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CovenantPresbyterianChurchSherman,TexasJuly26,2013

AServiceofWorshipofWitnesstotheResurrection

andinCelebrationofthelifeof

SaraBerniceHoneaMoseley

WhoreceivedtheGiftofLifeonAugust9,1917AndtheGiftofEternalLifeonJuly18,2013

Letus,then,learnthatwecanneverbelonelyorforsakeninthislife.Shalltheyforgetusbecausetheyare"madeperfect"?Shalltheyloveusthelessbecausetheynowhavethepowertoloveusmore?Ifweforgetthemnot,shalltheynotrememberuswithGod?Notrial,then,canisolateus,nosorrowcancutusofffromtheCommunionofSaints.Kneeldown,andyouarewiththem;liftupyoureyes,andtheheavenlyworld,highaboveallperturbation,hangsserenelyoverhead;onlyathinveil,itmaybe,floatsbetween.Allwhomweloved,andallwholovedus,whomwestilllovenoless,whiletheyloveusyetmore,areevernear,becauseeverinHispresenceinwhomweliveanddwell.

‐‐CardinalHenryEdwardManning(1808‐1892)**

WELCOMEANDOPENINGSENTENCES SaraCarolineMoseleyWelcome.OnbehalfofSaraBerniceMoseley’sfamily,Ithankyouforjoiningusinthisserviceofwitnesstotheresurrectionandgratitudeforherlife.

LastyearwhenwecelebratedMother’s95thbirthday–inthesameFellowshipHallwheretoday’sreceptionwillbeheld–Ispokeaboutherfamilies:herShermanfamily,herCovenantfamily,herlargerPresbyterianfamily,herAustinCollegefamily.Thesefamilies–allthefamilymembers–definedtheshapeofherdays,theflowofheryears,thearcofherlife.Sheinvestedherselffullyintheserelationships–increatingthem,nurturingthem,enrichingthem,andtheyinturnnurturedandenrichedher.

Onlyonefamilytookprecedence:herhusbandandtheirthreechildren,thenfourgrandchildren,andnowsevengreat‐grandchildren.Todaythereare20ofus–14directdescendantsand6spouses.Overthepastalmosttenyears,

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thefamilygrewtoincludetheskilledanddevotedwomenwhocaredfirstforDaddyand,afterhisdeath,forMother.

UndertheglassthatcoversMother’sdesk‐‐actually,itwasoneofthreedesks,butthat’sanotherstory–isanassortmentofquotes,eachonitsownsmallpieceofpaper.Someareclippedfromaprintedarticle,sometyped,someinherownhandwriting.Takentogether,theyrevealagreatdealaboutwhatmovedher,whatshecaredabout.Twoinparticularareaboutparentsandchildren.

Thefirst,inherhandwriting,isfromThomasJ.Langley:“Allthelovewecometoknowinlifespringsfromtheloveweexperiencedaschildren.”Motherwasamuchlovedchild‐‐lovedbyherparents,grandparents,auntsanduncles,indeedprettymuchthewholelittletownofAnson,Texas.Embracedbysuchanoverflowingabundanceoflove,shesharedit–itspilledover–likethewineatCana‐‐ontoallherfamilies,butespeciallyontous.

Likethatwine,Mother’slovewasneverdilutedordepleted.Infact,likeBoyle’slawofgases,itexpandedtofillthespacecreatedbyeachnewgeneration.Firsttograndchildrenwithwhomsheenjoyedmorethanfortyyearsofrelationships,eachdifferentfromtheother.Butherdelightingrandchildrengavewaytounabasheddotingonhergreatgrandchildren–“thegreats”assheandDaddycalledthem.

Thisdoesn’tcomeasnewstomostofyou–iftherewerenonewpicturestoshare,shewasarmedwiththelateststoryaboutthegoingsandcomingsanddoingsofthelatestadditionstotheMoseleyfamily.Andwhatloveyousawinthesharing.

Love–notthegushy,sentimentalkindbutthesturdy,steadykind,notalovethatreflectedonherself,butonethatlookeddeeplyintoyouandsawthereachildofGod.ForhertheLangleyquotemightbeadjustedtosay:“AllthelovewecometoknowinlifespringsfromtheloveweknowaschildrenofGod.”

ThesecondquoteIfoundundertheglassonherdeskwassenttoherbyherdearfriendNancyNelson;itwascutfromtheLufkinchurchnewsletterforMay(ofsomeyear)andisbyW.H.Hudson.Givenwhatitsays,IbelievethatNancysentittoMotherperhapsonthefirstMother’sDayafterhermother,ourGrandmotherHoneadied.Todayitisnolessabouther.

Amother’sloveforherchilddiffersessentiallyfromallotheraffections,andburnswithsosteadyandclearaflamethatitappearsliketheone

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unchangeablethinginthisearthlymutablelife,sothatwhensheisnolongerpresent,itisstillalighttoourstepsandaconsolation.

Mayshebethatforallthemembersofherfamilies.

LetusworshipGod.

Throughallgenerations,Godhasbeenourdwellingplace.Beforethemountainswerebroughtforth,

Beforetheearthandtheworldwerecreated,Fromeverlastingtoeverlasting,theLordisGod.

