Christian Amber Thibeault Funeral 11-9-19

I. INTRO

    A. House Keeping

        a. On behalf o the family, thank you for coming as we seek to celebrate the life of a dear loved one Crissy Thibeault

            1. Directly following the service there is a potluck down stairs in the “Fellowship Hall" on the right

        b. Finally, Out of respect 4 all who grieve, pls silence any device that blings, dings, rings or sings

        c. Brief Pause

    B. Opening Comments

        a. We gather 2day not only 2 grieve the passing o a beloved family member & friend, Christian Amber Thibeault; but also 2 celebrate her life, & share memories 2gether.

        b. W/that said, I don’t make light o the fact that we have come today perhaps feeling shocked, numbed, confused, hurt, & angry

            1. We r looking 2 make sense o this & often times, God gets the blame

                i. May I simply say that God’s shoulders r big enough 4 ur questions, anger, & even your blame!

                    -rather than turn frm Him, however, I encourage u 2 turn TO Him!

- because, as the psalmist wrote in…

    C. Scripture 

: When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. 19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

        a. We’ll remember in these bitter sweet times o tears & smiles that we can lean on the God who’s "consolations cheer our soul."

    D. Prayer

        a. Lord, thanks 4 the day u've given us. 

        b. Please God, Crissy's fam & friends maybe feel as though their feet slip, God hold them up according to ur steadfast love

        c. God, their heart is heavy w/ concern

            1. I ask that u would console them

            2. I pray that even now, the family would feel ur loving arms wrap around them. Amen (pause)

    E. Song:

        a. Let’s reflect as we listen to the song

            1. "Wish you were Here” chosen by the family

II. Obituary

Christian Amber Thibeault, 19, a resident of Gage Street, died suddenly on October 21, 2019 at Albany, NY Medical Center from cardiac arrest.

Christian had signed up as an organ donor thru the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles & after she went to heaven she was able to give the most ultimate gift to others, LIFE.

Born in Sacramento, CA on October 18, 2000, she was the daughter of Amy Thibeault. 

Christian received her education in the Goffstown, NH schools.

Christen was working 2 jobs, both in the industry. She also did child care whenever she was asked. She was amazing at everything she did.

Christian absolutely loved all animals but had a special place in her heart when it came to cats. She enjoyed listening to music a lot. She had a contagious laugh & always always brightened up the room. Everyone who knew her loved her very much. She was caring, giving & full of love. She will be missed by many, loved by lots & will forever live on throughout all of our hearts.

Christian is survived by her mother, Amy Thibeault, siblings Alexandra, Joshua, Nicole & Dakota Thibeault; her grandparents, Debra & Robert Thibeault; an aunt & uncle, Sarah & Edward Jordan & their children Nathaniel, Emilee & Jenavieve.

In memory of Christian her family asks that everyone consider becoming an organ donor in Christian’s honor.

    B. Transition 

        a. In a moment & after I share a few memories o Crissy, which I’ve recently learned o frm Amy,

            1. we r going 2 open it up 4 those who'd like 2 share some memories o their own.

                    -But 1st: lets watch the memorial slides accompanied by the song... 

III. Song & Memorial Slides: 

    A. “Tears in Heaven"

V. We Remember

    A. Our memories r treasures we will cary w/us always

        a. A couple stories Amy shared about Crissy: 

            1. happy, caring, loving, & absolutely loved animals (especially cats [takes a special person to love cats, I think])

                i. & Crissy was especially special…she had 11 rescue cats

            2. Crissy was a hard worker

                i. W/ 2 full-time jobs 

            3. close 2 her siblings (especially Dakota)

                i. when Amy was in labor with Dakota, Crissy wanted to be there 4 birth

                    -but…fell asleep…grandma woke her up… Crissy said, "come on, u’d think some1 died…Oh, Dakota is being born!??” 

                    -Crissy was right in there taking pictures & being supportive 4 her mama 

            4. hair & makeup done…always looked beautiful (the pictures here show that off really well, huh?)

