Cari's Memorial Service

This is a copy of the Memorial Service that was held for Cari and her Mother-in-law on

February 1, 1999 at the GREENACRE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Thanks goes to Martin Irwin, a family friend, for sending this to us!!

JEAN MUECK & CARALEE MUECK

MEMORIAL SERVICE—GREENACRE CHURCH OF CHRIST—1.2.99

Opening Statement

We have gathered here this afternoon to reflect on the lives of two people who are special to us, whether as friends or family. Jean and Cari were tragically killed when the car in which they were travelling was involved in an accident with a semi–trailer just a week and a half ago.

Some of you have already attended Cari’s funeral which was held in Brisbane last Thursday. Others have attended Jean’s funeral which was held earlier today at Rookwood. You will be familiar with some of what is said this afternoon. However, it needs to be repeated as many others here were not able to be at either of those services.

You may wish to share something of what either of these people has meant to you. Opportunity will be given for that later in the service.

We have come together as family and friends to offer our mutual support and encouragement—to cry together, to laugh together, to remember and to share.

We come together thinking that in so many ways life is unjust and unfair. Our hearts go out to Nick in losing his wife, and also his mother, in such tragic circumstances. We think that it is unjust for Sarah and Luke to have lost their mother at such a young age. It is tough for all of us because death came so swiftly that none of us had the opportunity to say the things to either Jean or Carie we would have wanted to say. All of us struggle with such a tragedy. We cry out and ask why.

At a time such as this our emotions are in turmoil. We feel many things. Feelings come and change from one moment to the next. It is important to accept those feelings as they are, and not worry about them. It is okay to be crying one moment and laughing the next, and then to feel just numb, and angry and so on.

We have come together today because we also recognise that there is more to life than the time we spend on earth. We have a deep hope, a longing, for much much more. And so we recognise that God who created us is intimately involved in our lives, far more than we often recognise.

We receive support and comfort from family and friends. We also receive peace from God.

I encourage you over the months ahead to read the bible. It is a book, a collection of books about life and death, love and hate, hope and fear, success and failure. It puts us in touch with God and in touch with ourselves. It is true to life.

BIBLE READINGS

Jesus said:

Matthew 11:28–30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"

Jesus said:

John 14:1–7 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him."

In the book of Revelation we read these words:

Revelation 21:1–4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

PRAYER:

Father, we turn to you in these hours of distress and grief. We find in your words of life and truth great comfort, quietness and peace.

We thank you for the assurance that both Jean and Cari are with you, because they owned Jesus as Lord and Saviour. We thank you for their life and witness. Whilst we rejoice that they is with you, we also acknowledge that we are hurting because we do miss them.

Lord, we need your comfort and assurance and peace. Minister to Nick, Sarah and Luke particularly, and also to Ben and Della and the rest of the family, through your Holy Spirit. In the pain, bring healing; in the loss, bring hope; in the fear bring love; in the days ahead bring strength and peace and a real sense of your presence. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS:

Whenever death takes a loved one, there is often unresolved business in our relationship with that person—and that will often bring with it feelings of guilt. There may be unresolved tension in your relationship with either Jean or Cari. There may be things you wish you had said, but which remain unsaid. There may be things you said which you now wish you hadn’t. You may feel that in some ways you failed.

I want to say to you this afternoon, that unless you can put that guilt behind you and forgive yourself, it will weigh you down and make your grief harder to bear. I am going to lead us in a prayer of forgiveness. I encourage you to take this opportunity to bring any unresolved issues between yourself and Jean or Cari to God, asking him to forgive and to heal.

