Nancy Marsh
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It’s difficult to capture - in a few minutes - the greatness of someone’s life. Jordan has done a wonderful job. Thank you, Jordan for all of that.
I’d like to offer some words of hope and encouragement and memories and scriptures - as well - as we remember and celebrate Nancy’s life.
Prayer
Prayer
Father, It is never easy to get through a day like today. And yet, your Word tells us - in the as Randy and Sue read - ‘that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.’
Nancy found strength through the truth of that verse all her life, and now today as her family and friends, we do the same. Today we are faced with the reality of death.
It hurts, but we are hopeful, because Nancy believed in a Savior, Jesus, who said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.’ Father, we believe today Nancy is more alive than she has ever been before. Sustain our hope, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Personal
Personal
It is never easy to get through a day like today.
Many of you have known Nancy for most - if not all - of your lives.
My wife and I have had the joy of knowing Nancy for over three years. Truly has been a joy for us. From day one.
Candidating at One Life - George’s stories - ‘Oh, George.’
Trip to Johnstown that first summer - ‘A day with two old people.’ So much more than that - Got to see a healthy Christian marriage that had endured and thrived for over five decades. More ‘Oh, George’ moments reveal their love for each other had remained fresh.
Calling me pastor. Insisted even as the oldest members of the church.
Love for the people of our church (nursery, Cindy, etc.)
When I think about the life she lived and the legacy she leaves behind I think about a life of simple, Christians service.
She was steady and consistent in her love for her Lord and her family and her church family.
The Light of the World
The Light of the World
In the gospels the disciples were arguing about which of them would be remembered as the greatest. Typical human response to power and popularity and the desire to be known.
An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
Jesus, though, as he did often, turned it around on them and said, ‘The greatest among you is the one who serves.’
In we see Jesus show his followers something about greatness. He quietly wrapped a towel around his waist and began washing the disciples feet as a symbol of humble service.
That kind of action was characteristic of Nancy’s life.
While so many others are trying to get recognition, she was willingly and quietly serving.
Served at Church:
Quietly slipping into a back row to sit with a new friend she was excited had come. Making sure new faces felt welcome. (Cindy)
She served quietly and faithfully - with no need of recognition.
Nursery in her 70s for love of children and she saw a need. (Nursery)
Served at Home:
The writer of Proverbs could have written about Nancy.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
George Eliot said, “What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel they are joined for life? To strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent, unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting.”
As she lived this life of service to the Lord, the Church, and her family, she was being who she was made to be in her salvation story.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“You are the light of the world.”
Not “Try to be the light...”
Not “You have the light...”
The followers of Jesus themselves are the light.
Nancy was the light in her whole existence and her light shines brighter today as we celebrate her life well lived in service to her Lord.
The guiding force in Nancy’s life, underlying all she did, all she was, all she hoped that others would see, was her faith and love for God. That’s where she found her peace and joy and strength for the day.
Passing
Passing
In the same way as she lived, she passed on from this earth.
I’d like to offer some words of hope and encouragement as we remember and celebrate Nancy’s life.
Calling me ‘Pastor’
Trip to Johnstown
She didn’t face death with fear. She didn’t face death with anxiety.
Love for people in the church (Cindy)
She approached death with peace and hope - knowing she was about to wake up in the arms of her precious Jesus.
In my observance, I believe Nancy faced death the way a Believer should. I mean that with all sincerity.
From Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to King David: They accepted their passing as a part of life. They gracefully shared their final instructions for those left behind and the next generation - and then quietly breathed their last. Knowing in confident faith they would be reunited with their ancestors and their God.
That’s the testimony of Nancy’s final days. Gracefully accepting her work on earth was done.
We are a people of hope. Life is short, and we all want more time - no matter our age - but we have hope. Hope of heaven. Hope of no more pain. No more struggle. No more heartache.
Nancy is enjoying all of that today.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
She has received her eternal inheritance - “Heaven with Father God and the Son.”
Pray
Hannah
Committal
Committal
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
We have also gathered here to commit to rest the body of Nancy, our loved one and friend.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
:
We have all shared through these passing years a wonderful companionship and fellowship with our faithful sister, Nancy. We cherish the many blessings and memories that come to our mind in moments like these.
We have all shared through these passing years a wonderful companionship and fellowship with our faithful sister, Nancy. We cherish the many blessings and memories that come to our mind in moments like these.
Her faithfulness, her friendship, and her consecrated life will continue their testimony through all of our lives.
In the name of Jesus Christ, whom Nancy loved and served, we commit her body to rest, knowing that her spirit is with the Lord in his heavenly house.
In doing this, we rest our hearts in fresh confidence upon the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to life through Jesus Christ, “Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Prayer
Father, we gather in this solemn place to remember, mourn, and celebrate the life and passing of Nancy Marsh. We don’t sorrow like people who have no hope, for our hope, like Nancy’s, is in Jesus Christ.
We ask that you would comfort each family member and friend. May they be comforted by your Word, encouraged through joyful memories, and sustained by the hope of the resurrection for all who place their faith in you. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Lisa