Memorial Service for Donna Marcello

Bethlehem Bible Church

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April 23, 2007

00:00: On the behalf of the family of Donna Marcello For the glory of Jesus Christ.
00:06: I welcome you to this memorial service a service to remember Donna's life and to remember the
00:11: Savior that Donna worshipped and conquered death and Made heaven a reality for Donna Even to all those who believe
00:24: I love Donna She was my age, but I felt like she was a mother to me and mother to my family
00:33: Sitting right there in that motherly seat Thank you to the family that has opened their hearts to me
00:40: And I feel like I'm a member of Donna's family because I really am it's gonna be very sad this morning
00:49: We have mixed emotions. We've lost a wife a mother a grandmother sister family member
00:55: And we're gonna miss Donna But her physical death represents an event a glorious event that she is now with the presence of her
01:05: Savior Jesus Christ Would you bow with me in prayer our loving?
01:17: eternal Heavenly Father This morning we come to remember a loved one a dear friend
01:27: We ask you To be the God of all comfort this morning We would ask you that you would help us to remember
01:34: Donna's life What she meant to us we would ask that you would be the God of all grace here to these dear people who loved her
01:43: Lord would you give us a perspective this morning to face the reality of death and To gain in our perspective of the truth of how we should live our life for your glory.
01:53: Just like Donna did And Lord we couldn't do it without you and I think about your son
02:00: Jesus Christ who at the graveside of Lazarus his dear friend He was weeping and he was crying and the reality of death and it makes us sad and sorrowful
02:12: So father undergird us help us help us to praise you even though we hurt
02:19: And give us wisdom in the days of head not to forget Donna nor her Savior Jesus Christ in whose name we pray
02:24: Amen, I don't think this is gonna be a funeral today.
02:30: I want to call it a memorial service We want to remember Donna's life and her Savior. I Cannot answer many questions this morning.
02:38: Why did this happen? God is finite infinite and we are finite I can't make everything.
02:44: All right today with just a few words But it is not a time to vent anger to God or somehow blame
02:53: Donna's Heavenly Father God is in control and he's on the throne and Donna is there worshiping met him matter of fact even now in ad 125 there was a
03:08: Greek by the name of Aristides and he was writing to his friends trying to explain this weird religion called
03:15: Christianity and In his letter he said this If any righteous man among the
03:22: Christian passes from this world if there's another Christian that dies the other
03:27: Christians rejoice and offer thanks to God and they accompany his body with songs and Thanksgiving as if he were setting out from one place to another nearby
03:39: And that's what we'll do today in this worship service We will praise the God that Donna worshipped until her last day with her last breath
03:49: Donna's obituary reads this Donna Lee Marcello 47 of 154
03:58: Washington Street in Lemonster died Friday April 20th 2007 in Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston She was born on June 22nd 1959 in Stonah, Massachusetts She was the daughter of Bobby and Carol Mrs.
04:15: Marcello was in charge of the Girl Scouts of America. I think we have some Girl Scouts here today Don't we are there some would you just raise your hand and enjoyed and help with many activities within the organization?
04:28: She was very active in the life of Bethlehem Bible Church in West Boylston And I can say a hearty amen to that how many people here do we have from the church?
04:37: many By the way, I just remember her in that kitchen Eight days ago cleaning and When you'd walk by Donna, and you would say
04:49: How you doing her response three years ago two years ago one year ago and even last week was what
04:57: I'm Doing great. She just loved to serve someone asked her eight days ago
05:04: Why are you serving in the kitchen ministry and Donna said? Because I love it. I love to serve.
05:12: This is Marcello survived by her husband of two years Robert Marcello of Lemonster Her parents
05:18: Bobby of Oklahoma and Carol of Florida two sons Eric and Brad both of Lemonster three daughters
05:26: Kelly Katie and Amy all of Lemonster two brothers Bobby of Florida and Tim of Lemonster two sisters
05:35: Valerie of Florida Monique of Virginia and Thankfully she got to see her one grandchild little grace and many aunts uncles nieces and nephews
05:49: We're going to need comfort today, we're going to need guidance and the Bible tells us everything we need to know
05:55: It answers many questions first Thessalonians says given to hurting Christians We do not want you to be uninformed brethren about those who have died that you may not grieve as the rest do who have no hope
06:08: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus for this we say to you by the word of the
06:17: Lord that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall Not precede those who have fallen asleep
06:24: For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout With the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
06:37: To meet the Lord in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord Therefore comfort one another with these words
06:47: Friends and family I've put together a worship service today that I think would honor Christ Jesus But I think that Donna would love and so there's going to be some singing.
