Funeral Sermon for Rose Ross

With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. Psalm 91:16

Funeral Sermon for Rose Philomene Ross, Bethel Lutheran Church, Ryley, AB, October 30, 2025, one o’clock by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, based on Psalm 91:14-16 and Matthew 5:14-16. 

Even though I never had the privilege of meeting Rose Philomene Ross, the first thing that comes to my mind, after learning about her from her family is the phrase “blessed to be a blessing.” Rose was blessed in so many ways, and her life, in turn, was a blessing for others. Indeed, Rose lived a long, happy, and useful life, she has put so much goodness, kindness, love and service for others into her years. 

Speaking of long life, the psalmist reassures us that God blesses us, and God blessed Rose with this promise: “I will be with them in trouble; I will rescue them and honour them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.”

I’m sure God was with Rose in troubled times, and enabled her to get through those troubled times by rescuing her from difficult situations. God honoured Rose too with a life filled with meaning and purpose in order that she could do all of the things she did that made such a difference in her family members lives and the lives of others too. God blessed Rose by giving her the gift of long life. Just as the older palm trees produce the best tasting dates; and just as old wine produces the best taste; so Rose’s long life was a productive one. The Lord gave her many, many years to be productive, and she was—working hard on the farm, in her home, and as the head housekeeper at Tofield Hospital. 

That brings us to our passage from the Gospel of Matthew, which is part of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. I’d like to share the way Eugene Peterson in The Message renders this passage. Jesus said: “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” 

During the course of Rose’s 100 years of life, she did shine. She offered her loved ones, friends, neighbours, and probably even strangers hospitality, kindness, a calmness bringing peace and strength in difficult times, she was a mentor for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren, offering words of wisdom and inspiration, and sharing special times with them, often over cookies she made along with tea. 

The words of verse 16 in the NRSV are spoken during baptisms, they instruct all baptized Christians to: Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Just as Jesus, in the Gospel of John says: “I am the light of the world” (8:12), as his followers through our baptism, we too are called to be lights in this world. The image that comes to mind is a sunset. You know if you’ve watched sunsets that right after the sun goes down, there is still a bit of an afterglow, rays of light. So in death we think of life’s afterglow. Every life leaves after life’s day is over some inspiration of goodness, beauty, truth, love and grace, that remains to comfort and sustain those with sorrowing hearts. So too, Rose’s long life afterglow will remain with you. So thanks be to God for giving Rose the gifts of: kindness, hospitality, a peaceful calmness, a strong work ethic, contentment, a servant heart, and most of all love. By God’s grace, may these gifts remain with you, so that you, like Rose, can let your light shine, and one day you’ll see her in her permanent home with the Lord. 

Funeral Sermon for Delores Bruce

Sermon for (Ardith) Delores Bruce by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, based on Ps 121 and Jn 14:1-6, December 18, 2023, Messiah Lutheran Church, Camrose, eleven o’clock.

Your loving Delores Bruce, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, family member, friend, neighbour and child of God, and so much more, has departed from this life; for her eternal home in heaven. All of you who knew and loved Delores shall certainly miss her. She meant so much to you, she inspired and influenced your lives in many ways. Her life made a difference in your lives. 

Delores loved and valued her family relationships. At least one of her children, if not all of them would phone Delores pretty much every day. That speaks volumes about her love for you and your love for her, the high quality relationship you were blessed to have with her. 

Speaking of love, Delores was also a person of faith, she knew, experienced and was most grateful for God’s love, that is why she could be a loving person, and remind others that God loves you. 

Whenever I visited her in the hospital; she always appreciated having a devotion time together where we would read from Scripture, share a brief meditation, thoughts, or reflections, and pray, and she also deeply appreciated receiving the sacrament of Holy Communion. Prior to going into the hospital, Delores was faithful in her church attendance at Skudesness Lutheran Church. So we give thanks to the LORD for Delores’s strong faith in God and God’s Word, and reliance on Christ for forgiveness of sins by participating in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. 

