+ Heidi Renee Ryen “

“I Am With You Always”

Goal

That we would grieve with hope, remembering that Heidi’s life flowed from her Baptism into Christ and that the same Lord who was with her always now holds her safely forever.

Matthew 28:19–20

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 28

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Dear family and friends in Christ,

Today we gather with tears.

Because Heidi is loved.

And because she loved us.

And because death still hurts.

Even Christians weep at funerals.

Even people with strong faith feel the ache of an empty chair, an unanswered phone call, a voice we long to hear again.

Death always whispers the same lie:

“See? You’re alone now.”

But today Jesus answers that lie with a promise.

A promise Heidi cherished.

A promise she lived.

A promise that carries us.

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

I. The Promise Given

I’m told that this is one of Heidi’s favorite Bible passages.

These words come from her risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

Not from a hospital bed. Not from a philosopher. Not from wishful thinking.

But from the One who walked out of the grave. He said:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me… Go… baptize… teach… And surely I am with you always.”

Notice what Jesus doesn’t say.

He does not say: “I’ll be with you when life is easy.”

He says: Always.

In youth and old age. In laughter and tears. In cancer and chemo. In strength and weakness. In life. And even through death.

Always.

And that promise first touched Heidi in the waters of Holy Baptism, where Jesus claimed her as his own.

That is where her story really began.

II. The Life That Flowed From Baptism

And you could see it.

You could see whose she was.

Some people talk about faith.

Heidi lived it.

Celeste told me that Heidi was a prayer warrior. When something was wrong, she didn’t worry — she prayed, and sometimes she would say, “Let’s pray right now.”

She was like this because she knew her Savior was listening.

She believed her Savior was near.

She believed Jesus really keeps His promises.

Jim shared with me that Heidi was a person who always tried to help.

She cared deeply about justice.

She noticed the hurting.

She was patient with the down-and-out.

She didn’t step over people.

She stopped.

She served.

Which sounds an awful lot like Jesus in the John 13 passage you heard a few minutes ago.

The Lord of heaven tying a towel around His waist.

Washing dirty feet.

Then saying:

“As I have done for you, you also should do.”

Heidi heard that.

And she said, “Okay, Lord. Show me where.” And she did:

Choir. Praise team. Board of Deacons. Board of Trustees. Youth ministry. Countless groups.

If something needed to be done here at church, Heidi was already halfway there.

Not because she had to.

Because Christ had first served her.

And yes — we can’t forget this —

She was also a practical joker.

Which is a favorite detail for many.

I heard Heidi say on more one occasion how she wanted a zip-line from the choir loft down to the chancel.

Perhaps she understood something holy:

Joy belongs to Christians.

Laughter belongs to the baptized.

Jesus doesn’t just save us — He gives us gladness.

Her life had that sparkle.

That twinkle.

That little grin that said, “Life is a gift.”

All of it — prayer, service, patience, joy — it was Matthew 28 in motion.

She was living the mission of Jesus.

Because Jesus was living in her.

III. The Hard Reality

But then comes the part none of us wants in life.

Sickness.

Decline.

The road that leads to this day.

And death feels so final.

So cruel.

So quiet.

And it tempts us to think:

“Maybe the promise didn’t hold after all.”

Maybe Jesus wasn’t really there.

Maybe we’re alone.

But here is where faith clings hardest to Christ’s words.

Because if Jesus is only with us when we feel strong, then He isn’t much of a Savior.

No.

Jesus promised always.

And always includes hospital rooms.

Always includes chemotherapy.

Always includes the valley of the shadow of death.

IV. The Savior Who Keeps His Word

Listen again to Jesus:

“I am with you always.”

Not: “I’ll watch from a distance.”

Not: “Good luck.”

But: I am with you.

Through every prayer she prayed. Through every hymn she sang. Through every act of service. Through every chemo treatment. Through every hard night. Through her final breath.

Jesus was there.

And when that last breath came, Heidi didn’t fall into darkness.

She fell into the arms of the same Jesus who had carried her her whole life.

John 14 says:

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

That’s not funeral-home sentiment.

That’s resurrection certainty.

Because Christ died. Christ rose. Christ reigns.

And those baptized into Him share His victory.

Which means:

Death did not get Heidi.

Jesus did.

And He doesn’t lose what belongs to Him.

V. The Comfort for Us

So what do we do now?

We grieve.

Yes.

Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb.

But we do not grieve as those without hope.

Because the promise given to Heidi is the same promise given to you.

As children of God these words are yours too:

“I am with you always.”

The same Lord walks with you.

The same Savior forgives you.

The same Shepherd will one day carry you home.

And one day —

the trumpet will sound,

the graves will open,

and we will see her again.

Not weak.

Not sick.

Not suffering.

But whole.

Laughing.

Because that’s how resurrection joy works.

Conclusion

Dear friends and family,

Heidi’s life preached a sermon.

A life of prayer. A life of service. A life of love. A life rooted in Jesus.

And today her Lord speaks the final word.

Not cancer.

Not death.

Not goodbye.

But this:

“Surely I am with you always.”

He kept that promise for Heidi.

He keeps it for you.

And because He lives,

she lives.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.