            5. Something else special about Crissy is she was able to draw the best outa people…

                i. when folks would argue she found away 2 defuse the situation

                    -Not just arguments she was in, but when she saw others fighting too! (She hated to see folks fighting)

            6. Her fav season was the fall & especially halloween

            7. Fond o camping & long car rides

            8. loved to shop

            9. Enjoyed drawing

                i. If u look on the back o ur program u’ll c 1 o her many drawings (really talented)

V. Open Mic time

    A. Perhaps these stories coupled w/the memorial slides have sparked memories of ur own

a. Pls feel free 2 stand & share 1 of ur fav memories o Crissy

        b. A mic will b roving around so every1 can hear

    B. As we remember Crissy

        a. Let’s listen to the song:

            1. “I’ll Be Missing You"

VI. Message: Tough Questions, Big God

    A. Maybe during this season u find urself wrestling w/ tough Questions

        a. As we consider the great loss, anger, emptiness, & pain we feel

            1. I’m certain u have questions:

                i. Why did this happen?

                ii. God, if u love me, why would u take Crissy from us?

                iii. How could a just God allow such a tragedy?

        b. Ur not the 1st to ask such tough Questions

            1. I’m drawn to the Prophet Habakkuk found in the OT scriptures

            2. The entire book is a conversation btwn Hab. & God, starting like this: 

    B. Hab.’s conversation

:O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, & you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” & you will not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, & why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction & violence are before me; strife & contention arise.

        a. Hab. Looks around & sees injustice everywhere

            1. The premise: if ur a good & just God, why r u letting this happen?

        b. Bringing it hm

            1. In light of Crissy passing, maybe u can relate. 

                i. We look @ the searing, seeming unjust loss o 1 so young & we think, why God!!??

        c. The thing is, my God answers! U c it throughout Hab.

            1. W/that said, answers aren’t necessarily what we wanna hear or come in our timing 

                i. Look @ what Hab. said in the middle o his conversation w/God:

: I will take my stand at my watch post & station myself on the tower, & look out to see what he will say to me, & what I will answer concerning my complaint.

                    -Hab. Determined 2 wait 4 God to answer, trusting in God that He actually would respond

                    -& Hab. Wasn’t the last person to ask God tough questions:

    C. Jesus’ tough Question:

        a. After being beaten, & nailed to a cross, look @ what we read about Jesus’s tough question:

: & at the 9th hour Jesus cried with a loud voice... "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

            1. Jesus, the man who turned water to wine, walked on water, healed many, drove out demons & would eventually save the world through his death & resurrection…in the middle of his death on the cross cried out to God, feeling forsaken

            2. Maybe 2day ur feeling like this…forsaken by God

                i. Rather than turning from HIM, Jesus turned to His father & asked the tough question “why have u abandoned me?"

        b. (What can we learn frm these men) Turn 2 God not from HIM

            1. In this time, may I suggest, rather than turning from God the Father, perhaps u would turn to him Just as Hab. & God the Son Jesus did

                i. May I submit to u that God is big enough for YOUR tough questions

                    -& this big God whom I serve doesn’t want to set back & watch u suffer, 

                        *but instead wants to comfort u in ur suffering.

                        *let’s look at what the Apostle Paul wrote in...

: Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies & God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction,  so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

                    -Besides, who could better relate 2 losing a child than God, who’s son was killed on a cross?

                        *As we consider this, let’s listen to another song:

VII. : 

    A. "You are My Sunshine"

VIII.  Poem for Comfort

    A. I'd like 2 read frm a psg o scripture which has been a comfort 2 many.

        a. A Poem, written by Amy (?)

1. Titled  

“A Letter from Heaven"

When tomorrow starts without me

& I’m not there to see;

If the sun should rise & find your eyes

All filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry

The way you did today;

While thinking of the many things

We didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me

As much as I love you;

& each time that you think of me,

I know you’ll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me,

Don’t think we’re far apart

For every time you think of me,

I’m right here in your heart

IX. Benediction 

    A. Let’s close in prayer

Lord, again, thanks 4 the day.

God my hope, shield & hiding place...

Grant 2 all who mourn a sure confidence in ur fatherly care, that, 

casting all their grief on u, they may know the consolation of ur love. 

A love that I myself have experienced in my own grief.

I ask u’d give courage & faith 2 those who walk in grief, that they may have strength 2 meet the days ahead.

Amen.

X. Closing Comments

    A. On behalf of the family: 

        a. Thank you for sharing with them in celebration of Crissy’s life.

        b. Please join us for a pot-luck meal down stairs. Thank you very much