Nancy Lou Widger Memorial

Class Outline:

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MEMORIAL SERVICE

Part One

 

Nancy Lou Widger  (Mercure Weintraub)

 

April 10, 1945 - August 10, 2018

 

Welcome to this celebration of a life!  We’re here to honor a Mom, and a sister, and a grandma, and a great grandma, and an aunt, and a friend…her name is Nancy.  I speak of her in the present tense because the soul once born never dies…each of us get to choose where our soul spends eternity.  This “body of our humble state,” as the bible describes our human body, goes back to the earth through cremation or burial…but our soul at our physical death makes a passage into the hands of our Creator.  It’s the passage all of us will make one day.  It’s a pleasure…an extreme pleasure …that you have invited me to accompany you through some of the recollections and fondest memories of Nancy.

 

My name is Pastor Rory Clark, and I am the Pastor of Barah Ministries…a Christian Church that makes a difference worldwide courtesy of the internet… a Christian Church that makes a difference locally in the Gilbert, Mesa, and Chandler, AZ communities. We teach the Word of God from God’s perspective…not from man’s perspective. At Barah Ministries, we worship the Sovereign God of the Universe…the One and ONLY God…the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Isaiah, Chapter 45, Verses 5 to 7 say…

 

ISAIAH 45:5

“I am the Lord (God the Son), and there is no other…besides Me there is no God.  I will gird you, even though you have not known Me…”

 

ISAIAH 45:6

“…so that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me.  I am the Lord, and there is no other…”

 

ISAIAH 45:7 

“I am the One forming light and creating darkness…causing well-being and allowing calamity (the Lord is the Source…the One who is in complete control of the universe)…I am the Lord who does all these.”

 

Let’s begin the Memorial Service with a song…this is written and sung by Barah Ministries Song Worship Leader June Murphy…it’s our hope for all of our loved ones who have transitioned to the next phase of life…the song is GOING HOME TO BE WITH JESUS.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

GOING HOME TO BE WITH JESUS

June Murphy

 

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray...

 

We’re grateful, Heavenly Father, for the privilege of studying Your absolute truth...the Word of God…

 

Thank you. Father, for bringing us together to remember…thank you for bringing Nancy into Your care…thank you for the unconditional love and grace and forgiveness You have for all of Your creatures…

 

Heal our grieving hearts today, Father…and give us the strength to carry on without Nancy…and pass along the love we all send her way today…

 

…we ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit…in Christ’s

name...Amen.

 

MEMORIAL SERVICE

 

Nancy Lou Widger (Mercure Weintraub)

 

April 10, 1945 - August 10, 2018

 

Introduction

 

I met Nancy on August 10, 2018, the last day of her life on earth, at about 2:30PM in the afternoon. It’s a testament to how amazing God is that I would be a part of Nancy’s life for that one hour.  I got a chance to communicate the gospel message of salvation to her one last time before she transitioned to the next phase of her life.  

 

Nancy heard the message of salvation many times in her life.  Unfortunately, God has an enemy.  Satan, the enemy of God, does everything he can to make us either indifferent or antagonistic to God.  Satan is the sponsor of religion, and as you probably know, Nancy has a few ordeals with the Roman Catholic Church.

 

While I was with Nancy, I prayed to God the Father that He would use God the Holy Spirit to make Nancy lucid for the time I was there, so that she would hear the gospel message another time.  I am confident God the Holy Spirit did His job.  God would not have brought me to her if He couldn’t do His job.  Nancy was peaceful during this time, breathing easy, and I am confident she heard me.

 

Even though I didn’t know Nancy, from hearing about her, I think we would have hit it off immediately. We’re both teachers…we both have a zest for adventure and for life…we both love our families…we both thought it was necessary to bring enriching experiences into the lives of those lives that touch ours.  And of course, we both have a collection of skeletons in our closets that would spook anyone on Halloween!  J  

 

I’m sure we would have had a lot to say to each other.  I would have loved her cooking, we would have shared stories about the way we developed the mentalities of our children, and we would have laughed about all the mistakes we made in life.  But I would not have done cross-country trips in the car with Nancy, no matter how good we were as friends.  I fly. That’s that!

 

In the brief time we were together, Nancy reminded me of my Mom.  I can remember like it was yesterday the day my mother died.  It was the evening of September 24, 1998.  We got the call around 6:30PM.  Mom was gone and she wasn’t coming back.  Loss doesn’t describe the feeling.  I’m sure you know what I mean.  Grief doesn’t describe the feeling.  Nothing really describes the feeling.  At the moment of the loss of a loved, our eyes seem to take on a laser sharp focus.  As we look around, we see people operating as if nothing has happened.  They’re getting gas…they’re driving…they’re talking and laughing…when our world has been shattered.  There is nothing that can describe the feeling in a situation where the protection of denial doesn’t serve us.  This is reality.  There is no hope for a different outcome.  This is final.  I cried so hard that day I almost coughed up my liver.  I’m certain you have shed tears as well.

