Joy is knowing Heaven is Real

We’ve all experienced great things in our lives. I’m sure Carole did too. Taking vacations, laughing, hosting parties, eating ice cream on a hot day, and just enjoying the fellowship of our friends and family. But all of the good things in life pale in comparison to an experience life Heaven.

In fact, heaven will be better than all the earthly pleasures combined across the span of time. Regarding this, the Bible says, 1 Corinthians 2:9

1 Corinthians 2:9 CEV

9 But it is just as the Scriptures say, “What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!”

Physical death is inevitable this side of heaven, but death was never God’s intent for His beloved creation. Nor is this where He wishes for us to remain. In Christ, He offers us life—to experience, through relationship with Him, all the good and lovely and amazing blessings He has planned for us. He wants to surround us in His love, from now into eternity, and in so doing, casts out all fear.

Because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we, His beloved, can confidently say,

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 CEV

54 The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true, “Death has lost the battle! 55 Where is its victory? Where is its sting?” 56 Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57 But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!

What does God’s Word teach us about death? Above everything else it teaches us that it’s actually a part of living. Living each and every day to it’s fullest knowing that even when our bodies are gone from this earth we will have an eternal home with those who have gone before. To die is really just opening the door to life eternal.

Carole had hope that Jesus was waiting for her. Her faith was so important, and she wanted everyone else to have the same hope. She was born again and would wish the same thing for you today.

In John chapter 3 Nicodemus asked how can a man be born again. Jesus told him that everyone who has faith in Him would have eternal life. And after explaining to Nicodemus that being born again meant trusting in Jesus, He said two of the most well known verses in the Bible to explain why God would send His son so that people could be born again.

John 3:16–17 CEV

16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!

You see the why? God wanted to make a way for us to live forever with Him. And to live forever with Carole.

Today, in honor of Carole, I ask you to consider your faith. Are you placing your trust in Jesus?

One last thing I must mention today is that even in her passing, Carole was serving others. She was willing to donate her organs in hopes of helping others. I’ve been told that as she was leaving the hospital over 100 people stood in the halls to honor her gift. While living, she would do anything for anyone, how fitting that even in death she was willing to give her own body for someone she’d never even met.

She truly understood the love of God. My prayer for this message today is that you would be encouraged not to fear death, trust in Jesus as your Savior so that you have hope for eternity, and that, just like Carole, you’d be encouraged to share the great love you’ve found.

We can honor Carole by loving our family and even strangers each and every day.

Amen.

Family Remarks Kids: Cheryl, Cindy, Christy, Mike & Andrea

Additional Family Remarks Grandkids: Ana, Sara, Dan, Maria, Courtney, Abby, Kelsie, Carlee & Easton

Poem: The great grandchildren

Song:

Video:

Prayer:

Oh Lord, we commit Carole into your loving hands. We thank you that you have embraced her with your eternal love and grace. We entrust her to your mercy and we thank you that you have granted her everlasting rest in your heavenly kingdom.

We also pray for the family and friends of Carole today; may they find comfort and solace in your love and may you ease their pain and sorrow during this difficult time.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Closing:

At this time, I will ask that you remain seated until I have ushered the family to the lobby where you will be able to greet them and offer condolences.

This will conclude our services for today. Thank you again for joining us this morning in celebrating the life of such an exceptional woman.