Terry Canary Funeral

Prelude-I’ll Be in Heaven

Greeting

Hello, my name is Scott Rowe. I am the pastor here at Mount Carmel Church of God.

Now today, the purpose we are gathered here is to celebrate the life of our deceased loved one and friend, Terry Canary.

To Mary Lee, Tracy, Chris and the rest of his family and friends who mourn and grieve today, we especially, offer our deep and sincere condolences.

Terry loved the Lord. He was strong, resilent,and was a fighter until the very end. Even when he was in so much pain Terry had such a positive and joyful Spirit.

I was with Terry and his family when he passed away at his house. I prayed with him about fifteen minutes before he went to be with the Lord. He was ready to go to His eternal home and be with the Lord.

Invocation-

Now may we share with you the comfort from by God’s Word for such a time as this:

John 14:1–3 ESV

1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray...

“Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we come into this place of sorrow, realizing our utter dependence upon You.

We know You love us and can turn even the shadow of death into the light of morning.

Help us now to wait before You with reverent and obedient hearts.

You are our Refuge and Strength, O God—a very present Help in time of trouble. Grant to us Your mercies.

May those who mourn today find comfort and healing in Your sustaining grace.

We humbly bring these petitions in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Hymn-In the Garden

Hymn-Old Rugged Cross

Eulogy by Steve Ford

Reflections from Family & Friends

Broken Halos by Butch Rinderle

Message by Pastor Scott Rowe

In 1937 Walt Disney released the first full-length animated movie: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Producing an animated movie was a huge task.

Disney artists drew over one million pictures. Each picture flashed onto the screen for a mere one-twenty-fourth of a second. As we watch the movie run at regular speed, it seems so simple.

We have no idea all that goes into it. Our lives are like that movie.

God puts infinite thought, skill, and careful attention into every detail.

Yet as our lives run at “regular speed,” we have no idea how much God’s providence fills every single second.

There may be times though when life seems to be spiraling out of control,when death, heartache, or trials hit.

We may wonder where is God in the midst of it all?

I think that’s a question that is asked by all generations. Its during these times that we really lament and pour our hearts out to God.

We see in Psalm 23 how king David makes a declaration of who God is in the midst of it all.

Let’s read it...

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures:

He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul:

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for you are with me;

Your rod and your staff comforts me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Today I want to go over 5 things that we don’t lack when the Lord is our Shepherd!

The first is...

We Shall not lack direction

v4a.- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

This can also be said to say it’s “a valley this is dark as death,” and a very dangerous place

The valley of the shadow of death conjures thoughts of a dangerous situation where a sheep's life is in jeopardy.

When death comes knocking on our door, it is scary because we are about to enter the unknown but, God will walk with us every step of the way.

"He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me . . . "

But why would a good shepherd who would lay down his life for his sheep lead a lamb into a valley filled with danger and death threats?

There's only one possible answer: "To get them to a better place!"

Think about Jesus, when he taught the disciples to pray the “Lords prayer”-lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil

Terry suffered and as he did, he showed strength, courage, grit, and most of all faith when his body was failing him.

In the valley of the shadow of death he pressed on. What a picture of Jesus that is.

While he was on this dangerous path in this world that is filled with evil, Terry was filled with hope.

Not in this world but, in the world to come. It was all because Terry knew that he was going to a better place.

Along with not lacking direction, we also wont lack protection....

We Shall not lack protection

v4b.-I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

It is important to note that “the valley of the shadow of death” is as much God’s right path for us as the “green pastures” which lie beside “quiet waters.”

That is, the Christian life is not always easy or, as we say, a mountain-top experience. God gives us valleys too.

It is in the valleys with their trials and dangers that we develop character.

Now Sheep are one of the dumbest creatures. They will lead themselves to just walk over a cliff unless directed otherwise by the Shepherd and His staff.

Shepherds also don’t allow sheep to drink from running water because while sheep are bending down to drink they have the risk of falling in and getting hurt.

Instead Shepherds would draw water from wells.

This reminds me of the story about the Samaritan woman at the well.

Our good Shepherd. Jesus, tells a samaritan woman “whoever drinks of the water I give them, will never be thirsty again!”

He provides for us everlasting life where we can be full and satisfied!

Yet when we experience the valley and it’s difficulties there is this hesitancy as we face the unknown. The problem is fear.

What is the answer to it? Clearly, the answer is the shepherd’s close presence, for he is the only one who can protect the sheep and calm our anxieties.

We are never so aware of the presence of God as when we pass through life’s valleys.

As long as we are in Christ, then don’t have to fear. His perfect love cast out all fear!

He has not given us a spirit of fear but, of Power, Love, and a sound mind!

Fear is a liar but the answer is the voice of truth!

Thirdly...

We shall not lack provision

v5.-You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

verse 5 states that God prepares a table for David in the presence of his enemies. This is a reference to a meal or a feast.

Now David is called by God and anointed by God so he is under God’s protection and care.

So even in the prescence of his enemies he had nothing to be afraid of.

Now it was custom and an act of hospitality that when a guest would come that you would anoint their head with oil and they were also to fill the guests cup up to the very brim or top as a expression of their generosity.

Now Sheep are particularly prone to flies landing on their noses.

These flies travel up the sheep’s nose and lay eggs which turn into worms that can burrow into the animal’s brain.

Then the sheep will bang their heads, trying to get rid of the irritation.

So, each day the shepherd pours oil on the sheep’s nose, and the flies slide out, instead of flying in.

We have a Good Shepherd, and He promises if we come to Him every day, He will anoint our head with oil.

He will provide us with everything we need. God is a provider.

He will provide peace when there is worry.

He will provide hope in the midst of hopelessness.

He will provide courage when we are fearful.

He will provide an abiding prescence when we feel all alone.

also...

We shall not lack God’s goodness and mercy all the days of our life

v6a.-Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life

As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I need to be also trusting that the goodness and mercy of God are following our every step.

We need to be confident and comforted, believing that every day of our lives, these two friends of David called goodness and mercy are with us for every step of life’s journey.

God is still good when are circumstances are not.

God is still merciful even when we feel like we can’t take the pain any longer. We just don’t see the whole picture like God does.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.

lastly...

We shall not lack an eternal dwelling with God

v6b.- I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

When our time in this earthly tent is complete, we “will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

We will see David, the psalmist dwelling there. Our family in the Lord will be there, too. Best of all, we will see Christ face to face.

He will wipe away every tear, and we will worship Him forever. One day there will be no more pain, no more suffering, and no more death. What a glorious day that will be.

`when you find yourself weak, in the dark, uncertain of the future. When all the color has drained out of life, and your soul is downcast, look up. Fix your eyes on Jesus, your Good Shepherd. Stick close to Him.

Trust that He knows the way through this valley and will see you safely through. Believe that He has good reasons for taking this route, even though it is hard and unfamiliar.

And hold on to the truth that there is something better waiting on the other side of this valley.

Benediction(Closing Prayer)

Postlude- I’ll Fly Away