Celebration of Life Service Darlene Creque
Notes
Transcript
Prelude — Mike Wilson
Welcome, Scripture, & Prayer - Rick
We’d like to welcome you this celebration of life service for Darlene Creque.
Our goals today are very simple—to honor Darlene and her legacy, and to honor her Lord Jesus Christ and the hope we can all have with Jesus now and for eternity in heaven.
Darlene was a woman who often led and loved by service and example…she loved and served her family and others all for the glory of Jesus Christ—to make Him known.
and so our prayer for you is that you would grieve well as you remember Darlene—and that you are drawn to the hope of Jesus Christ.
I want to read a passage that directs our hearts to Jesus and heaven—as we begin today.
these are the words of Jesus Himself
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Darlene is experiencing her Father’s house now in heaven.
and she knows the way.
Jesus said the way—John 14:5-6
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Let’s pray.
(comfort, thanks—that she is seeing Jesus face to face)
Special Music - “What a Day that Will Be” - Trio - Mike, Brent, Neil
Family Memories - Rick reading
I will be reading the obituary and then several memories from family...
I will be reading several memories from family…about Darlene
My favorite memory - Kelsey Lehman ( Blake Lehmans wife)
Whenever we would get together, she would always ask “so how are you doing” with such intentionally and attention to the conversation. When you spoke with her, you could always tell that she was focused solely on you and your conversation. She would make it a point to include me in everything and see how I was doing/offer encouragement before checking in on how Blake was doing. It always struck me how intentionally she included me in the family from the beginning and that was evident in the way she checked in and listened before anything else. 📷
My Favorite Memory: Blake Lehman, grandchild
I remember when I was in elementary school grandma would wake up early with me before school to play and talk about the pocket football helmets I used to collect. Looking back I really appreciate the time she took to intentionally connect with me on my interests even when she had to sacrifice things like sleep. I will always think of her when Michigan football is on or when I wear the jersey she got me( that fits me now, not when I got it 15 years ago)
My Favorite Memory: Grace Lehman, grandchild
Growing up, going to grandma & grandpa’s house was the best thing in the world. Always sad when it came time to leave, Grandma would tell us that we could take turns (in pairs) to come and stay just us (without mom or dad!) for a week in the summer. Grandma was so loving and so fun that to us, a week at her house in Indiana was better than any vacation. She’d sit by the pond for hours as we swam, she would take us shopping and to visit the neighbors (of course they loved her too), and make us the best pancakes as we watched cartoons. Even throughout high school and into college, Grandma would remind me that whenever I wanted to come spend a week with her I was welcome. Time spent with her was always special, & she always made you feel so loved.
My favorite memory of grandma from Chloe Lehman
is when she would watch us for endless hours in the pond play on the water mat and do gymnastics shows for her. Although my skills never progressed past a somersault or a lopsided cartwheel, I was always excited to show her because she was exited to see. To be in Grandma’s life was to have her in your corner, as your biggest fan.
My memory from Aubrie Lehman, grandchild
is when grandma would take me over to the Amish neighbors house and let us pet the horses and look around the house which was very different to the way I grew up. She always would ask for some homemade desserts for us kids that were always really delicious 📷. I loved when she would make me Amish toast in the oven for breakfast and we would watch Disney movies, like Balto the dog movie, hundreds of times. :)
My memory, with grandma from Julia Lehman
would be at the pond. She would always come out and watch us, rate our jumps and take pictures of us on the raft. We would do it for a long time and she was always willing to participate and encourage us!
From grandson - Nathan Lehman:
My favorite memory of grandma was her defensive kindness and ability to laugh. She always had a such an amazing and supportive relationship with us grandkids. She would always be the first to defend each of us when we would light heartedly tease each other as siblings do. Whether it was my goofy old man comb over hairstyle I used to when I was younger or when I busted my lip on the concrete with my scooter at Klinger lake. Even when I’ d have goofy hair or a swelled lip and have to deal with the stream of jokes my siblings would dish out, she would be the first one to defend me. I always loved how she did that for each of us , yet still would also have the side to joke and laugh around with us as well. She was an amazing grandmother and she’s now beginning her new life of happiness and laughter.
From Cierra Heiniger - granddaughter
My favorite memories with grandma were going to stay at their house. I absolutely loved going up to spend a few days with her. We would have the epitome of girls time. Lay out by the pond, go shopping, and grab a milkshake at Arnold’s. She was such a good listener. She would be genuinely interested in what was going on in our lives & how we were feeling. I loved our conversations, her wisdom and advice helped get me through some hard years in high school. Grandma emulated Christ’s love. She was so kind and attentive to others needs, so generous & selfless.
from Cheyanne Brewer - granddaughter
I will never forget how loved she made me feel. She was my biggest supporter, there for every big moment. Grandma was the greatest listener. In a room full of people, she wanted to sit next to you and ask about life and she would truly be interested in what you had to say. she would make you feel like it was just the two of you in the room.
