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https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a6bf36b4538b54149b42fd49f4298ad3.pdf
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LOVE That Loves Us
Margaret Feldmann Kruizenga Memorial
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, 11, 13; I John 4: 7-8, 12, 16, 19; John 1:1-5, 14, 18
Richard A. Rhem
Freedom Village, Holland, Michigan
May 25, 2013
It is an honor and my privilege to conduct this service of worship and celebration
of the life of Margaret Feldmann Kruizenga. I do so as family as much as pastor.
When Margaret married Richard she married into a family of Mulders and
Kruizengas who were, with a couple of other families, the core of the First
Reformed Church of Spring Lake, Michigan. Dick’s parents were baptized on the
same day in the First Reformed Church of Spring Lake and, I’m told, Dick’s father
winked at his mother across the baptismal font and said, “She’s for me!” The
tradition was also Margaret’s, coming, as she did, from Long Island and a
Reformed congregation there which steered her to Hope College where she met
her husband to be, a marriage of over 60 years.
I mention my presence as family because, graduating from Western Seminary in
1960, I was extended a call to the Spring Lake congregation. In the first
congregational meeting I ever conducted in the fall of 1960, Dick’s father,
Richard J. Kruizenga, was elected once again an elder and proved an early
formative influence on me. After a hiatus of seven years, having left for New
Jersey and then Europe for post-graduate work, I returned for a visit with a very
painful divorce ahead. Dick’s father, with consummate skill, succeeded in leading
the congregation to extend a call to me even in the tenuous circumstances of my
life at that time. In 1971 I began again in Spring Lake and from that time Dick’s
father became a surrogate father to me.
And in that almost impossible situation of assuming the pastorate of that fine
congregation, divorcing with children 7, 9 and 11 for whom to care, it was
primarily Dick’s sister Dorothy and her husband Gordon who “adopted” us and
made it all possible. (Gordon is present with us; Dorothy died on the past New
Year’s Day.)
I relate this history because I want you to sense the personal meaning of this
celebration to me. Over many years, Dick and Margaret would return to Spring
Lake. I met them but didn’t really know them well until, in retirement, they were
summer residents of Spring Lake and Grand Haven. Over these last years we
have shared many happy occasions with them and were privileged to come to
know their family.
© Grand Valley State University
�LOVE That Loves Us
Richard A. Rhem
Page 2
From that history it is obvious that I did not know the Margaret Dick fell in love
with, married and eventually traveled the world with. Even in retirement
Margaret’s strength (She was no shrinking flower!), intelligence and acute
engagement with current events were clear. She held strong opinions and was not
reticent about expressing them. A time or two she straightened me out!
But one comment in the Funeral Home Obituary Internet Site caught my eye and
I determined I would share it with you because in brief, concise fashion I suspect
Margaret could not receive a finer portrait. Her friend Nancy wrote:
Margaret was a dear friend for many, many years – and remained so from
all corners of the world. I met her when I was just out of college and she
was a sophisticated New York wife, mother and world traveler. I always
admired and looked up to her for her great taste, wit, intelligence and
generosity. My love and thoughts are with her wonderful husband Dick
and with Meg, Derek and families. Margaret will always have a special
place in my heart.
That is the one whose life we celebrate today – and yesterday – at the Ground
Breaking for the Kruizenga Art Museum on Hope’s campus.
My first serious encounter with Dick and Margaret was many years ago at the
Spring Lake cemetery – a graveside service for their child Dwight, a special needs
child. In her determined fashion, Margaret sought every possible means to give
Dwight a normal childhood but ran into a wall; nothing in science, medicine or
technology could bring her child to wholeness. I think it was at that critical
juncture that she found in Christian Science spiritual resources that enabled her
to cope with human impotence in face of deep human need.
Her spiritual quest became her lifelong pursuit. She was serious, engaged and
generous in her support of the Church of Christ, Scientist where she found a
spiritual community. Through her leadership and support, the church in Irving,
Texas, was transformed into a beautiful sacred space and she was very supportive
of the church in Grand Haven as well.
Margaret was seriously engaged in the spiritual quest for meaning, indeed, for
the Sacred Mystery we call God. In the teaching of Christian Science she was
pointed to God as Spirit, Mind, Love and the critical importance of prayer and
meditation.
The Scripture Lessons were chosen in light of Margaret’s spiritual quest. The
familiar poetry of Ecclesiastes 3 moves to
God has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a
sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what
God has done from the beginning to the end.
© Grand Valley State University
�LOVE That Loves Us
Richard A. Rhem
Page 3
One whose knowledge of Hebrew far surpasses mine has rendered those lines
thus:
God has made everything beautiful in its own time and has put an eternal
yearning in our hearts even as we live before the face of Mystery.
An eternal yearning before the face of Mystery – my sense is that that might fit
Margaret well. It is my sense that in her spiritual pursuit she came to rest in the
God of Love – a central biblical teaching underscored in Christian Science –
Divine Love come to expression in the life of Jesus.
“No one has ever seen God,” declares the writer of the Fourth Gospel in his
prologue to his story of Jesus decades after the event itself. But the eternal Word,
Creation’s Agent, assumed flesh – humanity – and in that human face, the writer
claims, God is revealed. Out of that Johannine Circle, also near the end of the
first century as the early Christian community was trying to give expression to the
Gospel, the writer of the First Letter of John picked up that statement from the
Gospel – “No one has seen God.” For him as for the Gospel writer, the Mystery of
God was revealed in Jesus. He opens his letter:
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we
have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands,
concerning the word of life.
But then later in the letter he calls the community to love one another for “God is
love.” He then repeats the acknowledgement of the Gospel – No one has ever
seen God.” But he goes on to make a startling claim –
If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
He moves beyond the Gospel’s claim that God is revealed in Jesus – the Word
made flesh – to the amazing claim that God is revealed in our love one for
another.
If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in
them.
God is Love, Love known and experienced in our human love. The Hebrew poet
sensed an eternal yearning as he lived before the face of Mystery. The writer of
the First Letter of John read off the story of Jesus that God is Love. But not only
that; God/LOVE is known/experienced in the concreteness of human love – as
we love one another.
© Grand Valley State University
�LOVE That Loves Us
Richard A. Rhem
Page 4
The human quest for meaning, for some understanding of the mystery of being
human, our whence, our whither, and what it means in the meantime is both
ancient and contemporary.
One of the greatest film directors of our time is Terrence Malick. He produced
The Thin Red Line and more recently a film entitled The Tree of Life – a deeply
spiritual film starring Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain. But last month To the
Wonder came out, a film in which Malick reveals the deep human hunger and
quest for what ultimately grounds us, forms us, calls us to communion. A
reviewer writes,
Ultimately, for Malick, the experience of falling in love grants us a glimpse of the
divine – of a ‘LOVE that loves us.’
Humanity was made for God. And He is present all around us – in the
transfiguring, wondrous joy of romantic love, in self-giving sacrifice, in our
suffering and the suffering of others, in the charity we offer to those in pain, in
the resplendent beauty of the natural world – if only we open our eyes to see
Him. That, it seems, is Terrence Malick’s scandalous message….an ecstatic
tribute to God. (Damon Linker)
The film’s title says it all – “To the Wonder.” I find it fascinating that one of our
contemporary film directors should with such artistry cause us to wonder –
wonder about the Wonder that is God.