 

I can’t even pretend to know how all of you feel right now.  Most of us don’t have enough practice with the death of loved ones to know how to feel.  I can tell you that there is nothing you could have ever done to prepare for the moment of Nancy’s departure.  We always think we’re prepared…but it’s always hard to be ready to say goodbye.  

 

There is nothing in this service that will provide what psychologists call “closure.”  This is hard and it’s painful and grief lasts a while. There is no “getting back to normal.” Here is no perfect time frame.  

 

All I know is that I am here for you.  In fact, let’s be here for each other.  Together, we can support each other in a way that reminds us that there actually are people in the world who know what we are going through and who feel for us.  I want to share God’s perspective on what has happened to you and what it all means.  I hope it provides a calm and a comfort and a peace in your souls that surpasses comprehension.

 

MEMORIAL SERVICE AGENDA

 

         Part One      Pastor Rory Clark

 

         Part Two     Your Memories

 

         Part Three    Video and Eats

 

This memorial service will have three parts.  Part One, believe it or not, is for the living.  I’d like to share the biblical perspective concerning God’s attitude toward you.  Part Two, you’ll have time to share memories. Your family has shared some Nancy stories with me, but I’m certain I cannot do them justice.  So you’ll have to do it.  Speaking in public is the number one fear of human beings (death is sixth on the list of fears), so you may be reluctant to share.  Don’t be.  Come up…be yourself… and don’t worry about how you look or sound.  We’re with you.  Just share your love for Nancy. Finally, in Part Three, we’ll watch a video and we’ll break bread together which will give us more time to remember how much Nancy means to us.

Part One

 

The opening moments of this memorial service are for the living…for anyone who does not have a personal relationship with the Sovereign God of the Universe, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We want you to know that GOD WANTS YOU.  

 

GOD WANTS YOU!

Make the Most Important Decision of Your Life

 

What He wants is for you to use every opportunity you get to make the most important decision of your life. Dealing with the loss of a loved one brings to focus the question, “What is going to happen when you close your eyes in this life?” You may wonder if there is an “afterlife?”  And if there is an afterlife, how can you get to heaven?

 

Yes…there is another phase of life beyond this one.  Hebrews, Chapter 9, Verse 27 confirms it…

 

HEBREWS 9:27

It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes the evaluation…

 

Many people believe the answer to the question, “How can I get to heaven?” is to be a good person. In fact, most people think they are, as they say, “basically I am a good person.”  For some, being good means not being bad. Here’s what I have heard many people say over the years…“I haven’t murdered anyone. I don’t steal. I don’t curse. I don’t lie. I’m not a drug addict.  My conscience is clear because I’m not nearly as bad as the people I read about in the newspapers or the ones I see on television.  I’m just like everyone else, and I know everybody can’t be going to hell.”

 

When these people open the bible, it obliterates their delusion…Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 23…

 

ROMANS 3:23

…for all creatures have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

 

Romans, Chapter 3, Verse 10…

 

 

ROMANS 3:10

…as it is written “There is no creature who is righteous, not even one…”

 

First Corinthians, Chapter 15, Verse 22…

 

FIRST CORINTHIANS 15:22a

For all in union with Adam at physical birth (and that is every human who comes to earth) are set to die the second death in the Lake of Fire…

 

That is not your fault, but it is your circumstance.  It’s bad news!  The good news is that the Lord Jesus Christ has an interesting attitude toward His creatures…Second Peter, Chapter 3, Verse 9…

 

SECOND PETER 3:9

The Lord is not slow about His promise of salvation, as some accuse Him of, but instead He is patient toward you unbelievers…not wishing for any of you to perish (in the Lake of Fire) but for all of you to come to repentance (a change of mind about having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).

 

Luke, Chapter 15, Verses 3 to 7…

 

LUKE 15:3

So Jesus told them this parable, saying…

 

LUKE 15:4 

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine sheep in the open pasture and go after the one sheep which is lost until he finds it?” 

 

LUKE 15:5 

“When he has found the lost sheep, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

 

LUKE 15:6 

“And when the man comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’”

 

LUKE 15:7 

“I (the Lord Jesus Christ) tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner (unrighteous, ungodly unbeliever) who repents (who decides to change his mind…to believe in Christ) than over ninety-nine righteous persons (believers in Christ) who need no repentance.”

 

The apostle John makes clear the function of the bible in John, Chapter 20, Verses 30 and 31…

 

JOHN 20:30

Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book (the bible)…

 

JOHN 20:31 

…but these things written here have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)…the Son of God (in human form)… and that by believing in Him you may have the resurrection life in Hisname.

