Funeral Service for Greg Prokupchuk
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Invocation:
Heavenly Father we are gathered together this morning to honor you, as well as honor Greg Prokopchuk. Heavenly Father I pray that this time together today would be a time where we remember the good things about Greg, Father the last 5 years have been a battle but Lord we find comfort in knowing that that battle is now over and there is no more struggle with cancer. Lord I pray for these family members, I pray for Mrs. Gail and Wendy for comfort and Peace and for every member here to know the peace that passes all understanding in Christ Jesus.
In Jesus name I pray Amen
On behalf of the family of Greg I would like to begin by saying thank you to all who have come to support them during this difficult time. I would also like to tell you Mrs. Gail, Wendy, Kim and family members even if we haven’t met, that I am available if you need to talk, I am truly sorry for your loss and I will be glad to help in any way I can.
At this time I would like to ask you to stand and lets join together in singing Amazing Grace for it is only through the grace offered through the Lord Jesus Christ that we can have any hope on days like today, because he promises eternal life that is found only through what Jesus did on the cross on our behalf.
(SONG)
(Reagan Hardy)
At this time we are going to play a song this song is special because Greg played this on the piano. He loved to play the piano, Greg told his mother MRs. Gail that this was how he worshipped the Lord; and I saw a precious video of Greg playing this with his grandaughter by his side. So this morning were going to play a video of this song and the family would ask that if you know it that you join along ins singing HE SET ME FREE.
(SONG)
I didn’t have the opportunity to know Greg very well, I know his mother Mrs. Gail and I have had the privelege pf speaking to Wendy and Kim His daughter. When I began asking the family about Greg I always start off by asking about things that stood out to them, favorite memories and stories.
On of the main things that seemed to stand out about him was his compassion for others. From the sounds of it he tried to look after and care for everyone he could.
Mrs. Gail told me about the elderly lady who lived nearby, she was in her 90’s and didn’t have any family close by. So it was Greg who gave care to her taking her to get groceries and making sure she was able to get to Dr. appointments and simply being a friend to her in a difficult season of her life.
Wendy told me about when they were little Greg was always trying to look out for her keeping her out of trouble, and something that truly stood out to her was when it was time to pick teams to play Basketball even though he was better than her he would always pick her first.
They both shared piano lessons and even though Wendy said she was better at playing than him when they were both taking lessons, it was Greg that continued playing even until recently when he simply could not anymore.
I learned about how Greg was always trying to make people laugh he was a fun loving man who tried to bring a smile to others.
His daughter Kim talked to me a little bit about them going down the great white water slide. She told me how he taught her about being brave and facing your fears.
She told me something I hope my kids will say about me someday in that while Greg was her dad he was her friend and she was comfortable being around him even singing the backstreet boys knowing good and well, he was too old to be singing teenage pop songs.
She told me about she loved to go 4 wheeler riding with him, and just spending time together. When she was explaining to her children about what had happened, her son told her that grandpa Greg always spoiled them.... something good grandparents are known for.
These are the things I want you to remember about Greg. It is so easy during this time to remember him sick and battling cancer, and while there are things you will find hard to forget it helps us to remember all of the time he spent vibrant and full of life trying to do his best in this life.
Greg was not perfect, he had sin in his life, like all of us there are none righteous no not one. there are none of us who havent struggled with sin in our lives.
So while there were great things about Greg he still needed something greater. we all need something greater....
This morning I would like to share with you a passage of scripture that has been truly a comfort for me during my life and in times of loss it has reminded me of the reality of what awaits us on the other side.
I want you to know this morning that we have a comfort and a hope that extends past how we feel right now! Even though our hearts are heavy and down trodden we have Jesus here in John 14 telling us something.
He tells
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
The hope of the gospel is this, that even though we have all sinned and fallen short of Gods standard we can find forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ on Calvarys cross.
How can we have hearts not filled with trouble?
Because we have a risen Savior who keeps his word!
Jesus tells us what to remember when we lose someone we love.
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.
Right now at this very moment if Greg knew the Lord Jesus Christ then today he is standing in the presence of almighty God. Full of life and freedom.
I dont see a man who enjoyed worship musci and worshipping the Lord through playing the piano not knowing the Lord.
No I believe He did know the Lord and this is what awaited Greg when he took his final breath.
A house not made by human hands but built by the same hands that formed the universe.
Jesus says if you believe in Me then I go to prepare a place for you!
Have you trusted in Christ?
It is the only way to be forgiven of your sin and secure your place in Heaven.
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.
Jesus tells us very clearly that there will come a day when he will return and take us to go be with him. While that is hard for those of us who are left, just think of all the struggle and turmoil that Greg endured in the last 5 years.
Chemo, cancer appointments weight loss, pain.
All of those things are over now and he is dwelling in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in a home not made by human hands but by the very hands of Christ.
The key in this verse is believe, but not just belief in God but belief in His Son Jesus Christ this is what assures us a Heavenly home. That we believe on him and seek to honor Him with our lives.
Jesus tells us where He is He wants you to be there with him.
Jesus is for you He loves you and made a way for you to be forgiven and have a changed life and changed eternity.
And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Now you might be like doubting Thomas in this room this morning. Really unsure about what is being said.
Jesus tells his disciples you know the way to go to this Heavenly home.
Thomas kind of panics
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
How can we know Lord?
How can we know the way?
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
So JEsus is going to paradise in Heaven and he says
I AM THE WAY
Notice he didnt say well you must behave this way or that, he said if you want hope for troubled times if you wanna have your eternity secured you come through me.
He says HE IS THE WAY
not one of many ways
HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY WAY TO BE FORGIVEN OF YOUR SINS AND BE GIVEN ETERNAL LIFE
HE ALSO SAYS HE IS THE TRUTH
WE CAN BELIEVE THAT GREG IS AT PEACE BECAUSE CHRIST TELLS US THE TRUTH BC HE IS THE TRUTH!
HE IS AT HIS VERY CORE TRUTH, IT COMES FROM HIM
HE IS LIFE
IF YOU COEM TO JESUS YOU GAIN LIFE RIGHT NOW NOT AT SOME LATER DATE
BUT BY COMING TO JESUS YOU SECURE YOUR LIFE AFTER DEATH AND ALSO OVERFLOWING ABUNDANT LIFE NOW.
NOT FINANCIALLY NOT THAT LIFE WILL BE PERFECT BUT YOU WILL HAVE JOY AND YOU WILL HAVE THE JOY OF KNOWING THE LORD WHO SETS YOU FREE.
(CLOSING)
“Ill fly away”
CLOSING PRAYER!!!!!!