In a three-way e-mail conversation in which I engage and, in this instance, about
Malick’s “To the Wonder,” one wrote:
In this context it makes a lot of sense to me that in wanting to speak redemptively
about what grounds us in all that we are Malick wrestles with love as Love. In
being Loved I know God and in loving I walk with God (Hendrick Hart)
I entitled my meditation the LOVE that Loves Us – loves us into being,
undergirds, overshadows ‘til finally we move through death to Eternal Light
dwelling in the LOVE that loved us into being!
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
Margaret believed that. In her final barely conscious moments she was bathed in
it. I stood vigil with Dick. I witnessed his deep love in a final embrace and “I love
you,” as well as the heavy grief he felt. Dick violated the Kruizenga canon against
showing emotion! It was quite beautiful, moving. God is Love. LOVE loved her
into being.
Margaret believed that.
Now she knows.
© Grand Valley State University
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Richard A. Rhem Collection
Description
An account of the resource
Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar.
Subject
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Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Religion
Interfaith worship
Sermons
Sound Recordings
Creator
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Rhem, Richard A.
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<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a>
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Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
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Kaufman Interfaith Institute
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English
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Sound
Text
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KII-01
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1981-2014
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audio/mp3
text/pdf
Sound
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Event
Meditation for Margaret Feldmann Kruizenga
Scripture Text
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11, 13, I John 4:7-8, 12, 16, 19, John 1:1-5, 14 & 18
Location
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Freedom Village, Holland, Michigan
Dublin Core
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KII-01_RA-0-20130525
Date
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2013-05-25
Title
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The LOVE That Loves Us
Creator
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Richard A. Rhem
Publisher
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Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Subject
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Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Sermons
Relation
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Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Description
An account of the resource
A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on May 25, 2013 entitled "The LOVE That Loves Us", on the occasion of Meditation for Margaret Feldmann Kruizenga, at Freedom Village, Holland, Michigan. Scripture references: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11, 13, I John 4:7-8, 12, 16, 19, John 1:1-5, 14 & 18.
Format
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application/pdf
Family
Funeral
Love
Sacred Mystery
Spiritual Quest
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d0bc9ca59dd2adf2dfa6fbadaeb752d9.pdf
ea4c24f74cc086cfe9e800b20bc42720
PDF Text
Text
Face To Face, Now and Then
A Service of Worship
In Celebration of the Life of Norman J. Campbell
(October 7, 1937 to January 20, 2014)
Psalm 16: 5-8, 11; I Corinthians 13: 4-13
Richard A. Rhem
First Congregational Church
Muskegon, Michigan
January 24, 2014
Transcription of the written sermon
Let me begin by expressing my appreciation to First Congregational Church for
giving the honor and privilege of sharing in this celebration of the life of Norman
J. Campbell and to Pastor Tim Vander Haan for graciously allowing me to share
in this service with him. It means a great deal to me to be able to be part of
Norm’s funeral service; he was such a dear friend and for many years one of my
faithful parishioners at Christ Community Church, with Maureen and their
daughters.
Over the past year we were in touch, hoping to go out to lunch. We even had a
date but as the time came had to cancel; Norm’s health continued to deteriorate
and treatments did not have a positive outcome. I think it was December 9 I sat
with him and Maureen and Wendy. He had received the dreaded news – his body
could not tolerate the only measure that might save him. It was a sober moment.
For the first time we spoke of plans for where we are today – celebrating his life,
he having gone on before us.
Shortly before Christmas Nancy and I stopped in. In the course of our
conversation, Maureen said, “Are you going to Florida?” I said, “Yes, only a short
get-away, January 4 to 19.” Then I looked at Norm and said, “and you behave
yourself!” That’s the way it was with us; even pointing to his end we shared a bit
of humor. He was so easy to be with.
Well, we went to Florida and returned last Sunday evening. At 8:00 am Monday,
Maureen called. Norm had breathed his last at 4:52 am. Maureen said, “He knew
you had returned and he could let go.” I found it remarkable. The last week was
very difficult but he held on until he knew all would be in order, thinking not of
himself but his loved ones.
© Grand Valley State University
�Face to Face Now & Then
Richard A. Rhem
Page 2
Your presence here attests to what I think would be universally agreed on – This
was a beautiful human being. Being human, he must have had an imperfection or
two but I never detected it. I admired and respected Norm and held him in deep
affection. He was so easy to be with, his wry sense of humor and lightness of
being. And he was always the same – easy, comfortable, natural – even speaking
of what he desired for this service.
From the moment I hear of a death and know I will be bringing the funeral
meditation, I begin to think of the person and the Scriptures. That’s probably a
peculiar preacher’s thing, but I always desire to paint a portrait of the person in
the framework of the biblical story that has shaped us. With someone like Norm
one could go in many directions but finally one must choose the contours of the
character one would paint.
I have chosen two scriptural passages from which to reflect with you on the life of
this one we loved and have lost awhile.
From the Psalms, Psalm 16: 5-8, 11. Psalm 16 is one of my favorites. Beginning
with verse 5, the Psalmist expresses a sense of deep wellbeing.
The boundary lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
He is full of gratitude for his human situation – referring to Israel’s coming into
the land of Israel when the tribes divided the land by casting lots. The Psalmist is
pleased with his human situation. But his wellbeing is rooted in something
deeper.
I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand
I shall not be moved.
In the Hebrew “before me” is literally “before my face.” That being so, he is
steadfast whatever human experience brings him.
His heart is glad;
His soul rejoices.
So confident is he that he cannot conceive of being given up to Sheol – the realm
of the dead. One commentator writes:
It can be read as the general prayer of the faithful who, without any
doctrine of resurrection or eternal life to explain just how, nonetheless
trust the Lord to keep them with such total confidence that they cannot
imagine a future apart from life in God’s presence. (James L. Mays,
Interpretation: Psalms, p. 88)
Again the Psalmist exclaims,
© Grand Valley State University
�Face to Face Now & Then
Richard A. Rhem
Page 3
You show me the path of life.
In Your presence there is fullness of joy;
in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Were we to read this poem in the original Hebrew we would see a beautiful
juxtaposition. In verse 8, as noted above, “before me” is literally “before my face.”
In verse 11, “in Your presence” is literally “before Your face.”
God before my face;
I before God’s face.
Further, God at my right hand keeps me secure. At God’s right hand are pleasures
forevermore.
The Psalmist lived with a vivid sense of God’s presence. That awareness kept him
steady in all the vicissitudes of life. That sense of trust was so strong even the fear
of death, of loss, was transcended. He lived with fullness of joy. He was present to
the presence of God.
You must sense why I would select such a scripture when thinking of Norm – He
lived with God before his face – with a God-consciousness woven into his being
from a child, and it made him steady, strong and confident.
Like the Psalmist, God-consciousness made him a rock, gave him a place to stand
and not be moved.
My second text is Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-13. Often
called Paul’s Hymn of Love, it is familiar and beloved. Verses 4 to 7 give love’s
marks, its aspects –
Kind, not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its
own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing,
but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things.
Comment is hardly needed; Love’s portrait is Norm’s portrait, is it not? That is
simply who he was – Love embodied.
