Funeral for Jean Mifflin

Call to Worship

Invocation

Opening Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Meditation

Special Music: “On Eagles’ Wings”

Reflections: Penny, Cindy and Ariyana

Closing Hymn: “Amazing Grace”

Benediction

On behalf of the Central Schwenkfelder Church, deepest sympathy is extended to Cindy, Penny and Steven, Hunter and Ariyana.

We are here to pay tribute to a woman who was well loved and had a deep influence on others. We are also here to give glory to God, as He is the Creator and Sustainer of life.

In this service, you are going to hear from Jean’s two daughters. And maybe you have your own memories of Jean that are special to you.

Let us first turn to God’s word, the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 states,

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-- A time to give birth, and a time to die… .”

These words are well known. And at first glance, this passage might give us the impression that death is something natural, just because it is expected.  After all, the Scripture attributes a time for everything under heaven. 

There is a certain inevitability associated with death.  But it is never to be thought of natural in the purest sense.  Death entered our world for a reason.  That reason is due to the presence of sin.   The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:12:

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned… .”

As a result of the Fall and our disobedience to God, humankind suffered the sentence of death.  All people die because all sin. We are told in Hebrews 9:27 that it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment… .  After death, every human being has an appointment to appear before the sovereign God of the universe and give an account for his/her  life. 

But as frightening as this situation may sound, it was for this reason that Jesus Christ came to this earth as God incarnate so many years ago.  Christ died and rose again to abolish death for those who trust in Him.  Note Christ’s words in John 11:25:

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.”  

The believer possesses the sweet knowledge and anticipation of life after death, because Jesus arose from the dead.  The Christian lives in this world knowing that his real home is not of this world.  Rather God has prepared a place for him. 

So how can we access this gift of life after death?  It is not through being a good person or adhering to a moral code.  Rather, it is through the gifts of repentance and faith.  Jesus preached at the outset of His ministry throughout the villages of Galilee:

“The time is fulfilled; the kingdom of God is at hand.  Repent and believe in the gospel.”

Repentance is a change of heart and mind.  It means you go from your way of living to God’s way of living.  It is implied in the act of confession, when a person comes before the Lord and seeks His forgiveness for the offensive things he has done.

And then there’s faith.  Faith is not just believing that there is a God.  Most people believe that there is a God.  Faith, rather, is embracing the God of the Bible and following Him.  Jesus said: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny Himself; take up His cross and follow Me.” 

Death is a transition from one state of life to another.  The apostle Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 5:1:

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 

And, that when we are “…absent from the body, we are …at home with the Lord.” 

This is good news for the Christian, especially when he finds himself in a world where there is so much death.  So there is urgency for all to repent of their sins and place their trust in Jesus Christ, in order to possess heaven as their home.

We are also here to reflect upon the life of Jean Mifflin. What kind of woman was she? What kind of impact have they generated in their life?

Jean was an extrovert; a talker. She was outspoken. This was reflected in many ways throughout her life. For instance, she taught Sunday School for years at the Calvary Baptist Church in Norristown.

She was a crafter and crocheted baby afghans and bibs. She even crocheted bells as party favors for Penny’s Christmas wedding. To bless others, Jean made different items and took them to the Baptist Children’s Home in Philadelphia.

Jean was also a Girl Scout leader, believing that training the next generation of women was important.

Most of her career was spent as a Children’s Librarian for Montgomery County. She worked for the Norristown Public Library. Jean herself was an avid reader and would oftentimes bring home armfuls of books to read.

As a mother, Jean was a disciplinarian. Chores were necessary in the home. She instilled an independent nature in her daughters, Penny and Cindy.

Jean was a baker and enjoyed making cookies and sweet breads. She was married to the love of her life, Jim, for over 45 years. They were a Christian couple and raised their girls in the faith. Jean served on various boards and committees within the ministry of Calvary Baptist Church. She took her faith seriously. She would tell her daughters: “If you can go out on a Saturday night, you can go to church on Sunday.”

As a grandmother, Jean was loving and caring. She was proud of Ariyana and Hunter.

Jean lived through some trying times in our country. She remembers what she was doing on Sunday evening, December 7, 1941, the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed. The family had gone to church. They came home after hearing the news. Someone asked: “What does this mean?” Jean’s father said: “War!”

She remembers going through bombing drills at Stewart Junior High and remembers that everyone in the neighborhood had to have their blinds drawn of a night.

Jean instilled a sense of patriotism in her family. Her loves were the following:

God;

Family;

Country

and education.

Her daughters had a profound admiration for their mother. Penny said: “She taught me to be loving, kind, and generous . The Golden Rule was important, and to give back and share; to love each other. “

She would like to be remembered as a Christian woman, a loving mother and grandmother.

As you say goodbye today, turn to the One who said in Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”