Asafatherhascompassionforhischildren,SotheLordhascompassionforthosewhofearGod.

Asamothercomfortsherchild,SoIwillcomfortyou,saystheLord.

TheeternalGodisourdwellingplaceAndunderneatharetheeverlastingarms.

LET US PRAY.

Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth: You formed us from the dust of the earth, and by your breath, you gave us life. We glorify you.  Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life: You tasted death for all humanity, and by rising from the grave, you opened the way to eternal life. We praise you. Holy Spirit, Author and giver of life: You are the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope. We worship you.

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To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. Amen.  

*HYMN210 “OurGod,OurHelpinAgesPast”St.Anne CALLTOCONFESSION NeillS.Morgan Godisourrefugeandourstrength, Averypresenthelpintrouble.

Therefore,wewillnotfear,thoughtheearthshouldchange,thoughthemountainsshakeintheheartofthesea;

Thoughthewatersroarandfoam, thoughthemountainstremblewithitstumult.

TheLordofHostsiswithus; TheGodofJacobisourrefuge.

WiththeassuranceofGod’sunendingpresence, letusconfessoursinstoAlmightyGod.

PRAYEROFCONFESSIONtogether CreatorSpirit, Createinusnewtongues, forwearetoooftensilentor whenwespeak,webuildwallsof

misunderstanding. Createinusnewvisions, forwearetoooftencontentwith

yesterday’sdreams. Createinusnewhearts, forwearetoooftencoldandlifeless. Blowoverus,CreatorSpirit, untilwebecomethenewcreation Youintendustobe.Amen.ASSURANCEOFPARDON

Friends,hearandbelievethegoodnewsoftheGospel:Wearesavedbyfaiththroughgrace.InJesusChrist,weareanewcreation.ThanksbetoGod.

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Amen.PRAYERFORILLUMINATIONOLDTESTAMENTREADINGSANDREFLECTIONDr.MarjorieHassPresident,AustinCollegeJob19:23‐27

"Othatmywordswerewrittendown!Othattheywereinscribedinabook!Othatwithanironpenandwithleadtheywereengravedonarockforever!ForIknowthatmyRedeemerlives,andthatatthelasthewillstandupontheearth;andaftermyskinhasbeenthusdestroyed,theninmyfleshIshallseeGod,whomIshallseeonmyside,andmyeyesshallbehold,andnotanother.Myheartfaintswithinme!

Isaiah40:28‐31

Haveyounotknown?Haveyounotheard?TheLordistheeverlastingGod,theCreatoroftheendsoftheearth.Hedoesnotfaintorgrowweary;hisunderstandingisunsearchable.Hegivespowertothefaint,andstrengthensthepowerless.Evenyouthswillfaintandbeweary,andtheyoungwillfallexhausted;butthosewhowaitfortheLordshallrenewtheirstrength,theyshallmountupwithwingslikeeagles,theyshallrunandnotbeweary,theyshallwalkandnotfaint.

Isaiah65:17‐19,24‐25

…Iamabouttocreatenewheavensandanewearth;theformerthingsshallnotberememberedorcometomind.ButbegladandrejoiceforeverinwhatIamcreating;forIamabouttocreateJerusalemasajoy,anditspeopleasadelight.IwillrejoiceinJerusalem,anddelightinmypeople;nomoreshallthesoundofweepingbeheardinit,orthecryofdistress.BeforetheycallIwillanswer,whiletheyareyetspeakingIwillhear.Thewolfandthelambshallfeedtogether,thelionshalleatstrawliketheox;buttheserpent—itsfoodshallbedust!

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Theyshallnothurtordestroyonallmyholymountain,saystheLord.ItisanhonortoreadwordsofTorah(HebrewScripture)inmemoryofSaraBerniceMoseley.Thepassagesherfamilychose–andthatwereamongherfavorites–remindmeofher:theyarebeautifulbuthumble,theyarefiercelyintelligent,andtheyarejoyfulwithoutbeingnaïve.ThereadingfromIsaiahcataloguestheblessingsthatG‐dwillbestowonusintheworldtocome.Afewlinesearlier,inverse65:20,wereadthatamongtheseblessings,“Hewhodiesatahundredyearsshallbereckonedayouth.”SaraBernicereceivedthisblessingofyouthfulnessinheroldageinthisworld,anditwasablessingshesharedwithallwhoknewher.Imetherwhenshewasinherninetiesandthoughtofherasadearfriend.Sheretainedtheenthusiasm,energy,andspiritofyouth.Sheknewhowtoenjoyherdaysandshebrightenedeveryroomsheentered.Youngpeople,andsomeofyounotsoyoungpeople,wereeagertositnexttoheratparties.Ioftenhadtoguardtheplacecardsagainstunauthorizedswitching(youknowwhoyouare)…ShecouldcharmtheCollege’sVIPguests,saytheperfectwordofencouragementtoanervousfreshman,andelevateordinaryconversationwithherfunnystories.TheonlytimeIeversawherweepwasoneafternoonwhenwewerespeakingofhowfortunatewebothweretohavesupportivehusbandsandlong,happymarriages.ShetalkedabouthowmuchshemissedJohnDandconfidedthatsheoftentalkedoutloudtohim.Shesaidheonlyrarelyansweredback.IknowthatJohnwillspeakaboutSaraBernicemorepersonally,andNeilwilltalkabouttheimpactshemadeonthiscongregationandontheChurch.IwanttosaysomethingsaboutwhatSaraBernicemeanstoAustinCollege.Thejoboffirstlady(orgentleman)isnotaneasyone–asAnnaLauraandLarrycantellyou,itisn’tevenarealjob–justasetofunspoken,andsometimeswhispered,expectationsandduties.Andforsixtyyears,first,asthewifeofthepresident,thenasthepartnerofthepresidentemeritus,andfinallyasthewidowedgranddameofGrandAvenue,SaraBerniceservedastheCollege’sambassador,itsmemory,andsymbolofitsvalues.Herwarmth,graciousness,andvisibleenthusiasmforallthingsAustinCollegehasmadeadeepandenduringimpact.