Most of my favorite childhood memories took place at their home, it has always been a sanctuary for me. I loved laying out in the sun by the pond with her, chatting and painting our toes. At Grandma’s house ice cream was always served in coffee mugs and toast with cinnamon brown sugar.
Grandma and Grandpa’s marriage is one of the most cherished things in my life. Their playful banter and love towards one another has made an everlasting impression and something I strive for in my own marriage.
Grandma was loving and kind, patient and gentle, selfless and protective. She was so beautiful and very, very loved.
Marty Lehman
Son-in-law
My thoughts on Dar!
Talking about your mother-in-law with a group of people immediately makes everyone’s mind go to one place – the old mother-in-law jokes!!
But in Dar’s case, she has been a blessing to me since I met her and quickly became like a 2nd mom to me. My mom passed away 13 years ago, and she has filled that void wonderfully.
When Lisa and I started dating all those years ago, she accepted me right way and treated me like I was part of the family! She probably should have been more skeptical of me at the start!! And much to Tom’s chagrin, her fondness for me afforded me many opportunities to go on Creque family vacations!!!
But that was who she was at her core, and it was one of her personality traits that everyone loved. She had a way about her and a calmness that made you at ease around her. Dar was a faithful woman of God who saw the best in everyone and was the ultimate nurturer. I’ve had the privilege of observing her for almost 40 years as a wonderful mother, wife, and, later in life, caregiver for her aging parents and one handicapped brother.
Her skills as a grandmother were no different. Our kids adored her. She helped Lisa and I for years raise our six children. She was always willing to babysit the kids despite living 2.5 hours away, which allowed us some much-needed time away together. She never minded jumping into the chaos of a house with six young and active kids. I feel fortunate my kids had a role model like her as a grandmother.
But mostly, I’m thankful for the daughter she raised in Lisa, whom I would have the privilege to marry. Many of the wonderful qualities Lisa possesses come from Darlene ….. her compassion, gentle spirit, honesty, integrity, and work ethic. She simply watched and observed what it was like to be a Godly wife and mother!
A job well done, Dar!
from son Patrick Creque
My best memories of mom are her attributes of love, understanding, and acceptance. We have all felt her ability to make you feel included and welcomed. You were important and special to her from day 1.
Being one of her kids meant you had the best advocate possible and a non-judgmental ear to listen at any time. Often, that meant only she knew what was truly going on in your life. And felt comfort in knowing she would keep it safe until the time was right.
Having only brothers meant she had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. Even laughing when her innocence meant she'd ask dad later to explain a joke. Mom and Dad complemented each other. Their marriage was faithful, playful, and without knowing, influential. They led by example, not expectations, as faith was incorporated in every aspect of their lives.
Over the last few years, mom still had the strength to bring our family closer to Christ and each other. And I am comforted in knowing that was her plan all along. She has touched all of our lives in her own unique way.
Let our memories of Dar be comforting and warm, and let's celebrate a life well loved and lived.
Patrick
From daughter Lisa Lehman:
Tribute to Mom:
As I sit in dad’s truck at the end of the road with journal and blanket in tow, watching the sunrise over the field, a glorious one, I’m stunned that it was just 12 hours earlier I was debating if I should go to let you pass into Jesus arms. Everyone said, your mom might be holding on finding it hard to leave her family she loved so much. That is the word that defines you, Big Love. You knew soon you would be without suffering, without pain, starting the “Best Life” Eternal Life with Your Lord and Savior and yet defying all the odds of your rag tag collapsing body to hold on for just a little bit more time with us. I can’t help but think about this kind of love. The kind of love nourished by Faith that pushes the body to defy a 5-year cancer survival rate and allows a glimpse of lucidness at the very end of a well fought battle with Alzheimer’s to say I’m still connecting with you all through a one-word comment. We all knew in that moment what a gift, she was still with us, loving and joking and it feels so right. We all laughed, a glimpse of her healed mind on Heaven’s Glorious side.
This cannot be simply human love; it can only come from a life being connected to Jesus. It’s simply divine, being able to so easily put others before yourself. Thank you for teaching me how to Love Well. Love without conditions, love when it’s hard, love when it’s painful and long suffering is involved! To love when it’s uncomfortable when you must go it alone, nonjudgmental love that opens wide vulnerability. I admire how you allowed God to help you develop transforming love in each challenging season. God intentionally crisscrossed your life path with so many people needing Jesus’ love.