But the passage goes on –
Love never ends.
And then St. Paul speaks of our human situation. What called forth this beautiful
portrait of Love was the situation in the Corinthian congregation. There seemed
to be a game going on regarding who possessed the greatest spiritual gifts. And
Paul does not put those gifts down even though they are causing division in the
congregation. Instead he says,
© Grand Valley State University
�Face to Face Now & Then
Richard A. Rhem
Page 4
…I will show you a still more excellent way.
And that way is the way of Love, a way he contrasts with the various spiritual gifts
that were competing with each other in Corinth. Paul writes, “Love never ends.”
But that is not so for the other gifts – prophetic gifts, the gift of speaking in
tongues, knowledge, prophecy – they are limited and will come to an end.
But not Love.
Paul compares the present state of the congregation at Corinth to that of
childhood, using himself as an example.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child,
I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child;
when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.
And then he comes to the point I want to make in regard to our beloved Norm.
For now we see in a mirror dimly
but then we will see face to face.
Now I know only in part; then I will know fully,
even as I have been fully known.
There you have it – Face to Face Now and Then.
Norm knew the Psalmist’s secret – The Lord before my face, rock solid,
unmovable, steady, deep assurance. He knew as well that all he knew and
experienced were partial, in process, a dim glimpse of the Ultimate Mystery.
But for him all he glimpsed dimly has come into sharp focus – now he sees fully,
clearly, for he sees “face to face.”
Face to face – for us who grieve, in trust we see but only dimly – our “now” sees
in faith. We long for the “Then” of full vision but, in the meantime, we are
confident that our beloved Norm sees clearly and is lost in wonder, love and
grace.
Face to face in the Presence in fullness of joy.
Well done, good and faithful servant!
© Grand Valley State University
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Richard A. Rhem Collection
Description
An account of the resource
Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Religion
Interfaith worship
Sermons
Sound Recordings
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Rhem, Richard A.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a>
Publisher
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Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
Contributor
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Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Rights
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Sound
Text
Identifier
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KII-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1981-2014
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
audio/mp3
text/pdf
Sound
A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds.
Event
Funeral Service for Norman Campbell
Scripture Text
Psalm 16: 5-8, 11, I Corinthians 13: 4-13
Location
The location of the interview
First Congregational Church, Muskegon, Michigan
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
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KII-01_RA-0-20140124
Date
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2014-01-24
Title
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Face to Face, Now and Then
Creator
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Richard A. Rhem
Publisher
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Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Rights
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Subject
The topic of the resource
Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Sermons
Relation
A related resource
Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Description
An account of the resource
A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 24, 2014 entitled "Face to Face, Now and Then", on the occasion of Funeral Service for Norman Campbell, at First Congregational Church, Muskegon, Michigan. Scripture references: Psalm 16: 5-8, 11, I Corinthians 13: 4-13.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Funeral
Love
Presence of God
Trust
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c3e890b804d15cee7e538af78c1bc8c0.pdf
3be9dd3ffcb8d8e6620a2f51c05f2e7c
PDF Text
Text
The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches
I Corinthians 15: 42-44, 50, 53-58
Luke 23:32-34, 44-46
Richard A. Rhem
Funeral Meditation and Prayer for Richard J. Westhoff
VBK Chapel, Grand Haven, Michigan
Thursday, February 27, 2014
If I have the timing right, it was three weeks ago today that Rich and family met
with the Hospice nurse. Three days later I stopped by to be with Rich and Mary –
Kathy was there as well. As always with Rich and Mary, it was very easy, warm,
relaxed. We spoke about the doctor’s report, the recognition that the cancer was
raging, that Hospice had been engaged. The full seriousness of his failing health
was in full view.
At one point he looked at me, put his hand on my arm – we were sitting at the
dining room table – and he said, “Will you do my funeral?” Our eyes met and I
responded, “Of course; I wouldn’t let anyone else do it!” He smiled and I smiled.
I’ve been with my people on numerous occasions at their dying. I’ve marveled at
the mystery – one minute alive, breathing. Then no more. I’ve thought much
about the mystery of life and life moving into death. And, frankly, I guess I would
have to say I’m really quite comfortable in those situations. But I must say those
moments with Rich were so rich, so honest. I left with that sense so strongly felt.
I had affirmed the decisions he made along the way. An awful course of chemo
which did not fully free him of the awful disease and his decision: no more! Let
me live being myself as well as I can as long as I can.
And he did. He found a period of a good quality of life. And then when the cancer
came on in full force he had no regrets. When the time came, Hospice was called
in. And then it was time to go to the nursing home.
Nancy and I went to him when we learned he was there. At the door the nurse
said, “First room on the left. We just got him resting. Try not to waken him.”
Well, I just smiled at her and we made our way to the room. He was quiet, eyes
closed, but I had a little business to do with him….
I took his hand. He opened his eyes and we were in touch; he was with me.
© Grand Valley State University
�The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches
Richard A. Rhem
Page 2
“The Lord is my shepherd…. He responded at each phrase, affirming the beautiful
expressions of trust in the Psalm.
And the benediction “The Lord bless you and keep you,” my hand on his
forehead and he fully receptive, aware, affirming. And then the words of Julian of
Norwich, which have become a mantra for those of us who were Christ
Community:
All will be well, all will be well,
All manner of things will be well.
Those were very moving moments. As his pastor I knew I had had closure with
this dear man – and there are no holier moments than when there is the grace to
let go as death approaches. That is what struck me and I found so beautiful in
Rich’s departing from all he loved and those who so dearly loved him.
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. I always loved that service. There was such
honesty about it, such authenticity –
The people came forward, knelt and, as I made the sign of the cross with
the ashes on their foreheads, I would say, “Dust thou art and to dust thou
shalt return.”
Those words come from Genesis 3 and the context is God’s judgment on the first
human couple for their disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This, of course, is
biblical myth – our stories of origin which had profound truths but also much we
have moved beyond. As much as I love those words, “Dust thou art and to dust
thou shalt return,” I want to move them out of the context of death as the result
of human disobedience. To do so, I must argue with St. Paul who was formed by
that biblical story and perpetuated the idea that death was “the last enemy.” He
states this in the context of his sense of history’s calendar. Paul thought he was
living at the end of history. But, of course, two thousand years later we know he
was wrong about history’s course and, I would maintain, about death as the last
enemy. He believed death was God’s judgment on human transgression, believing
as he did in the biblical story of “the Fall” of our first parents.
Let me keep to the biblical story but go to Jesus. As I have said, we stand at the
threshold of another Lent. We will follow Jesus to Calvary. Speaking truth to
power, he is a threat to the Temple leadership and to Roman power. Condemned
to die, he is crucified by the powers that be. How did he die in spite of injustice?
Hear him on the Cross:
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are
doing.”
© Grand Valley State University
�The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches
Richard A. Rhem
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In Luke’s telling of the story, Jesus then is appealed to by one of the criminals at
his side and he offers him deep assurance – in a word, “All will be well.” And, as
life ebbed,
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
In the horror of crucifixion, Luke pictures for us a Jesus, full of grace, forgiving
those who are executing him, full of compassion for his fellow sufferer, full of
trust as he commends his spirit to God whom he conceived of as Father.
