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Celebration of John's life
John’s wife, Merle, drew up a short programme of worship, readings and tributes to John’s life as part of Halesworth Community Church’s Easter service. John believed in and worshipped the risen Christ, whose resurrection we celebrate every Easter.
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This is reflected in the two hymns chosen:
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Come Let Us Worship
Come let us worship the King of kings, The Creator of all things. Let your soul arise to Him, Come and bless the Lord our King. Lord, my heart and voice I raise, To praise Your wondrous ways, And with confidence I come To approach Your heavenly throne. Come and fill this place with Your glory, Come and captivate our gaze; Come and fill us with Your fire, That the world might know Your name. For You are God, And You're worthy to be praised, And You are good, For Your love will never end: The great I Am, You are faithful in all of Your ways. (Repeat) |
There is a redeemer
There is a redeemer Jesus, God's own Son Precious Lamb of God, Messiah Holy One Jesus my redeemer Name above all names Precious Lamb of God, Messiah Oh, for sinners slain Thank you, oh my father For giving us Your Son And leaving Your Spirit 'Til the work on Earth is done When I stand in Glory I will see His face And there I'll serve my King forever In that Holy Place |
At the end of every day John would pick up his guitar and sing to the Lord.
The word of God was the foundation of his principles and life. He took every available opportunity to share the hope and truths found in the scriptures. He prepared his family, church members and many others for his going to be with the Lord.
The Truth
Luke encourages us to remember Jesus’ words:
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words.”
(Luke 24:6-8)
The Promise
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:1-3; 6)
An Assurance
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Luke encourages us to remember Jesus’ words:
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered his words.”
(Luke 24:6-8)
The Promise
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:1-3; 6)
An Assurance
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
He believed in church, family and relationships and the tributes led by David Sillett and Stephen Hall expressed an appreciation of many whose lives had been touched by John’s faithfulness in sharing the love of God with them.
The final tribute was the reading of a poem written and read by Ruth, our eldest daughter, at John’s graveside.
My Dad
That’s not my Dad in there.
He’s rejoicing in heaven.
He wanted to go, he was ready.
His only sadness was leaving us behind.
He was many things to many people;
A son, a husband, a brother, an Uncle and a Grandad.
A friend, a pastor, a teacher and a counsellor.
But to me, he was just my Dad.
They’ve said
‘Your Dad saved my life’
‘Your Dad saved my marriage’
‘He was kind, compassionate, patient and wise.
He was excellent, visionary, adventurous and progressive.’
But to me, he was just my Dad.
His loves were not complicated;
God, his family, the church.
Coffee sponge, Ipswich Town, the sea, cycling, playing guitar and a good roast.
Custard and gravy were firm favourites.
Although not together of course.
He loved to joke, tease and talk ‘nonsense’, especially with the children.
For me, that was my Dad.
He always got stuck in;
On the football field, playing rounders or in a rough-up.
There were no half-measures.
A true competitor, he loved to win, but he lost with grace.
For me, that was my Dad.
He told us not to mourn.
To live life fully and love each other.
He believed in us all.
He sought the good, the potential, the best.
He fought for it.
For me, that was my Dad and I’m forever grateful.
Ruth Schumacher, John’s eldest daughter, August 17th 2022, in memory of my dear Dad.
That’s not my Dad in there.
He’s rejoicing in heaven.
He wanted to go, he was ready.
His only sadness was leaving us behind.
He was many things to many people;
A son, a husband, a brother, an Uncle and a Grandad.
A friend, a pastor, a teacher and a counsellor.
But to me, he was just my Dad.
They’ve said
‘Your Dad saved my life’
‘Your Dad saved my marriage’
‘He was kind, compassionate, patient and wise.
He was excellent, visionary, adventurous and progressive.’
But to me, he was just my Dad.
His loves were not complicated;
God, his family, the church.
Coffee sponge, Ipswich Town, the sea, cycling, playing guitar and a good roast.
Custard and gravy were firm favourites.
Although not together of course.
He loved to joke, tease and talk ‘nonsense’, especially with the children.
For me, that was my Dad.
He always got stuck in;
On the football field, playing rounders or in a rough-up.
There were no half-measures.
A true competitor, he loved to win, but he lost with grace.
For me, that was my Dad.
He told us not to mourn.
To live life fully and love each other.
He believed in us all.
He sought the good, the potential, the best.
He fought for it.
For me, that was my Dad and I’m forever grateful.
Ruth Schumacher, John’s eldest daughter, August 17th 2022, in memory of my dear Dad.
We all wish to express our gratitude and appreciation of each message of condolence and prayer sent to us at this time.
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