06:55: There's going to be a trumpet solo There's going to be some preaching I don't want to brag too often and it's not good to be the hero of your own stories
07:02: But I was Donna's favorite preacher and so I'm going to preach today
07:08: Not for an hour, but I'm gonna give a sermon that would honor Donna and her Lord and we'll have some singing
07:15: There'll be a hymnal in front of you for those There's some special lyrics that are Donna's favorite songs that you'll have and we would just love to say on behalf of Don and the church that you can be a part of our service today by Singing and praising the
07:28: Lord, even though it hurts I think of the book of Job the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, but what?
07:35: Blessed be the name of the Lord and we want to praise him today Even though we're hurting and so we would love to have you be a part of that and singing and and ministering with us
07:44: And so with that, let's sing a couple of Donna's favorite songs to the glory of God in the blue hymn book
07:55: Let's turn to page 43 Page 43 great is thy faithfulness
08:05: Yes, you may stand great is thy faithfulness
08:20: Oh God my father There is no shadow of turning with thee
08:29: Thou changest not Thy Compassions they fail not as thou has been
08:39: Thou forever will be Great is thy faithfulness
08:46: Great is thy faithfulness Morning by morning
08:52: New mercies I see All I have needed thy hand hath provided Great is thy faithfulness
09:06: Lord unto me Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
09:18: Sun moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness
09:31: To thy great faithfulness Mercy and love
09:38: Great is thy faithfulness Great is thy faithfulness
09:45: Morning by morning New mercies I see
09:52: All I have needed thy hand hath provided Great is thy faithfulness
10:02: Lord unto me Me Guarded for sin and the peace that Endureth thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide
10:20: Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
10:28: Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside Great is thy faithfulness
10:37: Great is thy faithfulness Morning by morning
10:44: New mercies I see All I have needed thy hand hath provided Great is thy faithfulness lord unto me 25 immortal invisible god only wise
11:25: Immortal Invisible god only wise in light
11:35: Inaccessible in from our eyes Most glorious Thy great name we praise
11:53: Unresting unhastening And silent as light
11:58: Nor wanting nor wasting thou rulest in might
12:05: Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love
12:19: To all life thou givest to both great and small
12:25: In all life thou livest the true life of all
12:31: We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree
12:38: And wither and perish but not changeth thee
12:45: Great father of glory pure father of light
12:52: Thy angels adore thee My name is dave jeffries
13:22: I'm, one of the elders and pastors of the church and I have the privilege of being able to read a portion of scripture
13:28: This morning if you would take uh, if you'd like to follow along one of the black pew bibles And i'm going to be reading from psalm 113
13:37: It'll be on page 443 Before I read I would just like to be able to say that I counted a great honor and a great privilege to have known donna
13:47: And as pastor mike said she sat about right there and I used to be able to I taught sunday school from the floor down there behind the microphone
13:55: So she was within 10 or 12 feet of me and one thing that I always Remember about donna is she was always smiling while I was teaching the bible now
14:04: Not many people would be able to to say that when they're sitting there listening for maybe 45 minutes 50 minutes and hearing
14:10: Uh teaching from the bible, but she was smiling and if she wasn't smiling she was nodding her head and she always and she had her children, uh, amy and brad right beside her and again, it was a
14:21: Privilege to be able to know her and to teach that class and to see How much she loved the truth and loved the lord of that truth in psalm 113
14:31: I'd like to begin reading i'm going to read the psalm beginning in verse 5 to the end and then i'll go back to verse 1
14:38: And the reason for choosing this hymn uh, it's it speaks of praising the lord it speaks of speaking well of the lord and I think of donna's savior the lord jesus christ
14:51: And um if she could help us to give us instructions on what to do today if she had had it written down She would say be sure that the lord.
14:59: Jesus is magnified exalted and praised psalm 113 verse 5 who is like the lord our god
15:06: Who is enthroned on high who humbles himself to behold the things that are in heaven and the things on earth?
15:13: He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with princes with the princes of his people
15:21: He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children praise the lord
15:28: And up in verse 1 praise the lord Praise. Oh ye servants of the lord Praise the name of the lord blessed be the name of the lord from this time forth and forever
15:40: From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the lord is to be praised.
15:46: The lord is high above all nations His glory is above the heavens The next hymn is from psalm 27.
16:12: The lord is my light and my salvation It was donna's god of salvation, too
16:37: I'm not gonna sing a solo
20:43: Thank you, I just keep keep thinking about christ. Jesus voice in revelation is described like a trumpet and uh
20:51: We're gonna have a short time of a eulogy the words eulogy. Uh, the word eulogy just means to speak well of And so I have a microphone right here
21:00: And if anybody'd like to come up and just say why you love donna or share something about don in her life
21:05: I think that would be very kind and sweet. I know it'll be difficult. It's okay if you cry in front of us
21:10: It's okay if you stutter or stammer, but if you'd like to come up and just share something about donna I think you'd encourage the family and and uh, you could just come up and maybe you have something written
21:20: But we'll just leave this right here. We'd love to have you come up For those of you who don't know me.
