Paul Wismer Memorial Service Folder

Christian Memorial Service for Henry Paul Wismer October 23, 1952 - February 17, 2022

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Tucson, Arizona March 26, 2022

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 as indicated and in singing the final hymn.

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, Paul was clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all his 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!

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.”

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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.

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 Paul, and dry the tears of all who weep. Calm our troubled hearts; dispel our doubts and fears. We thank you for bringing Paul to faith and giving him 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.

PAUL WISMER’S TIME OF GRACE (see page 7)

READING 15

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Psalm 34:15–19

The eyes of the LORD watch over the righteous.

His ears listen to their cry.

The face of the LORD is set against those who do evil, to cut off memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears.

From all their distress he delivers them.

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The LORD is close to the brokenhearted.

He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.

Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

READING 1

John 14:1–6

“Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am. 4 You know where I am going, and you know the way.”

5 “Lord, we don’t know where you are going,” Thomas replied, “so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”

VOCAL SOLO: Better by Far See the New Jerusalem, all the seed of Abraham; Vast unnumbered multitudes cry “Salvation to our God.” All the joys of earth just melt away in the glory of that shining day.

It’s better, better by far to be with the Lord, with the Bright Morning Star.

This ol’ earth just can’t compare with the glory we’ll find there.

Heaven is better by far.

Every tear he’ll wipe away. No more night, just perfect day; No more death, praise God it’s true. Everything will be made new.

Earth will be a fading memory in the light of God’s eternity.

It’s better, better by far to be with the Lord, with the Bright Morning Star.

This ol’ earth just can’t compare with the glory we’ll find there.

Heaven is better by far.

Text and music: Walt Harrah © 1991 Seedsower Music. Arr. Russell Mauldin © 1991 Paradise View Publishing. Used by permission. CCLI #3095263.

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SERMON

Philippians 1:22-23

Better by Far 22

But if I am to go on living in the flesh, that will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which should I prefer? I do not know. 23 I am pulled in two directions, because I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.

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.

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.

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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.

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HYMN: For Me to Live Is Jesus

CW 848

Text: tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–1878, alt.; Ein schön geistlich Gesangbuch, Jena, 1609. Text and tune: Public domain

You are invited to a light lunch in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.

For those wishing to give a gift in memory of Paul: A memorial in his name has been established here at Grace Lutheran Church 830 N. 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719

THOSE ASSISTING IN WORSHIP TODAY Minister ......................................................................................... Pastor Ron Koehler Accompanist .............................................................................................. Kathy Parra Vocalist ................................................................................................... Beth Kassulke Sound and Recording 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 © 2022 Concordia Publishing House. Software distributed in partnership with Northwestern Publishing House.

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PAUL WISMER’S TIME OF GRACE 1952 - 2022 Henry Paul Wismer was born to Henry and Irma Wismer on October 23, 1952 in Tucson. He was made a child of God when he was baptized at Grace by Pastor E. Arnold Sitz on January 4, 1953. He was confirmed here at Grace on May 15, 1966.

As a member of Grace for his entire life, Paul served the Lord and others as a Pioneer Leader for young people and participated in the Grace Worship Choir and Grace’s Men’s Choir. He was also part of a group of members from the area WELS churches who joined to form Reach the World, a traveling choir which shared the gospel with people in many churches in several states.

Paul served in the United States Army and worked as an inspector for the Arizona Department of Transportation. Paul’s health struggles over the last number of years did not allow him to be involved in worship and other events, which he missed immensely. He truly appreciated and enjoyed pastoral visits in his home, when he could hear God’s Word and receive the Lord’s Supper. Paul also faithfully watched Sunday worship online during the years he could not attend worship in person. After being hospitalized for several health issues, the Lord finally called him home to heaven on February 17, 2022. He leaves behind to mourn his passing and to look forward to a joyful reunion in heaven his sisters, Carol and Ellen, six nieces and nephews, and treasured friends.

The Lord gave Paul a time of grace on this earth of 69 years, 3 months, and 26 days.

Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

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