Anna Lou Amstutz April 19 at 10:30am Swiss Village Chapel

Prelude - Mike Wilson

Welcome, Scripture, and Prayer - Rick Schwartz

We’d like to welcome you today to both a celebration of life service to honor Anna Louise Amstutz as well as a service of Christian worship—honoring Anna Lou’s Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

You will hear several memories and thoughts about her throughout the service. As I think about her, I can’t help but also think about Jonathan, her husband, who passed away a couple of years ago. Growing up at First Missionary Church as a Pastor’s Kid—Jonathan was on staff as a visitation pastor, and I always thought of them as Jonathan and Anna Lou TOGETHER—they were a team. It was always “Pastor Jonathan and Anna Lou.”

Now, that I am serving as a pastor at First Missionary—I always appreciated her thoughtful questions when I had the chance to see her Swiss Village, how she asked about my wife and kids, and I always had the sense that she was praying for me, my family, and First Missionary. She left quite the legacy for Jesus Christ.

As I think about her these last few years, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NIV

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

though her body wasted away—her spirit was renewed day by day in Jesus—and she is experiencing eternal glory today in his presence.

I want to read one more verse that you can find in your bulletin on the inside.

Isaiah 26:3–4 NIV

3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

I pray that today for family and friends you would experience that perfect peace found in Jesus as you grieve her life.

Let’s pray...

*thanking for her life

*thanking for her legacy

*praying for those grieving — to grieve well, to find hope in Jesus, to be drawn to Jesus and the comfort, hope, and perspective He gives.

We commit this to you.

Mike Wilson is going to lead us in a song—Beneath the Cross of Jesus. This song is especially important to daughter Priscilla. she has fond memories as a kid of Jonathan and Anna Lou singing this together—in perfect harmony, and it always brought such comfort to her. May you experience that comfort today.

Congregational Song: Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24 Tim Amstutz, Son

Reading of Obituary - Dirk Riveness, Son-in-Law

Special Music “I’d Rather have Jesus” - Stephen and Great Anderson, granddaughter

Family Sharing - Rick read first 4 memories from grandkids, and then Tim and Priscilla to share memories.

I will be reading 4 memories from grandchildren, and then Tim who is a son, and Priscilla a daughter of Anna Lou will be sharing:

From granddaughter Katrina Castaneda:

I remember from when we were little, even before our family moved to Cambodia, Grandma always had mint candies or mint gum in her purse to share.

As we grew older and would visit Grandma, I always loved her bird feeders. And now that I have kids of my own, I know they also liked watching the birds at her feeders when they were little too.

From granddaughter Greta Anderson:

A short poem:  📷

Firm grip and three kisses “I. Love. You.” Hand squeeze as she blesses We love you, Grandma Anna Lou Pastel mints and York patties A Simmering pot of chai Sermons and Symphonic melodies Each enticing and wafting by We love you, Grandma Anna Lou Phone calls and cards received Summertime visits Prayers and faith believed A life lived for Jesus We love you, Grandma Anna Lou

Leif “Lafe”Riveness (grandson—youngest)

A few years back when we visited, I remember Grandma had come off of a surgery, and she and Grandpa hadn't seen each other for a little bit. During our visit we were able to bring them to a common area in Swiss Village for them to spend time with one another. Grandma and Grandpa embraced and kissed each other, the whole time thanking us for "being so kind and wonderful" for bringing them together, even though all we did was pushed a couple wheelchairs around. Any time I think of that, i can't help but smile a little bit. All my memories of Grandma are that of warmth and love, and I'm so grateful that she is now in the presence of the Lord, having heard "Well done, good and faithful servant"

Granddaughter - Elise Anandi Riveness Sporre Grandma Amstutz was a giver, a "sharer." She showered her grandchildren with kisses on the cheek. (Perhaps the distance between caused her to tightly cup our faces, also? 📷) She shared her treats with us: chocolate mint candies from Troyer's and refrigerated peppermint patties. She publicly shared her belief in and pride for her family, ensuring that we were introduced to many church friends and families during each visit to Berne. She shared her "Indian" heritage with us, cooking curry on Sundays and teaching my brothers and I some words in Marathi. I am very proud to have that heritage in my name, too: Anandi ("Ahh-nuhn-dee"). Most importantly, Grandma Amstutz shared her hope in the One True God with others - including her communities in India and Berne; and with her family. She sent us grandkids birthday cards to remind us - in delicate cursive - that we were loved and prayed for by her, and that we should lean on the Lord. She gifted me devotional books over the years that I have referenced and reread in different seasons. Grandma shared the power of prayer, and her prayers were heard and answered by God. I grew to appreciate her as a prayer warrior within the last handful of years, as I experienced her attentiveness and care during our regular phone calls. There are specific prayers God answered in my life that I know she lifted to Him, and I know that is true for her children, other grandchildren, and many many others. I love you, Grandma, and I look forward to hearing you say "Hello Elise" someday in Heaven. I am grateful for the prayerful, Godly legacy you - and Grandpa - left your children and your children's children. May we live and leave such a legacy for God's namesake, too. Love, your granddaughter, Elise Anandi Riveness Sporre

I want to invite Tim and Priscilla next to share.

Congregational Song “It is Well with My Soul”

Message: Jim Schwartz

Special Music - Give me Jesus - Mike Wilson

Closing and Prayer - Pastor Rick Schwartz

As we close today, I want to extend an invitation. 1. You are all invited to lunch following the service. This is at First Missionary Church here in Berne. and on the back, bottom of the bulletin is our address, and we ask that you park in the back parking lot and enter our gym entrance—which is door #6. again—back parking lot, gym #6.

Let me read Isaiah 40:28-31 in your bulletin.

Isaiah 40:28–31 NIV

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Let’s pray.

(Prayer thanking God)

At this time, the funeral staff will take over and dismiss you row by row to come forward and pay your last respects.

Postlude - Mike Wilson