Sermon -- Christian Funeral for Nancy (nee: Prigge) Jumbeck

For the Funeral of Nancy (nee: Prigge) Jumbeck

(September 8, 1955 — September 17, 2026)

JOB 19:23-27

AS MY REDEEMER LIVES, SO SHALL I.

In the name + of Jesus.

      Nancy Jumbeck was a child of God.  She was baptized at St. John’s and confirmed here.  Although she moved to a new location, her heart remained focused on the Savior who was always with her.  Nancy turned to the word of God every day, and through that word, God blessed her and sustained her in the one, true faith.

     The final goal of every Christian is to enter the heavenly kingdom and to dwell with Jesus in eternal peace and glory.  We do not know when our Lord will transfer us from the kingdom of this world to the kingdom of glory.  It happens at God’s timing.  Although you may consider Nancy’s life to have been cut short in this world, it is not cut short in the kingdom of God.  Nancy has been delivered to the goal of her faith.  She lives with her Redeemer.

     The Patriarch Job made his confession about that Redeemer, too.  He said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the end of time he will stand over the dust.  Then, even after my skin has been destroyed, nevertheless, in my own flesh I will see God.  I myself will see him.  My own eyes will see him, and not as a stranger.  My emotions are in turmoil within me” (Job 19:25-27). 

     The Patriarch Job experienced more hardship than almost anyone in history.  In one day, he had lost all his flocks and herds, all his servants (except for the ones who had escaped to inform him), and all his ten children.  Shortly thereafter, Job suffered debilitating health, disease, and pain.  He went from a position of influence and respect to become an object of mockery and derision.  Yet, even though he was a mere shell of what he once was, he still confessed that he had a Redeemer.  He confessed that his Redeemer would deliver him to a resurrection of glory.  Though our bodies fail and die, the Redeemer will raise them up again to live forever.  Because my Redeemer lives, so shall I.

     No doubt, Nancy had better plans for herself.  She had served and fed many people, using her skills as a chef.  Ironically, this chef had an eating disorder.  As if that had not affected her body enough, she ended up with Parkinsons’ disease.  Although her sufferings were not as intense as Job’s, she knew hardship and pain.  But she also knew what Job knew: My Redeemer lives.  Because my Redeemer lives, so shall I.

     Nancy had a Redeemer; that means she needed to be redeemed.  I know you all loved her dearly, but our fondness for people is not what saves them.  Nancy was a sinner.  Maybe you remember times when that sinful nature revealed itself in sinful words or actions.  That is not how you choose to remember her, which is understandable.  Nevertheless, even if we overlook sins, the Lord does not.  He cannot.  “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23),  That is what brings us here.

     The Lord Jesus Christ did not overlook Nancy, either.  He is her Redeemer.  There was a cost to redeem her.  Jesus Christ came to take up all her sins, and he paid for them with his life.  The cost to win her a full pardon for all her sin—and yours, as well—was the life of the Son of God.  He gave himself in exchange for Nancy, for you, and for all.  When Nancy was baptized, she was washed clean of all sin.  The Lord wrapped her up in his own righteousness.  That is how God saw her all her life.  Jesus purchased and won her from sin, death, and the power of the devil. 

     As my Redeemer lives, so shall I!  The Redeemer declared Nancy Jumbeck to be a child of God.  Perhaps in these past years, she did not look like it.  Like Job, she was a shadow of her former self.  She suffered the effects of being a sinner in a sinful world.  Because of sin, bodies get frail, get diseased, and finally fail.  This is not how the Lord intended it to be.

     But the Lord Jesus has also addressed that.  The same Jesus who went into death to redeem Nancy Jumbeck has risen from his grave.  Jesus conquered death.  He lives and reigns forever.  And as Job confessed, so does every Christian: As my Redeemer lives, so shall I!  Listen again to Job's words: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the end of time he will stand over the dust.  Then, even after my skin has been destroyed, nevertheless, in my own flesh I will see God.  I myself will see him.  My own eyes will see him, and not as a stranger.  My emotions are in turmoil within me” (Job 19:25-27)  

     As my Redeemer lives, so shall I!  Like Job, Nancy is a child of the resurrection.  Jesus will not abandon us to our graves.  Death will hold us for a while, but Jesus will raise us up to live as he had always intended us to be.  He will raise Nancy from the dead—not someone like Nancy.  She will not become someone different.  God created her to be her.  God redeemed her to be her.  She will be Nancy, with a glorious, incorruptible flesh, with her personality and abilities not only restored, but perfected.  Jesus will raise her up with a body that will never get weak, tired, sick, or broken, nor will she ever sin or die.  That is what we all pray for.  That is what Jesus delivers.  As my Redeemer lives, so shall I! 

     The patriarch Job made this confession in his condition of disease, poverty, and misery.  He would not let the pain and sorrow of his life change his confession.  He wanted it permanently etched in stone.  There is no need for you to be any different.  Jesus, our Redeemer, lives, and he has the final word.  It is written in Jesus' blood, firmer than stone—because Jesus lives and reigns forever.  And as our Redeemer lives, so shall all who believe in him.  So Nancy's soul does now.  So her body will at the end.  And so shall it be forevermore.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Funeral for Kirsten Langfield (August 15, 2026)

+ Kirsten (nee: Kitchin) Langfield +

(January 22, 1965 – July 28, 2026)

THE RISEN SAVIOR GIVES US AN ENDURING HOPE.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

In the name + of Jesus.

      St. Paul speaks about hope.  Perhaps a funeral sounds like a strange place to talk about hope.  When Kirsty was diagnosed with cancer, there was hope that treatments would provide a cure.  You hoped that she could resume running 5K races, and Greg hoped that he would finally beat her.  As the cancer progressed, there was a hope that God would work a miracle.  When the doctor told you that her condition was not going to get better, you hoped to make one more trip to England and see family there one more time.  That hope was fulfilled, but then you came back here to await a hopeless situation.  Kirsty’s death could not be averted.  When death comes, hopes and dreams die with it.