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Shewillinglylenthernameandherstellarreputationtoourprojects.TheSaraBerniceMoseleyScholarshipprogramhashelpedhundredsofyoungpeopleaccessanAustinCollegeeducation.Mostrecently,sheallowedustorenameourplannedgivingsocietyinhonorofherandJohnD.Andthisisallinadditiontoherpersonalphilanthropy,whichsupportedmorethanthirty‐fivedifferentAustinCollegeprojects.BehindhersweetsmilewasagenerousheartandasavvymindthatknewexactlywhatherinvolvementcouldachievefortheCollegeanditsstudents.Sheadvisedfourpresidents.IknowOscarjoinsmeinappreciationforhersenseoftheCollege’shistoryandherkindlyoffered,gentleadvice.WhenIjoinedtheCollege,herenthusiasticresponsetomyhiringwastosay,“AJewishwoman,howPresbyterianofus,”andthenshebefriendedmeandmadesurethatourcommunityknewIhadherfullsupport.Thiswasanincrediblekindnesstomepersonallyandtoourfamily.ButmakingsureIgotoffonagoodfootingandbuiltcloserelationshipswithintheCollegeandtheChurchwasyetanotheroneofhermanygiftstoAustinCollege.ItishardtoimaginemarkingtheCollege’simportanteventswithoutSaraBerniceamongus.Iwillmissseeingher.Herabsencewillbefeltbyallofus.Shewasagreatlady.IamgladIknewherandIamabetterpersonandabettercollegepresidentforhavinghadherasamodelofgraceandwisdom.SaraCaroline,John,Rebecca,andyourfamilies–thankyouforsharingyourmotherwithAustinCollege.Itcan’talwayshavebeeneasytohavegrownupintheCollege’sshadowandinthefishbowlthatisthepresident’shouse.AndalthoughSaraBernicelovedtoregalemeandmychildrenwithstoriesofthemanynaughtythingsyouthreedidwhenyouweregrowingup,IamsurethattherewerepressuresandsacrificesthateachofyoufacedsothatyourmomcouldservetheCollegeandtheChurch.Wejoinyouinyourgriefandinyourdesiretorememberher.MayhermemorybeforablessingandmayG‐dbringcomforttoallwhomourn.Amen.*HYMN172 “MyShepherdWillSupplyMyNeed” Resignation

GOSPELREADINGSANDREFLECTION

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Dr.JohnWilliamsChaplainandDirectorofChurchRelations,AustinCollegeJohn1:1‐5,14,16‐18

InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.HewasinthebeginningwithGod.Allthingscameintobeingthroughhim,andwithouthimnotonethingcameintobeing.Whathascomeintobeinginhimwaslife,andthelifewasthelightofallpeople.Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknessdidnotovercomeit.AndtheWordbecamefleshandlivedamongus,andwehaveseenhisglory,thegloryasofafather'sonlyson,fullofgraceandtruth.Fromhisfullnesswehaveallreceived,graceupongrace.ThelawindeedwasgiventhroughMoses;graceandtruthcamethroughJesusChrist.NoonehaseverseenGod.ItisGodtheonlySon,whoisclosetotheFather'sheart,whohasmadehimknown.

Luke10:38‐42

Nowastheywentontheirway,[Jesus]enteredacertainvillage,whereawomannamedMarthawelcomedhimintoherhome.ShehadasisternamedMary,whosatattheLord'sfeetandlistenedtowhathewassaying.ButMarthawasdistractedbyhermanytasks;soshecametohimandasked,"Lord,doyounotcarethatmysisterhasleftmetodoalltheworkbymyself?Tellherthentohelpme."ButtheLordansweredher,"Martha,Martha,youareworriedanddistractedbymanythings;thereisneedofonlyonething.Maryhaschosenthebetterpart,whichwillnotbetakenawayfromher."