21:30: I'm donna's sister I'm the baby My baby's not here courtney she's in florida with her dad, but I called her last night and She didn't know um
21:47: When services and stuff were being held so she asked and I said, you know, sweetie, it's tomorrow And she kind of you know, oh mom, but I wrote her something
21:57: So at first I was going to have her mail it to kelly Knowing kelly would get it to the right place so instead we had her email it so These are my daughter courtney's words to her auntie donna
22:11: And keep in mind she's 13 my auntie donna My auntie donna is a great person well
22:21: I really didn't get to know her like I would have liked to But I know her kids and they know a lot about her
22:29: So let's say a couple of things one I know that about a year ago
22:34: Or two years ago. She accepted jesus as her lord and savior So that means a lot to know that your aunt can and will be going to heaven two
22:46: She had breast cancer, but then it went away because the lord healed her Then it came back
22:52: And went away I believe that the devil kept trying to do things to her, but the lord kept helping
23:00: Last Yesterday they found cancer in her brain But we prayed for her and just waited for a miracle
23:08: We're still believing for it in conclusion I might not know her Well, because I don't remember a lot of things
23:16: We did when I was younger, but I know that I will know her for eternity From courtney ran
23:46: I just got a letter from actually eric wrote katie brad and amy back when he was in the service at boot camp and through it through it all it just kind of Shows a lot about donna and how she raised her kids
23:59: Katie hi, it's good to hear from you and congrats on making the cheering team But you don't seem like the cheering type, but I guess
24:05: I'm wrong Things things are hard down here. I didn't come here for three months vacation
24:11: Everything they teach us and make us do prepares us Makes us mentally and physically stronger.
24:17: I don't know what movie you watch So I don't know what to say about it But if you ever see the discovery channels documentary about marine corps boot camp, that's pretty much what it's like How was the marine?
24:30: That uh talked to your class. Did he get to? Did he go to lhs and watch a recruiter?
24:37: It's good down here, but there's no place i'd rather be now but home But we all need to grow up someday one day
24:43: You'll move out with someone and we'll have different houses. Sorry, danny. That's me That's a someone
24:52: And visit each other on thanksgiving and christmas, but i'm getting ahead of myself take it one day at a time
24:57: Don't be in a rush to grow up because with age comes responsibilities have fun But listen to mom and do it do what she says.
25:07: She really knows how to raise good kids And spending time with some of the recruits down here some people have no no discipline
25:15: But mom taught us taught us good Have fun in school and you'll be graduating sooner than you think i'll see you in february.
25:21: Take care I love eric and I mean just not even those five. She's raised many kids and everything about her.
25:27: You see it all on them Definitely, it's gonna be great friend of the family uh donna
25:45: Wonderful lovely and just a great mother and uh, that's all
25:51: I want to say. She's a beautiful person I just want to say that you know
26:09: I didn't know her the way I should but she taught she
26:17: Taught me a lot just to be thankful for everything god gave us
26:22: Because you know what? Every time I talked to her she was saying Everything she was doing it because she loved it and she was great
26:31: And you know what? And I never I never thought she was going through All this pain because she never let anybody know and She taught me to love the lord.
26:45: She loves Um, i'm bob's sister
27:07: And i've known donna for a long time and The reason we lost our dad and donna and I were discussing her problem because I have kids too
27:19: It's very hard She was doing so well and we loved her very much
27:28: Thank you, I have to put up with me for a minute
27:42: I'm gonna do like the pastor said i'm gonna stammer and cry but We all know donna we know what she was she was a mom to everybody
27:55: And when she was here she would organize this whole event much better than it has been Sorry whoever's doing it's doing a great job, but You know what?
28:06: we're at plan z now, so and I had thought about some things the other night and I didn't
28:15: I knew in the back of my mind that where somebody was gonna have to talk and i'm like I didn't write them down and they were just rambling through my head and I really can't remember them now, but it's
28:25: Everybody has all those great thoughts of just remembering donna And what she meant to everybody and I don't know.