Grace, compassion, trust – what a way to go!
I bring that to your attention because we witnessed in Rich the grace to let go as
death approached. Obviously the circumstances were totally different – Rich
having lived fully until his death, surrounded by loved ones at home until less
than two days in the hospice unit waiting, still hovered over by those he loved and
who loved him.
How does that happen? Let me suggest it was no accident, neither for Jesus nor
for Rich. One does not suddenly come to one’s end and decide to die well full of
grace, compassion and trust. Such a death is the result of a lifetime – a lifetime of
love and care, faithfulness and devotion, loving and caring for family and friends
– and look at his beautiful family – positive living in community, giving oneself in
service and generosity, trust in the God of Grace.
God and faithful devotion and commitment to the community of faith. That was
Rich’s way. With him it was a steady, quiet way.
As I sat with him that day when he asked if I would do his funeral, he told me the
story of the snowball that went awry and his “punishment” from his Christian
School teacher – memorize the 91st Psalm. He was amused to tell me that the key
verse for the teacher was verse 8:
“You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.”
I suspect having to recite the Psalm before the class gave his classmates the
opportunity to see his punishment.
But, humorous as that is, the teacher’s sentence forced him to memorize the
Psalm and I’m quite certain that Psalm shaped him –
Did he not live “in the shelter of the Most High”?
Did he not “abide in the shadow of the Almighty”?
Did he not live with deep assurance?
“Under his wings” he found refuge.
© Grand Valley State University
�The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches
Richard A. Rhem
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In a word, Psalm 91 formed him, shaped him. And being thus shaped and
formed, he lived well, fully and, as death approached, he had the grace to let go.
As I have indicated, our conversation at the dining room table was so easy. I said
something about his obvious peace as he asked me to do his funeral. I can still see
him look at me calmly and say, “I’ve been preparing for this all my life.” And he
had and that’s why I entitle this meditation “The Grace To Let Go As Death
Approaches” and insist it is not an end-of-life decision – it is a lifetime of
preparation. I was moved by his quiet statement. He could let go not in futile
resignation but in deep trust that the best is yet to be.
Contrary to St. Paul’s contention that death is the last enemy, I sensed Rich
entered into death’s shadow with full assurance and trust. St. Paul was really
better than the “death is enemy” claim. He goes on in that 15th chapter of I
Corinthians to speak of his resurrection faith and there, I sense, he too views
death not as punishment, an enemy, but part of the natural process – birth, life,
death – and death the gateway to life eternal:
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the
imperishable…
For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body
must put on immortality…. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
To live with such hope and trust is not to deny the reality of death, not to deny
loss, grief, and pain. And such hope and trust does not mean we would not choose
rather to live on in health and fullness. It is rather simply to recognize life has its
natural end in death and the sting of death, the fear in the face of death, is
removed for those whose lives have been marked by trust and grace, love and
hope.
For such, there is a grace to let go as death approaches, in the assurance that as
they have lived to the Lord, they die to the Lord, as St. Paul affirms, concluding,
So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
It is for us to deal with the grief of loss even as we thank God for the gift we’ve
shared in his life – but Rich is just fine, experiencing wonders he never dreamed
of.
Thanks be to God!
Let us pray.
© Grand Valley State University
�The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches
Richard A. Rhem
Prayer
For these few moments, O God,
Sacred Mystery of our lives,
Creative Source, Eternal Presence, and our Final Home,
grace us with awareness
that we are held in the embrace of Love
as family and friends
and the one we have loved and lost awhile.
We remember him – larger than life –
adored by family, loved and respected
by a network of friends and a broad community.
So much was he of Spring Lake, the Village,
the school’s athletic association –
a true Laker deep down.
Quietly touching many lives with kindness and generosity,
faithful in family, church and community –
solid, one we could always count on.
The stories that bring laughter and tears
bespeak hidden humor, a delightful spirit.
He loomed large in our lives,
leaving an emptiness in our hearts.
And yet, even in the pain of loss,
remembering him, he brings us to laughter and delight.
O God,
we are grateful that he graced our lives,
that he lived fully, choosing to live well until the end approached,
which he met with deep assurance and grace.
We are grateful, O great Mystery of life,
that we have been graced with a fundamental trust,
that this cosmic dance into which our lives are woven
is not a tale told by an idiot,
full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,
but a universe whose grain is Love,
Whose end is Life and Light
© Grand Valley State University
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�The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches
Richard A. Rhem
And in such a time as this,
in such a place as this,
Gracious God,
we are grateful above all
that the end is not broken health and dreams unfulfilled,
swallowed up in death,
but rather the confidence that
to live is to live unto the Lord,
and to die is to die unto the Lord,
so then whether we live or die,
we are the Lord’s.
You uphold us with everlasting arms.
You overshadow us with a gracious Presence.
You bear us up on eagle’s wings;
beneath your sheltering wings we find refuge and peace.
Sacred Mystery of all being, of our being,
consciously aware of our lives in your light,
we worship.
We know that all will be well,
all will be well,
all manner of things will be well.
Now, while our hearts are open, our spirits tender,
mantle us with Your gentle grace.
Assuage deep grief; cover our guilt;
heal us, O God; heal us now.
And now, as Jesus taught us, we 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever.
Amen.
© Grand Valley State University
Page 6
�
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Richard A. Rhem Collection
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Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar.
Subject
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Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Religion
Interfaith worship
Sermons
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Rhem, Richard A.
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<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a>
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Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
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Kaufman Interfaith Institute
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English
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KII-01
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1981-2014
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audio/mp3
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Event
Funeral Meditation and Prayer for Richard J. Westhoff
Scripture Text
I Corinthians 15: 42-44, 50, 53-58, Luke 23:32-34, 44-46
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VBK Chapel, Grand Haven, Michigan
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KII-01_RA-0-20140227
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2014-02-27
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The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches
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Richard A. Rhem
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
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Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Sermons
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Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/
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eng
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Text
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A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on February 27, 2014 entitled "The Grace to Let Go As Death Approaches", on the occasion of Funeral Meditation and Prayer for Richard J. Westhoff, at VBK Chapel, Grand Haven, Michigan. Scripture references: I Corinthians 15: 42-44, 50, 53-58, Luke 23:32-34, 44-46.
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application/pdf
Community
of Faith
Funeral
Grace
Nature of Death
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/83336fc2d67eab8ab2adf49e4efe77c7.pdf
1b6b94b679ac6405a5d33f9baa652423
PDF Text
Text
Reflections on a Life
Remembering the Life of William A. Struck,
March 17, 1920 – March 6, 2014
I Corinthians 13: 12
Richard A. Rhem
Grand Haven, Michigan
March 2014
Transcription of the handwritten sermon
It is with fondness that I think of Bill Struck. When I learned of his death and the
request that I give some reflections on his life, I immediately thought of what
brought us together, resulting in a deep friendship. It centered around the
theological journal, Perspectives, published by the Reformed Church in America,
aimed at its leadership in order to stimulate theological conversation on issues
before the church. For most of the nearly twenty years that I served as one of the
Board of Editors, I was the only pastor. College and seminary professors and RCA
executives made up the Board.