IthinktherearesomeverygoodreasonstoincludethestoryofJesus’visittoMaryandMarthainaservicewherewerememberandcelebrateandthankGodforthegrandlifeofSaraBerniceMoseley,or“Moseley”asshewasaffectionatelyknownatourhouse.(Oneday,whenourdaughterEmilywastwoyearsold,SaraBernicewasonourfrontporchtalkingtoLinnea.Impatienttogetintotheconversation,

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Emilyblurtedout,“HeyMoseley,stoptalking!”ThatdelightedSaraBerniceand,fromthatdayforward,shehasalwaysbeen“Moseley”tous.)ThispassagefromLukegivesussomegoodlanguagetorememberandcelebrateMoseley’slife.Butwehavetobecarefulwhenwelookatthisstory.TherearetwothingsinherethatarenotlikeMoseleyatall.Martha’sprettywhinyinverse40whenshesaystoJesus:

"Lord,doyounotcarethatmysisterhasleftmetodoalltheworkbymyself?Tellherthentohelpme."

I’veknownSaraBerniceforover30years.I’velivednextdoortoherfortwentyyears.Andwe’vetalkedaboutallkindsofthings.Inallkindsofcircumstances.And,inallthoseyears,Inever—ever—heardhergrumble.Orcomplain.Orwhine.ThispassagegivesusgoodtoolstothinkaboutwhatMoseleymeanstous.ButMartha’swhininessisnotpartofthat.Neitheristhedistinctionsuggestedthroughoutthistextbetweenseriousnessandhospitality—betweengraciousnessanddevotion—thatisusuallypartofwhatwethinkofwhenwehearthisstory.JesushimselfsuggeststhatdistinctionwhenhetellsMartha:

"Martha,Martha,youareworriedanddistractedbymanythings;thereisneedofonlyonething.Maryhaschosenthebetterpart,whichwillnotbetakenawayfromher."

Thatseemstosuggestadifferencebetweenbeingagood,attentivehostandbeingagood,devoteddisciple.ButallofuswhoknewSaraBerniceknewthatshe—asmuchasanyonewewilleverknow—wasalwaysboth.

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Hergraciousnessislegendary.IfirstmetherinHartford,Connecticutin1982attheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedPresbyterianChurchintheUnitedStatesofAmerica—theold“Northern”PresbyterianChurch.IwasaYouthAdvisoryDelegatetothatmeetingandMoseleywasthereasanecumenicaldelegaterepresentingtheold“Southern”PresbyterianChurch.ItwasthesummerbetweenmysophomoreandjunioryearsatAustinCollege.MoseleyfoundoutthattherewasanACstudentatthemeetinginHartfordandsheinvitedmetogotodinnerwithher.Sowesetupadate.Onthenightweweretomeet,Iwasdelayedinanothermeetingandcouldn’tgettotherestaurantuntilmorethananhourafterthetimewehadarranged.Thosewerethedaysbeforecellphones,andIcouldn’tcontacther.IwasafraidshewouldthinkthatIstoodherup.WhenIgottotherestaurant,shewasrightwhereshetoldmeshe’dbe.Shegreetedmewarmlyandwehadawonderfuldinnerinwhichshegavemetheimpressionthatthehighpointofherwholetripwasgettingtomeetme.Thefactofmytardinessnevercameup.(Although—inthelasttwentyyears—ifshewasintheroom,IcouldnevergetthisfartellingthisstorywithoutherpointingoutthatIwaslate).ThatwasmyfirstencounterwithSaraBernice.I’msurethisroomisfullofpeoplewhorecognizethewomaninthatstory.Manyofyoucantellsimilarstoriesaboutherwarmthandgraceandgenuineattentiveness.In2008,ourfamilyinheritedadogfromLinnea’sfather.MollymovedintoourbackyardandonedayshepriedlooseaboardinthefencebetweenMoseley’syardandours.Soon,Mollyandourotherdog—Lucy—weremakingregularvisitstoMoseley’sbackyardand,eventually,herbackdoor.

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Anditwasn’tlongbeforetheystartedgettingtreatsthroughthatdoor.WhentheMoseleychildrendecidedthatthefenceneededtobereplaced,SaraBernicesaidthatwouldbefine—aslongasthenewfenceincludedaholeforthedogs.Hergraciousnesswasnotevenlimitedtoonespecies.Wecouldfilltherestofthisdaywithstoriesaboutherhospitalityandgraciousness;

aboutherinsistingthatChristmascarolerscomeinforcookiesandhotchocolate;

abouthersendingpersonalnotestoeverysingleSaraBerniceMoseley

ScholaratAustinCollege;

abouthergoingoveroldannualssoshewouldrecognizeAustinCollegealumsastheyreturnedtocampusfortheir50thclassreunion.

SaraBernicewaseverybitasgraciousandgenuinelyconcernedaboutothersasMarthaisintoday’sstoryfromLuke.Andshediditallwithoutwhining.AndshewasalsoeverybitasdevotedasMary.Shewasn’tdevotedinasomber,pompous,condescendingway.Butsheworkedveryhardtotaketherightthingsseriouslyandtoactinawaythatwasconsistentwithhercommitmentsandvalues.AllthewaythroughlastSpring,SaraBernice—withherfaithfulsidekickMarianMcCarley—attendedmostofthecultural,academic,andreligiouseventsontheAustinCollegecampus.Shedidthatbecauseshewasdevoted

toculture. Andtothelifeofthemind. Andtothelifeoffaith. AndtoAustinCollege. AndespeciallytoAustinCollegestudents.

