Services were held at the Erickson-Rochon Nash Funeral Home with over 400 visitors! This picture shows only a few of the flowers that were delivered - there were flowers everywhere! It looked like a greenhouse! It was lovely.
Dave Grant from the Iron Mountain Church of Christ officiated, and the following message was delivered:
Psalm 25:1-7
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
PRAYER
We have gathered today in memory of Rhiannon Daugherty, age 24, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Rhiannon was taken from this life in a motorcycle accident this past Sunday. Our time together will be to honor her and provide comfort to those who have suffered from this loss.
We may have known Rhiannon in many different ways. I think it would be a benefit to all of us if we could see her through the eyes of her Mother. Danita has shared some of her thoughts over the past several days. I would like to share some of those with you at this time.
(READ DANITA'S LETTER)
Often, we ask WHY? Why does God allow these young people to die? Our society has tried to provide understanding…yet fallen miserably short. Our counselors may have tried to provide insight…but have been short of hitting the mark. We often come away with a feeling that God is being unfair.
I would like to direct your attention to the insight provided to us by our Father in heaven. Here are some simple truths that may help us understand separation that comes from the death of a loved one.
- God is not distant and remote from our feelings of loss.
- God does not play games with our lives.
- God does not change the rules to see how you will respond.
- God hurts when you hurt.
What is God's will? Is it His will that Rhiannon die in an accident? Is it His will that many of the families hurting today don't know where to turn for comfort? NO! I strongly believe there are two WILLS that need to be understood.
God has a DETERMINED WILL
What I mean by this is that God has determined that this world will end and it is at an appointed time. This is not negotiable. It is also determined that each of us will die. This goes back to the Garden of Eden when sin first entered the human existence. This is God's determined will and nothing we can do or say will change the fact that all of us must face death and ultimately the judgment seat of Christ.
God has a DESIRED WILL
It is God's desire that all of us be saved from eternal separation and welcomed to a home in heaven. This will is what He wants to take place, but it is dependent on us to participate by responding to His will. The determined will takes place without any action good or bad on our part. The desired will takes place when we respond to Him in the way He has asked us to. Let's look at a few passages of scripture that point to these WILLS of God.
Acts 17:29-31
29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone-an image made by man's design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."
2 Peter 3:1-13
1Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
1 Timothy 2:1-6
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.
SONGS
OUR GOD, HE IS ALIVE
UNTO THEE, O LORD
PRAYER
READ LETTERS
RYAN
JEANINE
OPTIMA MACHINERY CORP
ADVANCED AUTOMATION
ANNOUNCE LUNCHEON AT THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE LADIES OF THE FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH FOR COORDINATING THE MEAL.
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
SONG
SING AND BE HAPPY