A favourite Bible passage of Delores’s was Psalm 121. It is a beautiful psalm of trust in God’s protection. It also has the superscription “A Song of Ascents.” So it is a pilgrim psalm, a travellers’ song that the ancient Israelites sang as they travelled to and from Jerusalem for the Jewish festivals. In biblical times, travelling could be dangerous, there were bandits who could beat and rob you, and there were wild animals that might attack you. So the psalmist confidently placed their trust in the LORD for a safe journey. So too Delores placed her trust in the LORD as she journeyed through life. Life has its ups and downs, its twists and turns, I’m sure, Delores had her share of ups and downs, her twists and turns, however as the psalmist assures us, and assured Delores: “My help comes from the LORD,” and, “The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time and forevermore.” 

Few psalms are so well-known as Psalm 121, mostly because it has been sung as a hymn for many generations. John Campbell, the Governor General of Canada from 1878-83, wrote the Canadian favourite, “Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes.” (Lutheran Book of Worship #445) The hymn was popular among Canadian soldiers during World War II. 

The message of Psalm 121 is simple and powerful: God watches over us as permanently as the mountains or hills mark the horizon. Verses 3-4 reflect the terror of a sleepless guard or soldier lest they doze while on watch at night. Unlike human guards and soldiers, who can and sometimes do get tired and fall asleep, God does not fall asleep. No, God always watches over us. As the psalmist affirms, “the LORD is your keeper.” I’m sure that Delores found comfort and peace in those words of promise that the LORD was her keeper in all of her ups and downs, twists and turns throughout her life. I hope and pray that all of you will too. 

That’s why in John 14:1-6, Jesus also gives us a wonderful promise. The promise is that those who believe in Jesus and in God the Father have a dwelling place waiting and prepared for them in the Father’s heavenly house. Why? because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life that leads us into our Father’s heavenly house. When Delores was in hospital, she was between homes. She realized that she required more care and could not return to her Hillside condo, she was approved for placement, however she was not able to move into a new home. Now she no longer needs a temporary, earthly home—she is in her eternal home. As we journey through this life and are away from our home for some time, such as when we go on a long holiday—when we arrive back home again, we often say: “There’s no place like home.” For Delores now her journey in this life is over. How much more, thanks to Jesus, she can say: “There’s no place like home,” since now she is in her perfect, eternal home with Jesus, her Lord and Saviour. 

There are many people who journey through life as lost souls because they do not believe in or know Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. If we believe in him like Delores did; then we can live with confidence that we know where we’re going and how to get there. We too shall eventually be able to say: “There’s no place like our eternal home with Jesus.” 

What a wonderful message of hope these words of Jesus are for us today! Hope for a better future for Delores—since now her suffering is over, and she is at peace. Hope for you and I—as we continue on in our Advent season’s journey of waiting and watching for, and being prepared for the coming of Jesus. Hope for us as we journey ahead and celebrate our Saviour’s birth. For he is our Immanuel—God with us now and always, just as he has promised us through his Word. 

So we give thanks to the LORD for Delores’s life; for all the good she was able to do; all the hope she gave you and others; all the love she shared with you thanks to the saving love and grace of Jesus Christ for her. For that, thanks be to God. Amen. 

Sermon for Kore Bohmer Funeral

Funeral Sermon for Kore Bohmer, by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, based on Psalms 91:14-16 & 92:12-15; Eph 3:14-21; Lk 23:39-43, on Friday, November 18, 2022, at Bawlf Lutheran Church. 

A loving husband and father, a kind-hearted friend and neighbour, an active and respected citizen in the community, and a faithful member of Bawlf Lutheran Church, Kore Bohmer, has left his long and full life-journey in this world for life eternal. You who knew and loved Kore shall certainly miss him. 