28:38: I think jen might want to say something to like figure out what else I can say I just want to say That I have two sisters of my own
28:50: And donna was my sister -in -law but She always treated me like a sister
28:59: And that's how I felt Because she was always so giving and always so caring
29:07: And i'm going through an illness, too And I would ask her how she was doing and she would say i'm great
29:15: And I knew better And when she would ask me how I was doing I would say i'm doing fine
29:24: And that's just how donna was she was very private But She was a third sister to me
29:36: And I loved her While she was talking
29:45: I had the perfect thing to say and it's And Um, oh shit
29:59: Um all I could oh Uh, I just When I was in the room with donna saying my goodbyes
30:06: I thought that was going to be the heart. That was the hardest thing in the world to do But standing up here trying to Say things about her is even harder because I can't express my feelings
30:20: That I have for her And I don't know if i'll ever be able to But just in the conversations of daily life talking to the family.
30:28: They will always know how much I love her And I also just want to say that i'm so grateful
30:35: Even though she was sick that over the last two years I don't think
30:42: I have ever seen her as happy As she's been over the last two years
30:50: And she was happy because of bob bob made her happy And I thank god for that That she had the time with him
31:05: Which gave me some more time to think Because during that whole time
31:11: Donna never bothered anybody with problems and It's really kind of a family trait that we keep everything to ourself
31:18: And we don't bother people when we have problems and when we're doing good we share And Donna was the biggest example of that.
31:27: She just gave and gave and gave And she helped everybody and she always said i'm fine i'm fine
31:32: She could be hurting the worst thing in the world and she would never ask for help And those people around her would see it and help her without being asked so Unless you want us to keep standing here and jen say something then me say something
31:48: You know because it gives us time to think when the other person's talking. So we just both loved her very much very much
31:55: So thank you all for coming Good morning, we're girl scout friends of donna's and in girl scouts
32:40: We have a promise and it goes like this On my honor I will try to serve god and my country to help people at all times
32:53: And to live by the girl scout law One of those laws is to be a sister to every girl scout
33:03: And donna did all of that She lived her girl scout promise to the fullest
33:12: And has been an example to all of us And it's been such an honor to just know her
33:20: And to work with her But god needed a cookie coordinator in heaven
33:30: And he wanted the best and donna was perfect She did her job
33:43: Better than anybody. We were so happy to have her For the time that god gave her to us
33:50: We know she's up there leading girls She's knocking on doors
33:59: And anybody who's sitting in a corner She's going to greet And pull into the group
34:05: Because she never left anybody out She always had another box of cookies to help us sell
34:14: She always had a hand To give us if we needed her She drove up to make sure we were all doing okay
34:24: She worried about us she was our mother too but truly truly our sister
34:42: She will be so missed And we're going to miss her family
34:50: Because she shared with us her love of jesus We knew about her new church she was so excited and we loved to hear about it
34:59: We loved to hear about all of the kids and what was going on and who was coming home and who was going away
35:04: And who was moving in and who was moving out? So we talked about more than just girl scouts
35:13: We loved her very very much And we knew she loved us
35:20: And that's why it was so easy And as hard it is to let go
35:29: Again we know that we've got great organization up in heaven at this moment Because she's there
35:39: And we'll miss her greatly well
35:46: Sue said pretty much everything But I just wanted to add um, I believe three years ago when she started with her disease
35:53: I just want to be thankful that I was brought to her. I spent time with her at her home praying with her
36:00: And i'm just I just want to be thank thank god for working through me to go over there and to help her
36:06: At the time when she was becoming a new christian starting with this new church and We just she had some wonderful moments.
36:15: We didn't have a lot of moments together, but what we had was just wonderful and I think it's more the quality not the quantity
36:23: And again, she was a wonderful person and believe me at some of our scout meetings if we were not on time
36:30: She brought us back Definitely and you all know that all of you that are here so before before before I Can't compose myself anymore
36:43: I just want to thank all of you and I just praise god that um, she has so many friends and family here
36:50: And her church family as well And I don't know what else to say. So she's a wonderful person
36:58: We miss you. Donna. We love you We need to let go and let god Thank you,
37:18: I hadn't planned on saying anything but hearing
37:30: So much about the daughter that I raised and how she helped everybody
37:38: And was a mother to so many she let me minister to her.
