Donna Golub's Graveside Service

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Charles Spurgeon once said,

“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”

It’s very clear to me that Donna carved her name on many hearts, and she will not quickly be forgotten.

She will come to mind in some very predictable times - like holidays, anniversaries, birthdays; and also at very unpredictable times - like while in line at the grocery story, or cooking breakfast, or watching a good movie.

Sometimes these moments will bring a flood of deep emotions that are overwhelming, and sometimes they will simply bring a smile or a chuckle under the breath.

But no matter what the circumstances, and no matter what the emotion - when Mom, Nonna, Donna comes to mind it will come with a deep fondness that comes from a life dedicated to loving service of God and others; and an abiding peace that she is now as she was created to be - fully alive; in full and rich communion with her King.

Thank you for being here this morning, in this beautiful setting, to lay Donna’s body to rest.

Gary mentioned several times that he wanted this time together to be simple, and to provide a sense of closure. In a moment, after we pray, I’m going to give you an opportunity to share a few thoughts. I know that it’s sometimes difficult to think of things that you feel like are worthy of such an occasion, but please don’t hesitate to share what comes to mind.

Let’s pray together and then we’ll continue. And as I pray out loud, join me in silent prayer. Pray your own prayer to God, or listen to my words and pray along in agreement.

Prayer

Family Sharing

At this time, if there’s anyone who has a few words to share, the floor is yours.

Scripture Reading

Thank you.

I’d like to read a few passages of Scripture over you that will serve as reminders of just how gracious and good our God is...

Psalm 116:15 ESV

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Psalm 116

Romans 8:35–39 ESV

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35

Lamentations 3:22–26 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:28–31 ESV

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isa 40:

Ephesians 2:1–7 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 ESV

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

Release of Doves

Doves have been released in ceremonies for centuries, all over the world. In different cultures and traditions, doves symbolize many different things. In Christianity, white doves represent peace, love, faith, purity, and eternal life; and their release is meant to symbolize the person’s spirit being released from the body and going to heaven.

Interestingly, when a dove is released, they have an internal GPS that science cannot yet fully explain, and these doves will fly from here, right back to the safety, provision, and security of home.

In much the same way, when Donna breathed here last breath here on earth, her soul was released, and immediately went home to be with Jesus; and one day when Jesus comes again, her soul will be reunited with her perfected, resurrected body and she will live out the rest of eternity in a new heaven and a new earth where

the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Rev 21:

At this time, the doves will be released, followed by a poem.

Poem Recitation

Prayer

Dismissal

Thank you for being here…