What I did not realize going in was that the professors and executives were
limited in what they could put in print. Great discussions took place at our
stimulating bi-annual Board meetings in New York’s Greenwich Village but,
when it was decided who should write on the issue at hand, I got the assignment.
When, as could be expected, I wrote addressing the issue, Letters To the Editor
came in response and the majority were negative, calling in question my
positions.
My wife, Nancy, protective of her husband, asked, “Why do you always have to
write on themes that create controversy?” My answer was simple: “I’m the only
editor that has a ‘safe’ position.” Blessed as I was with a congregation like Christ
Community, I could wonder, question and think out loud about issues, questions,
theological problems that the church was facing.
It was one thing to do it in my safe community that gave me permission to think
wonder and question. It was quite another when, by writing in Perspectives, I
reached the broader church. I got a lot of negative Letters to the Editor. But
worth it all was my meeting Bill Struck. Oh, my, what a bright and shining light
he came to be for me!
Among other things I wrote over the years of my membership on the Board of
Editors, there were especially three pieces that stirred the “theological pot” of the
Reformed Church in America. They really form a progress in my own theological
© Grand Valley State University
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understanding, an understanding stimulated by the criticism I received which
caused me to re-visit and dig deeper. I won’t go more into detail here except to
say that, at each step I took, Bill Struck was there to affirm, encourage and cheer
me on.
Thinking about this gathering to remember and celebrate his life, I went back to
those old issues of Perspectives to read again – not my essays, but Bill’s
responses in the Letters To the Editor column.
In the first essays I wrote about the extent of God’s Grace, letting it be known that
it was not limited – maybe even universal. Well. “All Hell broke loose,” as you can
imagine. But overcoming all the negatives was a letter from Bill. Let me give you a
taste of his letter, introduced by the Editor:
In the wake of Richard Rhem’s and William Brownson’s articles last autumn on
the efficiency of Christ’s atoning work, a substantial volume of comment
arrived. Three letters were published in this column last month, and the
discussion continues with these excerpts from other correspondents.
Perspectives is pleased to be the vehicle for this continuing dialogue.
John Stapert
I think that Dr. Rhem has done us an important service by jarring our thinking.
For too long our theology has been characterized by a comfortable security in
tradition and an unwillingness to look honestly at the rapid changes that have
occurred in the world, especially in the wake of World War II. To imagine that
our religious schema is uninfluenced by experience and by the current historical
setting is illusory.
...
We, especially in the Reformed tradition, are not fond of ambiguity, so much so
that we generally interpret Scripture to fit the premises and structure of our
system of beliefs.
...
We all crave certainty. But Scripture does not provide what we crave. Wars have
been fought over scriptural uncertainties. It seems to me that our fondness for
dividing the world into saved and lost is rooted more in historical parochialism
and chauvinism than in the clear teaching of Scripture.
...
He has called our attention to the possibility of a shift in our state of mind, an
alteration in our perspective, a change in our attitude toward the “other,” that
could be exciting. Instead of confronting the non-Christian with a demand for
agreement, with rejection as the alternative, the relationship could be one of
acceptance, leading to mutual growth.
William Struck
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Letter, 02/1989
I!cite!this!letter,!not!because!of!what!Bill!says!of!me,!but!what!the!letter!says!of!Bill.!
He!was!deeply!traditioned!–!I!served!a!Reformed!Church!in!that!New!Jersey!hotbed!
of!Reformed!fundamentalism!from!which!he!stemmed!and!know!it!well.!That!gave!
© Grand Valley State University
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Richard A. Rhem
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him!a!place!to!stand,!but!not!be!stuck.!Rather!he!was!alive!to!history’s!movement!
and!the!evolving!human!situation.!
And!more!–!he!was!aware!of!“the!other”!and!welcomed!“a!shift!in!our!state!of!mind”!
that!would!enable!us!to!view!the!human!tapestry!with!grace!and!move!toward!
inclusiveness.!
In!light!of!the!strong!critique!I!received!for!that!initial!article,!I!came!to!see!how!
stuck!we!were!in!the!Dutch!Reformed!Church’s!failing!to!engage!our!tradition!with!
the!exploding!knowledge!of!the!modern!world.!I!wrote!a!piece!entitled!“Sleeping!
Through!A!Revolution.”!
Well,!that!article!really!spoke!to!Bill.!He!was!a!scientist!–!worldNclass!–!an!
Enlightenment!scholar.!He!wrote!a!great!letter,!two!pages,!underlining!what!I!had!
tried!to!say.!From!just!the!opening!lines!you!can!imagine!how!affirmed!I!felt!and,!
from!such!a!person,!confirmed!in!what!I!was!attempting!to!say.!His!opening!lines!
give!you!a!taste.!
Dear!Dick,!
Your!lead!paper,!“Sleeping!Through!A!Revolution”!in!the!April!Perspectives!left!me!
almost!breathless.!It!is!indeed!a!blockbuster!–!a!paper!that!is!timely,!necessary,!hits!
the!nail!on!the!head,!and!expresses!the!thought!of!many!of!the!“best!and!the!
brightest,”!as!well!as!of!many!others!in!the!Christian!community!who!haven’t!
organized!their!thoughts.!
There!are!so!many!comments!that!occur!to!me!that!I!hardly!know!where!to!begin.!
But!I’ll!try!by!first!acknowledging!that,!as!a!scientist,!I!am!a!product!of!the!
Enlightenment,!in!that!I!take!for!granted!the!assumptions!that!you!delineate.!
Letter:!05/20/1991!
One!more.!Again,!the!serious!controversy!the!article!elicited!caused!me!to!go!deeper.!
What!was!binding!our!Reformed!community!in!a!rigid!dogmatic!structure!that!
disallowed!us!to!engage!the!ongoing!explosion!and!knowledge!and!the!dynamic!of!
historical!development?!I!wrote!once!more,!sensing!that!a!failure!to!be!open!to!the!
critical!study!of!Scripture!made!us!prisoners!of!our!dogmatic!system.!An!inerrant,!
infallible!Bible!blocked!us!from!fresh!insight!and!growth!in!addressing!our!dynamic!
world!in!process.!Once!again,!contrary!to!the!majority!opinion!of!the!Letters!To!the!
Editor,!Bill!came!through!with!a!wonderful!affirmation.!The!opening!line!says!it!all!!
Dec.!23,!1992!
Dear!Dick,!
Bravo!!Bravo!!Bravo!!“The!Book!That!Binds!Us”!in!the!December!Perspectives!finally!
says!what!needs!to!be!said.!Some!time!ago,!reading!a!book!on!fundamentalism,!I!
© Grand Valley State University
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think!by!Barr,!I!noted!especially!his!recognition!that!fundamentalism!requires!more!
of!the!believer!than!the!simple!faith!in!Christ!that!is!so!assiduously!promoted.!
Without!it!being!stated,!the!believer!is!also!expected!to!accept!a!certain!view!of!the!
Bible,!a!view!which!indeed!takes!the!Bible!to!be!“a!book!of!propositional!truths,!
timeless!and!eternal,!covering!the!full!spectrum!of!cosmic!reality,!to!be!applied!
objectively!to!questions!of!faith!and!practice.”!