 

How can you get to heaven? Right where you sit, RIGHT NOW, you can tell God the Father that you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is the moment of eternal life for you.  It is as simple as a nine-word conversation… Luke, Chapter 23, Verses 42 and 43…

 

LUKE 23:42

And a thief being crucified next to Jesus was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

 

LUKE 23:43 

And Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

 

Or if you prefer…it’s a five word conversation with God the Father… “Father…I believe in Christ.” Simply believe…and that is the moment of eternal life for you.  Now once the immutable Lord saves you, a Lord who never changes the things He does…no matter how hard you try…you cannot lose your salvation…John, Chapter 10, Verse 28 says…

 

JOHN 10:28

“…and I (the Lord Jesus Christ) give eternal life to believers in Christ, and they will never perish…and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

  

John, Chapter 14, Verses 2 and 3…

JOHN 14:2

In My Father’s house are many mansions…if (for the sake of argument) it were not so…I (the Lord Jesus Christ) would have told you…for I go to prepare a place for you.

 

JOHN 14:3 

If I (the Lord Jesus Christ) go and prepare a place for you, and I do, I will come again and receive you to Myself…that where I am, there you may be also.

 

This is our hope for Nancy. That she is home, face-to-face with the Lord. 

 

Acts, Chapter 16, Verse 31…

 

ACTS 16:31 

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and everyone in your household who also believes.”

 

Believing in Jesus Christ is your acknowledgement that you can’t do a thing to get to heaven on your own….so you place your confidence in Him to do what He promises and to get you there.  Romans, Chapter 11, Verse 6 says…

 

ROMANS 11:6

But if salvation is by grace, and of course it is, it is no longer on the basis of works…otherwise grace is no longer grace.

 

God’s grace makes your salvation a free gift to you…if you have to work for a gift then the work makes you deserve the gift.  In salvation, there is no way for you to impress God enough that He would allow you to save yourself.  It’s very wise to let God save you, because once God does something He never changes His mind.  Heed then the warning in John, Chapter 3, Verse 36…

 

JOHN 3:36

“He who believes in the Son has the resurrection life right at that moment… but he who does not obey the command to believe in the Son will not see the resurrection life…instead the wrath of God (the Lake of Fire) abides on him.”

 

John, Chapter 3, Verse 17…

 

JOHN 3:17

For God the Father did not send God the Son into the world to judge the world…but the Father sent the Son into the world that the world might be saved through Him.

 

The apostle Peter reminds us of the words of the Old Testament prophet Joel in Acts, Chapter 2, Verse 21…

 

ACTS 2:21

‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.’

 

On July 6, 2019…Nancy ashes will be taken to their final resting place…a place that holds vivid memories for many of you…a return to the mountains…to South Fork, CO

 

As we reflect on that moment that will come all too soon, let’s listen to a song that is special to your family…GO REST ON THAT MOUNTAIN.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN

Vince Gill

 

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Part Two

 

What do you remember about Nancy?

 

Part Two

 

As you share what you remember about Nancy, let’s remember the words of the late Senator Edward Kennedy as he eulogized his brother Robert F. Kennedy.  Edward said, “My brother need not be idealized…or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life…but be remembered simply as a good and decent man…” One thing that came through loud and clear as I listened to the family members talk about Nancy is that she is a good and decent woman…and your deep sense of love for her is totally transparent.

 

Terri, Nancy’s daughter said…there was so much to learn from her…I wish I could have learned more from her…she was a wonderful mother…she made things magical…I’m so impressed how my parents were able to hold down a family from such a young age…

 

Jim, Nancy’s brother said…we grew up in Colorado together…we were the only playmates each other had until we were seven…we lost touch for a time…we loved being in Colorado…we loved being in the mountains together…the mountains are home…it’s like being in a church…it was nice being together in the mountains with our kids…

 

Glennora, Nancy’s sister-in-law said…we were in each other’s lives…I’ve known her all my life…she was a close to a sister to me as anyone in my life…I adored her and loved her and she loved us…

 

These are the kind of things we want to hear about…your fondest memories of the woman we remember today.  To get us ready, another song that is important to your family…I FEEL LIKE GOING ON.

 

MUSIC AND REFLECTION

Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ

Enjoy the Singing of His Praises

 

I FEEL LIKE GOING ON

The Five Heartbeats

 

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Part Three

 

The Video and Eats

 

We’re going to see a video that will show Nancy’s parents, Leo & Lucella Widger, on their family farm outside of Monte Vista Colorado, where Nancy and her brother Jim grew up. She had a happy childhood on their farm…near her cousins and grandparents. You will see Nancy and Jim playing on the farm as little children and then the arrival of their brother Ken. During part of the video, you will see Nancy and her pet pig she named ‘Petunia.’