37:56: There weren't too many they could Because she doesn't let them know what's going on But when she told me she was sick
38:07: I didn't ask her what she wanted Or how she was? I just came
38:17: And she let me And she let me stay and take care of her
38:24: And that was the greatest privilege i've had with my baby And she also brought me to this church, which is my home away from home
38:34: I have a wonderful church pastor and church family in florida But I know that I can come here at any time
38:42: I spent nine months here And I love everybody at this church and how they ministered to me and her and if I might say
38:59: That The person donna is started with my mom She learned everything
39:06: From my mom and her family And she took care of those kids like my mom took care of us kids
39:13: So do you guys I love you all anytime anything you need i'm a friend of donna's actually um for me, it's a little deeper than that because um
39:42: Donna helped raise two of my children when I went off to work And I know they thought of her as their mother also
39:56: I can't thank her enough for those years She was loved by me and my daughters greatly
40:11: And I will miss her I didn't really plan on doing this either, but my heart is pounding and I feel led by the holy spirit
40:39: I learned an awful lot from donna I learned One of the greatest lessons
40:47: I can learn I know everyone knows how loving she is
40:55: Or but donna Also had a great capacity for forgiveness
41:08: I had a conversation with her Maybe a year or two ago We were talking about some things and I asked her how
41:20: She could overlook a lot In people things family
41:27: And I asked her how could she do it and she told me That Nothing is worth
41:39: Losing a family member over so I just want to express that Her loving self um
41:52: She never needed to forgive Anyone because she never took offense She just had pure love
42:01: And that's a testament of her that i'm going to take with me the rest of my life Congregation may
42:17: I encourage you if you've got a special story about donna, would you write that down? You send that to bob or the kids so they might be able to remember
42:26: I think that'd be very sweet I'm up here because the way it's going and everybody keeps uh,
42:33: Telling stories about donna we could be here for the next few hours. And so Are there any other immediate family members that would like to get up and share before we continue with the service?
42:43: Yes You don't have to but I want to make sure you get your opportunity Okay Well, we sing older hymns at this church and we sing newer songs too
43:01: And I was so glad carol told me the other day that one of donna's favorite songs It's kind of an appellation folk song.
43:09: It's called children of the living god and she learned that song right here With these uh dear brothers playing the song and so you have the lyrics in front of you
43:18: And then she liked another song called lord, I lift your name on high and it's almost kind of a kid's song that teaches the simple truths of christianity and We sing it at home, too
43:28: Lord, I lift your name on high and some of our kids even know the hand motions And so we're going to stand now and sing together these two songs and I want you to think of donna and her savior, please
44:24: He has Sing Sing Though we
45:17: For In the clouds glory
48:32: In the Everybody sit down, please just before I I Give you a word from god's word yesterday at our church yesterday morning
48:41: We pretty much had our own memorial service for donna And if you'd like to get a copy of that message
48:47: You can just get online or you can talk to one of us and we'll try to get you a cd um There's a bulletin right in the back with our website address on there
48:55: And then also today especially for the family members I believe the whole service today with music and everything will be taped
49:01: And we'll have cds and we want to make sure you have those so you can remember your mom and And some of the the comments about her and so that'll all be taped and we can remember her that way
49:14: My text today that I'd like to speak On is psalm 119 verse 68 and it's a very short verse and it says this god is good and does good
49:25: God is good and he does good There's a famous preacher by the name of george mueller and his wife died of rheumatic fever
49:32: And he used this text in psalm 119 to talk about how god is good and he does good things
49:40: I came up with several areas in which god was good regarding donna and her life number one
49:47: The lord was good and did good in creating donna Wouldn't you agree with that?
49:52: He was good and did good when he made donna Psalm 139 it says of of god's handiwork making people that we are fearfully
50:03: And wonderfully made god is a great creator and he can craft Wonderful things including people and this particular case donna
50:12: I just was struck in the last week or so as i've reflected upon donna and her life
50:17: I couldn't believe so many people loved her. I mean I can believe it. I don't don't you know, take it wrongly
50:22: But there's just so many friends and family at the hospital and then yesterday at the calling hours
50:28: I mean we needed a parking lot 10 times bigger than what we had and the girl scouts and family and in the church
50:36: She was just a person who? Was wonderfully made by the lord
50:43: I think of donna here at the church I'll have to this is in my notes really but I have to tell you the story one of my favorite stories of donna
50:50: Brad and amy you came over to the house a long time ago to go ice skating And donna was pretty much concerned about the big picture in life don't let the little things bother you because it's time to live because one day i'm gonna die soon and i'm sick and And uh, we had about 40 pairs of ice skates over at our house
51:06: And then there was a street and then the lake was over here and I just remember brendan and uh, amy walking down my
51:16: My driveway with their ice skates on And uh, i'm pulling my hair out what
51:21: I have left because you don't do that and donna was like Hey, it's just this is just the way we do things is there are bigger pictures and the big picture for us is
51:29: Having fun on that little pond And she was just a dear lady. I'll always remember her
51:35: Look when I said you're gonna let your kids walk on my driveway with my skates Didn't faze her there are bigger things in life fun and excitement and joy and spending time together
51:47: I love donna because God made donna Secondly the lord was good and did good in giving donna to us all
51:59: She was truly a gift from god If you think for one moment donna was the process of evolution
52:07: I'm sad for you and you're mistaken That her life would mean nothing but she would be a bunch of random molecules coming together
52:18: What a travesty that would be to believe something like that There's an old song
52:25: That says praise god from whom all blessings flow And we would count donna as one of those blessings
52:33: Number three the lord was good and did good in so long leaving her to us
52:38: Yes, she was young. She was 47, but she lived a full life She lived for the glory of god
52:45: And she even made it to be a grandma didn't she? What a blessing from the lord and a blessing to aim in the family to let her see little gracie
52:56: I can just imagine donna saying to herself. I am going to live no matter what till I see that baby
53:02: And god granted her that gift and then it was time for glory The lord is so good
53:13: I got to teach donna about god And I taught her what peter said in first peter
53:21: And it says there that christians Are to entrust their soul to a faithful creator in doing what is right
53:29: As jesus the son committed himself to the father So too donna committed her life to her faithful creator in the midst of trials suffering cancer
53:38: No matter what and this verse promises that god would not lose interest in her
53:45: And number four the lord was good and did good when he gave donna eternal life
53:53: I bury a lot of people And it is very difficult to bury those people who you know didn't live for god
54:01: Who you know had no idea what heaven was? Who think to themselves as long as you die you go to heaven?