Sadly,!this!constricted!view!continues!to!permeate!even!that!segment!of!the!
evangelical!community!that!cringes!at!being!called!“fundamentalist.”!This!includes,!
of!course,!a!significant!portion!of!the!RCA,!especially!here!in!the!Midwest.!And!we!all!
know!the!kinds!of!problems!that!this!view!creates!–!from!“scientific!(sic!)!
creationism”!to!the!place!of!women!in!the!church,!not!to!mention!a!host!of!other!
contemporary!issues!that!could!never!have!been!anticipated!by!the!Biblical!writers.!
I!especially!enjoyed!your!recalling!Tillich’s!category!of!“reactive!literalism”!and!your!
explication.!I!have!often!wondered!about!the!psychology!of!the!literalist,!and!find!
your!comments!on!“reactive!literalism,”!“lust!for!certitude,”!and!the!fear!of!“looking!
into!the!abyss”!to!be!extremely!helpful.!
As!I!have!reviewed!again!these!letters!which!meant!so!much!to!me,!I!realize!what!a!
rare!person!Bill!was!–!deeply!religious,!faithful,!serious!and!also!open,!desiring!to!
grow!in!his!understanding,!bringing!his!Christian!faith!into!relationship!with!an!
ongoing!intellectual!journey.!
In!his!remarkable!professional!life!he!met!scientists!and!scholars!from!around!the!
world!and!I!remember!how!much!it!meant!to!him!for!a!voice!from!his!church!
community!to!confirm!his!gracious!openness!to!the!other.!
From!my!encounters!with!him!relating!to!our!mutual!spiritual!quest,!I!have!
attempted!to!paint!a!portrait!of!this!fine!man….!But!there!is!more!and!you,!dear!
family,!know!that!well!–!he!was!a!gentle!man,!gracious,!kind,!of!good!humor.!As!I!
thought!of!him,!Paul’s!familiar!hymn!of!love!came!to!mind!–!the!description!of!love!
fits!Bill!well.!
But!the!last!paragraph!of!the!chapter!reminds!me!of!Bill.!Paul!had!a!problem!with!
the!Church!at!Corinth.!There!were!divisions!–!groups!and!individuals!vying!for!the!
prize!of!having!the!finest!spiritual!gifts.!Paul!says!–!fine,!all!those!gifts!are!good!and!
helpful.!But!let!me!show!you!a!more!excellent!way!–!the!way!of!love.!
After!describing!love,!Paul!returns!to!the!problem!of!competing!spiritual!gifts.!He!
reminds!the!people!of!that!community!that!in!our!present!historical!moment!we!are!
limited.!In!light!of!the!cosmic!scene!we!are!but!children!in!our!understanding!and,!
thus,!humility!befits!us!well.!Comparing!our!present!situation!rooted!in!history,!Paul!
writes,!
For-now-we-see-in-a-mirror-dimly,-but-then-we-will-see-face-to-face.-Now-I-know-only-inpart;-then-I-will-know-fully-even-as-I-have-been-fully-known.-
© Grand Valley State University
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Bill!understood!that!so!vividly.!The!reason!dogmatism!and!absolutism!have!no!place!
in!our!present!human!situation!is!that!we!see!“dimly”!–!only!partially!do!we!grasp!
the!wonders!of!the!cosmic!drama!in!which!we!are!enmeshed.!Thus,!the!best!way!to!
live!was!with!humility,!honest!inquiry,!questioning,!wondering,!openness!to!new!
insight!and!fresh!perspective.!
And,!of!course,!on!this!amazing!human!journey,!there!is!one!ultimate!–!the!Way!of!
Love!–!
Faith/trust!–!in!the!Eternal!God.!
Hope!–!the!best!is!yet!to!be.!
Love!–!the!last!word.!
!
Love!that!binds!us!together!in!family!and!community!as!we!move!toward!that!
moment!when!we!shall!know!even!as!we!are!known!–!face!to!face!with!the!Love!that!
loves!us!and!all!eternity!to!explore!the!wonder!of!that!Love.!
Thanks!be!to!God!!
Let!us!pray.!
O!God,!we!would!be!still!
and!know!that!You!are!God!!–!Source!of!all!being,!
Mysterious!Mover!of!the!ongoing!cosmic!drama,!
creatively!breathing!fresh!surprises!
into!the!tapestry!of!our!history,!
graciously!present!to!us!in!those!moments!of!awareness!
when!we!come!to!ourselves,!
when!for!at!least!a!brief!time,!
light!dawns!upon!us!and!we!are!saturated!with!wonder!–!
at!the!sight!of!setting!sun!or!starry!sky,!
or!landscape!bathed!in!brilliant!winter!sun!
glistening!on!newly!fallen!snow.!
!
Then!in!silence!and!solitude!
we!know!what!is!beyond!knowing!–!
then!a!serenity!sweeps!over!our!souls!
and!we!know!all!is!gift,!
for!we!did!not!create!ourselves!nor!our!world!–!
not!sun!or!moon,!
not!the!air!we!breathe,!
not!the!restless!surf!locked!under!miles!of!ice,!
!unable!to!caress!the!sandy!beach.!
Then!we!know!we!are!part!of!something!so!much!larger!
than!the!narrow!parameters!
© Grand Valley State University
�Reflections on a Life
Richard A. Rhem
!of!our!daily!experience!and!limited!understanding.!
!
Before!the!wonder!of!it!all,!
we!sense!we!are!embraced,!caught!up!
in!something!the!dimensions!of!which!we!cannot!begin!to!take!in!–!
that!Mystery!that!has!addressed!us,!
eliciting!from!us!in!turn!the!response!of!address,!
when!from!our!depths!we!utter,!“O!God.”!
Then,!knowing!beyond!knowing,!
we!know!we!have!been!found!by!our!Source!
and!in!turn!have!found!our!resting!place.!
Source!and!resting!place,!
present!to!us!in!mysterious!and!gracious!Presence!–!
it!is!enough.!
Only!gratitude!then!fills!our!being.!
!
O!God,!in!moments!of!awareness!
when!we!are!attentive,!present!to!the!awesome!gift!of!life,!
the!beauty,!the!marvel!of!it!all,!
the!potential!of!the!human!creature,!
whose!consciousness!is!the!consciousness!of!the!cosmos,!
whose!voice!is!the!speech!of!Being,!
we!are!lost!in!wonder,!love!and!praise.!
!
Such!was!the!way!of!life!of!your!servant,!
our!loved!one,!whose!life!we!remember!and!celebrate!today.!
This!was!no!ordinary!person!–!
rather!extraordinary!in!so!many!ways!–!
deeply!rooted!in!Christian!faith!
learned!in!his!childhood!home,!church!and!school.!
Traditioned!in!a!great!theological!vision,!
he!walked!humbly!before!you,!O!God,!
faithful!in!worship!and!service.!
!
But!he!was!more.!
His!brilliant!mind!restless,!desiring!to!broaden!
!the!horizon!of!knowledge!and!understanding!–!
not!to!escape!from!the!faith,!
!but!rather!to!know!its!wonder!more!deeply,!
to!stand!in!ever!greater!awe!before!you,!!
Eternal!Mystery,!!
in!whom!we!live!and!move!and!have!our!being.!
Loving!husband,!father,!grandfather!and!friend,!
a!gentle!man!of!good!humor!and!restless!mind!
to!plumb!the!heights!and!depths!of!our!human!experience.!
