Funeral Sermon for Alfred Nelson

Funeral Sermon for Alfred Nelson, based on Ps 23 & Jn 3:16; by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson; Pattison Funeral Chapel; July 31, 2014.

Alfred Lawrence Nelson, a father, grandfather, and child of God is no longer with us. After a long and full life of 93 years, Alfred became increasingly tired, and on the appointed day, last Sunday, God decided to give him rest, and let him pass peacefully from this life.

   Alfred, among other things, was a very curious, yet solitary person. He was a thinker-philosopher-sage; interested in what was going on in the world. He enjoyed engaging in deep conversations about such subjects as: philosophy, theology, history, politics and economics. He wished that more people would take a greater interest in what was going on in the world and work to try and solve the world’s problems.

   Alfred was something of a computer whiz too, even making his own programs. He was also a generous soul, making donations to a lot of charities. He helped seniors with their income tax, and treated others with respect.    

   Alfred had a very deep faith. On more than one occasion, he told me that he always believed in the divinity of Christ and that he is the Saviour of the world.  One of his deep desires was that his family members have this faith in the LORD too. Whenever I visited Alfred, he always appreciated taking time to read the Bible and have a brief devotion and prayer with him, as well as receiving the Lord’s Supper.  

   When I spoke with Alfred about his funeral service, he told me that “Abide With Me” was one of his favourite hymns. And so today we included it in this service. “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 been answered for Alfred in a more complete way as his Saviour came to take him to himself and to his permanent, heavenly home.

   I like the title of this hymn, because it affirms what the twenty-third Psalm and John 3:16 have to say regarding God’s abiding presence. Psalm 23 and John 3:16 were two of Alfred’s favourite Bible passages, which he chose for this funeral service. The hymn complements the two passages in that it underscores the divine presence throughout life as well as in the face of death.

   Speaking of music, the twenty-third Psalm, in addition to being the most popular Bible passage for scores of people, also has inspired many musicians over the centuries and even today to set the words of the psalm to music. So there are a wide variety of settings—everything from medieval plainchants, classical choral settings, to popular folk tunes, and, if one searched further, I wouldn’t be surprised to discover even rock and country renditions, and beyond. That reminds me of one occasion when I visited Alfred and happened to have a hymnal along with me, and offered to sing an Irish hymn setting of the psalm, titled, “The King of love my shepherd is,” perhaps some of you also know it and have sung it. At any rate, Alfred just loved it, and thanked me repeatedly for singing it, finding much comfort in the psalm’s reassuring words.

   Speaking of comfort, even though the original context of Psalm twenty-three was not likely that of a funeral service—nonetheless millions of people continue to choose it for funeral services because of its comforting message. God as a shepherd providing for the needs of his sheep; protecting them from danger and harm; leading them to safe places. Even when death draws near we do not have to fear any evil; since God our shepherd is with us leading us through the door of death. The psalmist’s hope was most likely not the absence of trouble, but rather in God’s protective, loving presence. So too for us. God does not promise to spare us from all kinds of trouble; rather he has promised to be with us always.

   That reminds me of the following wise words of Julian of Norwich, who on one occasion said: “God has not promised that you will never be tempted, troubled or distressed; but God has promised that you will never be overcome.”

   The last two verses of Psalm 23 shift the focus from God being like a shepherd to God a loving, generous host and perhaps even a chef who prepares and serves a banquet feast. In the LORD’s eternal home, the psalmist declares that he is in a perfect state of being: “Surely goodness and mercy shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

   What a wonderful promise that is from God; a promise made to Alfred; a promise also made to everyone here in this place. No matter what you might be feeling today—and not all of you may have the same feelings, since God created each one of us as a unique human being—no matter what you happen to be feeling, God will walk through it with you and love you in the midst of all your thoughts and feelings. Whether you have joyous memories, or anger, hurt, grief, even despair—God will walk with you if only you will let him.

   Why is this true? Because of the Good News of John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Martin Luther said so powerful is the promise in these words that it captures the whole message of the Gospel; it is the Gospel in miniature; summarizing the essence of who God is and what God is up to in this world and in your life and mine. The message is about God’s love. Love so great that there is enough of it for the whole world; for you and for me and everyone else. Love so generous, so superabundant that it never stops, never runs out, never ends! Alfred loved these words of John 3:16, and trusted in the truth of them. I hope, with the work of God the Holy Spirit, that you will be able to do the same. Amen.