Christian Memorial Service for Patricia Ann Messer December 2, 1936 - December 6, 2025
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Tucson, Arizona January 10, 2026
The order for our service today is based on the Christian Funeral service in the blue Christian Worship hymnal (pages 274-277). Please join in speaking the congregational parts and singing the hymns as indicated.
REMEMBRANCE OF BAPTISM Minister:
In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen. In Holy Baptism, Pat was clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all her sin. St. Paul affirms, “In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” The apostle also writes, “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
1
GOD’S COMFORT We have come together to seek God’s comfort in our sorrow and to rejoice in the promise of the resurrection. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Death has been swallowed up in victory! Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we also will appear with him in glory.
PRAYER Let us pray. Lord Jesus, you wept at the grave of your friend Lazarus, and you consoled Mary and Martha in their distress. Draw near to us who mourn the loss of Pat and dry the tears of all who weep. Calm our troubled hearts; dispel our doubts and fears. We thank you for bringing Pat to faith and giving her the gift of eternal life. Strengthen us with your Word and sacraments, and keep us in the saving faith until we are united with you and all the saints where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
PAT MESSER’S TIME OF GRACE (see page 11) 2
HYMN—I’m But a Stranger Here
Text: Thomas R. Taylor, 1807–1835, abr. Tune: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842–1900. Text and tune: Public domain.
3
Christian Worship 853
READING 1
2
3
READING
Isaiah 43:1-3 But now this is what the LORD says, the LORD who created you, O Jacob, the LORD who formed you, O Israel. Do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you cross through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross the rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not set you on fire. Because I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
John 1:9-18
9The real light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. 10He was
in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not recognize him. 11He came to what was his own, yet his own people did not accept him. 12But to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 13They were born, not of blood, or of the desire of the flesh, or of a husband's will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory he has as the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testified about him. He cried out, “This was the one I spoke about
when I said, ‘The one coming after me outranks me because he existed before me.’” 16For out of his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, who is close to the Father's side, has made him known. 4
HYMN—My Song Is Love Unknown
5
5
Christian Worship 397
They rise and needs will have my dear Lord made away. A murderer they save, the Prince of life they slay. Yet cheerful he to suff’ring goes that he his foes from death might free.
6
In life no house, no home my Lord on earth might have; in death no friendly tomb but what a stranger gave. What may I say? Heav’n was his home but mine the tomb wherein he lay.
7
Here might I stay and sing; no story so divine, never was love, dear King, never was grief like thine. This is my friend, in whose sweet praise I all my days could gladly spend!
Text: Samuel Crossman, c. 1624–1683, alt. Tune: John N. Ireland, 1879–1962. Text and tune: Public domain.
SERMON
2 Timothy 1:9-10
9He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our
works, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10and it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. 6
HYMN—Amazing Grace
Christian Worship 576
Text (sts. 1–3): John Newton, 1725–1807, alt.; (st. 4): A Collection of Sacred Ballads, Richmond, 1790. Tune: Columbian Harmony, Cincinnati, 1829, ed. Benjamin Shaw; ed. Charles H. Spilman. Text and tune: Public domain.
PRAYER Lord God, heavenly Father, you are always with us, especially when our hearts are heavy with grief. Send us your Spirit so that even as we grieve we are filled with hope. You have convinced us that your Son Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Christ are resting in peace with you. Let nothing shake our confidence in your promise that we will be united with you and them in glory forever. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 7
What great mercy you have shown us, Father in heaven! Through your Son’s resurrection, our hope is alive and our inheritance is certain. The bliss and security we will enjoy in your presence are blessings that will never perish, spoil, or fade. Shield us with your power and give us faith to trust in you in every trial until we inherit the glorious riches you are keeping for us in heaven. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Gracious God, we see your abiding love in the kindness shown to us by family and friends. As we receive comfort and encouragement from others, we are experiencing your care. Help us bear all our burdens patiently. Be the strength of your people, now and in difficult days to come. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. O Lord, support us all day long, till the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and T give you peace. Amen. 8
HYMN—Abide with Me
Christian Worship 783
Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793–1847, alt. Tune: William H. Monk, 1823–1889. Text and tune: Public domain.
After the memorial service, a luncheon will be served in the Fellowship Hall. You are invited to dismiss yourself and join the family there immediately following the service. 9
For those wishing to give a gift in memory of Pat, a memorial in support of outreach and Christian education has been established in her name here at Grace. Grace Lutheran Church 830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719
THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY Minister .................................................................................. Pastor Nathan Kassulke Accompanist ............................................................................................... Jim Bakken Sound Technician ............................................................................... Jeremy Snavely Acknowledgements: Scripture readings are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) © 2018 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. wartburgproject.org. Created by Christian Worship: Service Builder © 2026 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.
10
PATRICIA A. MESSER’S TIME OF GRACE 1936 - 2025 Patricia Ann Messer, nee Allen, was born December 2, 1936, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to parents Lois Gault and Thomas Allen. Pat moved to Arizona with her mother in 1946 and stayed with her Aunt Clara and Uncle Ed in Bisbee where she attended Greenway Elementary School. In the summer of 1948, Pat joined her mother in Tucson. Pat continued her education at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School and also received God’s gift of Holy Baptism at the church. After concluding the eighth grade, Pat enrolled at Salpointe Catholic High School. Her graduating class in 1954 was the second ever and the first to complete a full four years at Salpointe. While still at school, Pat worked at Western Ways Photography Studio and Printing Shop and a department store. After graduating, she worked in several different departments of First National Bank. Pat’s marriage of just under three years to Albert Marian Bossert on February 12, 1955, was blessed by God with two sons and a daughter. On September 16, 1960, Pat married Roy Messer. God blessed the marriage with two sons. Pat and Roy were divorced in 1991. Pat joined Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson in December of 1973 when she was confirmed after thorough instruction in the Holy Scriptures. Pat attended worship and Bible study faithfully until she was no longer able to do so following her diagnosis with multiple myeloma. She served in various women’s ministry roles, including as president of the Women of Grace and organizing the greeting card sales of the group. She was also an active member of the altar prep team and helped with the care and polishing of items used in worship. Pat last attended church in the summer of 2025. She moved into an assisted living facility in September. She appreciated regular visits from friends at Grace and eagerly received the Sacrament of Holy Communion on pastoral visits. On the morning of December 6, 2025, God called Pat home to heaven. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Lois Gault and Thomas Allen, and former spouses Albert Bossert and Roy Messer. She is survived by five adult children: Thomas Albert (Jade) Bossert, Darrell John (DeAnna) Bossert, Jane Marie (Tim) Donna, William Roy Messer, and David James (Brandy) Messer; four adult grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. The Lord gave Pat a time of grace on this earth of 89 years and 4 days. Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 11