Jim's Memorial Service

Funeral Order of Service:

Music Plays (Procession)

Introduction-

I'm truly sorry for the Hawkins family loss and want you to know that Jim will always be in our hearts.

Thank you for coming today to support the life of Jim Hawkins.

Our brother and fellow Lion.

He will not be forgotten. All we need to do is look around and see his fingerprint on the club.

Music, Song or Hymn is sung or a verse or poem is recited (The verse, funeral poem, or song is usually listed in the booklet) Memories of the Deceased, Eulogy, Tribute Music Poem or Reading Prayers Hymn or Music (lyrics listed in Order of Service) Committal and Blessing Closing Music

Funeral Reading

At this time of the New Year, you may see your resolutions evaporating like fog on a sunny day. You eat right, exercise more, get up earlier…

Each one is fading fast.

Don’t be surprised: there is only One who can keep promises without fail. He can help you do better at your goals, but you’ll never be perfect this side of Heaven.

All earthly goals pale in comparison to eternity. Concerning God’s promise of a new Heaven and Earth,

Peter says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness” (2 Peter 3:9).

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to be busy with the Lord’s work until Christ returns, adding that “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it”

(1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Paul’s priority was to preach, “In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”

(Titus 1:2).

Despite human sin, failure, and inadequacy, Jesus is your hope.

You will experience many feelings in new ways. Sadness, guilt, despair, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, longing, anger, and frustration will likely run through your mind.

Your feelings need to be expressed, but always remember that they are

“at this moment.”

This gives you hope and permission to have different feelings at a later time.

Paul made it abundantly clear we were to always progress and move forward.

Phl 3:13-14

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead 14. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

loss is not comfortable; it can provide an amazing marker in life for incredible transformation by faith if we hold to the promises in God’s word.

One such promise is the hope that we will see each of our loved ones again.

Even though the bible is not clear on this we have the hope and know Jim is with the Lord and all who believe by faith that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose on the third day believing in their heart He is Lord, will be saved.

Our hope is not in vain.

Jesus Himself told the disciple to follow him and the disciple said Lord first let me go and bury my mother and father and Jesus told him “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:59- 9:62

Jesus when He agonized going to the cross the Bible says His sweat was like droplets of blood that fell from His brow yet He continued and was faithful all the way to the cross but it did not stop there.

The Bible goes on to say in Eph.4 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Paul himself said this about his life. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2Tim. 4:7-8

We all have an appointed time according to scripture. No one is garnered tomorrow.

We are here to do the best we can, to love the Lord with all our hearts and with all our souls and might, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Jim did that…

The times we saw him he was always helping someone or doing something here at the club.

The bible tells us there are many crowns in heaven. I did not know Jim to be big-headed but he will need one for the crowns he will receive.

Our lives are richer because of Jim and the man he is.

He is no longer with us he is now in heaven with the Lord.

I am thankful God is so good and Jesus died on the cross for our sins because of it we have the benefit to see Jim again.

– Charles Dickens said

“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been

bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.”

Jesus said

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” – Anonymous

We can choose to do it alone or lean and support each other. I think Jim would want us to support one another and his family as we move forward.

God bless each of you.

Let's pray