Let us pray

Heavenly Father, as we pause to remember the many times and experiences we have shared with Jean and Cari. We confess to you that we have not always loved as Christ has loved us. Father forgive us the times we have failed Jean or Cari, just as we now forgive anything that was hurtful to us. If there is anything that until now has remained unreconciled, we lay it at the foot of the cross, seeking the forgiving power of Christ that can remove the burden of guilt and bring peace to our hearts. We pray this in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ. Amen

TRIBUTE TO JEAN MUECK—Peter Holt

Jean Rita Eagleton was born in Campbelltown on 25^th June 1924 She spent her early years on a dairy farm, a property named Gowrie, in Camden Road, Campbelltown. She learnt to milk a cow and spent many happy hours with her dog, a black scottish terrier named Jack. She used to dress him up in tartan clothes, and dance around holding his front paws. At one time he was hit by a car, but revived when thrown in the river. Her mother, Lillian, died of TB when Jean was just 4, and her younger brother Ron was three.

She spent much time with her brother Ron and her cousins Fred Wilkinson and Jim Williams. They used to grow chokos and lettuce, selling them to get the money to the movies.

All of them left school early—Jean when she was 13 to help out with the family.

Jean’s dad, Andrew Eagleton married Esther Buck, and Jean found herself part of a large family. From being the oldest child she became the second youngest. There was John, Dot, Eileen, Viv, Mary, Nita, Merle and Don. Jean was the last surviving member of that family.

They moved to Shaftesbury Road, Burwood, and Jean found employment with AWA, where she worked assembling wireless. It was during this time that she met and married Jack Ryan. They lived in Beecroft, but were married for only a few years when he became ill with cancer and passed away.

Jean changed jobs, finding a position with the CSIRO at Fivedock, where she worked for many years.

She and her brother Ron and a couple of other friends often spent time at the local pub. It was there that she met Nikolaus Mueck, who indicated to Ron that he was interested in Jean. A date was arranged. They went to the movies, and held hands. They were married in 1965 and were soon blessed with a son—Nick. At this time they were living in Church Street, Marrickville.

Tragedy struck again when in a serious car accident Jean’s husband Nikolaus was severely injured, and never fully recovered. Jean took a job cleaning hotel rooms in Newtown so that she could care for her husband and look after Nick.

Jean then had a bad accident herself, falling whilst hanging washing. She hit her head on the concrete, and losing most of her sense of smell.

They moved to housing commission flats in Redfern on 13^th November 1972. Nikolaus had recovered somewhat, and worked as a lift operator at Gowings and then at the Government Printers. This eventually became too much for him. He died on 25^th August 1978 after a long illness.

Father Doyle had been a great support to the family during this time, and Jean took Nick with her to church at Waterloo.

Jean made many friends in the flats. She had a servant heart, and was there to help anyone in need, no matter how she was herself. She shopped for many people, travelling by public transport and by foot, loaded down with groceries. She served her neighbours and friends faithfully this way for many years. She also contiued to care for the rest of her family, spending time with people as she could, and caring for them in her own special way.

She was pleased when Nick and Cari were married 18^th September 1993, and was a very proud grandmother with the arrival of Sarah and later Luke. When Nick and Cari moved to Bass Hill, she came to join them and was a special friend and support to Carie.

She attended the Greenacre Church of Christ with Nick and the family, joining a bible study group and participating in the Christian Women’s Fellowship. She developed close friendships with a number of the ladies, and they shared many special times together. She had quite an impact, always caring and concerned, never critical, no matter how great the difficulties.

Jean set out on a new adventure, moving to Brisbane with Nick, Carie, Sarah and Luke. They set out in the early hours of Thursday morning, 21^st January. Tragedy struck some hours later just north of Kempsey, when in a collision with a semi–trailler both Jean and her daughter in law, Cari, were killed instantly. Nick, Sarah and Luke survived the accident.

TRIBUTE—Richard Buck

Auntie Jean was always there for me as she was for everybody else. When my mother died when I was 19, Jean’s place was a place I could go to and feel loved and made a fuss over, as she did for everyone.

As the years went by I had 3 daughters. Belinda, Karlee and Stephanie. Jean loved them as if they were her own grandchildren and they loved her so much. Belinda and Karlee loved going to Nanna’s place at Redfern and they always came away happier and fatter from spending time with Nanna.

