“A MEMORIAL TO GLEN CLARKE” by Nelson Weippert

“A MEMORIAL TO GLEN CLARKE”                                          

WELCOME:

If Glenn could speak, I think this what he would say to us:

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an after flow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways.
Of happy times and laughing times with bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun.
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

Today is a special service celebrating the life of our brother Glenn      Clarke--The hymns  Ann selected —were Glenn’s favourites

 
Let join together in the opening Hymn welcomes everyone to our worship service.  

    HYMN:   COME IN, COME IN AND SIT DOWN 


COME IN, COME IN AND SIT DOWN

 

                    Chorus     Come in, come in and sit down,
                                      you are a part of the family.

We are lost and we are found,
And we are a part of the family
 

--You know the reason why you came,
 --yet no reason can explain.
so share in the laughter

And cry in the pain,
for we are a part of the family.

 

--God is with us in this place,
--like a mother’s warm embrace.
--we’ve all forgiven by God’s grace,
for we are a part of the family.

 

There’s rest for the weary
and health for us all.
There’s a yoke that is easy,
and a burden that’s small.

 

So come in and worship
and answer the call,
for you are a part of the family.


 

    CALL TO WORSHIP:

One:   Clap your hands all you people,
            Cry out to the God with shouts of joy.
All:      Sing songs to God, sing out!
             Sing to our King, sing praise!
One:   God is Lord over the earth,
            so sing your best songs to God.
All:      God is Lord of all nations.
One:   The powers of earth our God’s,
            He soars over all.
All:      Let us worship God.

 OPENING PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER

                        Loving Lord, may our worship this morning glorify your name and let this service be a witness to our everlasting love. We ask your blessing as we celebrate the memory of our friend Glenn Clarke. We give thanks for his life and his commitment to serving his community. We pray that in the months ahead you will bring comfort and peace to Ann and to all who have lost loved ones.  Bless all of us as we raise our voices singing hymns of praise and as we share personal memories of Glenn’s life. Let us feel your presence among us and open our hearts to your healing power. Let join in saying the prayer Jesus taught…Our Father

HYMN:    “GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS”  # 56    Mary’s Songbook

ANTHEM:   “I was There to Hear Your Borning Cry”  Choir 

HYMN:  “WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE”  #  41  Mary’s Songbook

DOWN MEMORY LANE
             HARLEY BYE
              GORDON FUREY   “Give Me Just a Little More Time”  







REFLECTION:

The first time I met Glenn, he was at the Source Blue Residence- in Ormstown and after getting over the awkwardness of my first visit, you know the feeling
-- what to say
    -how long to stay
     -do I say a prayer
       --how to say goodbye to someone strapped to a wheel chair –who couldn’t move—hardly talk-

Without saying a word Glenn always put me at ease.

But every time I went to visit, Glenn met me with a smile and the twinkle in his eye, letting me know he was glad I had come.

Glenn was “a giver,” All throughout his life Glenn gave to his community—gave to the fire department and gave to his church, now “the wind had changed direction” and he found himself on the receiving end-- I can imagine this must have been frustrating for him and a difficult adjustment. 


 During my visits, I did the talking and Glenn using slight movement of his eyes or his hands--He would nod when in agreement--roll his eyes when doubting and gesture with his hands to continue talking.   At least that’s what I thought.

I’m sure Ann knew of more signals Glenn used to let her know how he was doing.

One thing for sure Glenn had become a great listener—rarely interrupted.   

 But when he really had something to say –words would roll off his tongue with great difficulty-- whatever the method we used-- we seem to be able to talk to each other.   

I remember one particular day, As I we sat facing each other not saying a word  I could sense GLENN WAS SENDING ME A MESSAGE:

“NELSON- I HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO YOU—BUT IT CAN,-- SO LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST.-TO BE THANKFUL FOR YOUR HEALTH--KEEP FAITH IN GOD.”

I know-- it sounds like I might be imagining things, but there was that feeling—Body language-facial expression-- I’m sure you know what I mean!

   
 “THIS WAS GLENN’S GIFT TO ME, THE GIFT TO “BE STILL”—TO SIT IN SILENCE BESIDE A FRIEND--TO TAKE A TIME-OUT-- TO REFLECT ON MY LIFE.   

Spending time in silence became an important part of our visit.

*****

You all know how our minds can wander in strange directions, well my visits with Glenn made me think, for some reason, of the story of David and Goliath

As I thought about I found the story is really ABOUT LIFE and gives us a lesson about HOW TO FACE LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES.

Remember David picked up FIVE SMOOTH STONES FROM THE STREAM AND SLIPPED INTO HIS POUCH but he only needed one, the others were --what I call backup. You know the rest of the story.

I have given a name to each of the stones:

FAITH--LOVE—COURAGE—TRUST—COMPASSION

I was thinking of the power Glenn must have received from those five smooth stones.   This story gives us a glimpse of THE RELATIONSHIP GLENN HAD WITH HIS GOD-- of FAITH and TRUST Glenn had in God--

Often these gifts lay dormant within in all of us then suddenly have need to call on one or two of these helpers to overcome a difficulty.

 Glenn  found himself in just such a situation:
--struck down  with PARKINGSIN
      --separated from Ann and his community
          - -confined in a chronic care facility.

 

GLENN’S FIVE  (5) SMOOTH STONES, must have been well used during his stay at the Source Blue as —a prisoner in his own body unable to move-- not able to speak clearly. 

 I can picture  Glenn digging deep into his pouch, searching for the stone for faith, for courage for trust as he adjusted to this new life.   Glenn calling on God just as David did--to help him through the storm that caught him off guard.

Glenn had heard the Psalmist call out, BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD.

During his final years Glenn had plenty of time “to be still” and communicate with his Maker.   I’m sure they had many conversations



Glenn may not have been given all the answers to his questions concerning life but having the five stones FAITH--LOVE—COURAGE—TRUST—COMPASSION in his pouch DEATH HAD NO STING--GLENN WENT FEARLESSLY TO MEET HIS MAKER.           

I can hear Glenn, now in his new home, saying to God:  

                 “PUT ON YOUR EARPHONES, GOD, I’VE BEEN QUIET FOR TOO LONG AND NOW I HAVE PLENTY TO SAY!”

THANKS GLENN FOR SHARING YOUR LIFE WITH US AND THE MANY MEMORIES YOU’VE GIVEN US.         AMEN



HYMN:      “MANSION OVER THE HILLTOP”   #  26   Mary’s Songbook

HYMN:      “PEACE IN THE VALLEY”   #  30    Mary’s Songbook

 

BENEDICTION:     “MAY OUR GOD”   Tune of Edelweiss                                              (words in back of hymn book)