Mary Virginia "Jenny" Borchers
March 10, 1931 - January 7, 2026
Mary Virginia “Jenny” Borchers was honored, embraced and adored throughout her life and into her final days by her loving family. On January 7, 2026, Jenny joined her husband of 63 years, Evan Borchers, who preceded her in death, as well as her five siblings, parents and a lifetime of cherished friends.
Jenny was born in Tarboro, North Carolina on March 10, 1931, the youngest of 6 children born to Julian and Rosa Gatling. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, she learned early the importance of service and sacrifice, family and faith. An exceptional student, she set a course for her career by training to be a nurse at the Capital City School of Nursing in Washington, D.C., working throughout her life as an R.N. in Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Georgia… and raising three sons in the process. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and a selfless friend to many, helping others whenever she could through both personal and church sponsored efforts: a giving spirit and a true vessel of God’s good works which evolved later in life into charitable commitments in support of veterans in addition to various religious causes.
Always cultivating her creative soul, Jenny enjoyed painting, musical concerts and art exhibits after her retirement until she finally found creative purpose through the creation of custom quilts in support of Lutheran missionary works in Africa. Late in life, Jenny rediscovered her love of country music, reminiscing upon her youth when she and her family would spend evenings in a barn, ‘picking and singing’ together all night long as the tobacco cured… and, as a proud, ‘barefooted’ North Carolina girl, she enjoyed gardening into her
final years and had a deep passion for NC basketball: one of few fans who could boldly cheer for the NC Tarheels, NC State Wolfpack and Duke Blue Devils with equal enthusiasm.
Jenny was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Rest high on that mountain, dear heart.
Jenny is survived by three sons: Brian Borchers, wife Nita; Chuck Borchers, wife Carol; Jeff Borchers, wife Debra; and four grandchildren: Chris Borchers, wife Alisia; Joelle Wielinski, husband Jacob; Nate Borchers and Tejan Borchers.
PRELUDE GATHERING
Standing
Welcome in the name of Jesus the Savior, who died and was raised to new life by the grace of God. We are gathered here to worship, to remember before God our sister Mary Virginia "Jenny" Borchers, to give thanks for her life, to commend her to our merciful redeemer, and to comfort one another in our grief.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you.| We glorify you.
Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you. | We praise you.
Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you.| We worship you.
To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. | Amen.
How Great Thou Art
and music
GREETING
1949, 1953
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our sister, Jenny. We thank you for giving her to us to know and to love as companions in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we
may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen.
Seated
REFLECTIONS AND TRIBUTES FROM FAMILY
Nate Borchers
Christopher Borchers
SCRIPTURE READING
2 Timothy 4:1-8 (KJV) read by Tejan Borchers
23rd Psalm (KJV) led by Joelle Borchers
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
SOLO
Standing GOSPEL
Mathew 5:3-16 (KJV)
Seated SERMON
Standing
HYMN 504
Fairest Lord Jesus
Soloist: Nita Borchers
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Pastor Mark H. Larson
APOSTLES' CREED
God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Kneeling or Seated PRAYERS
Let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Jesus, full of compassion, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Jenny and dry the tears of those who weep.
God of mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, man of sorrows, you wept at the grave of Lazarus your friend; comfort us who mourn.
God of mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, firstborn of the new creation, you raised the dead; give to our sister, Jenny, life eternal.
God of mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, friend of sinners, you promised paradise to the repentant thief; bring Jenny to the joys of heaven.
God of mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, wellspring of life, you washed Jenny in baptism and anointed her with the Holy Spirit; give her communion with all your saints.
God of mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, bread of life, you nourished Jenny at your table on earth; Welcome her at your table in the realm of heaven.
God of mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, bright morning star, comfort us in our sorrows at the death of Jenny. Let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
God of mercy, | hear our prayer.
God of all grace, we give you thanks because by his death our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Make us certain that because he lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come shall be able to separate us from your love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen.
SHARING THE PEACE
Standing GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Lift up your hearts! | We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise. You are holy, O God of majesty, and holy is your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. He lived as one of us, and knew our joy, our pain and sorrow, and our death. By his death on the
cross you revealed that your love has no limit. By raising him from death you conquered the last enemy, crushed all evil powers, and gave new life to the world.
In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering your gracious acts in Jesus Christ, we take from your creation this bread and wine and joyfully celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ and with all who are baptized in his name.
Remember our sister Jenny whose baptism is now complete in death. Bring her into your eternal joy and light, together with all who have died in the peace of Christ; through whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty God, now and forever. | Amen.
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray…
LORD’S PRAYER
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass 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 and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The risen Christ dwells with us here. All who are hungry, all who are thirsty, come.
Seated DISTRIBUTION
Standing POST COMMUNION
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen
COMMENDATION
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Jenny. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. | Amen.
HYMN 661
I Love to Tell the Story
FAREWELL
Let us go forth in peace in the name of Christ. | Amen An inurnment will follow immediately in the Redeemer Columbarium.