Gary Sturgeon Funeral
Why is it that when we hear of the death of someone, we frequently ask about their age? If we hear of a friend’s parent passing away, our first question will frequently be, “How old was he?” When a friend’s work associate dies, sooner or later we get around to asking, “How old was he?” or, “How old was she?”
Perhaps one reason we ask is that it seems to be easier to justify in our minds the death of someone more advanced in years. If one has accumulated enough years we can more easily accept one’s death and assume it to be a natural event. Death seems less tragic when we can say they had a “full life.”
We strain every nerve, we strive for the prize
Of our calling in Christ: a home in the skies:
The battles all fought, the victory won,
We have the reward—“Good servant, well done:”
“Come, enter thy home, these mansions above,
Rest in the haven of infinite love;
From sorrow and sin forever released,
Come sit with the guests at the heavenly feast.”
All stains washed away, in robes of pure white
We bask in His rays, we shine in His light;
The crown of rejoicing we evermore wear,
The glory of Christ eternally share.
Make me, O Father, more grateful for life,
More willing to bear the turmoil and strife,
More anxious to serve, more like Him to be
Who gave His own life a ransom for me.
That, bearing Christ’s image, e’en here below,
My word done in Him, His glory may show,
Till the summons I hear, in accents of love,
“Daughter, come higher, and serve Me above.”
What glories await the spirit set free
From fetters of earth, untrammelled to be!
The work begun here is continued above,
And all that blest life is service and love.
—Parish Visitor
Dear Father in heaven, we thank You for giving us the privilege of knowing this dear man. We knew him as a Christian, a leader, a son, a husband, a father, and a friend. His love for You, dear God, was witnessed by each one of us, and that love was given to us by him. We miss him, but the warm memories we cherish remind us that he is now in Your tender care. Dear Shepherd, be with us in this valley. May your peace and comfort be felt by this good family. You are with us now, dear Lord, and as the psalmist said, “[We] will fear no evil” because You are here with us. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.