Funeral Sermon for Alma Bellagente

Funeral Sermon for Alma Ida Bellagente; based on Ps 23; Eccles 3:1-8; Jn 6:37-40; by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson; Unity Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, AB; August 24, 2013, 10:30 A.M.

A loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother; a loyal follower of Jesus; a dear friend, and kind neighbour, Alma, is no longer with us. Those who loved and knew Alma—especially her family—shall certainly miss her. She will continue to be loved and remembered for her, among other things: a deep Christian faith; inner strength; protector of children; love for her family; and hospitality and kindness towards others.

   Those who shared Alma’s companionship shall surely miss her. If she were able, I’m certain Alma would say thank you to her family and friends, and all those who came to know, love and care for her.

   Alma was a very courageous person—raising her five children as a single parent at a time when that was not the traditional thing to do. In that sense, she was a bit ahead of her time, a pioneer of sorts. I’m sure that at times life was difficult for her as she had to be responsible for all of her household duties and raising of the children, as well as be disciplined enough to study for and become an office manager. However Alma’s faith knew that she could depend on the LORD her Shepherd to look after her; provide for her needs and protect her; and be with her always—even as she walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Alma’s rock solid faith trusted that the LORD her Shepherd was leading her every step of the way.  

   Alma could face her death with confidence because she knew, like the writer of Ecclesiastes, that in God’s divine providence: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” For Alma there was a time to be born; to grow up and live her life to the fullest; and there was a time to die. She knew that every stage of life brought with it circumstances and experiences that she had to accept, learn from and live through. Alma, like the writer of Ecclesiastes was a wise and discerning person in many ways. Family members and friends I’m sure benefitted from her wise, discerning counsel. Her family shall always fondly remember Alma and be inspired by her strength and determination to overcome life’s obstacles.   

   In her wisdom and because of her deep faith, she knew how important it was to turn to God the Source. As Jesus promises in our gospel passage: “Anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.” Alma knew and trusted in that promise and I’m sure that with all of her heart she would love for you to trust and know that promise too, and act upon it. However, as Alma knew and trusted, the promise didn’t stop there. Jesus promises that it is the Father’s will: “that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”   

   For those of us who believe in the resurrection, sorrow is trumped by joy; death is trumped by life; grief is trumped by hope. And so we can joyfully sing our goodbyes to our loved one—trusting that they shall share in new, resurrection life with Jesus Christ the risen Lord and Saviour.  

   Alma loved music, she studied for and obtained her Grade 8 conservatory and played the piano. She loved to sing in the church choir too. As Alma’s chaplain, over the years, I came to realise that she especially loved music—both singing and dancing. Whenever musicians came to the Good Samaritan Society facility, Alma would like to attend and participate with great enthusiasm. Attending the weekly Hymn Sings was no exception. Alma seemed to be fully alive with great joy when she could sing her best loved hymns. In her years over at Cottage B, I would come weekly and have a Worship Service with the residents. I would bring along a box of percussion instruments to play. Alma just loved it, and she played with great relish a small drum. When she sang the familiar hymns, she would sing them most often by heart without the hymnbook.  

   “Abide With Me” was one of Alma’s all-time favourite hymns. And today we included it along with the others to help us sing our goodbyes to her. Actually all three of the hymns were chosen by Alma. “Abide With Me” was written by the Rev. Henry Francis Lyte, who served as minister in Brixham, Devon, England. In Brixham, every evening at six o’clock, the chimes of the Church there play Rev. Lyte’s hymn “Abide With Me,” as an evening blessing and prayer embracing all of the townsfolk. A prayer that has now come into fulfillment for Alma in a more complete way as her Saviour came to take her to himself and to her heavenly home.

   I’m sure that Alma will be smiling down upon us here today, and perhaps even singing or playing along with us in that place of her eternal rest. For we can take heart in those wonderful words of Jesus to his disciples and us—that we need not fear death or life beyond it if we place all of our trust and faith in God, like Alma did. Jesus has now called his faithful servant Alma Ida Bellagente to her eternal dwelling place—the Father’s house. Now her suffering and pain is over, she is at peace. There she can feel secure and live in eternal joy evermore singing, playing, and dancing in the presence of all the company of heaven—including her loved ones who have gone before her. One day, by God’s grace, we too shall join her in the heavenly choir, orchestra and dancing troupe. Amen.