Funeral for Wendy Smith

Introduction

Personal intro

Prayer

quick word about wendy

imtroduce Sue campion, sue tyler, Dave zarnesky

gospel

On behalf of the family of Wendy I’d like to say thank you for being here. As someone who interacts with families during these difficult times, I want to say to you that it is ok not to know what to say. Your presence here today shows your love and support for the family and when your words may not feel like enough, know that your presence is.

I was able to sit with Carl, Josh, and Haley over the last couple of days and get to know Wendy through them.

They shared with me her love and care for others. It was apparent as each of them spoke and shared about this wonderful woman that impacted there lives in such an amazing way she loved them and they loved her.

Wendy was born and raised in Bristol. Living her life in our wonderfully big-small town. Her and Carl met at a young age while working out at a gym.

After dating for many years and enjoying walks together they finally tied the knot in 1993.

When the children came along Wendy wanted to involved with their lives in every way she could. She worked at Ivy drive school for a while where she found great joy in serving the students there.

She created a loving environment at home with her own children that lead to an amazing relationship at every stage of life.

She never wanted to miss a game or dance competition, even if it was a 2 hour drive there and back and a long day.

Carl and Josh spoke about her being out going and willing to try things. They went on a kayaking trip one time however had to turn back because that got a little too crazy.

Wendy enjoyed the beach. It was her favorite place to go. Haley shared a story about them taking her out for mothers day. They went out to mystic and found a beautiful place to have breakfast. It was also a llittlle pricey to. Her having a great dad that took care of the check all the time, didn’t bring her wallet. Josh told her that this breakfast of about $85/plate +extras was on them. Josh covered for that day and Wendy was spoiled by her children.

Which is no surprise from what heard about the relationship she had with her children.

She was her childrens number one cheerleader. She as also the mom to any of their friends that were around.

Wendy was a woman with a big heart that loved to serve others and put them before herself.

Carl, Josh, Haley, from what you shared with me and from the testimony of the attendance of these people here today, it was apparent your wife, your mother, and as you both called her Wendy or Wen, was a wonderfully kind woman that had an amazing impact on many people.

As time goes on, tears will turn to laughter, and the memories will only grow more sweet.

Sue

David

Gospel

John 3:16 KJV 190016 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 3:23 KJV 190023 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 6:23 KJV 190023 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 19008 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 10:9 KJV 19009 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:13 KJV 190013 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Graveside

The passing of a loved one, a close friend, a family member is never an easy event.

Tears that fall are expressions of love.

Heavy hearts speak of how he will be missed.

Days like these are difficult.

And yet, days like these can be tools in the hand of a Sovereign God for good.

The Scriptures tell us in Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work togetehr for good to those who love God

God can take even days like today to make something good out of it.

We cannot do anything more for Wendy, she has left this earth and has gone into eternity.

But Wendy’s memorial service can be used for good. God can work it into something good.

You see, a memorial service like this can remind us of what is really important in life.

So often we get caught up in many, many things that are not really that important.

But the passing of a loved one can remind us of the shortness of life, it can remind us of the importance of loving and expressing our love to others while there is still time, it can remind us that this life is not the only life there is, there IS life in eternity.

When a memorial service like this one reminds us of these things God can make days like today into something good.

You see, I have never met anyone who was in their last chapter of life say, “I wish I had worked more overtime on the job.” I’ve never heard that.

I’ve never heard anyone who was close to eternity say, “I wish I spent more time on my phone or on my computer”

Never have I heard someone who was near to death say, “I sure wish I had watch more TV and movies.” I’ve never heard that.

But let me tell you what I have heard.

I have heard folks say, “I wish I had made things right with that family member who has been estranged from me for so long.”

I have heard folks say, “I wish I had said, ‘I love you’ more to those I love.

And I have heard folks who were near death say, “I wish I had been more faithful to the Lord.” and “I wish I had spent more time with my kids”

These are the kinds of things that people say and express when they are nearing eternity.

May I ask you today to let God make this memorial service into something good.

Would you consider examining your life and your priorities in light of eternity and would you consider making some adjustments so that when your time comes to leave this earth you have no regrets.

All of us will one day face this day.

In time, there will be a memorial service for each of us.

As you grieve over the passing of Wendy, as you remember her and your relationship to her, as we celebrate her life and remember her now in death, would you allow God to make this day into something good in your life.

The most valuable thing on planet earth is not gold and silver, it is not riches and wealth, it is not fame and power.

No, the most valuable thing in the entire world are people.

People.

People are more important than anything else that there is.

The Bible says, that God SO loved the people of the world, that He gave His one and only Son and that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried and was raised from the dead for people, for you and me.

God loves us that much!

The Bible says that God demonstrated His love for us in that even though we are sinners, Christ died for us.

That is the good news of the Gospel!

Jesus died as a substitute to pay for our sins so that we would not have to pay for them ourselves in torment for all eternity.

This day, this memorial service, this time of tears and heartache can be turned into something wonderful if this became the day that you put your trust for eternity and for the forgiveness of your sins in Jesus Christ.

Again, John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Won’t you decide today to believe in Jesus?

I’m praying that God would make this memorial service, this day of heaviness and tears into something wonderful in your lives.

I’m praying that if you need to be saved that you would choose Christ as your Savior.

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV 1900

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Would you bow your head for prayer please?

Lord, thank you for this time of reflection.

Thank you for the life of Wendy.

Thank you for these who have come out today to express their love for him and for one another.

Lord I pray that you will draw those to you who need your salvation and may this day, this memorial service be the tool you use.

Bless us Lord as we depart.

Help this family to draw closer together and close to you.

We ask this by Christ. Amen.