© Grand Valley State University
Page 6!
�Reflections on a Life
Richard A. Rhem
!
We!remember!him,!!
images!flowing!through!our!minds,!
and!we!give!thanks!that!he!graced!our!lives.!
!
We!do!not!deny!our!loss!nor!the!grief!we!feel.!
Where!love!looms!large,!
loss!is!large!as!well,!and!painful.!
We!lift!up!our!eyes!to!You,!O!Eternal!One.!
You!uphold!us!with!everlasting!arms;!
You!overshadow!us!with!a!gracious!Presence.!
You!bear!us!up!on!eagle’s!wings;!
beneath!your!sheltering!wings!
!we!find!refuge!and!peace.!
!
Sacred!Mystery!of!all!being,!of!our!being,!
consciously!aware!of!our!lives!in!your!light,!
we!worship.!
We!know!that!all!will!be!well,!
all!will!be!well.!
All!manner!of!things!will!be!well.!
!
Now,!while!our!hearts!are!open,!
our!spirits!tender,!
mantle!us!with!Your!gentle!grace.!
Hear!our!prayer!through!Jesus!Christ!our!Lord.!
Amen.!
© Grand Valley State University
Page 7!
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Richard A. Rhem Collection
Description
An account of the resource
Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Religion
Interfaith worship
Sermons
Sound Recordings
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Rhem, Richard A.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Sound
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KII-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1981-2014
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
audio/mp3
text/pdf
Sound
A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds.
Event
Funeral Meditation on the Liife of William A. Struck
Scripture Text
I Corinthians 13:12
Location
The location of the interview
Grand Haven, Michigan
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KII-01_RA-0-20140306
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014-03-06
Title
A name given to the resource
Reflections on a Life
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Richard A. Rhem
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Subject
The topic of the resource
Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Sermons
Relation
A related resource
Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Description
An account of the resource
A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 6, 2014 entitled "Reflections on a Life", on the occasion of Funeral Meditation on the Liife of William A. Struck, at Grand Haven, Michigan. Scripture references: I Corinthians 13:12.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Funeral
Love of God
Reformed Tradition
Spiritual Quest
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5e4b9a3c9f9cf7db64908f84628d475c.pdf
c58623d39df5b002398e7271da0aaef3
PDF Text
Text
Prayer
Following the Meditation for Marvin Bottema
Richard A. Rhem
Spring Lake, Michiga
March 2, 2013
Eternal God, Source, Guide and Goal of all that is,
from You we receive life as a gift
and to You our life returns.
In the Psalmist’s poetic expression,
You send forth your breath, your Spirit,
and they are created.
You take away their breath, they die.
We find our comfort in life and in death
that we are not our own but belong to you, a faithful God,
Whose steadfast love embraces us
on this fascinating and fragile human pilgrimage.
And thus we find it most natural at such a time as this,
in such a place as this,
to lift up our hearts in worship, to bow in Your presence
before the mystery of life and the reality of death.
We worship, for we are aware of the wonder of creation,
its beauty and its terror, its loveliness and its pain.
We turn to You, O God, giver of life and Ground of all being.
We rest in You, we trust where we do not know.
In You we hope and to You we commend those we’ve loved and lost awhile.
Finally home,
our beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather,
brother, friend, your faithful servant, Marvin Bottema.
Finally home in a grand reunion–
his beautiful Thelma, Gerrit and Johanna, Neil and Alice,
and the others who have been part of this remarkable family,
a family rooted in a wonderful community of village and church
where ties of love, mutual care and strong tradition
created the good life – the good life we have all received
as a gift of Your Grace, O God,
a gift we treasure, a gift we pray we pass on
as it has been entrusted to us.
We give thanks for the privilege of living in the aroma of your Grace
as it was manifested in his life.
© Grand Valley State University
�Prayer for Marvin Bottema
Richard A. Rhem
The kitchen was the sanctuary –
gathered around the kitchen table, the liturgy varied
according to who came through the door.
And no matter who showed up
one could find their picture plastered on the refrigerator.
There was always coffee and chocolate chip cookies –
unless John had been there earlier.
Precious times.
Our loved one, now parted from us,
was not, as it were, the chairman.
On any given day on any given topic, anyone might take the lead.
Nonetheless, his was the presence that mattered,
the presence that bound all together in the bundle of life and love.
We celebrate this life, this one who kept us together
when his beloved Thelma entered your light eternal, O God.
Summer holidays in the yard,
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, crunched into the family room.
And miss him though we will, grieve his absence,
still we know it was time.
He was tired, he was ready, he faced his end with equanimity,
receiving the benediction in full assurance.
O God, there is no denying our loss.
Where love looms large, loss is large as well.
Where bonds of love are tight,
when broken, grief and loss are painful.
All of that we own, we acknowledge, without denial.
And in such a time as this, in such a place as this,
Gracious God, we are grateful above all
that the end is not broken health and dreams unfulfilled,
swallowed up in death,
but rather the confidence that
to live is to live unto the Lord,
and to die is to die unto the Lord,
so then, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord’s.
Receive our thanksgiving, O God.
Grant the comfort of Your Spirit,
renew our hope and lead us on
in the confidence that nothing can ever separate us
from Your love in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Who taught us to pray, saying,
© Grand Valley State University
Page 2
�Prayer for Marvin Bottema
Richard A. Rhem
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
© Grand Valley State University
Page 3
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Richard A. Rhem Collection
Description
An account of the resource
Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Religion
Interfaith worship
Sermons
Sound Recordings
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Rhem, Richard A.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Sound
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KII-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1981-2014
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
audio/mp3
text/pdf
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Event
Funeral Service
Location
The location of the interview
Spring Lake, Michigan
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RA-1-20130302
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2013-03-02
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Title
A name given to the resource
Prayer in Memory of Marvin Bottema
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Richard A. Rhem
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Description
An account of the resource
Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 2, 2013 entitled "Prayer in Memory of Marvin Bottema", on the occasion of Funeral Service, at Spring Lake, Michigan. Tags: Prayer, Funeral, Community of Faith.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Community of Faith
Funeral
Prayer
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3d8d378463cc4c0ce288ffe8f832390d.pdf
f8f317ece3f74f24f2b9aa5b238b108d
PDF Text
Text
Prayer
Celebrating the Life of Norman Campbell
Richard A. Rhem
First Congregational Church
Muskegon, Michigan
January 24, 2014
Oh God,
we would be still and know that You are God,
Source of all being,
Mysterious Mover of the ongoing cosmic drama,
creatively breathing fresh surprises into the tapestry of our history,
graciously present to us in those moments of awareness
when we come to ourselves,
when for at least a brief time light dawns upon us
and we are saturated with wonder –
at the sight of setting sun or starry sky,
or our Great Lake blanketed with snow on towering bergs of ice.
Then in silence and solitude
we know what is beyond knowing.
Then a serenity sweeps over our souls
and we know all is gift.
For we did not create ourselves or our world –
not the brilliant winter sun or blinding blizzard,
not the air we breathe,
not the winter landscape wrapped in glistening ermine.
Then we know we are part of something so much larger
than the narrow parameters of our daily experience and limited understanding.
