Funeral for Douglas MacKay Perrin

April 18, 2026

Welcome:

Good afternoon, I am Ed Reed, Pastor here at Christian Bible Church

On behalf of the family I would like to welcome you, and thank you for coming out this afternoon

We are gathered here to remember the life of Douglas MacKay Perrin and commit him back to the Lord

Funerals are difficult days - No one likes entering the house of mourning

In fact, more and more people are forgoing funerals - refusing to attend or even have a memorial service

But these services are important - human life is of inestimable value

WE are not like the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, or the beasts of the fields - Humans are created in the very image of God

And we are told in Psalm 139, that we are “knit together” in our mother’s womb - the image is of a specific care and design by a Loving God

Life is not to be cast aside - it is to be remembered and mourned

The Bible tells us in...

Eccl 7:2

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.

ESV

WE all like to enter a house of feasting - of celebration - but, it is better for us to enter this house of mourning

For, today we are forced to consider life and death - and what comes after death - for it is the end of all men

The Bible reminds us in Hebrews 9:27 that...

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)

...it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

Funerals remind us that death is coming to all and after that a judgement before a Holy God

As we get started today, I want to open us in prayer and then we will sing one of the many Hymns that Doug loved

Pray

The family has asked me to read a Eulogy for Doug

A Eulogy is a good word - it is, often, in a funeral, a brief telling of life’s story

Eulogy

Today, we gather to acknowledge the life of Douglas MacKay Perrin, a man whose life, like many, was not simple.

He was born on April 18, 1968, and graduated from Philadelphia College of Bible. He had a strong ability to memorize information —something that helped him get through challenges in school and in life.

Douglas could be described as affable, friendly, and congenial. He had a sense of humor that could surface in unexpected ways. And he enjoyed card games—moments spent playing, competing, and passing time in a way that was simple but meaningful in its own right.

Music was also part of his life. He played the piano at church, contributing in a quiet and consistent way. Whether his faith was something he held closely or something he struggled with over time, it remained a thread in his life story.

It would not be honest to stand here and describe his life as easy or without complication. The truth is, Douglas leaves behind a mixed legacy—one that includes both difficult experiences and distinct memories. And today, rather than trying to smooth over those realities, we acknowledge them.

This memorial exists because he was loved.

A person does not have to be perfect to be remembered. And remembrance does not require us to ignore what was hard.

So today, we recognize Douglas as he was: a man with strengths and shortcomings, with moments that mattered, and a life that, in all its complexity, has come to an end on this earth.

And in doing so, we make space—for honesty, for reflection, and for each person here to hold their own memories of him while we commit his soul to God's love, justice, and mercy.

Pastoral thoughts

As Doug's Pastor for the last nearly 10 years, - I would be remiss if I didn’t add a few words regarding Doug

Doug came to our church when he moved to Herkimer

He met with me before coming and shared his story - boasting of his faith and scriptural knowledge while detailing a life that was shipwrecked

A great shipwreck that not only damaged him, but those in his care

I challenged Doug repeatedly over the early years, because he professed a form of godliness while denying the Power of God to change him

We met many times over those early years - and eventually we began to see the Spirit of God working in Doug

The hardened heart of religious effort was crumbling and the Spirit of God was working - it was as though the scales fell from his eyes and he began to see that he was not born again as he had professed fro so many years

The Light of the gospel was finally beginning to shine in him - Just a few years ago, I had the privilege of baptizing Doug here at the church

To be sure, Doug struggled and had to be reminded regularly that sin has its cost - but there was change in Doug - and I believe his testimony of faith is True

Song

With that I am going to invite Rich Schlagle to lead us in another song

Scripture Reading

Nate Peterson - Psalm 37:1-7

Message - Roger

Song - Amazing Grace

Prayer - Roger