As in a rearview mirror I see it now, your Loving Well character pointed those individuals back to the ultimate sacrificial Love of Christ. That is what you have been about since you were a little girl. You have embraced being set apart, swimming upstream, going against the cultural flow, because you understood that being a “gift of love “to so many different people in your life would require personal sacrifice to accept this God sized purpose for your life. I have always seen the gifts of the Holy Spirit working throughout your life. Gentleness and kindness so readily given, patience and self-control seeming to come so easily for you, I used to think it was ignorance. And there was never a lack of joy or peace for very long. Even at the very end, nurses or a Chaplain who did not know you would enter your room, during the dying phase, and would say: I sense she has sweet and peaceful spirit.
Conclusion, a lifelong heart submitted to Christ, moldable and available to be a vessel for Jesus’ life to flow through until the last breath. Honestly, mom, until I walked with you in those final hours, when the suffering you faced was more than I could bear, by the way I hate suffering. I did not realize how my perspective would change in those final moments. You, my sweet mom, endured the pain and allowed me to face my fears. You were never alone in the worst moment I could imagine. Jesus was tangibly with you, and I could sense His presence in the room, it was sacred, so many times. All your treasure was in Heaven, I experienced it firsthand. Jesus IS everything to you. His faithfulness guided your heart, your whole life. It’s evident He is Your Joy. Mom, I know the baton must be passed down for a legacy to continue to the generations. I will do my best to sing the same song and let Jesus be my Joy and Love Well like you have!
Special Music - “Knowing What I Know about Heaven” - Randy Kistler
Message - Rick
I want to read from Revelation 21:1-8. This passage is all about the hope of heaven that believers have in Jesus Christ. It describes what heaven is like.
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, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell 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.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Dar closed her eyes on March 19, 2024, and opened them in the presence of Jesus. And now she is experiencing what this passage is talking about.
What is heaven like?
Perfect Order or Perfect Peace
In verse 1—it says there was no longer any sea.
Now, I don’t think this is a reference to the fact that there is no swimming in heaven or boating in heaven.
The sea in Scripture is a reference to chaos. It is a scary place. It is representative of evil, chaos, disorder.
Way back in Genesis, the first book of the bible—before God spoke the world into existence it says the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the deep waters. So God tamed the waters and brought order to the sea by creating everything.
but with the story of Noah and the flood—when the world became wicked, God brought the waters of chaos and His judgment upon them.
We see in Scripture too—that God is the one who tames the sea and the chaos—when the Israelites are in slavery in Egypt—He leads them out victoriously by parting the Red Sea with Moses, and the Israelites walk across on dry land. and as the Egyptians come—the waters of God’s judgment come crashing down on them.
and then in the NT—we read that Jesus Christ—is the master and tamer of chaos—He walks on water—a stunning miracle.
on another occasion, He is in the boat, sleeping during a massive storm—and the disciples are terrified. and Jesus wakes up, speaks, and He clams the storm.
this image of being no sea in heaven—means that no longer is there any chaos, no disorder. life is full of chaos and disorder and unpredictability—heaven will be calm, peaceful, fully at peace—because God the tamer of the sea is there.
it’s hard for us to imagine that because the older you get, life feels more chaotic, unpredictable and full of difficult, often unplanned, evil change. just read the news and we are often overwhelmed by a chaotic world. Just go to the doctor, and we are surprised at medical diagnoses we receive. relationships can be challenging; even our own hearts can be choppy waters as we struggle with the reality of sin. the world feels like the sea—choppy waters..
but not heaven...
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.”
the tamer of the sea God gets rid of the most horrible evil, chaos, and suffering—death, mourning, crying or pain-the old order of things has passed away.
Dar is experiencing this perfect peace—a reality that is hard for us to imagine here in a fallen world because of sin. Her mind is perfectly restored and healed. she is experiencing incredible peace because the Lord of the Storm Jesus Christ is there.
and you can too through Jesus Christ who ultimately on the cross—took the waters of God’s judgment in our place, so that if we trust in Him alone—we will be forgiven—at peace. no more sea.
Perfect Intimacy with our maker
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.
heaven is like a marriage—the perfect marriage. If you have been blessed to have a godly spouse, marriage is one of the most wonderful delights. the intimacy you have with that person is an image of an even greater intimacy with God.
5 For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
verse 3 uses another image
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
We are God’s people, and He is our God
we are dwelling perfectly with Him. God has longed for this—ever since He created Adam and Eve—he wanted to dwell with them perfectly in the Garden of Eden—Paradise.
another image is we are his children
7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
heaven is a place where we are face to face with Jesus. We look upon our maker—who made all things by speaking and who is making all things new.
this is what Dar is experiencing—the ultimate marriage with God, the ultimate dwelling place with God, the ultimate experience of being a child with Her Father. Can you imagine?
