Chad Stewart Funeral
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Slide show to play at this time.
Intro
Intro
On behalf of the family I’d like to welcome everyone as we remember and celebrate the life of Chad Stewart. Life can be so busy. Often we go on like there will always be more time, but suddenly we realize time is fleeting. These days force us to hit the pause button for a bit. Everything else will just have to wait. Today we’ll remember a son, a friend, a brother, and so much more. There will be stories told and memories shared—laughter and tears. And that’s okay. Prayer
Obituary
Obituary
Chad D. Stewart, 34 of Indianapolis, passed away April 1, 2018. He was preceded in death by his brother, Shane Stewart and grandfathers John D. Stewart and Rendell Wallace.
He is survived by his parents, Mona Wallace and John Stewart; sister, Kara Stewart; grandmothers, Gertrude Wallace and Shirley Stewart.
Rickie Noe was born September 20, 1952 here in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a 1971 graduate of Ben Davis High School. He is preceded in death by his mother Maxine Watson, the man he considered his father Clifford Watson, and his two sisters Maxine and Beulah. He is survived by his two sons Adrian and Corey, Twin sister Vickie, his Brother Earl and many other beloved family members.Rick spent most of his life in his home state of Indiana but he also called Georgia and Kentucky home, for a brief period. Rick made a career in nuts, bolts, and screws distribution as a sales manager. Rick was a devoted care giver to both his sisters and a close friend. Rick enjoyed cooking, fishing, enjoying nature, going to the beach and spending time with his grand-kids. Rick was baptized into Christ and became a member of Seerley Creek Christian Church in January of 2013. He went home July 26, 2017.Rick was always a charismatic, silly guy who enjoyed joking with family members. There are many stories of the crazy things he’d said and done. Here are just a few that family members have sent us. His niece Rise’ sent us this one “When I was in high school, I twirled a rifle in the band. I was practicing outside one day when I hit myself in the jaw. Mom thought I had broken my jaw and asked Uncle Rick to go with us to the hospital. We get to the desk and the lady asks Mom what is going on. She says, "My daughter is a rifle." Behind me, I hear Uncle Rick say, "And she's a pistol packing mama and I'm a son of a gun." Oh, the laughs we had.”Rise’s sisters Erin and Stacey sent this silly story Erin – “When we stayed at his house in Atlanta, he stood at the end of the bed with under wear on his head saying, "I will be your chef in the morning!" “Stacey- “Erin and I were both in bed and he busted in the room screaming it with underwear on his noggin.”-A Favorite Story the kids remember is the Fourth of July he created an impromptu parade around our back yard. Rick loved the John Philip Sousa march “Stars and Stripes Forever”. That fourth of July it came on the radio, he immediately jumped up and outfitted himself and the kids with spoons and pots and pans. He proceeded to act as Grand Marshall as he and all three kids marched around the backyard banging on their pans. Adrian and I sat in awe and laughed as the craziness ensued around us. Great stories—great memories.
Transition
Transition
I know it’s customary to read the obit but...
Chad:
Dave Jarrett
Dave Jarrett
Quiet
liked to read
Especially kind and polite
He loved nature, especially Brown County - I heard something about paintball!
animals, particularly Twinkie
Going on walks. Loved
Always worried about his mom and sister.
An obituary just doesn’t do justice
Dave Jarrett
Dave Jarrett
Message
Message
We have to be honest, days like today hurt. Today, we’ll say goodbye for a while. For those who know Jesus as Lord, these days still hurt, but they aren’t without hope. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Even in (I’d say especially in) death, there is reason for celebration…even in the pain.
For the next few minutes I’d like to read you a passage of Scripture. It’s a special passage. You may have been in church your entire life or today may be the first time and chances are, you’ve heard this somewhere before. It has a way of providing comfort, when none is to be found. It was written by a man facing an incredibly dark time. His name was David and he was facing one of the darkest times he would ever face. There seemed to be no end to his pain. In the midst of the chaos and pain, he wrote a song about the wonderful protection of God. The song contains some of the most famous words that would ever be written. Through the centuries, millions have memorized it and found comfort in difficult times. It’s the 23rd Psalm. It’s interesting that David, in the darkest of nights, compared the peace in his heart to being a sheep. Seems kinda odd, sheep should be afraid of everything, but fear nothing, because of the shepherd’s love and protection. I’d like to read it to you
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
ESV A Psalm of David.
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Twelve short lines – packed with truth. The 23rd Psalm has a bunch to say but I’d like to pick out a few things:
Who is the Shepherd?
Who is the Shepherd?
The Bible makes that perfectly clear. We read in the gospel according to John that Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd...I lay own my life for my sheep.” The Psalm tells of the shepherd who provides everything the sheep will need. It was Jesus, the Great Shepherd who provided for us in the greatest possible way. He laid down his life on a cross for the sin of those whom he loves, even though we didn’t deserve it. That’s why we call it amazing grace. This provision is not just physical, but it is also emotional and spiritual as well. It may be a well-timed card or something even as simple as a hug. This is a charge to everyone here: don’t let those hurting walk through this alone. Watch as God works through you as we support them as they deal with the coming days without Chad. Jesus is the true Shepherd who, even though he has many sheep, goes after individuals. Chad, has seen the shepherd face to face. Now troubles of the world are a thing of the past.
Jesus the true Shepherd, is our protector.
Jesus the true Shepherd, is our protector.
David writes, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” It is important to notice that David wrote, “I walk through” not “I walk around.” There’s no way to avoid this valley. The valley has come; we are in it today. And frankly, it will come again. But one of the most comforting thoughts one can have is when God softens your heart to realize his great love and protection.When my son was little we would hold hands as we crossed the road. He knew this would keep him from harm because I would make sure there was no oncoming traffic or something that could hurt him. So he’d hang on to me to make sure he was safe. What he didn’t know is that if we got to the middle of the road and the traffic would start to buzz around him and maybe he would get confused and scared and try to let go of my hand, he was still safe. He was safe not because he was holding my hand. He was safe because I held his hand, and I don’t let go. That’s the way it is with God. He holds onto his loved ones and shields from the dangers of life that can so quickly overtake us. See, if I’m just an ordinary dad doing anything any other father would do, don’t you think God, our perfect Heavenly Father wouldn’t do more? Of course He will protect, even in the darkest night. That’s why later the Apostle Paul would write from prison, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me…. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.” Often we just need to take the time to realize he’s with us.
Jesus the true Shepherd, is present.
Jesus the true Shepherd, is present.
Some like to think of God as someone who watches from a distance, like a kindly grandpa who would like to help if he could. That’s not the picture Scripture provides. David reminds us that God is always there. This puts our mind at rest. We can feel so alone when we are suffering but God has promised he will always be with us. Always, not just in the good times, but in the valleys where we stand today. Jesus said to his followers, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” And maybe that’s why David wrote, “Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”Great words—great promises. So now we say goodbye to a special man for a while.
Danny Boy
Danny Boy
BagPipes
BagPipes