David Ireland Jr. Funeral

Play Song Before start:

Jeremy Camp-I still believe (Turn down the beginning of the song)

Welcome

On behalf of Dave, Peggy, Beth and Kristin I would like to thank you for joining us today as we pay tribute to the life of David Charles Ireland Sr.

Obituary:

David Charles Ireland, 47, of Winchester, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, September 23, 2021.  He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Frank Cappetta.  David worked as an IT Specialist at the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA.  Although a quiet person, he had a quick wit and the patience of Job.  David was a devoted sports fan to the Cleveland Indians, Browns and Cavs.  Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Dave and Peggy Ireland; siblings, Beth Cappetta and Kristin Ireland; and niece, Kaitlin Hudspeth (Trevor).

Prayer

Father,

It is at this time we ask that you quiet our spirits and help us to yield our hearts to your wisdom. Give the Ireland family grace during this hour and a deep sense of your presence and love. Comfort them during this service with your love that passes all understanding. In Jesus Name. Amen

Song:

I can only imagine-Mercy Me

Eulogy

I had the chance to sit with Dave, Peg and Kristen a few days ago and talk a bit about David and their wishes here today.

One of the questions I asked them was to describe David using some simple words. Their responses I think will paint a wonderful picture for you of the person that David was and the life that he lived.

David was a quiet person and yet could be very quick witted and enjoyed making people laugh. Even if that meant turning his prosthetic leg upside down to balance a can of soda or making a lamp out of his leg for a joke at the office Christmas Party.

He was also very patient, loyal and hardworking as his years working in IT at Salamander demonstrate. A job where much of his time was spent correcting operator error from others. Yet, he never lost his cool.

But, perhaps the most defining characteristic of David was his kind hearted generosity and his self sacrificing giving for others. Whether it was sacrificing his time driving a sports team around or buying laptops for missionaries David was always giving.

I’ll admit that I was not surprised to hear any of these adjectives used to describe David because I know his mom and dad and all of these adjectives could be used to describe them as well. It is obvious to me, Dave and eg, that David followed in the footsteps you layed out before him.

There is another word that you could use to describe David though, and that is the word fighter. David fought cancer and won, though the battled left him deeply scarred. Then, just recently David fought Covid-19 for four weeks in the ICU at the Winchester Medical Center and I’ll submit to you that he won that battle as well. Allow me a moment to explain to you what I mean when I said that he won his battle.

In the scriptures we read:

2 Timothy 4:7–9 NKJV

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 9 Be diligent to come to me quickly;

These words were penned by the Apostle Paul at the end of his life when he realized his battle was over. Paul had fought a good fight to spread the gospel, he had endured a long race full of hardship and was ready to receive his victors crown when he saw his Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.

When I say to you that David won his battle withCovid-19 I mean it in the same way that the Apostle Paul won his battle at the end of his life.

Covid is a terrible foe and yet it:

IT CANNOT CRIPPLE LOVE!

IT CANNOT SHATTER HOPE!

IT CANNOT CORRODE FAITH!

IT CANNOT EAT AWAY PEACE!

IT CANNOT SHUT OUT MEMORIES!

IT CANNOT SILENCE COURAGE!

IT CANNOT INVADE THE SOUL!

IT CAN’T REDUCE ETERNAL LIFE!

When David closed his eyes in death he opened them in heaven in the presence of his savior to receive his victors crown.

For the scriptures tell us in :

2 Corinthians 5:6–8 NKJV

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Today David is absent from his body yes but his soul is at home with the Lord and as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we can look forward to a time when soul and body will be reunited in Heaven for ever in perfection.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NKJV

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

We know that David is home with the Lord because he had a testimony of placing his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a young person. The end of our journey through life on earth if you are a Christian is to be with God forever. When we come to Christ in faith, confessing our sin and asking His forgiveness we are made members of the household of God, and our destiny is made secure through faith.

And, because of this, today is not a permanent goodbye, for we know you will see David again soon if the Lord is your savior like he was Davids.

Id like to leave with just two more brief thoughts if I may:

· Life is unpredictable.

1 Samuel 20:3 NKJV

3 Then David took an oath again, and said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”

· Life is brief. Our lives are like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

James 4:14 NKJV

14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Psalm 90:12 NKJV

12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

If you are not a believer in Christ, like David was, do not put off that decision for one more minute. Trust Christ today.

So you can here the words of our Lord say “Well, done and welcome home to live in the presence of your Lord.”

Closing Prayer:

Lord,

We turn to you today as our source of hope and strength. You are the giver of eternal life in the name of your son Jesus. Father, you know the grief that is in this room today. I pray you would give Joshua’s family and friends the comfort they need today and in the days ahead. Soothe their pain from this day forward as they continue life without David. We commit him to you today. Amen.

Song:

Welcome Home- Michael W.Smith