Moses Franklin Askew Funeral

Prelude

Welcome and Prayer - Jack

My name is Jack Radcliffe and I am one of the pastors at Ypsilanti Friends Church. On behalf of Carlene, Logan, Drew and the rest of his family, I would like to welcome you as we have gathered here together today to remember Frank Askew.

Thank you for being here today. I am sure that the family recognizes that you don’t have to be here. Your presence today is an affirmation of your love and support for them. Although they may not remember every word shared today, they will remember your presence here for the rest of their lives.

John 11:25–26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Your presence today shows your love in deed, but do not it end here today. One week, one month, one year from now this family is still going to need you.

Prayer

Obituary - Cynthia Griffin

Family and Friends Sharing

Personal Reflections

Logan Askew

Isaiah Askew

Message - Jack

2 Corinthians 5:1–8 ESV

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Home

Where it all begins

Where we belong; where we’re anchored

Place of sanity

Moves around throughout life but we always return.

In our minds...

Visit - whether it’s to a place, person or people.

Live every day.

Home is something we long for; a place when it’s at its best, we can’t wait to get to

After a long trip

End of a long day

Place of rest, dreaming, joy...

Familiar place, people whom we love, surroundings.

Place

A place we can’t wait to go

Frank’s home - here, Detroit. His house. His family.

Not where it began. Where his life began.

Home is also where it all begins

Christians believe that God - Father, Son and Spirit is the source of life. God breathes us into existence.

He is home.

The body will be destroyed in death...and (not but) will be resurrected.

Something we long for.

While in this body/life, there are struggles. not to be preoccupied with struggles. Struggles don't lead to groaning/longing.

This life matters - it’s a view of home; given to enjoy, be known and loved by God for his purpose; to love God and others in anticipation of what's to come.

The joy is a kind of longing - we long for more of it, groan for more of it to put on what will last.

Not to sit around waiting passively.

It comes from the taste we have now of what will be - to put on our promised eternal, permanent dwelling.

God has prepared it and is preparing us for it - HS.

Cause to be of good courage.

Rather be somewhere else, somewhere better...not here (in this body), with Jesus.

The body will be destroyed in death...and (not but) will be resurrected.

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things in order, she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discus certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him the songs she wanted sung at her funeral, the scriptures she wanted read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything seemed in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

“There’s one thing more,” she said excitedly. “What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply. “This is very important,” the woman continued. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn’t it?” the woman asked. “Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor.

The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church socials and pot-luck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, “Keep your fork.” It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, “What’s with the fork?” Then I want you to tell them: “Keep your fork. The best is yet to come.”

The pastor’s eyes welled up with tears as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She knew that something better was coming.

John

John 11:25–26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Hymn - It is Well - Ed

Military Honors

Hymn - I’ll Fly Away

Prayer of Committal

In sure and certain hope that, as Christ lived and was the first to rise from the dead, we too shall have new life and will join our heavenly Father along with all the saints in a new and better place. We therefore commit our brother/sister (Name) to the earth from which he/she was made, and lay to rest this mortal body that it might put on immortality. The Lord bless him/her and keep him/her; the Lord make his face shine upon him/her and be gracious to him/her; the Lord look upon him/her with favor and give him/her peace. Amen.

John 11:25–26 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”