Virginia Gravely - Funeral - Psalm 46
Notes
Transcript
Welcome:
Welcome:
Funeral for – Leonard sirk -
Welcome:
Today we are gathered to commemorate and honor the life of Virginia Gravely. She entered into this world on April 29, 1932 and left this life on February 9, 2020 at the age of 87 - a sister, wife, mother, grand-mother and friend.
Obituary info:
Obituary info:
She is survived by her three sons; Hosely J. Gravely III (Layla) of Harrisonburg, VA, Ronald L. Gravely (Kim) of Kensington, MD, Rodney K. Gravely (Traci) of Dickerson, MD; two daughters, Linda S. Quesenberry (Richard) of Hagerstown, MD, Mabel A. Gravely of Kensington, MD; five brothers, William Fowler of Frederick, MD, Robert Fowler of Urbana, MD, James E. Fowler of Hagerstown, MD, Howard Fowler of Dickerson, MD, Harry Fowler of Knoxville, MD; one sister, Martha Reed of Emmitsburg, MD; 3 half-siblings, Rosa Bolinger, Ruth Stambaugh, Carl C. Fowler; one step-brother, Kenneth Shumaker; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles G. Fowler, Jr., Franklin F. Fowler; one half-sister, Dorothy E. Davidson and one half-brother, Wilmer Joseph Fowler.
Let’s Pray
Let’s Pray
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
(have Donald read?)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Transition:
It is quite a thing to consider that the God of the universe would love and care for us the way that He does, as a shepherd cares for his flock. It is even more amazing to consider that He longs for each of us to be a part of His flock.
I believe that one of the things God uses is family as a means of shepherding his people. From what I’ve heard, Virginia was quite the shepherd - not only raising her own children but also assisting with her extended family. Her home was her workplace and her husband of nearly 50 years was her business partner.
As we had a chance to visit for a few minutes last night, there was a passage in scripture that kept coming to mind as you all were talking about Virginia.
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm clothes.
She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
Proverbs 31:10-31
(possibly consider using this song, if needed)
AMAZING GRACE
Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
Thru many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
Reflections:
Reflections:
While I did not get to know Virginia personally - I know that so many of you did. I’m wondering if you would like to share anything about her life as a way of honoring her life and our memory of her?
Message:
Message:
We can discuss and reminisce for hours, and that may happen this afternoon, but I do want to take just a few moments to talk to you. Hopefully to encourage and provide some hope for you.
says this:
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
In this passage I think that there are a few things that we can remember and rely on from God.
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
First of all, we can see that...
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
In this passage I think that there are a few things that we can remember and rely on from God.
He Comforts
He Comforts
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
One of the things that I love most dearly in life, is to hold my children. As a father, I rejoice in giving them comfort, protection, peace. When my son Zachary was 7 years old son, he injured his head – requiring a visit to the emergency room. He was at that stage where he is wanting to be a big boy – yet this was one of those moments when he simply said – “carry me”. For Zachary – this worked, because I was still bigger than him. I can still hold him. I can still be a refuge for him.
You may have had those experiences with Virginia. Her comfort, love and care.
One of the amazing things that I love about God – is that He is big enough for our tears, hurts, fears, pain. He even says in His word – “cast your cares upon [me] and [I] will lift you up.” As a shepherd cares for his sheep and as a father cares for his children, in the same way, God cares for us – he cares for you. I believe he wants to be a comfort for you, if you’ll let Him. In times of trials and difficulty, like you’re facing now, it’s easy to want to run away from God, but let me encourage you to run to Him. Be still before Him and allow Him to minister to your soul.
Secondly,
He is Consistent
He is Consistent
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
Not only does God care deeply for you, but He is consistent. Scripture says that he does not change with shifting shadows. Our emotions are like a wave of the sea, yet God is stable enough in the midst of the storm.
As you read throughout the Old Testament, one refrain rings loud and clear – God’s patient love and faithfulness remains forever. You see, His chosen people would choose to ignore Him and would worship other gods. In spite of all of the things that He had done for them, they remained faithless – yet he remained faithful. While His discipline was at times severe, He never relented in showing His love. So much so that He even stepped into human form and became like us in order to “demonstrate is love toward us, while we were yet sinners, Christ (God in the flesh) died for us.”
John Newton, the author of the hymn “Amazing Grace”, was a slave trader until He got called by God to change his ways. He remarked at the end of his life - “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!” What amazing grace!
God is consistent in sharing His love and grace with us!
Finally…
He Clears the Way
He Clears the Way
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
It would be one thing for God to be consistent enough to comfort us. He could bring us healing there, but God goes an extra step – He clears the way for future hope. In the passage I read, it talks about the river leading to the city of God. For those who put their hope and trust in Him, he has a place of future hope for them – for you!
Horatio G. Spafford was a successful businessman in Chicago in the 1800s – yet he is not known for his business prowess – he is known for one of history’s most beloved hymns.
Horatio G. Spafford, 1828–1888
Spafford had known peaceful and happy days as a successful attorney in Chicago. He was the father of four daughters, an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and a loyal friend and supporter of D. L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of his day. Then, a series of calamities began, starting with the great Chicago fire of 1871 which wiped out the family’s extensive real estate investments. When Mr. Moody and his music associate, Ira Sankey, left for Great Britain for an evangelistic campaign, Spafford decided to lift the spirits of his family by taking them on a vacation to Europe. He also planned to assist in the Moody-Sankey meetings there.
In November, 1873, Spafford was detained by urgent business, but he sent his wife and four daughters as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Harve, planning to join them soon. Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in 12 minutes. All four of the Spafford daughters—Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie—were among the 226 who drowned. Mrs. Spafford was among the few who were miraculously saved. When she arrived safely on land, she sent a telegram that simply stated “Saved alone.”
Horatio Spafford stood hour after hour on the deck of the ship carrying him to rejoin his sorrowing wife in Cardiff, Wales. When the ship passed the approximate place where his precious daughters had drowned, Spafford received sustaining comfort from God that enabled him to write, “When sorrows like sea billows roll … It is well with my soul.” What a picture of our hope!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll—Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well with my soul.
Tho Satan should buffet, tho trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and shed His own blood for my soul.
And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll: The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, “Even so”—it is well with my soul.
Chorus: It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
Horatio Spafford received comfort from God - because of who God is - a consistent God who has a plan in the future. Spafford trusted God to be His Savior amidst all of the trials of this life. Will you consider turning and trusting in God? Will you receive God’s free gift of eternal life by repenting of your sin and turning to trust in Jesus?
Let’s pray
Graveside Service
Graveside Service