     But St. Paul assures you today that there is an enduring hope even in the face of death.  He wrote to the Thessalonian Christians who had been misled about death and the resurrection of the dead.  They feared that their fellow Christians had somehow missed out on the resurrection and eternal life.  So, Paul assured them that their hope was not misplaced, nor had it failed.  He wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope.  Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). 

     The risen Savior gives you an enduring hope.  This hope, however, does not mean that it doesn’t hurt right now.  Your sorrow and grief are genuine and natural.  Death hurts.  It is cruel because it rips our loved ones from us.  Grief does not mean a lack of faith.  Nor does it destroy your hope.  St. Paul points you to Jesus “so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  The risen Savior gives you an enduring hope.

     Kirsty’s work in biochemistry and with life science companies served to improve people’s lives.  Her work may have extended the lives of some people.  But no amount of research or medicine has allowed anyone to elude death.  Kirsty’s death resulted from cancer.  If not for cancer, it could have come from a car accident or heart failure or old age.  But the root cause for every death is always the same: sin.  The Bible reminds us, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  While you will always remember Kirsty for her love of travel, for singing in the choir, and for the love she showed in caring for others—and you aren’t wrong—she was a sinner.  She, like all of us, did not live up to God’s commands.  Sin marks us all.  That is why death comes to us all.

     What hope is there in the face of death?  What hope do sinners have when we stand before God to answer for our lives?  Kirsty’s hope was not that she did more good than bad.  Your hope is not that, since you loved Kirsty, God must have shared your affection.  Rather, the only real hope anyone can have is in Jesus who came to deal with sin and death for us all. 

     In order to secure a full pardon for us, Jesus made himself accountable for all our guilt.  The wages of sin is death; therefore, Jesus laid down his life for us.  Jesus’ death is the payment for all our sin.  Jesus bore the punishment that sinners deserve.  Since Jesus has paid the price for all sins, we have an enduring hope at the final judgment.  We don’t need to bargain with God about how much we have done, tried to do, or wished we could have done.  You don’t need to present a resume to God and cross-your-fingers-hope that you are good enough for heaven.  The crucified and risen Savior assures us that our sins have been taken away from us.  This is our enduring hope.

     The Bible reminds us, “The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  That was applied to Kirsty when she was baptized in the name of Jesus.  There, Jesus clothed her in a garment of salvation.  There, Jesus marked Kirsty as a child of God.  And Kirsty continued to come to God’s house to be confirmed in God’s promises.  She came to this altar where she received the blood of Christ which bestows forgiveness and the body of Christ which has conquered death.  This is where Jesus gave her an enduring hope. 

     When Kirsty was seeking her green card to work in the US, she encountered many challenges.  There were limits in staffing, limits in office hours, and other frustrations.  But the green card was necessary if she were going to be gainfully and legally employed here.  There are also restrictions in entering heaven.  Jesus has removed one giant obstacle: He has taken away Kirsty’s sin.  But her body was still subject to death and the grave.  A sin-stained body cannot enter a sinless heaven. 

     The risen Savior gives you an enduring hope, even in death.  That’s because your crucified Savior is also your risen Savior.  Jesus’ resurrection proves his authority over the grave.  This authority serves Kirsty as well.  St. Paul wrote, “Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14).  Death does not get the last word.  On Judgment Day, Kirsty’s body will be raised in glory.  She will be raised with a body that is imperishable—it cannot die again, and incorruptible—it will not even get sick, weak, or frail.  The risen Savior gives you an enduring hope.  The grave has to give Kirsty back.  And if you cling to Jesus, you will be reunited with Kirsty and all the faithful.  This hope is backed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.  And since nothing can erase that, nothing can destroy this hope.

     St. Paul spelled out what the future will be when Jesus comes again.  “In fact, we tell you this by the word of the Lord: We who are alive and left until the coming of the Lord will certainly not go on ahead of those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them, to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). 

     So, you see, you have not lost Kirsty.  She dwells with the Lord in peace, comfort, and joy.  You may grieve for some time.  It will hit you at random times and for strange reasons.  But you do not have to grieve like people who have no hope.  The risen Savior gives you an enduring hope which not even death can overcome.  Jesus lives.  Kirsty does too.  “Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Funeral for Lucy Chrsitiensen (May 29, 2026)

Christian Funeral for Lucy Christiensen

+ November 28, 1929 – April 19, 2026 +

THE LORD IS MAKING ALL THINGS NEW.

REVELATION 21:1-5

In the name + of Jesus.

     Lucy Christiensen lived to be 96 years old.  That’s a long time.  She had experienced a lot over her nine decades of life.  Some of it was good.  No doubt, she counted the birth of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren among the best things she got to experience.  Other parts of it were not so good.  Although she was blessed with a marriage of 55 years, it came to a sad end when she had to bid farewell to her beloved Don.  She also saw the heart-breaking loss of a son-in-law, Floyd. 

     At one point in her life, Lucy enjoyed country dancing and throwing baseballs to her little friend, Bobby.  As time went by, she was reduced to a wheelchair.  It is something you might have expected when she hit her 90’s.  It may have been expected, but it is hard to watch people get old.  For that matter, it is hard to get old.  Lucy’s time on earth ended on April 19, 2026.  It also was somewhat expected, but it, too, is hard to see.

     The Bible reminds us of the reason why death comes to us all.  It says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  Whenever Lucy came to the chapel services at Pomeroy Living, we had a confession of sins: We are by nature sinners, and we prove it by our thoughts, words, and actions.  Lucy freely confessed that.  Sin is the reason death reigns in this world.  No one escapes death because no one is sinless.

     Our confession is an honest assessment of who we are.  Lucy was beloved by many, and you all have fond memories of her.  I am not here to tell you to forget them.  You love your loved one for a reason.  In the same way, you have a fondness for one another.  But I am willing to bet you’ve had your share of spats and fights over the years, too.  This happens with sinners.  Lucy was one of 13 siblings.  There is no way they lived perfect lives amongst each other.  Siblings prove their selfishness with fighting and rivalry.  So, rather than try to convince God that we are better than we are, we confess the truth: We are sinners.  The judgment against us is deserved.  The wages of sin is death.