During the weekdays at Redfern, Jean would always be helping her neighbours doing shopping, cleaning, sometimes she would go to the shops 3 or 4 times a day helping her neighbours who were either too weak or ill, no matter the weather, but every Saturday she time for her love, horse racing. Jean would always go through Saturdays racing guide and pick out the BUCK horses for me. BUCK’S PRIDE, BUCK’S CHOICE, UNCLE BUCK, ANOTHER BUCK, sometimes I won but most of the time if I backed them there still running and if I didn’t they would win at 20 to 1.When I told my mate Martin that Jean had died, he remembered her as the lady sitting in the church when Sharon and I were married listening to the races on her transistor radio she always carried.

Jean always played Lotto using the families birthdays, she always hoped to win the big one and it was always a joke between Nick and I who could win the race to Redfern to get the money. I think that’s why Nick was so happy when Jean moved in with Nick and family because he always knew I was faster. I still a couple of Jean’s tickets to check. I can only hope that I can give Nick a call from my World Tour.

When Sharon broke her leg skiing in 1997, Jean made a day trip to Blacktown to see her which ended being longer than she thought, it’s about a 20 minute brisk walk at 2k’s, but if your 72 years old, that’s more than enough.

When Jean arrived she was sweating which wasn’t unusual for her. Jean told Sharon how she walked there, Jean had managed to turn 2k’s into about 6k’s. But once she had rested for about 10 minutes, Jean was trying to do whatever she could, making tea, getting biscuits, washing & vaccuuming, that was the person Jean was, always thinking of other people and family, a lot of us could learn a lot from how kind and caring Jean was.

Loved and missed by Richard, Sharon, Jenny, Belinda, Karlee and Stephanie

OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO SHARE

PRAYER

We thank you, our Father, for the life

of your servant Jean Mueck.

We thank you for the picture of your love

which has been given to us in her life;

to all you have given to us through her.

We still feel reluctant to let her go—

we need her so much. But we commit her

to you, knowing that she is safe with you.

We commit ourselves to you now, asking

that you will deal with the fears, anxieties,

old griefs awakened in us by Jean’s death.

Give us the unshakeable knowledge

that there is nothing that can

separate us from your love

made visible in Jesus our Lord.

We thank you for the bonds

that hold us together and support us

even while we feel the pain of separation.

Help us to keep on supporting one another.

Give us your wisdom to grieve realistically,

with the hope of your new beginning in our

hearts; the courage to face a changed world

and to go out and live for you.

These things we pray in Jesus name, Amen.

SONG—BREATH OF GOD—led by Walter DeWildt

Breathe on me, breath of God

My spirit yearns for you

Hide me in your fathering arms

Fill up my longing soul

Flood over me like a river, my God

Immerse me in your living stream

Awaken the song that you placed in my heart

Spirit, breathe on me

Spirit, breathe on me

Breathe on me, breath of God

Burn bright, eternal fire

Father, draw me near to your heart

You are my one desire

TRIBUTE TO CARI MUECK—Peter Holt

Caralee Szczesniak was born to Della and Ben on Friday 2^nd January 1970 in Bankstown Hospital. It was an easy birth, and Cari was an easy child. Della described her as a long string bean with a beautiful face. She was content and smiled a lot, yet in many ways was a quiet rebel.

When her brother Mark was born almost two years later, Cari said "My don’t want a baby, my want a puppy. Take it back, take it back." She loved her brother. In those early years she mothered him, and was his interpreter in whatever he needed. As they got older, they competed with each other, as she did with any male. After they finished school they went separate ways, but Cari continued to care for him, doing whatever she could when he had difficult times. Cari was a caring person.

One of the ways she expressed her caring was with animals. She would bring any stray home, and always had a way of making sure that they stayed. This was particularly true with Candy, a grey tabby that she brought home when she was 6. That cat lived for 22 years, most of Cari’s life.