Kore lived a long and full life of 99 years. Thus in our scripture passages from the book of Psalms, we learn a couple of truths, which I believe resonate with the life of Kore. First, we learn that God shows his care for us by protecting us throughout our lives. Having lived for 99 years, God honoured Kore’s love of God and his faithfulness to God by protecting him and giving him a long life. One example of God protecting Kore was him riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle until he was in his mid-80s! Wow! Quite amazing, that he could benefit from God’s protection and ride his motorcycle in his senior years. 

The second truth we learn from the psalmist is that God promises to bless some folks with a healthy, active, productive, long life. God says: “With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.” And in Psalm 92: “The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. In old age they still produce fruit.” I think that word “satisfy” is a good description of Kore’s life. His life was a satisfying one in that he lived it to the fullest.

I also like the way the psalmist compares those in old age with the palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon. These are both very stately trees and can serve a variety of purposes. 

Indeed, the Syrians list over 360 uses for the palm. It can be twisted into ropes, used for thatch, it gives shade, is used to construct booths, and heralds an oasis from afar. Furthermore, some say that a palm tree bears its best fruit in old age. Dates growing on palms past one hundred years are said to be the best ever! 

The palm and cedar trees, being productive in old age, are living reminders that we humans need not feel useless, unproductive, or bored when we grow old. Rather, we can be productive as Kore was in his 99 years. Kore continued to be a loving parent to Brenda, encouraging her when she took over the farm, and helping her on the farm in his retirement years, and participating in community organizations and events, including sports, Boy Scouts and 4-H. Kore also served on Church Council, and did not like to miss attending worship services on Sundays. Speaking of serving, Kore’s life was, in numerous ways, an example of the line that we sang in our hymn, Christ, Be Our Light: “Let us be servants to one another, signs of your kingdom come.” 

As a person of faith, Kore liked to read the Christmas story aloud to his family every Christmas Eve. He was also proud of his biblical name, which in 2 Chronicles 31:14 refers to Kore as the son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the east gate, in Jerusalem, and was in charge of the freewill offerings of God.

Turning to our passage from Ephesians, which is a prayer for the faithful—the prayer emphasizes the blessings those who have faith in Christ are given, among these blessings and gifts are: “...being rooted and grounded in love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Just as a plant, in order to grow and be healthy and productive, needs to have a healthy root system; so too it is with us spiritually. Kore as a faithful follower of Jesus, was rooted and grounded in love. For his faith to be healthy and productive, Kore needed to be rooted and grounded in Christ’s love, which he received through his involvement in this congregation. Kore’s being rooted in Christ’s love, made it possible for him to share that love with his family, and members of Bawlf Lutheran, and members of the community. 

God’s love in Christ is all-inclusive, it reaches us in every area of life—that is why we are filled with all the fullness of God. We call it mercy—it is God’s forgiving love. We call it providence—it is God’s caring love. We call it kindness—it is God’s understanding love. We call it—Christ’s passion and death—it is God’s proven love. We call it happiness—it is God’s encouraging love. We call it the will of God—it is God’s unerring love. We call it heaven—it is God’s rewarding love. We call it eternity—it is God’s unending love. Insofar as we share this fullness of God’s love with others it becomes a real blessing to them as well as us—which, I believe was true for Kore in his life, as he inspired and influenced others in loving ways, he and they were blessed. 

Turning to our gospel passage from Luke, the fullness of God’s love in Jesus became a reality for that criminal crucified beside Jesus, when he said to him: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus, in love answered him with that wonderful promise: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

May we be inspired by the long, full and faithful life of Kore Bohmer. May we, like Kore, live healthy, active and productive lives as we grow older. May we be like the productive palm trees that produce the best fruit in old age. May we, like Kore, live life to the fullest, because God through Jesus has filled us with his love to share with others, and make a difference in the world and in the church. As we leave this world, may we, like the criminal on the cross pray: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”--trusting that Jesus will answer us with his promising, comforting words: “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

Funeral Sermon for John Bergstrom

Funeral Sermon for John Robert Albin Bergstrom, based on Ps 23 & Jn 14:1-6, by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, at Zion Lutheran Church, Bashaw, February 12, 2020, at one o’clock.

