Funeral for Verna Gerlach 5 January 2016

+ In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti + Amen.

Text: Psalm 143:10
Theme: Led by the Spirit

Dear family, friends, and loved ones of Verna, and especially you, Pauline, Chris, Marlene, and Raelene, her daughters,

The prayer of a believer never falls on deaf ears. Psalm 143, which includes Verna’s confirmation text, is a fervent plea. Whether uttered in desperation, or in quiet reflection, the Almighty has made a promise to hear. And if He were not true to His promises we would all be without hope! But as it is we are gathered here today to witness the fulfillment of God’s promises to Verna. The Lord Jesus says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”1 Verna has been crowned with life. She rests from her earthly toil. She enjoys divine peace. Thanks be to God!

God blessed Verna with a long and active life. She saw a lot of change during her lifetime. Tractors replaced horses on the farm. Computers replaced typewriters in the office. Appliances and gadgets of every sort radically changed the daily routine. Not all the change was good. Technology left some people less connected from others and more isolated. Families started meeting together and eating together less and less. Jobs became more of a means to a financial end instead of vocations of service. Societal values have shifted radically during Verna’s lifespan too.

Truth is not held to be an objective reality underpinned by the presence of the Almighty God but simply whatever you deem it to be. Life itself is believed by many to be the result of the random probability that inert material organized itself into complex systems without any rhyme or reason to the process. The deeper meaning of life is increasingly drained of purpose and replaced by the race to acquire more material stuff. A hollowness of soul is encroaching on our culture. Verna was witness to this transition.

We’re accustomed to associating change with progress, invention, and improvement. In regards to technology this is often true. But spiritually things are different. In this fallen world change is ultimately characterized by decay because sin is running its course. When sin is fully mature it results in death. There can be no progress or improvement in the conception of human life. Each infant conceived is unchanged in its human nature from those conceived ten years ago, a hundred years ago, or a thousand years prior. All are born sinners. All need a Saviour. When we reflect on the death of another it’s always an opportune time to consider our own mortality. No one is immune to the consequences of sin. No one is exempt from the power of death. It has the capacity to radically change everything in an instant. Recognizing this truth is always a call to humility and repentance.

But Verna understood, as do all Christians, that one thing does not change. The unfailing love of God in Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is immune to decay. He possesses immortal, unending life. That life is mediated through His Son and extended to believers through the Spirit. He says, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.”2 And again, “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.”3 Verna was led by God’s good Spirit. God’s promises were Verna’s rock and her fortress. Christ was her Good Shepherd.

Verna was faithful in her life of bearing the cross. She was regular in her attendance in God’s house where her faith was strengthen by the gospel and by the reception of Jesus’ body and blood in Holy Communion. In that strength she went about her daily vocation as a wife, mother, and grandmother with dedication and reliability. She worked hard on the fruit blocked, loved her garden, and kept her mind sharp well into old age playing cards. In all these activities Verna still understood that she was journeying through this life to a better, permanent life to come.

That journey can only reach its destination through divine intervention. Verna was saved by grace through faith. Christ carried her sins to the cross and buried them in His tomb. His resurrection proved that He has the power to resurrect her also. The Holy Spirit led her over every hill and through every valley. Through prosperity and adversity He attended her. Verna has now crossed the threshold. She has received her baptismal inheritance. The place in heaven prepared for her is now occupied.

Even though we can rejoice that Verna now rests from her labours grief is still real. It has no cure, humanly speaking. It’s necessary for us to acknowledge loss. It reminds us that life is fragile; that each day is a gift. It reminds us of our own mortality. Most importantly, it reminds us of our need for Christ, the Immortal One. The most eloquently spoken human words can never alleviate the pain of sorrow. Only One has the authority to truly cheer our hearts. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.”4 He says, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”5

The prayers of Verna Gerlach have been answered. Thanks be to God for His incomparable love! In Christ’s most holy name, amen.
+ In nomine Jesu +

Christian Burial of Verna Gerlach
5 January, 2016
Reverend Darrin L. Kohrt

1 Revelation 2:10 2 John 5:26 3 Romans 8:11 4 John 11:25-26 5Revelation 1:17-18