     Lucy freely confessed it because her hope was not in herself.  Her hope was in her Savior, Jesus.  Jesus came into the world to restore everything that sin has corrupted.  Jesus has come to make all things new.  To do that, he had to take away the sin that has corrupted everything.

     Jesus made himself accountable for the sins of all people.  If Jesus bore our sin, he had to die; for the wages of sin is death.  Jesus was put to death on the cross.  Though he was innocent and holy, Jesus died the death of a sinner.  He received the punishment that sinners deserve—the wrath of God.  That is where your sins were dealt with.  Jesus suffered God’s damning judgment so that you would receive God’s blessed favor.  Jesus suffered divine punishment so that you would receive a divine pardon for all your sins.  That is where Lucy found her comfort, and it is the only place you will find yours, too.

     Jesus has taken away our sins, but we still see the reality of death.  That is because these bodies of ours are still stained by sin.  They get old.  They experience pain and frailty.  Eventually, they give out.  These bodies of ours are not eligible to enter the heavenly kingdom because nothing sinful can enter in.  So, Jesus is not done with Lucy yet.  The Lord will make all things new. 

     This body has been reduced to dust and ashes, but it will be raised up new.  St. Paul wrote, “The Lord Jesus Christ ... will transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).  The Savior who died to save us also rose from the dead.  Jesus lives forever, and death has no mastery over him.  In fact, Jesus has authority over death and the grave.  On the Last Day, Jesus will raise up all the dead and will judge all people.  Lucy, of course, knew what her judgment was already.  She is covered in Jesus’ innocence; for she was cleansed of all sin through her baptism.  In baptism, Lucy received a new status—child of God.  So, when Jesus raises up her body, it will be restored and renewed.  In fact, it will be made perfect.  And like Jesus’ risen body, she will never die again.  That’s because Jesus is making all things new.

     Lucy had told me many times that her favorite hymn is “In the Garden.”  She liked the idea of Jesus walking with her and talking with her.  The hymn retells the story of Mary Magdalene encountering Jesus immediately after his resurrection.  Jesus appeared to her in the garden where the empty tomb was.  In that garden, Jesus consoled Mary who thought that death had killed the Lord.  But Jesus lives, and he lives to comfort us in our sorrows.  Our Lord, however, does not tell us to find him in a garden.  He tells us to find him in his word and sacraments.  That is where Jesus delivers the benefits of his death and resurrection.  That is where Jesus comes to comfort, encourage, and sustain us in the Christian faith.  It is why Lucy came to our chapel services every week.  Lucy knew she needed it.  You need it, too, if you desire to enter the heavenly kingdom.

     Now, Lucy actually does walk and talk with Jesus.  And it is not a momentary visit.  It is an eternal conversation.  St. John tells us about the glories that await God’s people: “Look! God’s dwelling is with people.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people.  God himself will be with them, and he will be their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).  The former things are sin and sickness, pain and sorrow, guilt and grief, and every problem that we endure in this world.  But not in heaven.  All sin will be taken away.  All things will be made new.  The Lord will bring his redeemed to the perfect Paradise he has prepared for us.

     While Lucy’s body awaits the resurrection, her soul dwells with the Lord in peace and joy.  The joys of heaven will never get old.  The glories of heaven will never fade.  The peace of heaven will never be interrupted.  It is the kind of life that everyone longs for.  It is the life that Jesus Christ has won for us.  Lucy longed for it.  And now she has it.

     The one who was seated on the throne said to me, “‘Look, I am making everything new!’  He also said, ‘Write, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:5).  These words are trustworthy and true.  They are your hope in times of grief.  They are your confidence in the face of death.  They guarantee an eternity of peace and joy in the presence of a Savior who loved you enough to live for you, die for you, and conquer death for you.  Jesus loved Lucy-Goosey, too.  And now he tells her face-to-face. 

     Death will have an end.  Life will not.  The former things will pass away.  The goodness of God will remain.  Jesus will make all things new.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Funeral for Elaine Swartz Patton (January 23, 2026)

+ (Ruth) Elaine Swartz Patton +

September 13, 1932 – January 17, 2026

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WITH RESURRECTION HOPE.

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

In the name + of Jesus.

      At the death of a loved one, we look for different ways to cope and to find comfort.  One of the ways to cope with the death of your mother or grandmother is to tell stories and share memories.  Those memories are good.  They are why you loved her so much and why you will miss her so much.  But the memories also make this hard.  You don’t grieve over people you don’t know.  You grieve because the death of a loved one is final.  It puts an end to any more memories. 

     Another way you could cope with Elaine’s death is recognizing that her health was not very good over the past few years.  She was frustrated that her eyesight was pretty much gone.  She was not as vibrant as in past years.  Just because you knew that Elaine’s death was coming does not make it any easier.  People often console themselves by saying, “She went to a better place.”  But many don’t know where that place is, so how can they know it is any better?

     St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians who were grieving over their Christian family and friends who had died.  Somehow, they had gotten the idea that their loved ones missed out on the glory that God promised because they died before Jesus returned.  So, St. Paul wrote words to correct and to comfort them.  They are words for you to take to heart, too.  Encourage one another with resurrection hope.

     St. Paul begins, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  You will notice that Paul does not forbid you to grieve.  Death is painful.  It rips away those whom we love, and it leaves a wounded heart.  Death is not what God had intended for anyone when he created the world.  But once sin entered the world, death was the result. 

     The Bible declares, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  As much as you loved your mother or grandmother, it does not change the fact that she was a sinner.  As much as she loved you, it does not change the fact that you are sinners, too.  And since we are all sinners, death comes for us all.  Pretending it is not true is no way to cope with that, and it is certainly no way to escape it.

     Even though you grieve, you are not without hope.  You are not hopeless in the face of death, and you are not hopeless in regard to your sin.  Elaine and I got to visit with each other often.  She liked to hear the Scriptures read to her, to ponder what they said, and to partake in the sacrament of holy communion.  The reason is because in God’s word and sacraments, the Lord provides a remedy for sin and death.  It is not merely a way to cope with sin and death; it is how we are delivered from them.