We are gathered here today to remember John Robert Albin Bergstrom; to mourn his loss; to support one another; and to give thanks for his life as well as commend him into God’s care.

    As I met with family members earlier this week to plan this Service, they chose our two Scripture readings from the twenty-third Psalm and John chapter fourteen.

    In Psalm 23, we find some very comforting words. Indeed, this psalm contains some of the most comforting words in the Bible—and I think that’s why so many people choose it to be read at Services like this one. God is pictured as a Good Shepherd, who knows, loves and cares for his sheep in every way. God is our provider of life and all of our needs; and God is like a shepherd bringing us comfort in times of suffering and trouble.

    As the family spoke of John’s life, one of the qualities that they mentioned was his strong work ethic, which gave him a passion for his calling in life as a farmer. In doing so, John was reflecting to his family and to others who knew him something of what God the Good Shepherd does for us as our provider. God is hard at work to provide for our needs throughout our lifetime—just as a real-life shepherd does for their sheep.

    The psalmist reassures us that: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and staff – they comfort me. We all know that for many years, and especially during the last while, John had dark valleys to walk through due to several health issues. Life was not easy for John. His valley likely at times tested him to the limits. Valleys that caused John to suffer from several limitations. Yet, through these valleys, John had a strong will to live and enjoyed life as much as possible, even with his limitations because of illnesses. It would be wrong however to blame God as the cause of inflicting these sufferings upon John. It would also be wrong to pass judgement on John by saying that he somehow brought it on himself. It would be more accurate to say that God allows suffering. He does this not because he’s a bully; not because he takes delight in causing people pain; not because he likes or enjoys punishing people. Rather, he allows suffering to draw us closer to him; to rely more upon him for endurance, strength and comfort. The psalmist says: for you are with me. Even in John’s darkest valley of suffering, God was with him. God was there to share the burden of his pain, his limitations, his frustrations, and discouragements. God the Good Shepherd was there to give him the ability to endure; God was there to strengthen and comfort him. God is also with us; now and always; at all times; in all circumstances.

    That is one reason why I especially like the ending of this Psalm. The psalmist writes: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The Hebrew word which is often translated into English as “follow” would be just as accurate if it were translated “pursue.” God is an active God—pursuing us, chasing after us, wanting us to have his goodness and mercy so much that he never gives up, making sure that he gives them to us. We will never be able to run away from God—he will always catch up to us.

    What I heard from the family about John’s life, I think that God did bless him in many ways with his goodness and mercy. God the Good Shepherd blessed John with many years of good health so that he could enjoy his work and providing for his family. God blessed John with his goodness and mercy through many loving relationships with his family members. He loved his family and showing up for his children and grandchildren’s activities, and spending quality time with them—which brings us to our passage from John’s Gospel.

    This passage gives us a comforting picture of Jesus’ promise to us. He tells us that for those who believe in God and in him: “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” In other words, there is lots of room, so much room that it is beyond our ability to even comprehend it on this side of heaven. The promise doesn’t end there however. Jesus goes on to say: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am there you may be also.”

    What a beautiful promise this is! As the old saying goes: “There’s no place like home.” Isn’t that true? Especially if we’ve been gone away from home for a long time—it is so good to be home. If you have been away from your spouse and family, isn’t great to have them welcome you back home? Picture it in your heart and mind: Jesus who is our way, truth and life, has gone ahead of us to heaven to prepare our eternal home. He has organized everything—all that we need for the whole of eternity is looked after. WOW! Isn’t that wonderful! What a gift—that’s why we call it God’s grace.

    As you know, John enjoyed being with family and friends. Think of how much he will enjoy meeting up with his friends and family who are already in heaven waiting for him. Perhaps he’s enjoying a good cup of coffee and visiting with them now. As the psalmist speaks of God’s abundance: “My cup overflows,” and, as John might say: “More is better.”