At three years of age in preschool she was given spinach to eat. She hated spinach, and hid as much as she could under her placemat. The rest she held in her cheeks all afternoon until she was picked up. Then she asked to go to the bathroom and spat it out. She was not going to eat that spinach. Cari was a very determined person!

Her early years were spent in Redfern, then Newtown and Dulwich Hill. She attended Camdenville Public School at Newtown and then Enmore High School. Throughout her school years she excelled at maths, for which she received various awards. She needed to be stretched mentally, or she became easily bored.

Cari was very independent. She would make her own decisions, and let people know what was happening when it had all been finalised. She would generally keep her feelings to herself.

She was determined to get an apprenticeship, and left school in the middle of 1986, working first at the Post Office for 3 months and then with Telstra as an apprentice technician. She was in the first group of women in the trade. It was not an easy time, as there was much resistance to women. But Cari was determined to succeed. She was adamant that she would never be a secretary or a hairdresser.

She had always been a tomboy, and loved to compete with the boys and do better than them. She was never interested in dolls—"Why do they give me a doll? Just because I’m a girl."

Her dad caught her smoking when she was thirteen. Her response? "I’m looking after them for someone else."

Her room was always a mess, and when her mum would clean it up she would say, "Mum, you’ve disturbed my filing system.

She loved outdoor activities and played a lot of sport—netball, softball, hockey and she loved bike riding. Whilst she competed strongly she was also meek and mild, most of the time. On one occasion she had a tough time with another girl at hockey, being hit across the legs. She came home upset. Her mum said, "Why don’t you stand up for yourself?" She went out again and later came home very pleased with herself. "I stood up for myself"—she had thrown the other girl in the mud.

Cari never had any boyfriends throughout these years. She was always competing with them. It was while working at Telstra that she met Nick. She was particularly interested in electronics and stage production and sound, and so became involved in the Canterbury Theatre Guild. She wanted to work behind the scenes, as she did in most things. However she ended up in the chorus for HMS Pinafore and then a role in Barnam. It was in preparing for this that she met Nick. She was asked by the director to teach him to juggle. That initial contact developed into a relationship. Firstly she invited Nick home to watch the Barnam video, telling her parents that it was a friend.

They knew things were much more serious when she asked if she could bring this friend home for dinner.

They had their first official date on the 3^rd October 1990, were engaged on 2^nd January 1991 and married at St Patricks Kogarah on 18^th September 1993.

They lived in Kogarah for 12 months and then moved to Bankstown, later moving to Bass Hill, where they were joined by Nick’s mother, Jean.

During the first two years of their marriage Cari supported Nick while he studied full–time to improve his prospects in the computer industry.

At the time of their move to Bankstown they became involved in the Church of Christ at Greenacre. Nick and Carie both accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and were baptised on 19^th May 1996.

They were blessed with two beautiful children, Sarah Jean who was born on the 30^th January 1996, and Luke Andrew who was born on 27^th December 1997.

Together with the rest of the family, Cari was very much involved in the life of the church. She was editor of the church newsletter, involved with playgroup and often inviting other mothers home. She had recently set up a web page, and was communicating with people in the United States and Canada through the internet.

Cari was a special mixture. Her name, Caralee, means peaceful meadows, and is very true of her character. She opened her life to people, was very giving but in a quiet way. She was intelligent, able to do anything she put her mind to and yet at the same time was shy, lacking in self–confidence and self–esteem. She was very creative, expressing this through the web page and through various crafts including tapestry and scrapbooking.

Over the years there were some clashes with people. Cari, like many of us, did not find it easy to say sorry and to forgive, but had been working on this, particularly in her letters to people, and was restoring and developing relationships with those close to her. This was especially so in her relationship with her mum, and they shared some special times in the last few months.

The last 12 months had been something of a struggle with Nick battling illness. They made the decision to move to Brisbane, and were looking forward to new opportunities and spending time with family.

