Jean Elizabeth Stewart December 1, 1949 - December 12, 2024 (1 Cor 13)

Welcome & Gathering

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.

Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Jean Elizabeth Stewart. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow….hope, in death….resurrection.

Pray

Hymn - Great is Thy Faithfulness

Old Testament Scripture -

Proverbs 3:3–4 NIV

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Psalm 23:6 NIV

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Pastoral Prayer

O God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray. You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Speak to us once more your solemn message of life and of death. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you, and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Add prayer for family:

Daughter: Amanda and Jason

Daughter: Allison and Tim

Grandsons: Owen and Samuel

Sister, Susan and husband John

Neices and nephews

Educators and colleagues

Friends

and a church

Amen.

Special Music - It Is Well, Ruth Ann

Celebration of Life

Obit

Anita Natale

Dr. Don Stockton

New Testament and Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:4–6 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:12–13 NIV

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Pray.

Jean Stewart

It is a great honor and privlege to be a part of today and to learn more and celebrate Jean’s wonderful and full life. Before her move to Austin to be closer to the family, I was just getting to know her on a deeply level and during this time there were stretches where our proximity was driven by pastoral visits. Her joy and wit were immediately obvious. Characteristics like joy and humor are perceived more clearly when they are surrounded by difficulty. Joy is more profound to the audience…a bolder witness. That was Jean. Upon a visit to the hospital, Immediately upon entering into the room and asking for an update…she looked at me and said, I dont know but I have to get out of here and get my hair done.

There are two main traits that I want to talk about that I have discerned from the girls and from the witnesses today:

Intentionality and Advocacy

Jean was intentional

What do I mean about that? Intentionality is an ability to prioritize moments small and big to have a meaningful purpose. From life lessons with the girls when they were younger, maybe complaining about a teacher or another kid…she would care for their emotions but also help them to see a bigger perspective.

She valued meal times and cooking…making time to cook no matter the busy work load

She was open and honest, careful to not insulate or create false expectations.

Even in her final days, making a sacrifice to move to Austin and thinking through the implications of her fight on family. Small moments like decorating a tree.

Jean was an advocate

Over 40 years in education, from special education to deputy superintendent. And after one retirement continuing to work with investigations and resolving difficult situations.

In the church, you have already heard about Stephen ministry. A ministry of presence for people walking through grief, loss, depression, loneliness.

Sometimes advocacy is a career of education that leads to a school being named after you…but that begins in the advocacy of listening and being present for everyone around you as a way of life.

I just finished a book about Fred Rogers called The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers, by Amy Hollingsworth. I thought of Jean as I finished this book and reflected on the life of Fred Rogers. Of course comparisons of ministry and care for children, but more so the character. In the book the author writes…

At the Nucleus of one of Mr. Roger’s life lessons to the world…

“How we see others affects how we treat others. What people saw in Fred. Rogers made them want to be better people.”

― Amy Hollingsworth, The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers: Spiritual Insights from the World's Most Beloved Neighbor

of course that is what can make today difficult.

Scripture from Paul

This scripture from the apostle Paul is a great snapshot of what made Jean’s life special.

What is interesting is this chapter is most popular because it is often shared at weddings. But this passage, though appropriate for a man and woman to model the love described here, that is not the primary focus....

The First Letter to the Corinthians b. Love Is the Most Perfect and Only Eternal Way to Worship God, 13:1–13

The chapter is primarily about living in Christian community in a way that glorifies God, and that is by learning to treat other members of Christ’s body the way God has treated us—with self-sacrificing, other-oriented love. This is what has come to be referred to as agapē love, based on the Greek word used for it here. That word is used ten times between 13:1 and 14:1. Many Christians seem to assume that the word agapē was invented by Christ or his followers and always meant divine, Christ-like love. Although the word did come to be the preferred word among Christians for the love shown and expected by Christ, its basic meaning, is “warm regard for and interest in another.”1

This is a tough list to consider:

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Now, Jean, no doubt failed, dishonored at some point. kept record of wrong, or got angry easily.

But the Jean we knew, it would have been hard to find examples. I look at this list and it is overwhelming. But see Paul in this text is talking about the love of God that never fails. And when that love pervades all that we are....we can begin to live into this calling. Jean did that. And she can be an inspiration of us all to live that way too.

Finally, there is reminder of our eternal promise here in the text that gives us great hope this day:

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

For as beautiful the life of Jean was and for as sacrificial and loving as she was…she was still only living with part of the promise. Only seeing the reflection of God like in a mirror. Today we have great hope because she now sees face to face. She is known fully and knows fully the God who created her. We have hope today in grief, because we know that Jean is with Jesus. The love that was poured out into her and through her is now complete in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Today, Jean is with the great advocate, her lord and savior, Jesus Christ. It is complete. But it lives on through each one of you as you too live lives marked by love, patience, kindness, and as you protect others.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Hymn - To God be the Glory

Benediction

The peace of God He which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.