     God’s word reveals God’s love for sinners.  St. Paul referred to that in his letter to the Thessalonians.  He wrote, “If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:14).  Jesus died because he took upon himself the sins of the world, including Elaine’s.  Since the wages of sin is death, Jesus died bearing the sins of Elaine and of us all.  Jesus took God’s curse so that he could deliver God’s blessing.  Jesus was sentenced for our guilt so that he could issue to us a full pardon for all our offenses against God.  Jesus endured death so that he could bestow upon us eternal life.

     Jesus died for our sins; then he rose from the dead.  This confirms that the payment for your sin has been made in full.  More than that, it shows that death does not get the last word.  Jesus has overcome death.  He rose from the dead not as a ghost, but with a glorified body that can never die again.  This is what Jesus grants to all who believe in him.  Jesus delivers us from sin and death.  Encourage one another with resurrection hope. 

     If you went to Jerusalem, you could visit the sites there where Jesus died and rose.  You could take selfies and post them on Facebook for everyone to see.  But you won’t find forgiveness there.  What Jesus won for you 2,000 years ago needs to be delivered to you now.  Jesus’ salvation was delivered to Elaine when she was baptized.  She was washed clean of all guilt and marked as a child of God.  The Lord strengthened her faith through his word.  She received the living body and blood of Jesus in holy communion.  This is how Jesus supplied to Elaine the benefits of his bloody cross and empty tomb.  This is how Jesus delivers them to you, too.  This is Jesus encourages you with resurrection hope.

     If you want to cope with Elaine’s death, our Lord gives you the hope you need.  Now, the way we use the word “hope” tends to leave us with some doubts about the future.  I am sure that Elaine hoped that she would be surrounded by dogs in the heavenly kingdom.  Will she?  I don’t know.  God’s word makes no specific promises about that.  However, since there would have been dogs in the Garden of Eden, and since the Garden of Eden was a perfect home for holy people, it is not ridiculous to hope that there will be dogs in heaven, but it is not a certainty.

     When we speak of the hope of the resurrection and the glories of heaven, we do have certainty because God’s promises are our hope.  It is not called a hope because God’s promises are in question; it is a hope because we haven’t received the fullness of them yet.  We have not entered the glories of heaven.  Well, now Elaine has.  I am sure that she hoped to be reunited with her beloved George.  What hope is there for that?  This is what the Lord says: “We believe that God will bring with (Jesus) those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  … And so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:14,17).  This is not a wish, but a promise.  And our Lord’s word is always sure.

     Encourage one another with resurrection hope.  Just as Jesus rose from the dead, so he will come again to raise up and restore Elaine to glory.  He will grant her a body that will never become frail, will never suffer pain, and will live forever.  This will endure much longer than any memories or stories.  As precious as those are, they don’t save her.  As endearing as those are, they don’t offer a comfort that overrules death.  Jesus does.  His promises remain firm when your world is shattered.  His grace to soothes you when your hearts are hurting.  Jesus lives and rules over all things, even death.  At his word, death must give Elaine Patton back so that she will live and rejoice with her beloved George and all who believe in Jesus.  “And so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).  Therefore, encourage one another with resurrection hope. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Christian Funeral for Jim Hobley (December 1, 2025)

Christian Funeral for

+ James Allan Hobley +

(February 10, 1938 - November 17, 2025)

PSALM 91

JAMES HOBLEY HAS AN INDESTRUCTIBLE REFUGE.

In the name + of Jesus.

    “One who lives in the shelter of the Most High will stay in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).  Jim Hobley knew a thing or two about shelters.  As a financial advisor, Jim knew something about tax shelters.  He could advise people how to protect their income so that they could keep as much of their earnings as possible.  Jim was not unethical, but smart.

     Jim also knew a thing or two about shelters when it came to camping.  He told me a story about a Spring canoe trip at the Rifle River Recreational Area.  After a day of paddling, he set up the tent for the night for himself and his kids.  Apparently, winter had not give up yet.  He woke up to a tent sagging down to his face because of the weight of the snow on it.  But the shelter was enough, and that canoe trip continued.

     Jim Hobley knew a thing or two about a shelter in the Lord.  He could repeat with the Psalmist: “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:2).  He was a regular attender in God’s house and served in many ways for the church.  When he was no longer able to come, he welcomed every visit where he heard God’s promises and feasted on the holy sacrament.  He sought shelter in God’s mercy.  He confessed that Jesus Christ was his refuge—or I should say, Jesus Christ is his refuge.  It would be incorrect to say that James Hobley had an indestructible refuge in Jesus.  If it was something he had, then either he no longer has it, or it was able to be destroyed.  But James Hobley has an indestructible refuge in Jesus, and even death cannot destroy it.

     When we need safety and security, we seek a refuge.  We seek refuge from the winter in heated homes.  Our cars provide a refuge in case of an accident with seat belts and air bags.  Without a shelter or a refuge, we expose ourselves to danger.  The danger we all face is sin and death.  Sin earns God’s judgment.  We can try to take refuge in excuses, but they are as flimsy as the fig leaves Adam and Eve tried to cover up with.  The Bible reminds us, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  Jim Hobley died because he was a sinful human being.  He did not make excuses for it; he confessed it.  You, too, will die because you are a sinful human being.  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

     Far worse than the physical death we all face is the eternal death that results from sin.  No matter how much we might try to convince ourselves that we are good people, God’s Law exposes us.  Who does not have fits of anger?  Who is not jealous over someone else’s blessings? Who does not become angry with God when life gets hard, or even hate God when his word condemns us for doing things we like?  Defiance of God and of his word brings down a curse on us—an eternal sentence in which we are cast away from the God who is the source of life and goodness and blessing.

     What a marvel, then, that God himself provides a refuge so that we will not be destroyed by that judgment!  James Hobley has an indestructible refuge, and he would want you to know about it so that you can take refuge in it as well.