    So, too, my prayer for each of you here today is that you believe that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; that the LORD is your Shepherd; that one day you too, along with John may enjoy eternal life, in God’s dwelling place, where there is plenty of room for you, and more is better! For that, thanks be to God! Amen.

Funeral Sermon for Violet Boraas

Funeral Sermon for Violet Boraas, based on Ps 23 & Ps 46:1-7, by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, Burgar Funeral Chapel, Camrose, September 13, 2017, eleven o’clock.

A wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, neighbour, resident of Bethany Meadows Oak Cottage, and child of God, Violet Borass, has left this life for her eternal home in heaven. Life will not be the same without her, and you will miss her.

   God blessed Vi with 91 years, a long, full and content life. During those years she was able to inspire many of you and pass on to you her values of enjoying life, and loving her family, especially the large family gatherings; of loving God and going to church; of making things by embroidery work and knitting; of being generous to others sharing such things as her cooking and baking; of appreciating God’s creation and being able to work in the garden, pick berries, and do some canning; and going to Bingo as often as possible.

   During Vi’s time living at Oak Cottage Bethany Meadows, she was also able to enjoy life and be content as much as possible. She liked the music with Harold’s Band; she also enjoyed attending the Sunday Church Services and Wednesday Devotions in the chapel. Even toward the end, she made the effort to come. For her age, many of our staff and the residents were quite amazed how well she could scoot around in her wheelchair. In my conversations with Vi, I experienced her as a quiet person with few words and quite soft-spoken.    

   In Psalm 23 we have a beautiful picture of the LORD our Shepherd who provides for all of our needs throughout life and who protects us even as we face the darkest valley—death itself. Listen to the promise of God’s word: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.”

   According to tradition, the Valley of the Shadow of Death is a real place in Israel.

   It is a valley, or a mountain pass, that got its name from shepherds

because of it's steep sides and sheer rock walls.  But it was a pass that enabled the shepherds to lead their sheep from one mountain pasture to another. However it was a terrifying place for skittish, defenceless, fearful sheep: for in the steep cliffs on both sides of the valley there were numerous caves and rocks and crevices that were the perfect hiding place for animals of prey - and for people who meant harm to passing travellers. Sounds would echo and amplify in the valley, making it a terrifying place for sheep. The psalmist is saying that death can be a scary reality—yet, even at the most dangerous and scariest times of life we don’t have to fear because the LORD our Shepherd is with us. We are safe with Jesus. Notice the Psalm says the LORD walks through the valley with us; it is not a final destination. The LORD is with us, that is why we can walk through the valley of death. The LORD was with Vi too as she walked through her valley of death. Our Good Shepherd loves all his sheep; that’s why he leads us through death into heaven. So we take comfort in those words.

   Another picture we have of our God in Psalm 23 is that of a banquet host: “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.” Loving, caring, loyal wife, mother and grandmother that she was—I’m told that Vi loved to bake and to share her German dishes and prepare meals for her family and sitting down to enjoy eating them together. The picture in the psalm is that our God also loves to prepare a meal for us. The psalmist tells us that there was plenty to eat and drink at the meal. “My cup overflows” speaks of God’s generosity and abundance. Most likely Vi provided generous meals with an abundance for you too as a sign of her love and care for you. I’m sure that you found much joy and comfort at those meals in Vi’s home.

  In Psalm 46, the LORD our God the psalmist tells us is: “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Or as Martin Luther re-worded Psalm 46 in his most famous hymn: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” The confidence expressed in Psalm 46 may have been based on God’s protection of Jerusalem during the time when the powerful Assyrian army failed to capture the city around 701 B.C. More than the walls around the city, God was Jerusalem’s Mighty Fortress. Why? Because “The LORD of hosts is with us.” The LORD Immanuel—God with us. God who, in the vision of the psalmist sees a future filled with redemption of all creation when God’s kingdom will come and bring complete peace; the Shalom of God by making wars cease to the end of the earth; destroying all weapons of war.

