Lorraine Ethel Ruwe funeral sermon

Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

As we look at this verse, let us first look at the big picture. We know that God works for the good of all people, including Lorraine. This was most evident on the day we appropriately call GOOD Friday. It was the day in which our Lord was mocked, beaten, spat upon, falsely accused of blasphemy, sentenced to crucified, died, and was buried. We call this day because “good” because God worked through His own suffering and death for the good of sinful people—people such as Lorraine,and also you and me. It is also a “good” Friday because we know it does not end with His death. Christ rose again on the third day—that was also forour good. All these things that God worked for thegood of sinful people were all planned out by theheavenly Father thousands of years before—all to giveforgiveness, life, and salvation.

At that time, God made the promise of a Savior. This was necessary because our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed our Lord by eating fruit they were told by God not to eat. Sin was now part of the world, and everyone, from Adam’s children on through Lorraine andus, would be affected by it. In God’s perfect timing, He sent Jesus into the world to go through punishment of death and the victory of rising from the dead, so that all who believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life.

Lorraine was a believer. She knew and believed she was sinner; she also knew and believed in Jesus Christ as her savior from sin. She knew of Jesus’ love for her, and our Lord used her in so many different ways.

We know that Lorraine had some difficult andextenuating circumstances through her earthly life. But God used that for the good of people that Lorraine knew. God used Lorraine to be a wonderful witness to many people. Last night at the visitation, people talked about how she rode her bike around the neighborhood telling people about church. She was always among the first to greet people as they walked into church. She invited people from Chestnut Corners to come to church with her. A number of people joined our church, and a number of those people became Christians.

Lorraine was also a believer in receiving the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of her sins and the strengthening of her faith. I think it’s safe to say that anyone who was at the congregational voters’ meeting on December 14, 2003 will remember that meeting for the rest of their lives. At this meeting, we voted on whether we should have Holy Communion every week. That was the 3rd of 3 issues that we had to vote on. As we voted on the 1st issue, the President of the congregation, after introducing the issue, asked if there were any questions. Lorraine raised her hand and said, "I think we should have communion every Sunday!" The President said, "We'll get to that, soon." Later, we went to the 2nd issue. After talking about the President asked if there were any questions. Once again Lorraine raised her hand, and our President I'm sure knew what was coming, but yet he called on her, and once again she said, "I think we should have communion every Sunday!" The President said, "we'll get to that in a moment." We then discussed the issue of having communion every week. After much discussion, the congregation voted by a nearly 2 to 1 ratio to have Holy Communion every week. Now, I do not know this for sure, but I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if what Lorraine did at that meeting influenced the way some people voted.

Faith Lutheran Church was everything to Lorraine, especially due to the fact that it was her parents, Gus and Ella, who were charter members of the congregation. Studying the Bible, listening to God’s Word in church, and receiving Holy Communion was very special and very important to her. Seeing to it that others saw that as important in their lives meant a great deal to her as well. Yes indeed, God worked through Lorraine in so many amazing ways; Lorraine was used for the good of people from different places, including but not limited to: Faith Lutheran Church, Chestnut Corners, and Flora Health Care Center.

As her earthly life is now complete, we will certainly miss her. However, we do rejoice that her heavenly life has only just begun. As we continue on through our earthly lives, let us remember and ponder in our hearts the love God showed for and through Lorraine.

Let us rejoice in the fact that because Jesus lives,Lorraine lives too. And because Jesus lives, all believers in Christ shall live with Him in His heavenly kingdom one day.

Thanks be to God; He gives us the victory through ourLord Jesus Christ.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.