     The Psalmist wrote, “Yes, you, Lord, are my refuge!  If you make the Most High your shelter, evil will not overtake you.  Disaster will not come near your tent” (Psalm 91:9-10).  The refuge that our Lord provides is found in Jesus Christ.  Whoever believes in Jesus and is baptized into his name receives an indestructible refuge.  That is because Jesus came to take the blows for us.  He is like a castle against which cannon balls are lobbed.  They pound and pound at the castle, but those who are inside remain safe.  So, Jesus took up the sins of the world and put himself under the judgment of the heavenly Father.  Since Jesus bore our guilt, he was treated as the guilty one.  He took all the blows of the damning judgment at the cross.  Those who take refuge in Jesus remain safe and secure.  Evil will not overtake you.  Eternal disaster will not come near your tent.  Like Jim, you have an indestructible refuge in Jesus.

     Jim always enjoyed a good story.  He would often tell me about the books he read.  He seemed to like action most of all.  It is no wonder, then, that he liked to hear from the Bible.  For the Bible tells about the action that our Lord took to deliver us from sin and death.  The Psalmist describes it: “You will tread on the lion and the cobra.  You will trample the young lion and the serpent” (Psalm 91:13). 

     The devil, in the form of a serpent, had lured mankind into rebellion against God.  That sin infects us all.  But as soon as sin entered the world, God gave a gracious promise: “The Lord God said to the serpent: …I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed.  He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel” (Genesis 3:14-15). 

     Jesus is the seed of the woman who let the serpent strike him which resulted in Jesus’ death.  But Jesus rose from the dead.  He crushed the serpent underfoot.  When you crush the head of a serpent, you render it powerless.  The work of the devil is undone.  Now Jesus has authority over death and the grave.  Even in death, James Hobley is sheltered in Jesus’ care.  For, Jesus will come again and raise up these ashes to become a glorious, incorruptible body.  No longer will Jim have a mind that has slipped from what it once was.  Rather, he will be perfect in knowledge, in body, and in spirit. 

     James Hobley has an indestructible refuge in Jesus.  To repeat the words of the Psalm: “You will tread on the lion and the cobra.  You will trample the young lion and the serpent” (Psalm 91:13).  The devil is described as a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  But Jesus would not let this roaring lion harm Jim at all.  Whatever accusations the devil may have lobbed at Jim have been emptied of any value.  Jesus has acquitted him of every accusation.  Jim’s refuge is Jesus who protects him from every evil forevermore.

     The Lord never asked Jim Hobley to outsmart or outmuscle sin, death, and the devil.  That’s what Jesus did for him.  In his last years, Jim’s strength faded, but God’s promises stood strong.  Jim’s mind had slipped, but God was ever-mindful of him.  The words of the Psalm remain true: “With his feathers he will cover you, and under his wings you will find refuge.  His truth will be your shield and armor” (Psalm 91:4).  James Hobley has an indestructible refuge in Jesus.  The angels who watched over Jim throughout his life have taken him to Jesus’ side.  And when Jesus comes again, he will raise him up to life everlasting, forever free from weakness, sickness, and sadness.  The Savior who could not be destroyed by death lives and remains Jim’s eternal refuge.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Funeral for Cheryl Ann Crenshaw (September 19, 2025)

Christian Funeral for 

+ Cheryl Ann (nee: Edwards) Crenshaw +

November 6, 1948 – September 10, 2025

1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-58

DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.

In the name + of Jesus.

    I was listening to the radio in my car the other day, and I heard it reported that the first death by West Nile Virus was confirmed in Michigan.  If it was the first such death and it is already September, that’s pretty rare.  The fact that I could say, “I know who that was,” is even more rare.  For over a week, you were hoping for better test results and for a happier outcome.  We said prayers for her recovery.  We asked for healing so that she could return home.  We committed her to the Lord’s care. 

     It may not have looked like it, but Cheryl Crenshaw was in the Lord’s care the whole time.  Psalm 139 says, “In your book all of them were written.  Days were determined, before any of them existed” (Psalm 139:16).  It may have been rare that the Lord used West Nile Virus to mark the end of Cheryl’s time on earth, but the Lord had this date marked out from the very beginning.  The Lord had never lost control.  Although you may not be happy about the outcome of her stay at the hospital, Cheryl Crenshaw is enjoying the most blessed outcome every Christian hopes for—life in everlasting glory.

     From our side of heaven, it does not look glorious.  How could it?  Death seems to have claimed victory because it has claimed a loved one.  In fact, death seems to have taunted Cheryl and boasted of victory for a long time.  Death claimed her beloved, Bob, some 26 years ago.  Death claimed an infant son from her even before that.  And although Cheryl’s various ailments and health concerns did not result in death, they were a continual reminder that bodies fail and death awaits us all.   

     Everyone knows that all people will die.  No one gets out of this world alive.  Cheryl’s death certificate may say something related to West Nile Virus, but the Bible tells us why all people die.  “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  Not everyone gets West Nile Virus, but everyone is a sinner.  Since everyone is a sinner, and since death comes as a result of sin, death claims victory over all of us. 

     Or so it seems.

     “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57)!  God the Father has had mercy upon us in our sinful condition and sent his Son to rescue us from the tyranny of death.  Our joy is not merely that Jesus Christ wins us eternal life, but that he brings to us the resurrection from the dead.

     If Jesus had come just to give us eternal life and we would go on living forever in this world, just imagine the sorrows and pains that we would endure without end!  How many wars, how many natural disasters, how many pandemics, how many injuries, how many doctor’s appointments would we have to live through?  So, Jesus does not just clear out the hospitals from time to time, sending people home only to become more weary and more frustrated over a world that never gets better.  The Lord loves you too much to let you go on and on with life in a sin-corrupted world.

     God the Father sent Jesus Christ to swallow up death in victory.  To do that, Jesus had to take away our sin.  He bore our sin in his body when he went to the cross.  There, he absorbed the curse for all of it.  Since Jesus has taken your curse and died for your sin, he has rescued you from its condemnation.  Cheryl Crenshaw stood before God in judgment when she left this world, but the Lord had already told her what her judgment would be: “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).  Having been baptized into Christ, Cheryl already died once.  Sin was put to death in her, and God raised her up a saint.  She was purified and clothed in Jesus’ righteousness.  She may not have known when her last day would be, but she did know what her future was because Jesus secured it for her.  Death has been swallowed up in victory, and life eternal is the prize.