They left early Thursday morning on 21^st January, planning to drive through to Brisbane. Tragedy struck in the early morning just north of Kempsey, when in a collision with a semi–trailer both Cari and her mother in law Jean were killed instantly. Nick, Sarah and Luke survived the accident.

TRIBUTE—Helen Thompson

As I think of Cari many images fill my mind and I find it difficult to find words to express what I am feeling at the loss of such a beautiful friend

I came to know Cari through Greenacre Church of Christ where Cari’s warm friendly nature meant that she was liked by many. My first impressions of Cari were of a person who was quiet and shy, a person who mostly found it difficult to speak up in group situations. However, on a one to one level Cari & I spoke easily and we seemed to click from very early in our relationship.

At this time Cari was pregnant with Sarah and was looking forward to motherhood with great joy and anticipation. She loved Sarah and later Luke with her whole being. In motherhood I saw Cari blossom, she was gentle yet firm. She was a creative and very resourceful and has left many beautiful articles of clothing, cross-stitch and tapestries which I’m sure Sarah and Luke will treasure.

I can’t begin to express the sadness I feel knowing that Cari will not be able to complete a task which meant the world to her—that of raising her two beautiful children Sarah and Luke. I know Nick and Cari discussed the possibility of such a situation I also know that Cari believed that God would give Nick the strength to raise the children alone. Many, many people will join me as I pray for Nick and these 2 precious children in the difficult times ahead. We can be thankful that Sarah and Luke have such a loving Daddy as they grieve the loss of their Mummy in years ahead.

Cari will also be missed by her many friends. Although she was shy, she was lots of fun to be with and her smiling face and light laughter are vivid in my mind. Sweet memories to help heal the pain of losing a friend so young and lovely

Nick and Cari bestowed a great honour upon my husband and I when they asked us to be Godparents to Sarah and Luke. This was a request and a role which we took very seriously. We had no idea what this would mean and still don’t really know We know only that it is a great privilege to continue serving Cari through this role in her children’s lives.

There are many, many more things which I could include in this tribute, but I know Cari would rather I kept it short and simple. So I will close my part ot the tribute in reflecting my final memories of Cari on the last full night she spent in Sydney when, as we packed boxes together, she laughed as she spoke of Sarah and Lukes latest antics, of the dreams she had for her life in QLD. And mostly of her love for her family and friends.

DEDICATION TO CARALEE—read by Helen Thompson

TRIBUTE—Nick Mueck

We journeyed deep into the night

Our hopes and dreams still burning bright

A life for us that god had planned

We drove onto our "promised land"

Filled with hope, yet fear and dread

We had know idea, what lay ahead

I cast a casual glance your way

You smiled at me, no need to say

What was in our hearts, we both knew

A love eternal, pure and true

Your eyes a sparkle, that cheeky grin

I yawned as sleep started to settle in

And so, with sleeps silent veil descending

With no idea our time was ending.

I fell asleep, with our worries passed

That final glance, was to be our last

I had no time to say goodbye

Left instead to wonder . . . WHY?

How such a thing could ever be

My heart and soul RIPPED out of me

As silent as a summer breeze

That moves amongst the grass and trees

You slipped from this world into the next

Leaving me numb, confused, perplexed

So quick and painless was your end,

I could scarcely comprehend

That you were gone

So much to do was left undone

And darkness had descended

To cloak the rising sun

The flame that once had burned so bright

Had turned my darkness into light.

Was extinguished now forever more

Leaving me to fear what was in store

For those of us you left behind.

Blinded by your brilliant flame

Our lives could never be the same.

And now you are in Jesus care

In a place of beauty beyond compare

And through eyes filled with tears I see

Your flame still burning bright in me

And all those who felt your loving touch

Who loved you deeply and so very much

And in our children, whose pain is still raw

I see a beauty I had not seen before

Their eyes a sparkle with your cheeky grin

They bare your grace, as your flames’ within.