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IreceivedamessagethisweekfromTheRev.SarahAllen—aformerSaraBerniceMoseleyScholaratAustinCollege.Inhermessage,Sarahspokeof

rememberinghowgenerous[Moseley]waswithhertimeandherlove—andthenshesaid,

Ihavethismemoryetched[inmymind]ofhergreetingkidsatCovenantVacationBibleSchoolonesummerdressedheadtotailsinsafarigear.

Again,noneofuswhoknewheraresurprisedbythatatall.SaraBernicedidthatbecauseshewasdevoted

tochildren. AndtotheBible. AndtotheChurch.

Andshehadthatsameunfailingdevotion

toJohnD.; toSaraCaroline,John,andRebecca; tohergrandkidsandgreatgrandkids(whoshealwaysreferredto

collectivelyas“thegreats”); andtoalltheotherfriendsandcommunities(anddogs)whoshe

cherishedasmuchastheycherishedher.LikeMarywho“satattheLord’sfeetandlistened,”SaraBernicewasdevotedtothethingsthatmatteredmosttoher.Throughoutherlife,sheworkedhardtoavoidunnecessarydistractionsandtotaketherightthingsseriously. Andthere’sonemoresomewhatlessobviouselementinthisstorythatisappropriateforustoconsidertoday.Recently,severalscholarshavepointedoutthatforMarytobeatJesus’feet—listeningtowhathewassaying—wouldhavebeenscandaloustoafirstcenturyaudience.

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TheculturalassumptionatthattimeandinthatplacewouldhavebeenthatMary—likeMarthaandanyotherwomenwhowerethere—shouldhavebeeninthekitchenwiththewomen,notamongthemenwhoweretalkingaboutseriousandimportantthings.WhenJesustellsMartha Maryhaschosenthebetterparthe’simplicitlychallengingaculturethatpresumedthattherearesomeimportantthingsthatwomencannotandshouldnotdo.SaraBernicenevergotthatmessage.Actually—growingupinTexasinthefirsthalfofthe20thcentury—sheprobablygotthatmessagealot.Shejustignoredit.InacondolencemessageAustinCollegeAlumnaandformerColumbiaSeminaryPresidentLauraMendenhallsaid

[SaraBernice]gavemeamodelforwomeninleadershipthatIhavetriedtoemulateandwillcontinuetotrytoemulate.

Rev.SallieSampsellWatson,MissionalPresbyterandStatedClerkofSantaFePresbytery,said

[SaraBernice]wasoneofmyheroes,andnowshewillbepartofmycanonofsaints.Atruelegend."

FormerMoseleyScholarCourtneyMullinssaidSaraBernicewas

DefinitelyoneofthewomenIlookuptoinmylife.ThosearethreewomenwhograduatedfromAustinCollegeinthreedifferentdecades.TheyallremainactiveinthePresbyterianChurch.Andtheyallpoint

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toSaraBernice’sparticularexampleforcommittedwomeninleadership—bothwithinandbeyondtheChurch—ashugelyinfluentialintheirlives.MoseleyneverspoketomeaboutthedifficultiesshefacedasshebecamethefirstwomaneverordainedtotheofficeofRulingElderbythiscongregation;orasshebecamethefirstwomanevernominated—andlaterthefirstwomaneverelected—asModeratoroftheGeneralAssemblyofthePresbyterianChurchintheUnitedStates—butweknowthereweredifficultiestoface.Withouteverlosingthegraciousnessanddevotionthatwe’vebeendiscussing,SaraBernicewasfearlessasshefacedtherealobstaclesthatstoodinherwayassherosetopositionsofserviceandprominenceandleadershipinachangingchurchandachangingworld.LikeMarjorieandNeill—andmostoftherestofusinthisroom—IcouldgoonforhoursaboutMoseley’sgraciousness,devotion,andfearlessness.ButI’llclosewiththis:SaraBerniceusedtheadjective“grand”innormalconversationmorethananyoneelseIhaveeverknown.Shetalkedabout“granddays,”“grandcircumstances,”“grandholidays,”“grandperformances,”“grandfriends,”“grandtimes,”and“grandsurprises.”AswegathertodaytorememberandgivethankstoGodforthegrandlifeandgrandlegacyofthisgrandwoman,IwanttosuggestthatthebestwayforustohonorSaraBerniceistostrive—inourindividuallivesandinourlifetogether—tofollowherexample;

tobeasgrandaswecan; tolivefearlessly(andwithoutcomplaint)inthefaceofobstacles; todevoteourselvestothepeopleandcommunitiesthatmattermostto

us;and toliveeachdaywithunfailinggraciousness.

Shewasanamazinggiftandblessingtousall.Shewillbemissed.Shewillberemembered.

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Sheshouldbecelebrated.Sheshouldbeemulated.ThanksbetoGodforSaraBerniceMoseley.ANTHEM “FORALLTHESAINTS” NEWTESTAMENTREADINGSANDREFLECTIONRev.NeillMorganPastor,CovenantPresbyterianChurchEphesians4:1‐6

Itherefore,theprisonerintheLord,begyoutoleadalifeworthyofthecallingtowhichyouhavebeencalled,withallhumilityandgentleness,withpatience,bearingwithoneanotherinlove,makingeveryefforttomaintaintheunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace.ThereisonebodyandoneSpirit,justasyouwerecalledtotheonehopeofyourcalling,oneLord,onefaith,onebaptism,oneGodandFatherofall,whoisaboveallandthroughallandinall.

