Terry Miller Funeral

Order

-Welcome/prayer/Scripture Reading

-Song- Chain Breaker

-Sharing about His life

-Fred shares

-Song-Scars in Heaven

-mini-sermon 

-Song- The Dance

-Closing prayer 

Good Morning. On behalf of Miller family, thank you for being here today to celebrate the beautiful life and legacy of Terry Miller. A man who fought so hard to stay with us but has been released of the pain that he journyed with. But one who leaves us with a lasting legacy of hardwork, persistence, loyalty, faith,and love. Today as we remember and we grieve, we are reminded of this picture of heaven that is painted in revelation....

Rev

The New International Version Chapter 21

Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ u or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

Pray

Listen to this song...

Terry Alan Miller, of Kokomo, passed into glory with his savior Jesus at 8:10 a.m. Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital 86th Street, in Indianapolis. He was 58 years old.

Terry was born on September 7, 1962, in Lafayette, to Jim Ward and Jennie Miller.

Terry was the oldest of three boys. I know he loved his brothers dearly. We bonded over being in families of three boys were there was competition, mischief, fighting, and loyalty to one another. Plus I know like in our house it was hard to keep food stocked because it sounds like those boys could eat. In fact I think that is still true. Rumor has it when it came to eating sweet corn there was often lots and lots of ears eaten…supposedly one of the Miller boys once ate like 22 ears in one sitting.

Terry was a 1981 graduate of Northwestern High School.  He was a 10 year 4-H member and continued to be passionately involved in 4-H for 40 plus years. He was always excited to help and encourage youth people to be involved in fair.

Though Terry was an electrician by trade and a really good one...One of his greatest passions was farming. He loved the hard work, the planning, and the food that it produced. And he loved to share that. His love of farming came from his Dad. Terry would farm with Jim, his Uncle Dick, his brother, and his Kyle for many years.

On December 22, 2007, Terry married the love of his life Liz. Every-time Liz would walk in the room you could see Terry’s eyes light up. When we would talk he would speak so highly of her and was so humbled and appreciate of her grace, care, and love for him. They met together at work as just friends but eventually Terry’s persistence paid off. And Liz’s prayers for a big tall meaty man who would go to church with her. The truly forged together an incredible life!

Terry loved his family dearly, especially his kids and grandkids. I was always impressed with the way he treated each of them as individuals, he had a great specially unique relationship with each of them. Too be honest for the longest time I had a hard time keeping track of which kids were whose in terms of natural birth because he loved his kids, his step kids, and all the in-laws so well that if was hard to tell. And the nine grandkids he loved and adored and they felt the same way about him. He was truly an incredible “pop”.

Terry was incredible friend to so many, including me. He was pillar in our church and his previous church. His presence was always something that brought joy and excitement to the room. He was always willing to lend a hand to help others and go above and beyond with his help. If you are sitting in this room its likely that you experienced his kindness, generosity, encouragement, and love. And if you were extra lucky you got to experience his cooking. I remember the first time I experienced eating one of his legendary cheesecakes and not totally believing he made it at first, I just had a hard time picturing this farmer/electrician making something so delicate. Terry was a special guy who truly made an impact of good on most everyone he met.

I want to invite up one of Terry’s former Pastors, Fred to come share some words about Terry.

 Listen to this song....

Part of today is allowing ourselves to be honest with God about grief, frustrations, and even anger. I have some my self but the really great news is that God is not afraid of the feelings we have, he will take on whatever we need to share with him. In fact in the midst of our pain He gives us the gift of His presence and understanding.

PSalm

The New International Version Psalm 34

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Matthew

The New International Version Chapter 5

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

I believe that with my whole heart. That will grief will be a journey. One we wouldn't choose and will not like, we can take comfort in the fact that you don’t face it alone.

For about five years we prayed and prayed for a new heart for Terry. On July 14, 2021, Terry as we know was blessed with a new heart. A True gift and miracle. But I want to share too that in this journey of waiting for a new physical hear, Terry truly was given a new heart because of the work Jesus was doing in his life.

Mark 2 Story of the paralyzed man

The New International Version Chapter 2

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

You see if Terry was hear today he would say the most important part wasn’t about get it a physical heart it was about his sins being forgiven and getting a new heart because of Jesus’ presence in his life.

“With Jesus by your side its much easier to live this life.”

“Sometime change is difficult but with faith my life has been changed for the better.”

“I want everyone to know that I am a follower of Jesus.”

Ezekiel

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language Chapter 36

I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God!

Because of this Terry had peace and he wants you too as well.

Philippians

The New International Version Chapter 4

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I believe that is one of the greatest desires God has for you today, that you would find peace. That you would find peace in this world and that you would be with Him in the next.

Romans

The New International Version Chapter 8

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s love will always be chasing us and there for us. Every single one of us.

John

The New International Version Chapter 14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4

Again this is for all people. This is a generous love.

John

The New International Version Chapter 14

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

God desires that all his children would come home....that they would trust in him

John

The New International Version Chapter 11

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

All are invited to be with him. All are invited to the great dance that will happen in heaven. I know Terry is there and he would like you to be as well.

Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer, 1979 The Burial of the Dead: Rite Two

I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.

Whoever has faith in me shall have life,

even though he die.

And everyone who has life,

and has committed himself to me in faith,

shall not die for ever.

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives

and that at the last he will stand upon the earth.

After my awaking, he will raise me up;

and in my body I shall see God.

I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him

who is my friend and not a stranger.

For none of us has life in himself,

and none becomes his own master when he dies.

For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord,

and if we die, we die in the Lord.

So, then, whether we live or die,

we are the Lord’s possession.

Happy from now on

are those who die in the Lord!

So it is, says the Spirit,

for they rest from their labors.

The New International Version Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk

through the darkest valley, a

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 overflows.

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Terry Miller my friend. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Listen to this song....