SPONTANEOUS TRIBUTES

Tribute From Cari’s Internet Friends—Martin Irwin

Cari Mueck had many friends around the world. The power of the Internet allowed us to meet her a couple years ago, when we shared the common bond of expecting babies in December 1997. Over time, we developed strong friendships.

Some may wonder how we could love someone we never met. The evidence was in the times she would sign on her computer at 2 am, when her babies wouldn’t sleep, to hold them on her lap and talk to her American friends. We shared in her worries, her delight, her joy.

One thing that especially stood out about Cari was her faith in God. It was clear how devoted she was to the Lord, and she set a Christian example by being kind and tolerant to even those who didn’t share her beliefs. We know that Heaven is a richer place now that Cari is there.

We remember the laughter we shared comparing the differences between Australian and American culture. Cari swore that one day she would come to the States to meet us all, like a reunion of long–lost sisters. Cari was always positive and full of hope. The last time that most of us talked to her was right before her planned move, and we were proud of the opportunities that so excited her. Cari was always there when her friends needed her, no matter how great her own worries at the time. She was human, but tried to rise above her frailties. She put everyone else first. Her bright personality came through in everything she said and in the way she led her life.

We could tell that Cari’s love of family took priority in her life. She spoke of Sarah and Luke with pride and wonder, truly happy for every minute she spent with them. Cari wanted to be a good mother and a good wife, and she was both. It is unusual for a woman to get along well with her mother–in–law, but Cari always said she counted her blessings to have Jean. How sad for us all that the world has lost both women.

There were 12 of us who were especially close and regarded Cari as a sister. One of our members had a baby on the day of Cari’s death. We’d like to believe that a little part of Cari’s spirit lives on in this little boy.

We miss Cari’s laughter, her daily accounts of life with the family sheloved, and her hopes and dreams for the future. She made a mark on each one of us, and we are forever changed by the way she touched our lives. It is our hope that her loved ones know that we join in their prayers in this devastating time, and that we are sending love from around the world. We are especially praying for Nick and the children in their time of loss, and wish there was something we could do to ease the pain.

As one of Cari’s friends said shortly after the horrible news: "If everanyone would make it into heaven, it would be Cari". She was the bestof us all and we will forever miss her. Peace be the journey, Cari.

From: Melissa Barnes, Holly Case, Lynn Cressotti, Kerri Faircloth, Katie Gregg, Marion Howard, Jacqueline Olivera, Joy Pacifici, Bridget Pilloud, and Sandra Sandall

PRAYER

We thank you, our Father, for the life

of your servant Cari Mueck.

We thank you for the picture of your love

which has been given to us in her life;

to all you have given to us through her.

We still feel reluctant to let her go—

we need her so much. But we commit her

to you, knowing that she is safe with you.

We commit ourselves to you now, asking

that you will deal with the fears, anxieties,

old griefs awakened in us by Cari’s death.

Give us the unshakeable knowledge

that there is nothing that can

separate us from your love

made visible in Jesus our Lord.

We thank you for the bonds

that hold us together and support us

even while we feel the pain of separation.

Help us to keep on supporting one another.

Give us your wisdom to grieve realistically,

with the hope of your new beginning in our

hearts; the courage to face a changed world

and to go out and live for you.

These things we pray in Jesus name, Amen.

SONG—JUST LET ME SAY—led by Walter DeWildt

Just let me say how much I love You

Let me speak of Your mercy and grace

Just let me live in the shadow of Your beauty

Let me see you face to face

And the earth will shake as Your Word goes forth

The heavens can tremble and fall

But let me say how much I love You

O my Saviour, my Lord and friend

Just let me hear Your finest whispers

As You gently call my name

And let me see Your power and Your glory

Let me feel Your Spirit’s flame

Let me find You in the desert

’til this sand is holy ground

And I am found completely surrendered

To You, my Lord and friend

So let me say how much I love You

With all my heart I long for You

For I am caught in this passion of knowing

This endless love I’ve found in you

And the depth of grace, the forgiveness found

To be called a child of God

Just makes me say how much I love You

O my Saviour, my Lord and friend

Just makes me say how much I love You

O my Saviour, my Lord and friend

REFLECTION: FOOTPRINTS

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

BIBLE READING—Ray Thompson

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

MESSAGE

At this time our emotions and thoughts are all churned up. We feel a sense of loss. I will not see this friend again. There is an awareness of death—our own death. At some time I will die. There is also a concern for others in this. What will happen to those who are close to me. And so we reach out. We feel for each other. This support is necessary.