     Although Cheryl’s baptism gave her the status of a saint, her body was not quite there yet.  These bodies of ours are still corrupted.  With Cheryl, that was evidenced by her getting tired, walking with a cane, and contracting a virus.  But the Savior shows us that neither sin nor death has the last word.  Jesus went into death in order to put an end to its rule over us.  Jesus was laid in a grave with a body that was bruised, beaten, flogged, and pierced.  It could not have been pretty.  Jesus let the grave swallow him so that he could destroy it from the inside out.  Jesus burst forth and swallowed death in victory.  When Jesus rose from the dead, he came with a body that was glorified.  His mortal body was raised immortal—forever victorious over death and decay.  Jesus did not merely overcome death; now he owns it.

     This is the victory Jesus won for Cheryl and for all who believe and are baptized.  This body, which has been reduced to dust and ashes, will be restored at the resurrection.  On that day, it will return in glory.  As St. Paul wrote, “Once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54).  Cheryl will not only have eternal life, she will have a risen body that will be imperishable.  It will never get sick or grow frail.  She will have a risen body that will be immortal.  She will never die again, for she has a living Savior who promises that she will live with him.  He has swallowed up death in victory.

     Maybe it seems like death mocks us and taunts us, but Jesus has turned the tables on death.  Now we get to mock death and taunt the grave: “Death, where is your sting?  Grave, where is your victory” (1 Corinthians 15:55)?  Grave, do you boast that you hold Cheryl’s ashes?  Go ahead.  We will get them back.  Death, do you think you have won a victory?  You are nothing but the door to heavenly glory.  For all who live in Christ live forever.  Here, we live in weakness; there, we live in glory.  “Death, where is your sting?  Grave, where is your victory” (1 Corinthians 15:55)?  In the end, you get nothing.  The victory belongs to Jesus Christ and all those who are his.

     Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Whatever weaknesses Cheryl had to endure are over.  Whatever sorrows she faced have passed.  Whatever struggles she knew she does not have to deal with anymore.  Her anxieties are done.  Now there is only peace and joy and rest.  And soon comes the resurrection where she will be risen, rejuvenated, and restored, body and soul, to live in the new heavens and the new earth where all things are new.  “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57)! 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Christian Funeral for John Melchior Vogeli V (August 2, 2025)

This sermon was preached at Harry J. Will Funeral Home in Livonia.  John received Christian burial at Glen Eden Lutheran Cemetery in Livonia.

His obituary can be found here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/livonia-mi/john-vogeli-12467243

Christian Funeral for John Melchior Vogeli V

July 3, 1949 – July 27, 2025

PSALM 84

JOHN HAS RECEIVED A LOVELY DWELLING PLACE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     I only got to know John Vogeli over the past few years at StoryPoint.  Obviously, those were not his best years.  I remember John showing me a drawing he had made.  It was an image for the upcoming Sunday of the Church year, including its Latin name.  That’s not what people usually draw in their spare time.  Right away, I concluded, “This guy likes church!”  I was not wrong.  His confession fits with the Psalm: “How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!  My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:1-2).  And now John has received a lovely dwelling place.

     John got to enjoy a number of dwelling places throughout his life.  He was born on July 3, 1949 in Libertyville, Illinois, but Michigan was home for most of his life.  His parents saw to it that he was born again through holy baptism.  He was marked as a child of God.  He received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which means that the Holy Spirit made his dwelling in John.  He lived with the blessing cited in Psalm 84, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion” (Psalm 84:5).

     John lived and worked in various places—from college at Concordia in Ann Arbor to the train yards of Pontiac, Hamtramck, and Flat Rock.  No doubt, John was especially fond of his dwelling place with Janice, wherever that happened to be.  Jan, you got to enjoy 56 years of marriage together.  It is more than most people get.  And God blessed that union with children and grandchildren.  God be praised for all of that!

     When John was confirmed, the pastor blessed him with this Scripture verse: “Jesus (said), ‘If anyone loves me, he will hold on to my word.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him’” (John 14:23).  The Lord made John his dwelling place throughout his life.  John’s love for God and his word was undeniable.  As I had mentioned, John liked church.  He served in many capacities—playing piano for the elderly, singing in the choir, serving as an usher, and too many more to mention.  Of course, the main thing is not that John served his Lord.  The main thing is that the Lord served him.

     John concurred with the Psalmist: “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:2).  Why did it matter that much?  Because John recognized his need for a Savior.  I never found John to be insulting, rude, perverse, or given to anger.  Of course, the only times I ever spoke with John was in connection with chapels or devotions.  People tend to behave at church.  But John never hesitated to confess his sins in our services.  He knew that all people are sinners, and he knew it was true of him.  I am sure that you choose to remember the good times and his godly examples.  But, Jan, I am willing to bet that you could recall a few times where John proved he was a sinner.  His death is evidence that he was a sinner; for “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  John knew it.  He confessed it.  And that is why his soul longed, yes, fainted for the courts of the Lord. 

     John yearned for God’s lovely dwelling place.  “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (Psalm 84:11-12)!  The Lord God is a sun, and he has shone the light of his love upon John.  God’s love is made known by his Son who was sent to redeem sinners.  God does not want sinners evicted from his mercies; he wants all to dwell in his kingdom.  So, Jesus Christ came to take away the sins of the world.

     The Lord God is a shield.  Jesus shielded John from the Father’s wrath by taking the blow for him.  At the cross, Jesus was forsaken by his Father so that John would not be forsaken in life or in death.  Jesus bore the curse so that John would have the Father’s blessing.  Jesus died in shame so that John could live in glory.  Through Jesus, the Lord bestowed favor and honor upon John.  He did not withhold from John any good thing, but poured out his mercy, grace, forgiveness, and peace.  John yearned for God’s dwelling place where he received the benefits of Jesus’ saving work.  John was absolved of his sins.  He was comforted by God’s promises.  He was strengthened and kept in the true faith by holy communion.  And now John has received a lovely dwelling place in heavenly mansions; for he is a child of God.

