Funeral for Michele Huhn 5/16/22 (20 Minutes without the songs)

Philippians 2:1-4

----------------------------------------------------------- Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this earthly life. We thank you for the life of our sister in Christ, Elizabeth Michele Huhn,,, for the years you gave her and the character that you shaped in her. We thank you for her life, for every memory of love and joy, for every good deed and every sorrow shared with us. We thank you for the rest in Christ she now enjoys. We thank you for giving her to us for a time, and we praise you for the glory we shall share together for eternity. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen. ----------------------------------------------------------- Song: Monica - It Matters To the Master ------------------------------------------------------------- Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I hold the keys of hell and death. Because I live, you shall live also. ------------------------------------------------------------- Song: Dancing in the Sky - Shawn's iPad ------------------------------------------------------------- Elizabeth Michele Huhn, 53 of Sumrall, woke up in the arms of her Lord and Savior Friday morning, May 13, 2022. She was born April 7, 1969 in Hattiesburg, the oldest of four children to Elbert Lavon and Glenda Faye (Davis) Shoemake. She grew up in Mt. Olive where she enjoyed the small town, South Mississippi life. Michele enjoyed riding, playing outside with her siblings, and riding her bicycle, especially going up and down her daddy's equipment trailer. She attended Mt. Olive schools, graduating with the Class of 1987, and went on to Jones Junior College and earned an associates degree. Michele worked for a few years at Delchamps in Hattiesburg before going into advertising sales for Pine Belt Promos, where she worked for many years. She is remembered as a sweet, loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother. Michele was the quiet type that kept a lot of stuff to herself, primarily to avoid putting anything on anyone else's plate. She didn't want to bother anyone, but when she spoke, you knew exactly what was on her mind. She was determined, to say the least, the type that never gave up or quit on anything. Michele loved her family with all she had, and made sure they knew it. An avid animal lover, she placed them right behind her family on her list of priorities and you best not mess with them either. In addition, Michele was very good with arts and crafts, flowers and more. She had an eye for setting up events and gatherings of any type and size, planned and directed weddings, and much more. In her spare time, she absolutely loved going to the beach, and if she could get to Pensacola, FL, that is where you were likely to find her. Michele also enjoyed gardening and yes, SEC sports, particularly Mississippi State football. A Christian by faith and loving woman in all that she did, Michele will be so dearly missed by all whose life she touched. She was preceded by her father, Lavon Shoemake, her step-father Cecil Coulter, and her brother, Jason Shoemake. Left to cherish her memories are: her loving husband of over 14 years, Shawn Huhn; their daughter Monica Huhn; her mother, Glenda Coulter and her sisters, Pattie and her husband Chris Wheeler and Katie-Beth and her husband Adam Grimsley, with two nieces Kristin Wheeler and Merritt Grimsley, and one nephew, Tommy Wheeler. Michele leaves a legacy of one grandchild that she absolutely adored, Anna Claire Huhn, along with numerous extended family, friends, neighbors and clients over the years. ------------------------------------------------------------- We come together in grief this afternoon,,, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace,,, that in pain we may find comfort,,, in sorrow we find hope,,, and in death, we have the promise of resurrection. Prayer - Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father,,, As we come before you this afternoon,,, we thank you for our many blessings. At the same time,,, we ask for comfort for all of us,,, the family and friends gathered here today. Help us through this service this afternoon Lord as only You can,,, in Jesus' precious name we pray,,, Amen

