Funeral for Eunice Ruth Sampson

Processional

Scripture Reading

John 14:1–3 NKJV

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14

John 11:25 NKJV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

Revelation 1:17–18 NKJV

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Welcome (Mark)

The Sampson Family welcome and thank you for being here today to remember and celebrate the life of Eunice Ruth Sampson.

Eunice, the beloved wife of John, and the loving mother of Ruth and Tim. Eunice was also a much loved Grandmother or “Nana”, and a great Grandmother or Great “Nana”. Eunice as the family describe her “was always ready to help anyone in need”

Prayer (Mark)

Let us pray.

Lord, we thank you for the Life of Eunice

John

Ruth and Tim and their families

Lowestoft Church

Sure and certain hope.

Hymn (Mark)

513 – In Heavenly Love Abiding

Tributes and Poem (Rio)

Tribute from Jean and John

Poem

Scripture Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NKJV

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Words of Comfort

In our scripture reading, the Apostle Paul concludes with the sentence, “Therefore comfort one another with these words”. In the verses we read, Paul briefly sets out the reason for such comfort. It is Comfort for those who are left behind, it is comfort for those who are still alive, it is comfort for those grieving the death of a loved one.

It is likely that the church of the Thess-a-lon-ians had by the time of Paul’s letter suffered some persecution. Death was a reality in the early church, for many reasons, just as it is today in our churches. The death of someone makes us all face our mortality, and is especially felt and morned by the immediate family.

The Apostle Paul says,

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NKJV

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

We know when Paul talks about “those who have Fallen Asleep” he means “those who have died as Believers in Jesus”. But Paul would not have us ignorant about this.

But Paul would not have us ignornant about this.

You see, it is one thing to be taught about end times, about the state of the dead, about the soon return of Jesus, about resurrection, about the last great judgement and about the glorious new heaven and earth, but it is quite another thing to appropriate such promises to our daily lives in the face of actual loss, deep felt sorrow and real tragedy.

When it gets very personal, when it gets very real, which is always does, in certain seasons of our lives.

But that is exactly what Paul was saying to the Thess-a-lon-ian church. Don’t be ignorant, make such promises of the Lord personal, make them your own and be comforted by such promises.

Pauls words are as relevant today as they were all those years ago.

Pauls words are as relevant today as they were all those years ago.

On a personal note, Norma and I met Eunice in January 2018 when our ministry started here in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. Having lived in the States for over 20 years, Eunice always reminded me of a New Yorker. A British version of a New Yorker. A Lowestoft version of a New Yorker. Eunice would say what she thought, you knew exactly where you stood with her and she wore “her heart on her sleeve”. That was accompanied by that beaming smile, and many times an all embracing hug. Eunice and I shared the same birthday (the 24th of March).

As others have already said, Eunice loved this church and was passionate for its future, both as a building and as a congregation. Many improvements that have been done here over the years were due to her vision. The Elderly Centre that meets here four days a week, and that we see as family, is here mostly due to Eunice, working with Allen and Eve. Last Christmas , barely some six months ago, just before her health deteriorated, Eunice wrote and help direct the Christmas Nativity play, which was performed here and in the Great Yarmouth church. It was loved by the children who took part, the church and the community who came to our special Christmas service.

I will miss Eunice. The baton for the future of this church has now been passed to all of us. For a time. And for a season.

The baton has now been passed to us. For a time. For a season.

The Lord’s promise is that Eunice will rise again. As surly as Jesus rose again and now ministers for us in the very presence of the Father. Eunice will wake up from her last great sleep to the voice of Jesus. She will wake up, along with all those who sleep in Jesus.

As the scripture says,

1 Corinthians 15:54 NKJV

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Those Believers who are still alive at the second coming of Jesus, will be reunited with those who have fallen asleep. Reunited and Together again! Together all Believers will meet Jesus in the air. What a picture! Reunion and Togetherness. Together with each other. And Together with the Lord. Forever!

Together! Together as Believers, Together with Jesus.

Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul concludes with, “Therefore, comfort one another with such words”.

What is said in these verses that would comfort a Christian who has lost a loved one?

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Thessalonians 4. Exhortations regarding the Dead (4:13–18)

What is said in these verses that would comfort a Christian who has lost a loved one?

The New American Commentary: 1, 2 Thessalonians 4. Exhortations regarding the Dead (4:13–18)

What is said in these verses that would comfort a Christian who has lost a loved one?

He wants us to understand that though the beloved one was sick, through the beloved one was suffering as life was ebbing away, Jesus visits her and makes His bed with her.

Morning and Evening Morning, July 2

He is sick and suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes his bed for him. He is dying, and the cold chilly waters of Jordan are gathering about him up to the neck, but Jesus puts His arms around him, and cries, “Fear not, beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of death have their fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are sweet as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God.” As the departing saint wades through the stream, and the billows gather around him, and heart and flesh fail him, the same voice sounds in his ears, “Fear not; I am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God.” As he nears the borders of the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of shades, Jesus says, “Fear not, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die

Personal Tribute

I pray this day we are all comforted. And especially to John, Ruth andTim and all your immediate and extended family, we pray you are comforted in the Lord by the promises of the Lord written for our comfort by the Apostle Paul.

Real vision for this place.

Psalm 33:21 NKJV

For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.