Ray Miller Mason (September 29, 1939 - February 14, 2025) March 24, 2025. Colossians 3:1-13

Introduction

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 Ray Miller Mason. 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 (Ruth Ann gets in place)

It is Well

Horatio Spafford. lost his four daughters in a tragedy in 1873

Old Testament Scripture

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 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:

Caroline

Kelly and Laura

Amen.

Lord, I Lift Your Name on High

New Testament and Scripture

Colossians 3:1–4 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Pray.

Ray Mason

Again it has been an honor to be with you all today. Caroline, thank you for trusting me in this journey.

Ray was a character. He loved to mess with the people he loved. Even more recently, when things were hard, he still had that sly smile as he walked into the church like he was up to something.

Ray was a golf enthusiast. In fact, that is where Caroline and Ray met over 35 years ago, when some friends kind of set them up.

As a golfer myself, I confess I am a little envious that Ray has a hole in one at St. Andrews. That is the stuff of legends.

Ray would play anything if there was competition.

He loved to garden.

He secretly wished he had been a weatherman…maybe not so secretly.

I know for many here today, checking the weather, walking through a garden, seeing a golf course, will be tough reminders.

Grief is deeper than that because it is in these avenues that you experienced the Gifts of God in Ray: Kindness, humour, service, generosity.

Scripture from Paul

Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians while imprisoned, addressing a church struggling with false teachings that mixed elements of Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy, and mysticism. He wanted them to remain anchored in Christ alone. In the first two chapters, Paul emphasizes the supremacy of Christ—that He is not just another religious figure but the very image of the invisible God, the one in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17).

Then, in Colossians 3:1-4, Paul shifts to how this truth should shape their daily lives. He reminds believers that because they have been raised with Christ, they must live with a heavenly perspective. Their true life is now hidden in Christ, meaning their identity, security, and hope are not found in the things of this world but in Jesus Himself. This passage calls us to set our hearts and minds on eternal things, knowing that our ultimate future is with Christ in glory.

1. A Life Hidden in Christ Paul tells us that for those who belong to Jesus, our lives are hidden in Him. This means our true identity and purpose are found in Christ. Ray lived this out. He didn’t seek recognition, yet his kindness spoke volumes. He served others, not for attention, but because it was simply who he was. He loved his family deeply, not out of obligation, but because love shaped his life.

I think of words his youngest daughter Laura shared about her dad finding ways to always encourage her after basketball games or the way that Ray would support young golfers that were trying to make it.

A life that is hidden in Christ does not just do Christ-like things. A life hidden in Christ becomes Christ like and thus the character is changed. Christ-like action flows naturally. This is the calling of the Christian journey. Not to do good, but to become like him. A life hidden in Christ is protected from cynicism, worry, fear.

2. A Life that Reflected Heaven’s Priorities Paul calls us to “set our hearts on things above.” Ray did this well. The kindness he showed, the way he served, the love he poured out—these were glimpses of heaven.

As a husband, Ray was steady and faithful. As a father, he was a model of love and wisdom. As a friend, he was trustworthy and generous. He lived out Jesus’ command to love God and love others, and because of that, his impact remains.

His oldest daughter shared of when Ray helped her to buy her first car. Ray showed up with the shiny red Mustang and the amoritization plan, haha. The deal was they would share the cost. But the goal was to teach responsibility and appreciation for what you have.

Truth is, there are not many in this world that truly have their hearts set on things above. Success, Wealth, Achievement are much more popular than love, generosity, and service.

3. A Hope that Does Not Fade The reality of today is that we grieve. Death reminds us of our frailty, and we feel the deep ache of losing someone we love. But the gospel reminds us that death does not have the final word. Paul tells us that Ray’s life is “now hidden with Christ in God.” This means that even as we lay him to rest, his life continues in the presence of his Savior.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). That is our hope today. Ray belongs to Christ, and because of that, we can be confident that this goodbye is only temporary.

Conclusion Ray leaves behind a legacy—not of wealth or fame, but of faith, love, and service. The best way we can honor him is by carrying forward the same kindness, the same servant’s heart, and the same love for family and friends.

And as we do, may we also set our hearts on things above, just as Ray did. Because in Christ, life does not end in death; it is only the beginning.

Let us hold on to that hope today. Amen.

Special Music

Lauren and Matt Kelley

(Granddaughter and husband)

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.