54:09: But that's not the case for donna There was an old preacher his name was d .l.
54:15: moody He said someday you'll read in the papers that d .l. moody of east northfield, massachusetts northfield
54:22: Massachusetts is dead Don't believe a word of it at the moment. I shall be more alive than I am now
54:29: Donna is more alive than any of us today. This is just a shell. This is just a body
54:37: Donna gave donna was given by god the hope of heaven while on earth That she could live every moment for god's glory and for her family not afraid to die not afraid of judgment not afraid of damnation
54:52: And three years ago or so donna came to realize that her relationship with god was not based on her goodness
54:58: Even though she was a good person It was not based on her baptism when she was a baby that can't cleanse a heart
55:06: It was not based on her being a good girl scout a good mother many of those things were excellent
55:12: But that's not how god is pleased god Taught donna that heaven is a gift that only god can give
55:24: And god was pleased to give that to donna. Listen to what jesus said John 10 my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give eternal life to them
55:36: The lord was good and he did good when he gave donna eternal life And that eternal life didn't stop start when she died
55:45: On tuesday or friday or whenever god took her soul Donna came to realize and I hope you realize as well
55:53: That heaven is for those who are forgiven Heaven did you know this?
56:01: Matthew 5 48 donna heard me speak of this often Therefore jesus said if you want heaven you are to be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect Now, how do you get to heaven when you're not perfect?
56:14: We are all sinners the playing fields even we all fall short of the glory of god So how can we get into heaven?
56:20: How can donna's soul be in heaven now if she had to be perfect? Well, there's three great transactions
56:28: One is jesus christ lived a perfect sinless life
56:34: And his life gets credited to are charged to are placed
56:41: To his given to his people That perfect life that jesus lived you ever wonder why he never sinned?
56:47: Because he lived such a perfect life and he was god that he could give his perfect life to others
56:55: And the transaction goes the other way as well As jesus gave his perfect obedience to donna god took donna's
57:05: Unrighteousness and sinfulness and placed it on jesus at calvary
57:11: Donna didn't deserve eternal life jesus did Jesus in kindness and in goodness gave donna his righteousness and he took donna's sin
57:23: And it was such a great plan and jesus did such a great job at it that the father did what he raised jesus from the dead
57:35: If it wasn't for god being good and doing good donna wouldn't have had a chance to get to heaven no one would have
57:41: The book of galatians says curse It is everyone who does not abide in all things written in the book of the law and perform them
57:51: How can we get to heaven when we are under the weight of this book? We need someone to obey for us and donna had a savior
57:59: Who obeyed this book perfectly for her? We sometimes think of forgiveness
58:09: And we don't think about The bloodshed hebrews 9 says without the shedding of blood.
58:15: There is no remission And jesus died in donna's place God was pleased with that transaction and raised him from the dead
58:25: Sometimes it's just preacher manipulation and I don't want to do that today But it is absolutely true that if donna could come here today and preach a sermon
58:32: What do you think she would preach? Certainly she would say she loved you but one of the best ways she would say that I love you is by what?
58:42: Telling you to believe in her savior Every one of you will die one day and stand before god and for donna
58:49: She had a sin bearer. She had a lamb that was slain on her behalf. She had a an advocate
58:55: She had a a lawyer to represent her christ jesus And she would want that for you
59:03: Friends it is not manipulation to tell you that if you want to see donna again, you must be born again
59:12: You've got to have your sins forgiven. She's in heaven Based on the authority of word of god and christ finished work.
