Memorial Service for Colleen Fogelman

Pre-Service Music: “Higher Love” by Steve Windwood

Call to Worship: 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.”

Invocation

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Special Music: “Amazing Grace”

Meditation

Reflections: Aryn Dotterer will read a poem by E.E. Cummings.

Kelly Bradley, Tom Haddigan, Ellsworth Whiteman.

Special Music: The Beatles: “I Will”

Benediction

We gather today for two purposes.  One is to glorify God, as He is the author of life.  The other is to pay tribute to the life of Colleen Fogelman.

On behalf of the Central Schwenkfelder Church, deepest sympathy is extended to Colleen’s family: Her fiancé Tom, son Jake. Father John, Mother Carol and Brother Shawn.

This morning, we turn to the Scriptures to shed light on our situation. 

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… .”

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.   Romans 5:12 states,

“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… .”

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 we 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 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 God 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.” 

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 Colleen Fogelman. You could describe her as a kind, witty, intelligent lady. She was thoughtful and considerate in her ways.

Colleen loved hard and cared for everyone. She was devoted to her family. Her mother Carol recalls Colleen coming to Florida to celebrate a momentous birthday. She enjoyed making people feel special.

She had many interests and possessed an eclectic knowledge. She could speak of politics and entertainment. She loved to read.

And she learned to love the Philadelphia Phillies.

Colleen also excelled as a backseat driver. She always knew a better way to get to your destination.

Colleen had a great sense of humor and would kid you. She and Tom would “zing” each other and were evenly matched.

Colleen struggled with her health for most of her life. She had tremendous empathy for others, placing their problems ahead of her own.

Her brother Shawn stated that she cared for her nieces Amelia and Evelyn. And she provided opportunities for her brother to learn.

Kelly, known as “Aunt B,” was close to Colleen and shared a mutual fondness.

Colleen lived with her Uncle Ellsworth and Aunt Diana for a few months after suffering a severed injury; a gesture she treasured.

The love of her life was Tom, who took great care of her for eight years. Colleen was grateful to Tom for the compassion he showed. The entire family is indebted to Tom for his kindness.

Her son Jake was treasured by his mother.

Colleen also displayed a special fondness of Tom’s grandkids. He stated: “We’re all going to miss her.”

It was said that Colleen was much sicker than anyone knew. She kept her health challenges hidden so as not to worry anyone.

A special highlight is her last weekend on earth, she went to see the Phillies with Tom and his grandson.

She would like to be remembered as someone who cared about others. She was full of compassion and patience.

As you say goodbye to her today, may the Lord grant your His grace to trust Him for comfort and strength. Amen.