Funeral Sermon for Noa Cooper

Introduction:

Tyler - welcoming, having everyone find a seat for the service, introducing himself and RRBC, sharing a few words as he sees fit, opening prayer. Introduces opening song by inviting people to sing along with any of the worship songs in the service.

(Just in case Pastor Tyler is not available)

Friends and family, members of the community, it is within the healing embrace of God’s love that we have gathered here this morning to remember the life of little Noa Elizabeth Cooper and to entrust her into God’s eternal care, knowing that the Lord’s good purposes for his people cannot be thwarted by sin and death. In the faith of our Lord Jesus we now turn to him asking for grace and comfort to be upon all of us and to dwell in a very special and unique way upon the family who were privileged to love Noa during her brief stay upon this earth.

Opening Prayer/song:

Pastor Tyler-prayer

Is He Worthy

Greeting:

Good morning, my name is Chad Wilham and I am the pastor of the Heritage Baptist Church in Winchester, VA where I had the privilege of serving alongside of Jacob as my assistant pastor and Lynaya as our worship leader for a little over two years. I love them and their girls dearly, and my heartbreaks for all of the grief you must be feeling. Please know, I am always available to you any time you need to talk, day or night. They have asked me to bring the officate this morning.

Obituary:

Noa was eagerly welcomed into the world on December 29th, 2023. We rejoice in sorrow that on February 26th, 2024 our loving Heavenly Father carried Noa Elizabeth Cooper to her eternal home with Him. We praise God through tears knowing that her short life was without pain or heartache, and she will only ever knew joy. Sweet Noa is beloved and missed by her tenderhearted, fiercely loving parents, Jacob and Lynaya Cooper and her precious, and caring sisters, Hosanna Marie and Junia Mei. Joining in loss and love are her paternal grandparents, Michael and Christy Cooper and maternal grandparents, Alva and Joy Doomy, along with great grandparents, Richard Cooper & Grandma Barb, Sharon Doomy, and Jane Williams. Little Noa was a blessing and gift to her many aunts, uncles, and cousins who miss her dearly. Her parents are comforted by the thought that many loved ones, including a darling little unborn sibling, have gone before her and are welcoming her into her forever home in heaven with Jesus, the only one who loves her more than they do.

Scripture Reading

Noa was a beautiful and precious baby. She brought nothing but joy into the hearts of those around her and she was surrounded by a Mother, Father, Grandparents and aunts who loved her and cared for her. In the time you have had to spend with baby Noa she has indelibly marked your lives and she will be missed for as long as your life will last. But, if i may share with you some wonderful news from the word of God:

Revelation 7:15–17 (ESV)

15 “…he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Noa is in the presence of the Lord God almighty, maker of Heaven and earth. The Father, the shepherd of little lambs has taker her home for all eternity.

There are many scriptures that speak of God’s love for children, may I read one to you?

Matthew 19:13–15 ESV

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Here we see the arms of the Savior opened to a child. As He instructed his disciples to “let the children come to him” and “not to hinder them.” In the same way he has opened his arms to your Noa and is holding her fast in the tender care of his embrace.

Shall we pray together:

Father, we commit Noa into your loving arms today. That in no way means that Jacob, Lynaya, Hossana, Junia, Mike, Christy, Al, Joy and the rest of her family will not miss her. Father I pray this morning that through the clouds of grief in this room you would give our heart a glimpse of eternity. Right now Noa is enveloped in the Joy of the Lord, the peace that passes all understanding, and the Life eternal that comes from the Father. I pray the presence of your Holy Spirit would fill this chapel this morning and comfort all those who mourn by pointing them to Jesus. Amen

Poem

Written by Noa’s great aunt “Vonnie” Yvonne Eaton who was unable to be here today.

Read by Kristina Marshall, Noah’s Aunt

You captured our hearts

from the very first day

we discovered a new life

would be soon on the way.

And so began our prayers for you

the same we had for your sisters too.

That you would see that Christ is truth

and follow Him even in your youth.

We prayed that joy and peace and hope

would surround you through the years,

The Shepherd’s gentle hands of love

to keep you free from fears.