59:18: She's in heaven She believed in the the work of another christ jesus, and I want you to go
59:25: Sometimes it's so good to have a funeral just to make us realize what life is really about Number five the lord was good and did good in taking donna to heaven
59:39: I just implied that earlier and said it but he has been good and did good in taking her to heaven
59:45: Lots of people want to know what heaven's like. Let me tell you what heaven's like what donna's like now and what she's doing
59:53: Not because i've talked to her recently, uh, but because I know what the bible says What is donna like now?
01:00:02: Let me give you a few things number one donna is like jesus First john 3 says see how great a love the father has bestowed on us that we would be called children of god
01:00:14: It has not appeared as yet. What we will be we will know what when he appears that we will be like him
01:00:21: Certainly she has appeared before god and she is like him. Do you know donna is now sinless?
01:00:27: You know donna is completely holy Righteous perfect pure her sins have been judged already at calvary
01:00:37: You'll like this one. Do you know now in heaven donna is a better theologian than I am
01:00:44: I have my doctorate in theology and donna has been my student for three years
01:00:50: Donna would now be my teacher because the bible says in heaven. You have perfect knowledge
01:00:56: As much as a created person could ever have she knows all about the doctrines of the resurrection and jesus and his return
01:01:05: I just love that You know what? I love about heaven. You'll never forget either She perfectly knows god and she'll never forget anything good about him.
01:01:16: I also know that donna has perfect peace now No worry, no anxiety no fear
01:01:23: No tears the bible says in heaven god will wipe away every tear from their eyes and there will no longer be any death
01:01:33: There no longer be any mourning or crying or pain They're gone
01:01:41: They're gone And I know also what donna's doing she's worshiping right now
01:01:47: She is worshiping jesus christ. She worshiped him here on earth and now she's worshiping him in heaven
01:01:55: She is worshiping him that that he loved her before she loved him
01:02:01: You know what else you do in heaven, this will be right up donna's alley she's serving god in heaven
01:02:07: Some people think uh, heaven is just a bunch of clouds and lazing away The bible says in revelation 22 that there is wonderful service to be given to god
01:02:17: And she has intimate fellowship with him while she serves christ jesus And I know that if donna were asked right now, how are you doing today?
01:02:27: For the first time without hiding anything from anyone she would say i'm doing great
01:02:38: And lastly as i've alluded to the lord is good and does good By reminding us today that we all ought to live for his glory like donna
01:02:48: Friends life is uncertain life is like a vapor We have to be careful to live for god's glory now
01:02:56: The bible says it's appointed for men once to die and after this comes judgment Would you just learn from donna's example of having someone who would be judged in her behalf?
01:03:07: It wasn't donna's religion. It wasn't donna's church It wasn't even donna's kindness that made her right with god
01:03:16: It was the person of jesus christ who died on a cross for her 2 000 years ago and she
01:03:25: Would basically say this I am staking my eternal life My eternal destiny
01:03:31: I am banking it all on jesus's sacrifice is good for me That he's been raised from the dead
01:03:41: And if that is really true in someone's life, what do they do? Live the rest of the 168 hours in a week just for their own pleasure for their own selves.
01:03:51: No, they live for god Donna was a changed person In new england, we don't talk about born again christianity very much
01:04:00: But donna was the only kind of christian there is in the bible and there's only one There aren't christians and then born again christians.
01:04:06: Jesus said in john 3 unless you were born again You will not even see the kingdom of heaven
01:04:13: And donna didn't make herself born. She didn't make herself born the first time out of carol
01:04:19: It was done to her and the same thing with her eternal life. God was pleased to save donna
01:04:26: She can confidently stand before god I love what jesus said to martha
01:04:31: He said i'm the resurrection in the life. He who believes in me shall have life even if he dies
01:04:38: And everyone who lives and believes in me will never Eternally die and then jesus said this and I ask you in love and in compassion.
01:04:48: Do you believe this? I want you to spend more time with your family because of donna's death.
01:04:58: I want you to be more thankful I want you to serve more like her. I want you to slow down and think about life
01:05:05: I want you to be more forgiving to other people, but more than that God wants his son honored
01:05:13: And believed him It's very important It's not just enough to know the facts about god
01:05:20: And if you think about donna's life, it was not just some kind of rote deal. It was not just some kind of sunday thing
01:05:28: She loved god with all her heart soul mind and strength and it was because god gave her that love john, wesley used to say
01:05:38: Christians die. Well, I think we've seen that haven't you?
01:05:44: Christians die well But more importantly after they die God greets them with open arms of the father into his presence because they're forgiven.