If Darlene were here today—she would want you to have that same hope—both now and for eternity.
and you can have it—but only through Jesus Christ.
You see the problem is this—we were made to dwell with God like Revelation 21 says. but there is a problem ever since Adam and Eve.
Adam and Eve back in Genesis introduced something called sin into the world. Sin is telling God our maker—I want to be king. Not you. I know best. I will call the shots. so instead of allowing our Maker to rule us—we do.
we replace God with us—and that is sin.
and it introduced all sorts of horrible consequences in the world—a broken world, suffering, broken relationships, a broken relationship with ourselves—shame, guilt, and most of a broken relationship with God.
Because of our sin—we deserve death—physically and spiritually forever. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
We deserve for God our maker to divorce us. We deserve no longer to be his children—to be orphans. We deserve not to dwell with God.
but the good news is this—God our husband pursued us.
He sent his Son Jesus Christ to this world—to live on our behalf (he never sinned)—He left heaven to come to earth as a God man—and He showed us what life looks like living with God His Father perfectly.
Most of all, He came to die—that’s what we are celebrating this week—His purpose was to die as a sin offering in our place—paying for our sins. God is perfectly holy and just—sin must be paid for.
and rising victoriously from the grave.
This is good news!
and it’s an offer today—that if you want to have the hope of heaven—this is the ticket. It’s a free ticket for you
You don’t work for this offer or ticket—you receive it.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
to have this hope of heaven for eternity that begins now, you have to receive this gift by faith.
this requires:
admitting you are a sinner— “I am a sinner. I have offended God. I often try to run life my way.”
believing that Jesus paid for your sin fully—He paid it all with His life, death on the cross, and resurrection,
turning from your sin to God.
Darlene made this decision a long time ago and it affected her life tremendously—it made her a person who loved and lived out her faith in Jesus everyday.
and she is now experiencing perfect peace and perfect intimacy with her make, enjoying eternal life.
Do you have that hope?
7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
there are 2 ways—either we end up with God or experience the 2nd death—the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
Would you close your eyes and pray with me?
If you would like to have that hope:
“I confess I am a sinner before God.”
“I believe Jesus lived and died and rose on my behalf”
I now surrender my life to Jesus.
If that’s you—would you look at me?
If you have already made that decision—what my God be calling you to do now as you remember Darlene’s legacy? What is your legacy for Christ going to be? What are we going to say at your funeral someday?
Singing - “When We all Get to Heaven” - Mike leading
Closing & Prayer - Rick
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Let’s pray.
Committal Service - Rick
We are not going to a graveside but going to do what is called a committal service here where we commit her remains to the Lord, and it is opportunity to remind ourselves where Darlene is now and also an opportunity for some more closure. (invite the family around the casket)
The family asked that I read this passage about heaven:
and in this context—the Thessalonian believers were grieving over fellow believers who had died. and confused about what would happen when Jesus returns...
They were afraid that their deceased loved one would miss out or be disadvantaged at Jesus’ 2nd coming compared to believers who were still alive when Jesus returned.
New Living Translation Chapter 4
The Hope of the Resurrection
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
some reminders from this passage about Darlene:
Right now—she is in the presence of the Lord Jesus. Paul says in another place to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8)
and this passage reminds us that one day when Jesus returns—those who have already died will not miss out on his glorious return. verse 14 says that since Jesus died and was to life again—when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. Those believers will rise—they will get a resurrection body first. Our resurrection bodies will not decay, or get sick, or get dementia—they will be perfect like Jesus’ resurrection body.
and we are who are still alive when Jesus returns will then get our resurrection body.
and we who are in Christ will all be with the Lord forever and our loved ones—so we will see Darlene again....
therefore—we are to encourage each other with these words, and we are not to grieve as those who have no hope.
Let’s pray...
Father, we thank you for the time that you gave Darlene on this earth, and the tremendous blessing and leader she was to his family, friends, church, and community. We thank you for her. At the same time, we also miss her, and grieve.
So I pray that you would comfort this dear family and friends who miss and love Dar. Walk with them day by day, Embrace them; wrap your arms around them.
But we are reminded we have tremendous hope—b/c of Jesus, she lives, and we will one day see her again.
So Father, we commit Darlene’s remains to you, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, knowing that she is not here, she is with you, and one day you will raise and give her a new resurrection body when you renew all of creation. Thank you again Father for the tremendous hope we have in Christ.
Thanks again for coming
Postlude - Mike Wilson