[My Aunt Dot who was married to my dad’s brother passed away last week and the funeral was held yesterday at Round Hill Presbyterian Church in Crossroads, PA where she had been a member for 85 years. This is also the church where my mom and dad were married in 1950. Since my dad was Methodist my parents decided to attend that church instead which is why I am a United Methodist today. I guess God “predestined” this to happen. Sorry, using a little theological humor, here. My brother and I were asked to assist in the service. With tears of grief and gratitude for a like well lived, we commended Dorothy S. Sweitzer into the loving arms of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.]
[The eulogy was beautifully delivered by Colonel Todd McDowell, one of Aunt Dot’s grandsons. Todd recounted how Aunt Dot loved all of us and was known for her sharp mind and faith in Christ. After the service, Todd and I both noticed that the etching around the beautiful stained glass window behind him states that it was dedicated in loving memory of Major James Patterson, a member of that church who served in General George Washington’s Army. This church was established in 1756.]
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[My brother, David McDowell is a Deacon in the UMC and is the music director of the church where mom and dad decided to attend after they were married. It was very fitting that he sang this song, “Come to Jesus” along with another talented vocalist in the family, Terri Hoffman to the glory of God in loving memory of our Aunt Dot. The whole family felt like we were coming home.]
[Picture of our family standing in the back of the sanctuary in front of beautiful stained glass windows following Aunt Dot’s funeral service. It was an honor to offer the pastoral prayer and the Lord’s prayer during the service. As a UMC pastor, I kind of stumbled during the Lord’s Prayer since Presbyterians typically use “debts” and I am accustomed to “trespasses.” Evidently Aunt Dot’s church prefers neither. They say “sins.” When we got to that part of the prayer, you could hear all three options spoken at once reminding us that God has a sense of humor.]
God of love, we thank you for all with which you have blessed us even to this day. Thank you for the many ways that Aunt Dot lived out her faith and cared about each one of us.
She amazed us in how she remembered people and fun stories that we had long forgotten. She remembered our birthdays, asked often about our families, attended our graduations, helped us to get summer jobs, prayed for each one of us without ceasing, and reminded us of silly things we did when we were young that always brought a smile to her face.
We thank you for your gift of joy in days of health and strength, and for the gifts of your abiding presence and promise in days of pain and grief. We are reminded how blessed we are to be surrounded by family and friends in this place today.
We are also mindful of other friends and family members who are no longer with us but who are now part of that great cloud of witnesses where there is no more tears, suffering, sorrow, or pain; only joy, love, and peace. We remember these loved ones silently in our hearts during this time of silence.
(Silence)
Thank you for these loved ones, O God. They are forever in our memory.
Be with everyone who has gathered here to remember and give thanks for the life of Aunt Dot as well as with those who are unable to be with us this day. Thank you for the many ways in which she has blessed each one of us and for cherished memories that we will be able to take with us from this place. And we are forever grateful that your grace is extended to each one of us to have a seat around your table with all of those who have faithfully lived and died. Above all, we give you thanks for your Son Jesus, who knew our griefs, who died our death, rose for our sake, and who taught us to pray together 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/trespasses/sins as we forgive our debtors/those who trespassed against us/those who sinned against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[Round Hill Presbyterian Church, Crossroads, PA Est. 1756]
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