   God was Vi’s Mighty Fortress, giving her 91 years to live a life filled with blessing upon blessing; giving her that peace which passes all understanding right up to the end. The LORD was Vi’s refuge, Vi’s fortress—protecting her from danger and harm and keeping her safe and secure. God was Vi’s Source of strength, making it possible to live a long and fruitful life. The LORD was Vi’s very present help in trouble so that when there were challenges and hardships, times of discouragement and disappointment, God was right there seeing Vi through them all, giving her the love, care and grace that she needed to endure and successfully carry on with living her life as best she could.

   So, as we remember Violet today may we too turn to the LORD our Shepherd; may we turn to God as our Refuge and Strength-our Fortress to provide for our needs; to guide us in our living; to protect us from danger, evil and harm; to give us faith to trust that whatever God gives us in life serves his purposes; to give us love and grace to share with others; to give us the hope of victory over death; that one day we too shall be reunited with our loved ones in heaven and see our LORD and Saviour face-to-face. Amen.  

Funeral Sermon for Paul McCann

Funeral Sermon for Paul Gerard McCann, by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, based on Ps 23; Eccles 3:1-8 & Jn 11:21-27, /Burgar Funeral Chapel, Camrose, September 17, 2016, ten o’clock.

A loving husband and father, brother, son, friend, neighbour, and child of God—Paul Gerard McCann, has passed from this life into life eternal. You, who knew and loved Paul dearly, shall certainly miss him. 

   For Paul and you, his family members, the last several years have been challenging. Alzheimer’s and dementia can be a cruel disease. A person who is struck with Alzheimer’s and dementia suffers from both physical and mental losses. Family members can feel rather helpless at times as they see their loved one suffering from these losses. Family members observe how their loved one changes as Alzheimer’s or dementia takes its course and robs them of their faculties; so they no longer are the person that they once were. They can forget so much, even the names of their family members as well as their own name. Past memories of their family history and their own life story disappear. The mind becomes more and more like fog, unable to think clearly. 

   They also lose their ability to talk and walk, and even eating and drinking can become a challenge. They can become totally dependent on others.  When death does come, it may be mixed with both sadness and a sense of relief. Sadness because you certainly shall miss your beloved Paul and your life will not be the same without him. Relief because now your Paul’s suffering is over. Relief also for those who place their faith in God—trusting that Paul is now in the loving, eternal presence of God.

   That is our hope for Paul. As a people of faith with trust in those wonderful words of the twenty-third Psalm: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” Notice that death is not a permanent existence. Rather, God our loving Shepherd walks us through death’s valley, we don’t stay in that valley of death forever. As a people of faith, we don’t have to be afraid of death because God our Shepherd is with us. If God is with us, then we can face anything in life, including death.

   So it is that we can affirm the truth of Ecclesiastes chapter three (which we heard sung by the Byrds). You see, the way that God puts order in our lives is through time. God is a God of order and not chaos. That is why God created a time for everything and everyone in life. There are stages of life that each one of us lives through.

   That is why for Paul there was a time to be born. For Paul there was a time for him to be a child, then a time to grow into a teenager, and from there a time to become an adult. There was a time for Paul to go to school, a time to leave school and go to work, and a time to meet and marry his wife Sandra. For Paul and for Sandy, there was a time to have children, Sean and Melanie, and a time to raise them. There were many times for Paul, Sandy and the children to enjoy each other’s company—to do things together. For Paul there was a time to support, be involved with, and encourage both Melanie and Sean in their various activities. For Paul there were many times to show his love for Sandy and the children, because family was important to him. Paul also spent time smiling at others and being kind and friendly towards them and offering to help them. In the words of faith, that is what we call spending time to love our neighbour, and in loving our neighbour we love God, because as one wise person of faith once said, God is as close as your neighbour. As time passed, there was a time for Paul to be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, a time to suffer, and a time to leave this life—which leads us to another truth of our faith that takes us beyond time, beyond death, into eternity.

