Alice Ragsdale Memorial Service

12-13-08

Sermon

We have gathered in this old meeting house to give thanks to God for the life of our sister Alice Ragsdale - both her life on earth and her new life in the nearer presence of God. This is a day for praise and thanksgiving, and Alice, as much as anyone of us here, would have us offer that praise and thanksgiving to God.

Although I have been her pastor for 23 years, that is only a third of the 68 years that Alice was a member of this church. For more years than I am able to count she was a teacher, leader, and nurturer in this congregation.

A career woman before the term was coined, a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, a reader of books and no mean player of bridge, Alice lived her life in a way that reflected God’s mercy and welcome.

I was blessed that that welcome extended to her pastor, even though she did not always agree with my sermons or liturgical proclivities. She once scolded me for using too much water in the sacrament of baptism.

"You’re scaring those babies," she said.

"Alice," I replied. "I can’t believe a former Baptist would complain about too much water."

And did I say that she had a wonderful sense of humor?

Alice was not one for self-promotion, and she would not have us go overlong in praise of her. She knew full well that she was a sinner saved by grace, that Jesus loved her, and that nothing in all creation could separate her from that love. It showed in the way she lived her life.

And so, today, since she would not have us praise her, let us praise God for the gift of Alice’s life -- for her service, her witness, her quiet courage, her keen mind, and the legacy of love she bequeathed to of all us.

And let us rejoice that, at long last, her work is ended and her joy is complete.

Prayers of Thanksgiving

O God of grace,
you have given us new and living hope in Jesus Christ.
We thank you that by dying
Christ destroyed the power of death,
and by rising from the grave
opened the way to eternal life.
Help us to know that because he lives,
we shall live also;
and that neither death nor life,
nor things present nor things to come
shall be able to separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

O God,
before whom generations rise and pass away,
we praise you for all your servants
who, having lived this life in faith,
now live eternally with you.
Especially we thank you for your servant Alice,
whose baptism is now complete in death.
We praise you for the gift of her life,
for all in her that was good and kind and faithful,
for the grace you gave her
that kindled in her the love of your dear name,
and enabled her to serve you faithfully:

For her love of family and of their love of her
    for four generations living in one house,
    for memories formed and roots established,
    for in-laws welcomed and tables laden with good food,
    for conversations in the kitchen.
    for grits seasoned with gratitude,
    for refusing to give up on those she loved,
    for being matriarch and anchor across the generations.

For her love of your gospel and the way she applied it to her life
    for refusing to judge,
    for unconditional love,
    for prayers offered and guidance sought.

For her keen intellect and love of reading,
    for education acquired outside of formal classrooms,
    for her competence and high standards.

For her service to this State under seven governors,
    for compassion draped in common sense,
    for serving faithfully, outside the spotlight.

For all the ways we saw your goodness, justice, faith, and love working in her life,
we give you thanks, almighty God.

And now we thank you that for her death is past and pain ended,
and that she has entered the joy you have prepared;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

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