Before the wonder of it all,
we sense we are embraced,
caught up in something the dimensions of which we cannot begin to take in –
that Mystery that has addressed us,
eliciting from us in turn the response of address,
when from our depths we utter, “O God.”
Then, knowing beyond knowing,
we know we have been found by our Source
and in turn have found our Resting Place.
© Grand Valley State University
�Prayer in Memory of Norman Campbell
Richard A. Rhem
Page 2
Source and Resting Place,
present to us in mysterious and gracious Presence.
It is enough.
Only gratitude then fills our being and thus we pray,
“Thanks be to You, O God.”
Gathered here as we are in the posture of worship in Your Presence,
we have come to celebrate the life of this good man, Norman Campbell.
We remember the way he was
and we know why we are grieving so deeply.
He leaves such a crater in our hearts
for he filled us so tenderly with his mere presence –
gentle, kind, gracious, humble, unassuming, generous –
the adjectives surface so spontaneously.
This one we have loved and lost awhile
was a very special human being
and he graced our lives so richly.
A lover, a care giver,
an irreplaceable presence.
Beyond the circle of family and friends,
a brilliant engineer, a keen industrialist and business man –
one who created of his workers a family.
Yet in this gentle giant a fire burned –
for Tigers, and Blue was a sacred color
in the liturgy of his life.
And, O God,
he walked always in Your Light,
a man of deep trust, of inquiring mind,
one who rested deeply in Your grace.
Those of us beyond family saw all of this
but knew as well that his family was where his heart dwelt,
where his love was poured,
where he found his deepest joy.
We celebrate this one, dearly loved and deeply respected.
We remember and we give You thanks,
O good and gracious God,
for the gift we shared– family, dear friends, larger community –
the gift we shared of his presence in our midst.
Loss is proportionate to love;
pain is measured by what the one removed meant to us –
and this one meant so much.
Yet, amazingly, O God,
© Grand Valley State University
�Prayer in Memory of Norman Campbell
Richard A. Rhem
these are bitter-sweet moments.
There is no denying the loss,
but there is no denying the wonder as well –
the wonder at the beauty of love,
the meaning of life,
the sacredness of human bonding.
Things come into focus;
we gain perspective.
We know in tangible experience what we thought we knew before,
but realize we didn’t know as deeply –
that what matters finally is the love we’ve known,
the love we’ve given,
the love we’ve received.
Our hearts swell, eyes moisten as we contemplate it all –
the gift we’ve known in this one
who loved so deeply, so broadly, so naturally…
Knowing he was resting on everlasting arms
in the embrace of Grace,
he saw his end,
and in confidence he chose to enter Your presence, O God,
resting in his final labored breathing
in the abyss of Your love.
And in such a time as this,
in such a place as this,
Gracious God,
we are grateful above all
that the end is not broken health and dreams unfulfilled,
swallowed up in death,
but rather the confidence that
to live is to live unto the Lord,
and to die is to die unto the Lord,
so then whether we live or die,
we are the Lord’s.
Sacred Mystery of all being, of our being,
consciously aware of our lives in Your light,
we worship.
We know that all will be well,
all will be well.
All manner of things will be well.
Amen.
© Grand Valley State University
Page 3
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Richard A. Rhem Collection
Description
An account of the resource
Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Religion
Interfaith worship
Sermons
Sound Recordings
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Rhem, Richard A.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Sound
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KII-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1981-2014
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
audio/mp3
text/pdf
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Event
Funeral Service for Norman Campbell
Location
The location of the interview
First Congregational Church Muskegon, Michigan
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RA-1-20140124
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014-01-24
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Title
A name given to the resource
Prayer Celebrating the Life of Norman Campbell
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Richard A. Rhem
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Description
An account of the resource
Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 24, 2014 entitled "Prayer Celebrating the Life of Norman Campbell", on the occasion of Funeral Service for Norman Campbell, at First Congregational Church Muskegon, Michigan. Tags: Prayer, Funeral, Presence of God, Worship, Grace.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Funeral
Grace
Prayer
Presence of God
Worship
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7c2689ab3ee735b032e9b5d7140f983e.pdf
11512cc243754e285468d0c9c1b09a70
PDF Text
Text
Prayer
At The Celebration of The Life of Margaret Ruth Olezczuk
Richard A. Rhem
The Lee Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Home
Norton Shores, Michigan
September 15, 2014
Transcription of the written prayer
For these few moments, O God,
Sacred Mystery of our lives,
Creative Source, Eternal Presence, and our Final Home,
grace us with awareness
that we are held in the embrace of Love
as family and friends
and the one we have loved and lost awhile.
God of our lives,
beyond the changing seasons,
constant through the passages that mark our days,
for these moments, still our minds, quiet our hearts,
be present to us as we, in Your presence,
remember this one who filled so large a role in our lives.
Her physical beauty was the outward embodiment
of the beauty of the soul,
the instrument of a human spirit
that transformed every situation into which she entered,
creating joy, good humor, well being.
She had that about her that made us confident
that all would be well –
not through what she did, but simply because her presence
was a sweet aroma of grace and goodness
that changed everything for the better.
O God, our hearts are full.
Images tumble through our minds.
We see her yet,
always a lady, stunning, stylish, classy,
able always simply to be herself –
unaffected, genuine, authentic, deep.
© Grand Valley State University
�Prayer in Celebration of the Life of Margaret Olezczuk Richard A. Rhem
For this crown jewel of Your creative art,
we give You thanks.
O God, there is no denying our loss.
Where love looms large, loss is large as well.
Where bonds of love are tight,
when broken, grief and loss are painful.
All of that we own, we acknowledge without denial.
Yet we are overwhelmed
by the beauty, the wonder of this life
that has touched us so deeply –
the amazing grace with which she lived
and the deep trust with which she breathed her last.
And in such a time as this,
in such a place as this,
Gracious God,
we are grateful above all
that the end is not broken health and dreams unfulfilled,
swallowed up in death,
but rather the confidence that
to live is to live unto the Lord,
and to die is to die unto the Lord.
So then, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord’s.
Receive our thanksgiving, O God.
Grant the comfort of Your Spirit.
Renew our hope and lead us on
in the confidence that nothing can ever separate us
from Your love in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Who taught us to pray, saying,
“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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil,
for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
© Grand Valley State University
Page 2
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Richard A. Rhem Collection
Description
An account of the resource
Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Clergy--Michigan
Reformed Church in America
Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.)
Religion
Interfaith worship
Sermons
Sound Recordings
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Rhem, Richard A.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kaufman Interfaith Institute
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
English
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Sound
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
KII-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1981-2014
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
audio/mp3
text/pdf
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Event
Funeral Service at Sytsema Funeral Home
Location
The location of the interview
Lee Chapel, Norton Shores, MI
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RA-1-20140915
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2014-09-15
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Title
A name given to the resource
Prayer at the Celebration of the Life of Margaret Ruth Oleszczuk
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Richard A. Rhem
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Description
An account of the resource
Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on September 15, 2014 entitled "Prayer at the Celebration of the Life of Margaret Ruth Oleszczuk", on the occasion of Funeral Service at Sytsema Funeral Home, at Lee Chapel, Norton Shores, MI. Tags: Funeral, Prayer, Grace, Trust.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Funeral
Grace
Prayer
Trust