Laverne Schmale funeral bulletin

Funeral of Laverne Schmale
September 17, 2021
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Schuyler, NE
Pastor: Rev. Day Hefner
Musicians: Chrissi Bywater, Mitchell Heavican
Ushers: Jon Knutson, Karen Henry, Jalaine Vavricek
Obituary

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GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

Welcome in the name of Jesus, the Savior of the world.  We are gathered to worship, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, to remember before God our sister Laverne Schmale, to give thanks for her life, to commend her to our merciful redeemer, and to comfort one another in our grief.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death.  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life.  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you.
We glorify you.

Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you.
We praise you.

Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you.
We worship you.

To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN: Just as I Am, Without One Plea
Soloist: Mitchel Heavican

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.  O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our sister Laverne.  We thank you for giving her to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth.  In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn.  Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

READING: “My Mother’s Garden” -Author Unknown, read by Leigh Schmale

READING: Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 23 (please read responsively the boldface type)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

You restore my soul, O Lord, and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

READING: John 3:16-17
[Jesus said] “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God. 

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY (856): How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!

But when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
he bled and died to take away my sin;
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
and there proclaim, "My God, how great thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art!  How great thou art!

CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.  

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Let us pray.Almighty God, in holy baptism you have knit your chosen people together into one communion of saints in the body of Christ. Give to your whole church in heaven and on earth your light and your peace. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to share the new life in Christ. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Give courage and faith to all who mourn, and a sure and certain hope in your loving care, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may have strength for the days ahead. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that, where this world groans in grief and pain, your Holy Spirit may lead us to bear witness to your light and life. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Help us, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of all grace, we give you thanks because by his death our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection he opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Make us certain that because he lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

OFFERING
There are many ways to make your offering:

• Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the church
• Ask your bank about setting up automatic giving
• Make a secure offering online by clicking on the button below (opens up our Tithe.ly giving page in a new window)

OFFERING PRAYER 

Let us pray.

God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

PREFACE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Taste and see that the Lord is good.

COMMUNION
All are welcome at the Lord’s table, whether Lutheran or not. Ushers will invite you up by row. Both wine and juice are available.

COMMUNION SONG: The Old Rugged Cross
Soloist: Mitchel Heavican

COMMUNION SONG (779): Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! -- how sweet the sound -- 
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me;
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun.

POST-COMMUNION BLESSING

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Let us pray.

God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

NEBRASKA NURSE HONOR GUARD TRIBUTE

COMMENDATION

Let us commend our sister, Laverne Schmale, to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Laverne. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. 
Amen.

DISMISSAL

Let us go forth in peace,
in the name of Christ. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN: Blest Be the Tie That Binds
Soloist: Mitchel Heavican

Interment will be at Schuyler Cemetery.
A light luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall.

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Family Memories of Laverne

Mom and Dad moved to Schuyler from the family farm in October, 1962.  Leigh was almost 5 and Lynn was 18 months.  JoEllen was born in 1970.  They looked at a number of houses in town and selected a modest, yellow, three bedroom home at 612 West 9th Street where mom would live for nearly 60 years.  We had a great neighborhood.  Spales and Svecs to the east, Reas and Krejcis to the west, Capouns, Grouliks, and Mejstriks to the north, and Boshes and Bakers to the south.  A wonderful neighborhood to grow up in, a lot of fun and plenty of trouble to get into as well.  As the kids became adults, we often referred to ourselves as part of the 9th street gang.

By the time her three kids were 11 years old, they all had paper routes.  It was mom’s and dad’s way of teaching us work ethic, discipline, and responsibility at an early age.  Our parents didn’t just preach it but were positive examples.  They helped out by wrapping the papers and driving us on the route during some of the harsh days of winter.  It was truly a family effort.

St. John’s was always close to mom’s heart.  When the church asked mom to teach Sunday School, serve on committees, bake goods for church fundraisers, mom could never say no.  Her cookies, kolache, and poppyseed cake were always in high demand at church events.  She loved St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Mom enjoyed gardening and had the biggest flower garden.  She had a garden in town and a much larger garden on the farm.  She loved to draw animals and flowers and we raised chickens, ducks, and guineas.  A family activity sometimes meant going out to the farm.  Mom and JoEllen would tend to the garden.  Leigh and Lynn would help dad move the irrigation pipe if they weren’t too busy throwing dirt clods at each other.  Mom loved canning, a tradition that she handed down, so that she could feed us with the fruits of her labor all year long.   One particular summer mom canned 50 quarts of strawberries.  That was a tasty treat anytime, but especially in the winter.

In her late 40’s mom decided to attend Platte College in Columbus.  She took pride in being a life-long learner.  Mom earned her LPN cap and worked as a caregiver in the Schuyler, Columbus area for many years.  Seeing Mom’s passion for taking care of others and her own family members, watching her go back to school to earn her nursing degree, inspired Joellen to follow in her footsteps into medical care, putting out more care and kindness into the world.  

Family meant everything to our mom.  She supported and encouraged us in school activities and was proud of the career paths we had chosen.  She celebrated her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Holiday gatherings were very special and something mom always looked forward to.  She cared for her family with great love and good humor all her life long.