Romans8:28‐39

WeknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgoodforthosewholoveGod,whoarecalledaccordingtohispurpose.ForthosewhomheforeknewhealsopredestinedtobeconformedtotheimageofhisSon,inorderthathemightbethefirstbornwithinalargefamily.*Andthosewhomhepredestinedhealsocalled;andthosewhomhecalledhealsojustified;andthosewhomhejustifiedhealsoglorified.Whatthenarewetosayaboutthesethings?IfGodisforus,whoisagainstus?HewhodidnotwithholdhisownSon,butgavehimupforallofus,willhenotwithhimalsogiveuseverythingelse?WhowillbringanychargeagainstGod’select?ItisGodwhojustifies.Whoistocondemn?ItisChristJesus,whodied,yes,whowasraised,whoisattherighthandofGod,whoindeedintercedesforus.*WhowillseparateusfromtheloveofChrist?Willhardship,ordistress,orpersecution,orfamine,ornakedness,orperil,orsword?Asitiswritten,

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‘Foryoursakewearebeingkilledalldaylong;weareaccountedassheeptobeslaughtered.’

No,inallthesethingswearemorethanconquerorsthroughhimwholovedus.ForIamconvincedthatneitherdeath,norlife,norangels,norrulers,northingspresent,northingstocome,norpowers,norheight,nordepth,noranythingelseinallcreation,willbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGodinChristJesusourLord.

Revelation21:1‐7

ThenIsawanewheavenandanewearth;forthefirstheavenandthefirstearthhadpassedaway,andtheseawasnomore. AndIsawtheholycity,thenewJerusalem,comingdownoutofheavenfromGod,preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband. AndIheardaloudvoicefromthethronesaying,

‘See,thehome*ofGodisamongmortals.Hewilldwell*withthem;theywillbehispeoples,*andGodhimselfwillbewiththem;hewillwipeeverytearfromtheireyes.Deathwillbenomore;mourningandcryingandpainwillbenomore,forthefirstthingshavepassedaway.’

Andtheonewhowasseatedonthethronesaid,‘See,Iammakingallthingsnew.’Alsohesaid,‘Writethis,forthesewordsaretrustworthyandtrue.’Thenhesaidtome,‘Itisdone!IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,thebeginningandtheend.TothethirstyIwillgivewaterasagiftfromthespringofthewateroflife.Thosewhoconquerwillinheritthesethings,andIwillbetheirGodandtheywillbemychildren.

“TieTheseDreams”

Thewordsoftherevelationsoundlikeadream: Godcomingdownfromheaven, livingamongmortals, allofcreationrenewed, deathwillbenomore,

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mourningandcryingandpainwillbenomore,forthefirstthingshavepassedaway.’

Alltoooften,thechurchhastreatedtheRevelationasadream,avisionofaworldfarremovedfromourown,amysticaldifferentdimensionthatexistsontheothersideofsomecatastrophicdivineinterventionthatisyettocome.Whathappens,however,whenwetakeseriouslytheeschatologyofJohnofPatmos?WhathappenswhenwetakehimathiswordthatGodisatworkrenewingtheworld,bringingdownheaventoearth?ThatGodhascalledus,asbelovedchildren,toinheritaworldrenewed,reconciled,redeemedinthatpeacewithjusticetheprophetscallShalom?Whathappens,Ithink,isalifelikethatofSaraBerniceMoseley‐‐whosepresencewouldnotletussettleforaworldofdivisionanddespair;apresencethatwouldnotletuskeepoureyescastdownonabrokenandviolentworldwithoutbecomingpartofGod’sworktohealandrenew.Overthelastseventeenyears,IhavebeenprivilegedtohaveafrontrowseatasIwatchedtheeffectthatSaraBernicehadonothers.IwatchedasAustinCollegestudentswhohadgrownupinthePresbyterianChurch,hearingthenameofthefirstwomanmoderatorofthePCUS,receivedtheirfirstchancetomeetherfacetoface.Especiallytheyoungwomenwhosawherasarolemodel,oncetheyattendedanevent,ateaoraluncheonorreceptionwhereSaraBernicespoketothegatheringofyoungscholars,orsatnexttooneofthemanddemonstratedthegraciousnessforwhichshewasfamous,delightingintheirstories,findingconnectionswiththeirhomechurchortheirfamilymembers,thoseyoungstudentscameoutofthemeetingstar‐struck.OvertheyearsIheardmanyofthemreachinvainforthewordstodescribetheawetheyhadjustexperiencedinthepresenceofthislegendaryPresbyterianleader.Theteenagerswouldmakeanalogiestothebiggeststarstheycouldthinkof:ItwaslikemeetingthePresbyterianTaylorSwiftorAnneHathaway,andfindingoutshe’snotjustbeautiful,she’sthemostgraciouspersonyouevermet.Andthen,afewyearsago,onefreshmanyoungwomansaid,“ItwaslikehavingaprivateaudiencewiththePresbyterianAlbusDumbledore.”