And where is God in all of this. Psalm 23 gives us a good picture of God and how he deals with us.

It is the same picture of God that we see presented in Footprints, which was Cari’s favourite meditation. It is a picture of a God who is intimately involved in our lives, in the good times and in the tough times. It is the picture of the God whom both Jean and Cari had come to know personally.

God does not promise us an easy life. He knows that life is difficult. What he promises is that he is with us in the journey. He indeed is the good shepherd, and is sufficient for us in whatever we face.

The story is told of a concert. In that concert two men had chosen to present the 23rd Psalm. One an orator. The other a common man. Orator had his turn early in the program. Standing ovation. The other man decided that he would still go ahead with his rendition of Psalm 23. Did not have the skills or eloquence of the other man. Yet there was something else. As he spoke, a stillness descended on the audience. Everyone was completely silent. When he had finished his presentation, there was no applause. Just a quiet stillness. In the quietness the orator felt he just had to say something. He stood up. I know words and am able to present them. I know the Psalm. But this man knows the Shepherd.

The hope for us in this difficult time is that Cari and Jean know the Shepherd, and are with him. Jesus is their Lord and Saviour. Their hope for each of us is that we too know the Shepherd.

Jesus said :"I am the good shepherd, I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14-15)

READING:

The Apostle Paul said:

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being" ; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

SONG—SHOUT TO THE LORD—led by Walter DeWildt

My Jesus, my Saviour

Lord there is none like You

All of my days, I want to praise

The wonders of Your mighty love

My comfort, my shelter

Tower of refuge and strength

Let every breath, all that I am

Never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord

All the earth let us sing

Power and majesty

Praise to the King

Mountains bow down

And the seas will roar

At the sound of Your name

I sing for joy

At the work of Your hands

Forever I’ll love you

Forever I’ll stand

Nothing compares to the promise

I have in You

BENEDICTION

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Click on the rose above to take you to Luke and Sarah's pages that I made for them.

Thanks,

Lynnie

Here are the lyrics from the song you are hearing now,

written in Memory of the Late Ricky Nelson,

from

Gunnar and Matthew Nelson

THE NELSON BROTHERS

Read these lyrics carefully as they describe what is lost when someone close to you leaves us and moves on.

JUST ONCE MORE
(Gunnar Nelson/Matthew Nelson/Steven McClintock/Victoria Shaw)

I've got a million pictures in my heart and here at home
But I'm afraid that they'll just fade with time
And photographs are cold
And a memory's hard to hold
And I never got the chance to say goodbye

One more day-one more night
One more chance to get it right
A few more words-a few more laughs
Doesn't seem too much to ask
And I know it's just a dream
But I'd give everything
If you'd walk through that door just once more

Sometimes I catch myself asking you out loud
What you'd do if you were in my place
'Cause every day in every way
I've tried to make you proud
I wish that I could tell you face to face

One more day-one more night
One more chance to get it right
A few more words-a few more laughs
Doesn't seem too much to ask
And I know it's just a dream
But I'd give everything
If you'd walk through that door just once more

Seasons come and seasons go
But love lives on-you taught me so
Oh-I've been blessed, I don't think twice
But wouldn't it be nice

One more day-one more night
One more chance to get it right
A few more words-a few more laughs
Doesn't seem too much to ask
And I know it's just a dream
But I'd give everything
If you'd walk through that door just once more