------------------------------------------------------------- Song: Heaven Just Got Sweeter For You - Shawn's iPad ------------------------------------------------------------- Michele as I knew her,,, was someone that was always available to help in any way that she could. She was our go to person when it came time to decorating the church,,, and anything that she could help with,,, no matter where it was. She was always ready with a smile and a helping hand. She loved her animals,,, and they loved her,,, and so did all of us that knew her,,, and she will be dearly missed. I have to say though,,, Michele was usually late getting to church. And,,, I also have to say,,, so was I. When I would be coming down Seminary-Sumrall Road,,, as I came into sight of the intersection of Oakdale Church Road,,, I would be looking toward Sumrall to see if I recognized her car. If we met at the crossroads at Mills Store,,, whoever got the chance first,,, always tried to turn in to Oakdale Church Road ahead of the other so that they would get here first. Sometimes I made it first,,, and sometimes,,, she did. If I was late,,, I would text her sometimes,,, but usually after I got here and seen that she wasn't here. Any way,,, during the times that we didn't meet,,, and when I would get here first,,, whenever she would come in,,, if she was late,,, I'd say,,, well,,, we can start now,,, Michele is finally here. Well,,, I want you to know that as far as I know,,, when we raced to get here first,,, she never cheated,,, but I think she got a head start,,, and made it to heaven ahead of me. And I can almost guarantee that when I get there,,, she will be there to say,,, well,,, we can start now,,, Boyd is finally here! For the family,,, for Shawn,,, Monica,,, Glenda,,, all of you,,, the days ahead will not be easy. But you know that Michele would want you to remember the good times,,, and forget the bad,,, because that's the way that she was at all times. Doing anything that she could,,, to keep anyone else from hurting. The days ahead won't be easy,,, and they will take time,,, but eventually the good memories will keep coming to mind,,, and they will crowd out the bad,,, and then,,, once again,,, she will bring smiles to your faces,,, when you remember the good times that you had,,, and God will help you along the way,,, just trust Him,,, and follow His guidance through the journey that's ahead for each of you. ------------------------------------------------------------- The scripture for today is Philippians 2:1-4 and I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. These verses were chosen with Michele in mind as I prayed for the chosen scripture. Philippians 2:1–4 (HCSB) 1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this evening. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this afternoon,,, with all that are here today,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ----------------------------------------------------------- The "if" in verse 1 is not the “if” of doubt,,, but of argument. The verse lists four things to consider that should draw believers together in harmony and cooperation. Paul is basically saying,,, “Since there is so much encouragement in Christ,,, since His love has such a tremendous persuasiveness,,, since the Holy Spirit brings us all together in such a wonderful fellowship,,, and since there is so much tender affection and mercy in Christianity,,, we should all be able to get along in happy harmony with one another.” ----------------------------------------------------------- Then in verse 2 Paul tells the Philippians that if they agree,,, that they will fill his cup of joy and make it overflow,,, and they can do this by being like-minded,,, having the same love,,, and being of one accord and of one mind. Does this mean that all Christians are expected to think and act alike? No,,, we will never all have the same opinion and wants,,, but it does mean that we can differ in a way that is loving,,, instead of being hateful to each other,,, and where we can,,, we work together to obtain the goal that God wants us to obtain. The biggest thing is to be so like minded in Christ that we see things as He would see them,,, and respond as He would respond. So that all can see God's love shining out of us,,, as we do the work that He wants us to do. ----------------------------------------------------------- And we do all of this through our Christ-like attitude that Jesus taught us while He was here,,, by putting others first,,, and being sure that the interest of others is taken care of,,, not just our own. ----------------------------------------------------------- Well,,, I'm sure that Michele accomplished this,,, and gave us an example to live up to,,, going forward. And it's this example of living that will help all of us get through the rough days ahead,,, and also for the rest of our life here on earth. Thinking of others before ourselves,,, as Jesus did for us,,, will help us all to live the life of Christ that He commanded us to live. These verses were chosen to honor Michele for the selfless example that she set for us,,, and they should make us feel good about this day when we think of her,,, ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- But,,, I also know,,, that there is sorrow here today. Once sin was allowed into this world,,, life on earth doesn't last forever,,, but it doesn't end,,, this is not the end. She is alive forever more! And,,, for those of you that are Christians,,, we know that days like today aren't the end. They really should be a day of celebration,,, since her troubles on earth are over. But I know from experience that we don't really want our loved ones to leave us so I know there is always sadness associated with death. But it's a sadness that can be overtaken by the knowledge that our loved ones are at peace with Jesus now even though we miss them terribly. That's why a lot of times so much emphasis is put on the ones that are in attendance. And I'm sure that if she could get word back to us today,,, she would want us to be sure that we have made our commitment to Jesus Christ. We as Christians know that there is only one way to heaven and Jesus gives us the same road map that He gave Thomas,,, in John 14:6 where He says that “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Now,,, if you don't know Jesus,,, this may be hard to understand,,, but like Thomas,,, you just have to ask. In the verses before Jesus' answer,,, Thomas was telling Jesus that he didn't understand the way that Jesus was talking about(in John 14:5),,, and that's when Jesus gave Him these directions. So,,, as I said,,, you just have to ask,,, and really be sincere,,, and you will receive an answer through the Holy Spirit that you can understand. The Spirit will keep nudging you and guiding you into a right relationship with God that will give you the peace of God that will help you to get through any problem that this world throws at you! That's one of the most wonderful things about our Savior,,, is the fact that He is always trying to get our attention and make us realize that we need Him to fully have peace in this world today. God wants all to live in eternity in heaven with Him,,, but it's up to us to decide,,, no-one can make that decision for you. That's why that I know she would tell us today,,, to be sure that we are making the right choices. Choices that will change our life forever! Choices that usually we don't think about,,, but the loss of a loved one can make us realize that our time on earth is short. A choice that decides whether your eternity is spent in heaven or hell. She would tell you your choice should be,,, to put your trust in Jesus,,, confess your sins and ask for forgiveness,,, ask Him to come into your heart and live for Him,,, because it's only through Jesus that we will ever see heaven. Because Jesus said that: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." And that's all the directions,,, we should ever need! ----------------------------------------------------------- Let us pray: “Eternal God, we praise you for the great company of all those who have finished their course in faith and now rest from their labor. We praise you for those dear to us whom we name in our hearts before you. Especially we praise you today for Michele,,, whom you have graciously received into your presence. To all of these, grant your peace. Let perpetual light shine upon them; and help us to believe where we have not seen, that your presence may lead us through our years, and bring us at last with them into the joy of your home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------