01:05:55: They're clean And the bible says all who call upon the name of the lord shall be what saved
01:06:02: I beckon you I encourage you to believe in the same savior. It's not enough to be a good person
01:06:08: You have to be perfect And today I get to preach donna's savior to her to you if she was here.
01:06:14: I preach it to her, too Truly truly
01:06:21: I say to you unless one is born again. He cannot see the kingdom of heaven Well What we'll do is we'll bow in prayer we'll sing amazing grace and then we'll be dismissed bow with me, please
01:06:36: Heavenly father. Thank you for this. Hope that we have for donna Thank you for the consolation that you've given us in your scriptures that those who have died in christ
01:06:46: Jesus are more alive now than they ever have been before Thank you that jesus christ has promised in his word that he has
01:06:55: Gone ahead of us to prepare a place for those who have loved him who have believed and repented
01:07:01: Thank you that the gift of god and eternal life is is poured out to all those who would believe
01:07:08: Father, I pray for these dear family members that have opened their lives and their arms to me the last week
01:07:15: I pray that you'd give them comfort and wisdom Just a strengthening of a family relationships more than they've ever had
01:07:24: I Pray that you'd not let them forget about donna and her life and what she meant I also pray that you would grant them saving faith
01:07:34: That they would believe in the same wonderful loving faithful savior that donna did
01:07:40: Certainly some do already and lord, we know that we have access to to pray to you and that you'll listen because you've loved us and You've been so good giving us donna in her life
01:07:55: It's hard now to say goodbye but father we'll always remember her and we'll look forward to that great reunion in the sky where after Millions of years worshiping christ jesus face to face
01:08:07: We'll look to our left and to our right and see faithful servants like donna there singing at the top of her lungs
01:08:14: God, we praise you god. We bless you god. You've made your face shine upon us You've been gracious to us and god we have entrusted our souls to you and you have been good and you've done good
01:08:25: In jesus name. Amen number 202 in your hymnal
01:08:38: Let's stand and sing together amazing grace Amazing grace
01:09:00: How sweet the sound that saved a wretch?
01:09:06: Like me I once was lost but now am found was blind but now
01:09:20: I see Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears
01:09:34: Relieved How precious did that grace appear the hour
01:09:46: I first believed The lord has promised
01:09:55: Good to me His word my hope
01:10:02: Secures He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures
01:10:18: Through many dangers toils and snares
01:10:26: I have already Come tis grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home
01:10:47: When we've been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun
01:11:01: We've no less days to sing god's praise than when we'd first begun
01:11:18: Well, thank you all again for coming today My name is steve cooley. I'm the
01:11:24: Third of her pastors and I just want to say on a personal note. What a joy donna was
01:11:30: You would always see her smiling And flitting about serving that was donna and you know just as I talked to Her children this week
01:11:41: And I just told them to me What a joy it was to see her and to see even in this last week just what a consummate
01:11:50: Mother, she was how she loved the kids and how that's reflected in how they love her
01:11:56: And uh, that is just such a blessing and a joy to me Uh, I would ask
01:12:03: That as we leave here that everybody after I pray remain
01:12:09: Uh still for just a few moments as we allow pastor abendroth and the family to go out through the doors
01:12:16: And they will greet you as you leave and thank you for coming And on behalf of bethlehem bible church and jesus christ, we do thank you for being here today and for your participation in this
01:12:28: I'd like to read one last bit of scripture from psalm 146 Because this just reminds me of donna and as I said, just a joy,
01:12:38: I All I can think about with donna is her smiling. I never saw her do anything else
01:12:46: I don't I don't know if she was ever upset. Probably she was but She probably smiled through that too
01:12:53: Psalm 146 praise the lord Praise the lord. Oh my soul. I will praise the lord while I live and she did
01:13:03: I will sing praises to my god while I have my being and she did and she is now
01:13:10: Let's pray Lord, we thank you for this time that we've had to honor
01:13:21: Donna's life to reflect on your goodness in giving her to us father as we think of all the different ways that we
01:13:31: That we knew her that she Served us and interacted with us and loved us
01:13:40: Lord how we will Never forget her Beloved daughter loving and faithful mother beloved sister excited grandmother father most importantly
01:14:03: Your daughter Father You loved her more than any of us ever could As difficult as that is for us to imagine you loved her more than all of us put together
01:14:19: Father we praise you that she is with you father.
01:14:24: We would pray That each and every person here Would know you would know your son.
01:14:33: Jesus christ worship him that we might join donna one day Lord would you be the god of all comfort?
01:14:43: Would your spirit so work in every person here today? To remind us that donna
01:14:52: Is happier now than she has ever been father dismiss us with our with your blessing