     The Psalmist proclaims, “A day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10).  Our Lord gave John over 27,000 days on earth.  No matter how great the blessings were here, he is being given so much more and so much better.  Today, it may look like death has won, but that is not true.  Jesus Christ, who shielded John from God’s wrath by his death, has conquered death.  Jesus lives.  Jesus holds authority over death and the grave.  And soon Jesus, who clothed John in garments of salvation, will raise him up to be clothed in glory.  All those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will be awakened on the Last Day with glorified and perfected bodies.  That means John will be forever free from the earaches, the lame feet, and any other weaknesses he had.  You will get him back not for a paltry 27,000 days, but forever.  John receives a lovely dwelling place, a new heaven and a new earth.  By clinging to Christ and to his promises, you will join him there.

     “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise” (Psalm 84:4)!  John loved singing God’s praises.  How much greater the song and how much more joyous the celebration as he joins with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven!  Our songs may be muffled by tears today, but we still sing with confidence because of our hope.  It is the same as John’s hope for a lovely dwelling place, and it is a hope that will not be disappointed.  Jesus Christ has secured it. 

     John loved his wife, Jan.  John loved his sons, John, Michael, and Andrew.  John loved his daughters-in-law.  John loved his grandchildren.  You all know that better than I do.  What I remember about John is this: This guy loved church.  What brought us both comfort is this: Jesus loves and saves sinners.  Because of that, we will receive a lovely—and an eternal—dwelling place.  “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (Psalm 84:4)!  John is so blessed.  John is at peace.  And, no doubt, he is singing.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Funeral for David Rumics (July 7, 2025)

Christian Funeral for

+ David John Rumics +

May 12, 1946 – June 19, 2025

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

DAVID RUMICS HAD AN INDESTRUCTABLE HOPE.

In the name + of Jesus.

    David Rumics had a positive attitude and a good sense of humor, but he did not live under the illusion that life is always good.  He was grateful for his many blessings, but he also endured his share of hardships.  When he had to deal with heart surgery some years ago, and again, when diminished health had him walking with a walker or a cane, he endured the realities of an imperfect world.  Worse, when Jon died from cancer, Diane, you and David both had to endure the pains of watching him suffer and then bidding farewell.  So, David knew his share of grief.  Despite the grief, David always had hope.

     Grief comes from what sin has brought into the world.  Whether it is a failed relationship, struggles with health, bouts of doubt or guilt, or the finality of death, it all comes because we are sinners living in a sinful world.  Some griefs are the result of our own sins; other griefs come because of the sinful world we live in.  Sin not only produces grief, it brings death.  David was a sinner in a sinful world.  We are all sinners; therefore, we are all marked for death.

     Hope, on the other hand, comes from outside of us.  It has to if it is going to endure.  Hope that is based on our wishes can be easily destroyed.  You can hope for the best in life, but that is a wish—and such hopes are often dashed.  Hope that comes from the Lord, however, will never be dashed.  In fact, hope that comes from God is indestructible.  David Rumics had an indestructible hope; and so do you.

     St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica who had feared that those who died in the faith lost out on the glories that we hope for.  This misunderstanding produced a great deal of grief for those who mourned for their dead.  St. Paul corrected their beliefs and gave them an indestructible hope.  He wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope.  Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).  Although grief comes because of sin and death, the hope that we have remains.  Hope from the Lord cannot be destroyed, even by death.

     David Rumics was baptized into this indestructible hope when he was a little boy.  Through baptism, God made a covenant with him.  It was a one-sided covenant.  God made the promise; David received its benefit—the hope of everlasting life.  David’s life as a child of God began then, and it continued through his whole life.  From going to St. Joseph Catholic High School, to attending Lutheran churches with his wife and children, even to partaking in the Lord’s Supper at Good Shepherd on the Sunday before he died, David was sustained and strengthened in the Christian faith.  In fact, David’s life as a child of God has not ended, and it never will.  David Rumics had an indestructible hope, and not even death can end it.

     This is the hope that comforts you through your grief.  St. Paul did not suggest that Christians will not grieve.  He said that you do not need to “grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  Your hope remains.  It is indestructible because it is based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are historical events, not fanciful stories.  That is why your hope is not wishful thinking.  We don’t imagine that David has gone to some nebulous “better place.”  He has gone to be with Jesus—the Savior into whom he as baptized; the Savior who suffered to take away the sins which would have condemned him; the Savior who died and bore God’s curse for him; the Savior who overcame death and now holds the power over the grave.  The Savior who came for David Rumics has taken him to be with him in heavenly glory.

     We hope for even more because Jesus promises even more.  Today, we have the remains of a body.  That seems pretty final—ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  But St. Paul declares that this body which has been reduced to ashes will be raised.  This is the Christian hope: “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).  The Savior who possesses power over death and the grave will raise up all the dead.  Those who believe and are baptized will be saved—raised from the dead with perfected bodies, minds, and hearts.  This is what David Rumics hoped for.  This is what we still wait for because this is what Jesus has promised.  And just as the Lord has been faithful in all his promises, so he will be faithful in this one.  Death will meet its end.  Grief will turn to joy.  David will live—body and soul, risen and restored by Jesus.  Frailty will turn into glory.  Hope will be fulfilled because this hope is indestructible.

     Back in the 1960’s, David Rumics got to meet a nice girl at a McDonald’s in Benton Harbor.  They were united in Christ in 1967.  Diane, I am willing to bet you would like to have another 58 years with David.  Or at least just one more camping trip.  April, I am sure you would like to have another 50-some years with your father, too.  Anyone who knew him would like just a little more time to share a joke, have one more conversation, or enjoy a tasty meal together. 