We prayed, “Dear Lord, please make it clear

each decision we should make,

to guide her tiny tender heart

in the direction she should take.”

We prayed, “Lord, help us to stand strong

through every storm and test,

that she might come to know

that God’s ways are the best.”

We covered you with kisses

and it seemed that our hearts grew.

How could we even begin to contain

this love we have for you?

It doesn’t seem real

We cannot comprehend

how such wonderful days

could come to an end.

With broken hearts

we come to You

our Lord, our Rock,

to see us through.

You gently remind us

that You are there.

You will NEVER leave,

You have HEARD our prayers.

Our precious child, IS safe in Your arms.

She will NEVER fear, NEVER come to harm.

Her days will ONLY be peace and love,

for her home is WITH YOU in heaven above.

So we rest, not because we understand,

but because we trust our Savior’s hand.

Little Noa forever and always will be,

a precious glimpse of eternity.

Sermon:

Over the course of this week we have all, no doubt considered the untimely death of baby Noa and our hearts have been full of questions. Not the least of which are the questions of “Why/How did this happen?” I know these questions have dominated the hearts and minds of Lynaya and Jacob and their families. As well they have reverberated in the minds of many in this room and all around our towns and faith communities.

We are not here to day to even try to answer those questions, even if we could. We are instead here to mourn and commend Noa Elizabeth Cooper into God’s care and to ask him to help us- and to help Lynaya and Jacob and their families (most especially) through this unspeakable tragedy.

In the most beautiful of rose gardens, even those tended to with the utmost skill and care, occasionally there are roses that bud, but never open. It is still a rose like all the others but something keeps it from blooming into full maturity until it fades away and disappears.

What happens in a rose garden sometimes happens in the garden of humanity as well. A baby is born, beautiful and precious, but fails to come to its’ rightful unfolding. The child, like that rose bud never fully opens and is gathered back to the garden of God in heaven. A place where all imperfections are made perfect; all injustices made right; all mysteries explained ; and all sorrows turned into joy.

Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade,

Death came with friendly care;

The opening bud to heaven conveyed,

And bade it blossom there.

—Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Today we are mourning the loss of such a precious flower of a child. We weep just as Jesus wept at the loss of his friend Lazarus. Even if we, like him, knew the answers to all of the questions that fill our hearts and minds today, there would still be no adequate explanation for the loss of your Noa. It is so painful.

It is painful to our Lord Jesus as well. For he created this world for things like this not to be so, intending for it to be perfect until sin tainted God’s creation in the Garden with the fall of Adam.

But, we are promised there will come a time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth where things like the loss of your little Noa will never happen again. A time where we will dwell in His glorious presence forever more

Revelation 21:1–5 NIV84

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

But, this time has not come yet.

We remain in a time when heaven is still above and the earth, under sins curse, below.

We remain in a time when eternal life is only experienced in its fullness once our mortal bodies have tasted the bitterness of death.

So, we weep today at the loss of Noa and God weeps with us as well.

I have spent many an hour this week thinking of what I might be able to say that could possibly ease your pain and grief. The fact is, there isn't much anyone can say that will help. We can express our sympathy and sorrow. We can offer words of love, care and concern. We can say “we will pray for you.” But, if i’m honest, that all seems just so inadequate. Truth be told, I like everyone else here today, just don’t know what to say.

Many today and in the coming weeks will try to say words of comfort and they will mean well, but, they will say the wrong things.

1.) You may hear Noa’s death at such a young age was “God’s will.”

They will mean well, but, don’t believe them!

The God we worship, the God of the Bible, the God who watches over his children does not will the death the babies and the sorrow of their parents into existence.

Jesus himself said in Matthew 18:14

Matthew 18:14 ESV

14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

A great many things that happen in this world as a result of the curse are not the will of God. They are the price of living in a world touched by sin and death.

2.) You may hear that “God wanted Noa in heaven with him.”

While I am confident that God has welcomed Noa into his kingdom where she dwells safe in the arms of Jesus, I am sure God did not want her to leave this world right now so that he could have her.

God is all sufficient within himself from all eternity. He has no need to create other beings in order to bring himself fulfillment. Within the trinity there is perfect love and fellowship. God doesn't need humanity but created it so that he could lavish his love on them.

