Colleen Dubsky funeral bulletin

Funeral of Colleen Dubsky
August 19, 2022
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Schuyler, NE
Presider: Pastor Day Hefner
Organist: Chrissi Bywater
Readers: Terry Hale, Doug Dumbrill
Vocalists: Sheryl Biondahl, Mike Gall
Slideshow: Crystal Callahan
Obituary • APHA Tribute

PRELUDE: “Jealous of the Angels” by Donna Tagart

GATHERING

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 Colleen Dubsky, 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: 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!

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!

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!

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!

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 Colleen. 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.

REMEMBRANCES FROM FAMILY/FRIENDS

WORD

READING: Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers close in against me to devour my flesh,
they, my foes and my enemies, will stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear.
Though war rise up against me, my trust will not be shaken.
One thing I ask of the Lord; one thing I seek;
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek God in the temple.

For in the day of trouble God will give me shelter,
hide me in the hidden places of the sanctuary, and raise me high upon a rock.
Even now my head is lifted up above my enemies who surround me.
Therefore I will offer sacrifice in the sanctuary, sacrifices of rejoicing;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
My heart speaks your message—“Seek my face.” Your face, O Lord, I will seek.

Hide not your face from me, turn not away from your servant in anger.
Cast me not away—you have been my helper;
forsake me not, O God of my salvation.
Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in.

Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me on a level path, because of my oppressors.
Subject me not to the will of my foes,
for they rise up against me, false witnesses breathing violence.

This I believe—that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!Wait for the Lord and be strong. Take heart and wait for the Lord!

READING: Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

The Lord will not let your foot be moved
nor will the one who watches over you fall asleep.
Behold, the keeper of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep;

the Lord watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will preserve you from all evil and will keep your life.
The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in,from this time forth forevermore.

READING: Romans 14:7-9
For we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

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

READING: Matthew 11:28-30
[Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY: On Eagles’ Wings

CREED
With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
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 us all. 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.

LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
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.

SENDING

COMMENDATION
Let us commend our sister, Colleen Dubsky, to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Colleen. 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.

The Lord bless her and keep her.
The Lord’s face shine on her with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon her with favor and give her peace.

Rest eternal grant her, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her.

O Lord, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

SENDING HYMN: Jesus, Still Lead On

Jesus, still lead on, till our rest be won;
and, although the way be cheerless, we will follow, calm and fearless;
guide us by your hand to the promised land.

If the way be drear, if the foe be near,
let no faithless fears o’ertake us, let not faith and hope foresake us;
safely past our foe to our home we go.

When we seek relief from a long-felt grief,
when temptations come alluring make us patient and enduring;
show us that bright shore where we weep no more.

Jesus, still lead on, till our rest be won;
heav’nly leader, still direct us, still support, console, protect us,
till we safely stand in the promised land.

BLESSING
Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
Amen.

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

POSTLUDE: “Candle in the Wind” piano solo

After the conclusion of the service, Pastor Day will offer a table prayer, and then all are invited to join the family for a luncheon in the fellowship hall.