   In our beautiful passage of John’s Gospel, that’s where we are taken, when Jesus speaks those words of promise to Martha who is sad and mourning the death of her brother Lazarus. Jesus surprises Martha with those wonderful words of promise: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” WOW! What a promise that is! A promise that is yours and mine through faith, thanks to the saving work of Jesus on the cross and through his resurrection. Do you believe this? I know I do, thanks to Jesus who gives me the gift of faith to believe it. I hope and pray that you do too.     

   So, for Paul Alzheimer’s disease is not the last word, nor does it have the ultimate victory over Paul. No! Rather, thanks be to God that Jesus, through his death on the cross and his resurrection have ultimately defeated Alzheimer’s disease and all other powers that work against God.  

   For Paul, there is a final victory over Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to Jesus who is the resurrection and the life, there is Life with a capital L, eternal life, abundant life for Paul now, thanks to the LORD his suffering is over. That is Paul’s hope! That is your hope and mine! Amen.   

Funeral Sermon for Elizabeth (Beth) Owen

A brief Sermon for Elizabeth (Beth) Owen, based on Ps 23 & Jn 14:1-3, by Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson, at Burgar Funeral Chapel, May 9, 2015.

As you know, there are many different kinds of death—for some, it comes too soon, for others, it may come in a tragic, unexpected way, for yet others, it may come after a long and full life and be a blessing when it comes. I would say that for Elizabeth—Beth—Mildred Own, death came in the latter way as a blessing after a long and full life.

   After over nine decades of a full and meaningful life, our LORD, who is like a loving and caring shepherd, called Beth to those heavenly green pastures and still waters of eternal peace. The twenty-third Psalm gives us a beautiful, comforting, and hope-filled message of who our God is and how he is at work in our lives. God, like a loving, caring shepherd is pictured as our provider, protector, and preserver of life.

   From what little I know about Beth’s life, I believe that the LORD was Beth’s shepherd in that he provided her with the basic necessities of life and more. God blessed Beth with a spouse, children, meaningful and rewarding work as a schoolteacher, and later as a librarian at the University of Alberta, and when the time came, grandchildren. As Beth’s protector, God most likely guided her through some difficult and challenging times. In the words of the Psalm: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” Notice that we do not stay in death’s valley rather, God our shepherd walks with us through it to the other side—life beyond this one, eternal life. God also preserved Beth’s life for over nine decades, and I’m sure showered many blessings upon her and her loved ones during her life-journey. Now, by God’s grace, Beth’s life will be preserved as she dwells in the LORD’s house forever.

   Beth, on her good days at Bethany Meadows Aspen Cottage was known by our staff as chatty and a gracious person. She was a super-mom with awesome children, her son Keith came to visit her pretty much every day. In her younger years, as was mentioned she was a schoolteacher, and then later a librarian. In her room at Aspen Cottage, she had a hand-ringing bell as a reminder of her teaching days. I’m sure as a teacher she was a positive influence on children. Her children and grandchildren have also attested to her positive, loving and caring influence on them.

   Along with teaching and work as a librarian, family, children and grandchildren were the priorities, loves and passions of Beth’s life. When I think of family, I also think of a home. A home is a place of love. What makes for a loving, caring home? Well, a loving, caring home is a place where family members are accepted unconditionally. It is a place where family members feel safe and can share of themselves at a very deep level without being rejected. A place where family members can be themselves, their true selves. A home is also a place of joy and celebration, marking the special landmarks and accomplishments of life.

   In our passage from John’s Gospel, Jesus gives all those who trust in and follow him a wonderful promise of our eternal home. He promises that he goes ahead of us to prepare a place for us in the heavenly home. This home is the perfect home. The best of what we experience in our earthly home shall be even greater in our heavenly home. A heavenly home where all are perfectly loved, cared for and welcome if we place our life in the hands of Jesus our loving Saviour and Messiah. As the old adage has it: “There’s no place like home.” There certainly is no place like our heavenly home! For that thanks be to God! Amen.