3.) Others may seek to provide you some comfort by saying “you’re young and that you have other children.”

While that may be true, other children can never and will never replace Noa. She was her own unique and special person. The empty hole in your heart that has been left by her passing will not be filled; even if you were to have another child. Nor should it be. Every single child is unique and precious in the sight of God and to loving parents.

Conclusion:

When people say things like this, they do so desiring to bring comfort. They want to say things that will help not hurt. Bless them for it; but know, in this life we will never have all the answers to the mysteries of life and death. In this world, some things are just unanswerable.

What can you say to things like this?

Romans 8:31–32 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Know today Lynaya and Jacob that God is for you. He did not do this to you. God did not will Noa’s death or your pain.But God is with you in the middle of it all and will help you through it.

Jacob and Lynaya, God understands your pain, he had a son who died also. Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of sin.

Now, you may be thinking, “Sure, but Jesus rose from the grave.” You’re right, but we are told by the Apostle Paul

1 Corinthians 15:20 ESV

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

This tells us that because Jesus rose to new life you can be confident that so to Noa has new life that cannot be snatched away from her or you.

Today, in your grief, know that little Noa is rejoicing in heaven. Cling on to that hope with all you have. Cling to the promise of God of a future resurrection while you allow your tears to wash away the pain in the days and months ahead.

1 Peter 1:3–9 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Pastor Sammy Gospel Presentation/Songs

Pastor Sammy introduce song “In you I have been found by Jacob Cooper (Will be played on speakers)

Sammy and daughter play “My hope in you is sure”

Benediction:

Introduce song by Jacob “I will not be Silent” :

At the beginning of this recording, you can hear Lynaya making a silly “Noa” version of the song, with alternate lyrics from a hungry baby. You’ll also hear Noa’s voice clearly in the mix. She filled their time together with sweet moments like this. They had no idea how God was preparing them. The lyrics they sang over each other, and baby Noa that night are a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and His goodness, even in hard times. And how He is worthy of praise in those times. He carries us)

In 1 Samuel 12 we come upon the account of David loosing the child he fathered with Bathsheba. The entire time the child was sick David fasted and prayed for God to intervene. But, upon hearing the news of the child's passing he got up, washed himself and had some food.

His actions perplexed his servants to the point they asked him

2 Samuel 12:21 ESV

21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.”

It is Davids words of response to them that I would like you to hear at this time

2 Samuel 12:22–23 ESV

22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

David seems to have been clearly convinced that he would see his child again after his own death. David believed that he would spend eternity in the “House of the Lord”

Psalm 23:6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I can confidently stand here today and say to you that David knew he would one day see his child again.

You see, as christians we believe that when our loved ones, especially infants, leave this life, they move on to the presence of God in heaven. Though little Noa’s life here on this earth has ended, she is alive forever more safe in the arms of Jesus. Rest in that promise that you will soon one day go where she is.

At the conclusion of this service there will be a family dinner held at the Raleigh Road Baptist Church, which is next door. If you would like to donate to the Cooper family, you can do so by sending that to their missions agency the details of which are in your program.

Closing song “Hymn of Heaven” by Phil Wickham

“And every prayer we prayed in desperation The songs of faith we sang through doubt and fear In the end, we'll see that it was worth it When He returns to wipe away our tears”

Closing Prayer:

Father God, whose son Jesus took little children into his arms and bless them while he was on this earth; we thank you that you gave Noa to us even for just a brief time. We thank you that you caused our hearts to love her forever. We praise and bless you for the assurance that you received her to yourself, and that you will keep her now and forever more.

God whose compassion is never ending, we commend to you those who mourn, especially Lynaya and Jacob and all the family members who have been denied the joy of seeing Noa blossom and grow in their midst. Grant unto them, and all of us who weep today, your strength-and uphold them with a living hope. May the words of Jesus, which reveal his love for little children, speak peace to their troubled hearts. Make them know that the child who has been taken away from them is with you, safe in your eternal care, with all suffering passed. May they have all assurance in their hearts from you, that according to your will they will see her again soon. This we ask in the name of Jesus who taught us to pray, saying,

Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)

9…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.