Hank Winthrow Grave side Service

Opening with CD (3min)

Opening Remarks:

We have gathered this morning to celebrate the life of Hank Winthrow and also to commit him to the Lord.

Death is always a great loss for those who us who remain..and it is in times like this we need to we can find solace and comfort in the great promises found in the scriptures - One of them being that , “Lord is near to us.”

The psalmist David, tells us that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and he saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalms 34:18)

The prophet Isaiah tells us that when we go through deep waters, and troubles that he will be with us.. because he is the Lord your God.

Jesus made this promise AT HIS ASCENSION when He departed from his disciples - that he would send to them His Holy Spirit - the HS would BE with them and in them from the now into eternity.… As reminder that we are all pilgrims in this world…and death really isn’t final stop—

In John 11:25 “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’”

The Resurrection of Jesus give us great hope.. God has conquered death through His Son, Jesus Christ, and because of the resurrection a pathway has been made for all those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ.

Opening Prayer

Let's open in a word of prayer -

Dear Lord,

We come today to honor our loved one. We are gathered here today - not only to grieve the loss of HANK but to also give thanks to you for his life among us.

We are gathered here today -  not only to mourn over how different our lives will be without him, but to give thanks to you for how full life was when he was with us.

We have gathered here today - not only to consider the shortness and uncertainty of life on earth, but to give thanks to you for the gift of life and the gift of family and the gift of friendships.

Lord, we ask that you would comfort us this day as we come together to share love and sweet memories with one another.

In Jesus' name we pray,

Amen

TRANSITIONAL COMMENTS.

After speaking with the family this past week… and getting to know about Hank a little better… It seems as though Hank did not like a lot of fan fare and fuss… in fact even a service like this might seem a little excessive…

I love this reflection that has been written by Don and Sandy entitled “I am Hank and this is who I am.”

I am Hank and this is who I am

I am so very smart, but if you asked me to fix something I will say I don't know how, then later work diligently until I figure it out.

I love going out to eat with family and friends, especially to the taco truck, but somehow I always manage to forget my wallet.

I am very funny and thoroughly enjoy zapping people with my one liners.

I love to dress in all white when I go out with my friends; white hat, white shoes, and to tie it all together a very wrinkled white shirt, and I always know I am the best looking guy in the place.

My brother and I are very opposite, he can make an hour production out of a shower. I jump in, wash up, jump out, throw a giants hat on and I am good to go.

If I won a million dollars on Monday, I will have it all spent by Tuesday morning and I will always spend my last hundred dollars on the perfect gift for the people I love.

The convenience store is my favorite place to shop and I can easily spend a hundred dollars just on snacks for the day.

I am a very private person. I can talk to someone on the phone for an hour and if someone ask me who I was talking to I can never seem to recall.

I can debate sports all day long as long as it's about the giants, especially how there is NOTHING good about Brandon Belt.

When I was young I loved going to work with my dad at the ranch so I could play with my cousins as I grew older I realized going to the ranch meant I too was going to have to work which just really isn't my thing.

My job is at AT&T and although chances are I'm late most days I love my job and my crew.

My favorite thing to do is spend time on my truck. I can spend hours planing my next upgrade and making it happen.

I love my nephews more than anything else in this world.

I know I am a pain in the butt to my sister and Josh but they are truly two of my best friends.

I have an unexplainable bond with my brother Heath and cousin Jake and I always know that I will win at our battles of making fun of each other.

I could spend everyday watching the giants games with my dad and although I often don't listen to him I always hear him say "I love you."

I love my morning battles with my mom and although I know I will never win I will never quit trying, even if I know she's right. I have always counted on her in my toughest times knowing she was always my biggest fan.

My family loved me and were convinced they could fix me but it was too big. I am now free, I am free of pain, I am free of sorrow, I am finally free.

Message:

Even though I don’t know everyone in the Winthrow family… and I never met Hank … I do know the matriarch of the family- your mom and grandmother Nadine (and she is one special lady whom we love dearly) I have seen all the photos of your family and all the grandchildren.... and what I do know about this family truly are special family..

From a young boy Hank had amazing imagination playing on the ranch…tractors and equipment and his love for life continued in to his adult years… He loved life, He loved family, He took pride in his work, he loved His friends, loved food (by the way I am with him and the taco wagon).

The tribute has such positive tone… which is what we are going to remember...

Hank also had a life long struggle Diabetes since he was 15 years old… A challenge that he had to deal with everyday of his life - -One of the words that Sandy used the other day is the word REST… word rest implies that something is completed.. God rested on the seventh day.. sabbath..

The apostle Paul had parting words for his Timothy his son in the faith… He had finished the course… finished the race… and finishing well…

​2 Timothy 4:7–8 ESV I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

We celebrate that Hank finished well.. what remains is this rest…

There is this moment in Scripture at the time before accession when Jesus is taken from the disciples to the father.. That Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure… The question on every one of the disciples minds is this--- what’s next?… what happens now that He is Gone? How do we continue...

Jesus uses these amazing words…DO NOT BE TROUBLED!!

1. Jesus said "Let not your heart be troubled."

John 14:1 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

This was written as a mandate to the disciples.. “let your hearts not be troubled.” Jesus didn’t say, don’t grieve… me…

Rather the word “trouble” here means --- don’t let this overcome your faith.. don’t throw in the towel… Don’t give up… be encouraged.... in other word

As they moved forward in their own journey that they were to take heart.. And they were to Believe in God and trust in God… Keep believing… Because there is much more to this life that meets the eye..

… the credits might be playing on the screen but don’t get up so quickly… this is only begining..

Why should they not be troubled?

II. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place...

Keith Green wrote this song.

I Can’t wait to get to heaven..

You know, I look around at the world and I see all the beauty that God made. I see the forest and the trees and all the things. And says in the Bible that He made them is six days and I don't know if they're a literal six days or not.

Scientists would say no, some theologians would say yes. But I know that Jesus Christ has been preparing a home for me and for some of you, for two thousand years. And if the world took six days and that home two thousand years, hey man, this is like living in a garbage can compared to what's going on up there

John 14:2–3 ESV

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Something about Home.. You can go away on a trip… but there is nothing like driving into your own house… Heaven fits… this description.. Heaven is going to have a familiar feel to it…

Jesus gives them the assurance that he is going before them to prepare a place for them… He goes before them to prepare a place a home…

C. S. Lewis—“If we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a ‘wandering to find home,’ why should we not look forward to the arrival?”

There is room for each of us. A weary traveler’s most dreaded sign is NO VACANCY, but that is not true with our home in Heaven. There is always room in his house.

This speaks of God’s care for his own.

3. We receive comfort in knowing that we have a destination.

Thomas, upon hearing that Jesus was leaving, was anxious. He asked, “Lord, we do not know where you are going—how do we know the way?” And with three words Jesus told us about the destination, which will give us the comfort we need in days such as these. John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.…”

Announcement

The family would like to invite you to join them at the memorial Hall in Durham following this service.. Close this sermon with commital and Benediction and after the CD is played are dismissed.

Committal:

In the light of the promises God has given us in His Word and in as much as it has pleased the Lord in His sovereign wisdom and purpose to take from our midst one whom we have loved, we now commit Hank body to its final resting place there might be the recognition that You work all things together for good for those who love you; and that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints because death is the calling of a believer home and into God’s presence; that there might be a casting of our care upon you to find comfort in the knowledge of what death means to the our dear friend who is now with you; and that you would comfort and strengthen in the days ahead. Help the family and friends to rest and draw strength from you.These things we ask in the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords, even in Christ our Savior.

CLOSSING CD.