     You can set your hopes higher.  For this is what the Lord promises to all who believe in Jesus and are baptized into his name: “We will always be with the Lord.  Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).  This is your indestructible hope: You will get David Rumics back—not for 50 more years, but forever.  It is not wishful thinking.  It is not a nebulous “better place.”  The Lord Jesus will gather into Paradise all who are his.  We will be with the Lord who created us, redeemed us, and set us apart for the resurrection to everlasting glory.  Death may bring grief, but Jesus, who rules over death, encourages you with this indestructible hope.  Death, on the other hand, will be destroyed.  Those who mourn will be comforted.  The dead in Christ will live.  And your hope will be fulfilled.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Christian Funeral for Shirley Buchanan (May 10, 2025)

+ Shirley Ann Buchanan +

(December 28, 1938 – May 7, 2025)

PSALM 23

I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR YOU ARE WITH ME.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Roger, you had mentioned that this Psalm brought special comfort to you and Shirley.  There is good reason for it.  And there is much to ponder in it.  I would like to highlight one particular line.  To do so, I need to mention a feature in Hebrew literature which differs from American literature.  In American literature, we save the most important point for the end.  We wait for the punchline.  But in Hebrew, the emphasis is in the center.  It is like climbing a mountain until we get to the peak and then come down from it.  The middle is the main point; and the center of Psalm 23 is this: “I will fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). 

     King David does not tell you that there is no evil.  You know that’s not true.  Death is evil.  It takes without permission.  It breaks hearts and produces tears.  Worse, it comes because of another evil—sin.  The Bible reminds us, “The wages of sin is death” (Psalm 23:6).  We are all sinners.  That doesn’t mean we aren’t nice.  Most people are.  But nice people die, too.  No one is perfect, which means all people are sinful, which means all people die.  Every person on earth has ugly moments that they would like to forget.  These are evidence of hearts and minds corrupted by sin. 

     Evils abound.  Shirley’s body was affected by the evil of cancer and other problems.  That was not God punishing her for something.  It is more evidence that this is a sinful world.  Sin corrupts our minds, our hearts, our bodies, and the whole world.  The evils surround us.  And yet, the Lord enables us to say, “I will fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23).

     The reason we have such comfort is this: “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).  That finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.  He told us, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11).  Then he tells us what makes him the good shepherd.  “The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).  As the Good Shepherd, Jesus defends, protects, and saves the flock from every evil and every enemy.  Jesus took his stand between us and sin, death, and the devil.  Jesus took up our sins, and he let sin do to him what it should have done to us.  He stood condemned before the Father, exchanging his innocence for our guilt.  Jesus went into death, and he let death do to him what it should have done to us.  Jesus not only died; he died a cursed, God-forsaken death and suffered hellish torment for sins.  Jesus faced Satan whose name means “accuser.”  Jesus accepted responsibility for every accusation Satan can make and let Satan do his worst.  That is why Jesus laid down his life.  He suffered and died for our sins. 

     Of course, a dead shepherd does not do us any good.  Jesus did not remain a dead shepherd.  Jesus declared, “I lay down my life so that I may take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.  I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again” (John 10:17-18).  Jesus let our enemies do to him what they should have done to us, but then Jesus rose from the grave and overpowered death.  The payment for sins was sufficient.  Death was robbed of its power.  And Satan spent all his efforts on Jesus who has left him crushed underfoot.  The evils have been undone.

     Shirley Buchanan was baptized into the name of Jesus when she was a little girl.  She received the benefits of Jesus’ work and became Jesus’ little lamb.  Jesus served her as her Good Shepherd throughout her whole life.  There was never a moment when Jesus neglected her or ignored her.  He was with her every day.  The evils may have surrounded her and harassed her, she could still confess, “I will fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). 

     Shirley found joy despite all the evils around her.  I’m sure she enjoyed many of God’s blessings in all your travels.  After all, that’s why you traveled—to see the beauties of God’s creation.  There were many trips, and many memories.  You stood in wonder at God’s creative majesty.  But you got to see some of the ugliness of this world, too.  We are grateful for God’s goodness, but the evils do not go away.  Still, she could confess, “I will fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).  It is even better than that.  The Psalm doesn’t say that we merely endure amidst the evils.  It says, “You set a table for me in the presence of my foes” (Psalm 23:5).  Sin, death, and the devil are always out there.  But with Jesus, you get to feast with joy.  How many times did you and Shirley kneel before the Lord’s altar to feast on the living body and blood of Jesus?  The Lord granted her and you strength to live and to serve him faithfully as you both did for decades at Lola Park.  (I think the banner that hangs here this morning is her work.)

     Jesus guided Shirely in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  He strengthened and kept her in the true faith unto life everlasting.  He was faithful to her as her Good Shepherd because that is who he is, and that is what he does.  Ailing health prevented you from getting to church late in life, but Jesus was still with you.  There is no reason to fear.  Poor health, old age, and even death cannot nullify Jesus’ promises.  He remains your good, faithful, and living Shepherd.

     Today, it may seem as though the evils have won out over Shirley.  But the Good Shepherd has not failed her.  The Psalm reminds us, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).  Notice that we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  So, even in the face of death we declare, “I will fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).  The Lord Jesus has already passed through death.  He has paved the way to the resurrection and to eternal life.  To be more accurate, he IS the resurrection and the life.  For, Jesus has overcome all our enemies. 

     The last enemy to be destroyed is death, which Jesus will do when he comes again on the Last Day.  On that day, Jesus will raise up Shirley and you and all the dead for judgment.  And do you know what?  Shirley already knew her verdict.  Jesus guaranteed eternal life to all who believe and are baptized.  Shirley believed in Jesus as her Savior.  She was baptized into God’s family.  She is a child of the Most High God.  Therefore, she is robed in righteousness and glory.  There are no enemies and no evils which can change that.

     At the resurrection, Shirley will be raised up with a body that will never again know cancer or pain or frailty.  At the resurrection, Shirley will enjoy a body, a life, and a world without enemies, without evils, and without end.  There will be no fear and no foes.  The Good Shepherd has gone before her.  Goodness and mercy have followed after her.  Therefore, she will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Eternally, she has the comfort and the confession: “I will fear no evil; for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).  This is the hope of every Christian, and it is a hope that will not disappoint us.  The Lord is our Good Shepherd; therefore, we lack nothing.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.