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Istruggledforwordstodescribehowitfelt,in1996,whenIhadbeenhopingandprayingforacallfromthesearchcommitteeinSherman,Texas.IknewtheyweredowntothreecandidatesandthenexttimeIheardfromthem,theywouldeitherextendacallorletmeknowIwasnolongeracandidate.Thetelephonerang.IlookedatthecallerI.D.,abrandnewtechnologyatthetime,andsawthenameJohnD.Moseley,andknewthatSaraBernicewasontheotherendoftheline.Asthephonerang,Ithought,eithertheyaskedSaraBernicetocallmebecausetheywantedthemostgraciouspersonintheworldtoletmedowneasy,ortheywantedtoextendthecallandtheyknewthereisnowayIwouldtellSaraBerniceMoseley“No.”AsIstruggledforwordstodescribehowthatfelt,JohnWilliamstoldme:“ThatcallerI.D.becameforyouaburningbush.”Afewyearslater,whenweplannedourcongregation’ssesquicentennial,ourcommitteewantedRodgerNishiokatobeourguestpreacher.

‐‐Hisscheduleissobusy,howcouldwepossiblygethimtocome?‐‐Neill,youknowhim,doyouthinkyoucouldcallhimandgethimto

come?‐‐No,Idon’tthinkhewouldcomejustbecauseIaskedhim;butIknow

someoneelsewhocouldaskhim.Thenextafternoon,myphonerang.Rodgersaid,“Neill.NeillMorgan.Youdeviousman!Iseerightthroughyou!”Ourplanworked.Ifyou’reanelder(rulingorteaching)oraneducatorinthePresbyterianChurch,U.S.A.,youjustdon’tsay“No”toSaraBerniceMoseley.SomeonewhohaslivedwithavisionofGod’srenewingworkdrawingherintothefuture;andgivingusaglimpseofthatvisionofGod’snewheavenandnewearth:Isthereanythinganymorecompelling?LettersofcondolenceandappreciationhavepouredintoSaraBernice’schildren,toJohnandMarjorieforAustinCollege,andtomeasherpastor.IwanttoreadonefromthepresentmoderatoroftheGeneralAssembly,NealPresa:

July23,2013DearSistersandBrothersinChrist,

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GraceandpeacetoyouinthenameofourLordJesusChrist!AsyougatherforthememorialserviceofSaraBerniceMoseley,IoffertheheartfeltloveandprayerstoyouandtheMoseleyfamilyonbehalfofyoursistersandbrothersthroughoutthePresbyterianChurch(U.S.A.).IhadthegoodpleasureandgreatdelightofmeetingSaraearlierthisyearduringanofficialmoderatorialvisittoAustinCollege,atthehomeofCollegepresidentMarjorieHass.Shewaswarm,atruesoutherngentlelady,hospitable,andgenerousinherwelcomeandsupport.Herfirstquestiontomewas,“How’stheChurch?”WeengagedinconversationaboutherprayerforunityintheChurch,aswealsosharedstoriesabouttherigorsofservingasGeneralAssemblymoderator.WeinthePC(USA)givethankstoGodforhertirelessandfaithfulserviceandGospelwitnessintheChurch,atAustinCollege,inthecommunity,andinnumerousplacesandcountlesswaysshehastouchedlives.Sheisadistinguishedpredecessorofmine,havingbeenelectedasthefirstwomantoserveasGeneralAssemblymoderatorofthePresbyterianChurchintheUnitedStates,andthefirstchairoftheGeneralAssemblyCouncilofthereunitedPresbyterianChurch(U.S.A.).IhadtheoccasionofmeetingafewoftheMoseleyScholars,aprogramwhichhasenabledmanyAustinCollegeundergraduatestocompletetheirstudiesandgoontodogreatthings.Insomanyways,Sara’slegacywillliveon.OnbehalfofagratefulChurch,Isay,“Thankyou,Saraforservingamongus.RestinthepeaceofourlovingLord.Welldone,goodandfaithfulservant.”YoursinChrist’sservice,TheRev.Prof.NealD.Presa,Ph.D.Moderator,220thGeneralAssembly,PC(USA)

IwouldguessthatallofusgatheredtodayhavebeenawaretoalesserorgreaterextentofSaraBernice’slifeofextraordinaryservicetothePresbyterianChurch,(U.S.A.).Lessvisibletomanyhasbeenherroleasmother,wife,grandmother,andgreat‐grandmother.Whethershewasplayingtenniswithhertwo‐year‐oldgrandson;sharingbooksandreviewswithheradultgranddaughter,orCalvinandHobbscomicswithateenagegrandson,orshowinguspicturesofhergreat‐grandchildrenwithahugesmile;thelovesheshowedforthechurchshefocusedlikealaseronherfamily.Shealsoserved

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individualsistersandbrothers,peoplewithwhomshecorrespondedallovertheworld,andmembersofthecongregationhere.OneofourmembershasgraciouslysharedherstoryoffriendshipandministryfromSaraBernice.Here’sanexcerpt:

“IwasawareofSaraBernicefromanearlyage,...IheardaboutherbecomingtheModeratorofGeneralAssemblyandotherbigthings.Asanadult,Iwasgoingthroughahardtime,andaskedforaStephenMinistertotalkto.Bythe...graceofGod,IwasassignedtoSaraBernice.ItoldherImustbeintrouble,theysentinthebigguns!Shelaughedandtoldmeno,shewasjustalittlepistol!...IcherishthetimeIgottospendoneononewiththiswonderfulwoman!...SaraBernicedidsomemightyfinebigthingsinherlife,butIthinksheexcelledalsoatallthelittlethings.ShewasamatriarchwhowasSOproudofherfamily,shewasahostesswhomadeanyonefeelwelcome,andshewasatrustedfriendtowhomIcouldtellanything.Shewasamajorfigureinmyfaithjourney,andinmylifeingeneral.”

Multiplythatmany,manytimes,andyouwillhaveasenseofthemanyandimportantwaysthatSaraBernicelivedouthereschatology.In1983,atthetimeofreunion,SaraBerniceofferedaprayerforthechurchthatincludedthispetition:“Godofthefuture‐‐

Webringbeforeyouourdreamsandvisionsandhopesforthisnewchurch.

Tiethesedreamsintotheveryheartofthisneedyworld.”Eachofusmayhaveourupsanddownsinthefaith,

butifthereisanydoubtthatGodisinJesusChristreconcilingtheworld;anydoubtthatGodisatworkevennowrenewingcreation;anydoubtthatGodisatworkhereamongusmortalwomenandmen

preparingusforaneternallifetogether;ifthereisatemptationtorelegatetheReignofGodtoadreamthat

standsapartfromthisworld,thatdoubttremblesinthepresenceofalifelivedinservicetoGod’sworkoftyingourdreamsintotheveryheartofthisneedyworld.

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Oursenseoflosscannotbedenied;butneithercantheblessingofSaraBerniceMoseley’s95yearsoffaithfulserviceamongus,pointingustotheOnewho

willwipeeverytearfromoureyes...[when]Deathwillbenomore.

ThanksbetoGod.Amen.*HYMN345 “DearLordandFatherofMankind” Rest***

*AFFIRMATIONOFFAITH(together)Dr.JohnWilliams Wedonotyetseetheendofdeath. ButChristhasbeenraisedfromthedead, Transformedandyetthesameperson. Inhisresurrectionisthepromiseofours. WeareconvincedthelifeGodwillsforeachofus Isstrongerthanthedeaththatdestroysus. Thegloryofthatlifeexceedsourimagination ButweknowweshallbewithChrist. JesusisLord! HehasbeenLordfromthebeginning. HewillbeLordattheend. EvennowheisLord.

FromADeclarationofFaith,PresbyterianChurchintheUnitedStates(1976)

PRAYEROFTHANKSGIVINGandTHELORD’SPRAYERGraciousandmercifulGod,

beforewhomgenerationsriseandpassaway,wepraiseyouforallyourservantswho,

havinglivedthislifeinfaith,nowliveeternallywithyou.

Especiallywethankyou

foryourservantSaraBernice,whosebaptismisnowcompleteindeath.

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Wegiveyouthanksforthegiftofherlife,forallinherthatwasgood

andkindandfaithful,forthegraceyougaveher

thatkindledinhertheloveofyourstrongname,

andenabledhertoserveyoufaithfully.WethankyouthatforSaraBernice

deathispastandpainended,andthatshehasnowentered

thejoyyouhaveprepared;Acknowledge,wehumblypray,

asheepofyourownfold,andlambofyourownflock,asinnerofyourownredeeming.

Receiveherintothearmsofyourmercy,intotheblessedrestofeverlastingpeace,andintothegloriouscompany

ofthesaintsinlight.OGod,wearegrievingtoday,but

OurgrieftodayisnotforSaraBernice.Ourgriefisforourselves.Thelossofthiswomanwhowassogracious

anddevotedandfearless hasleftusfeelingasthough

someofthelifehasgoneoutofus.WeprayforSaraBernice’sfamily—

ForSaraCaroline,John,andRebecca;Forhergrandchildren

andgreat‐grandchildren,Maytheybecomfortedbytheloveandprayers

ofthisassembledcommunity,andgladdenedbytheknowledgethatshehasnowenteredthejoy

youhaveprepared.

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Andweprayforourselves.KeepMoseley’smemoryaliveamongus

sothatwemaycontinuetobewarmedbyhermemoryandinspiredbyherexample.

AlmightyGod,

inJesusChristyoupromisedmanyroomswithinyourhouse.Giveusfaithtosee,

beyondtouchandsight,somesignofyourkingdom,and,wherevisionfails,totrustyourlovewhichneverfails.LiftheavysorrowandgiveusgoodhopeinJesus,sowemaywalkourearthlyway,andlookforwardtogladreunioninthelifetocome,

throughJesusChristourLord,whotaughtustopraytogether,saying,

OurFather…

*HYMN555 “NowThankWeAllOurGod” NunDanketAlleGott*CLOSINGPRAYER NeillS.MorganBeThou,TriuneGod,inthemidstofus

aswegivethanksforthosewhohavegonefromthesightofearthlyeyes.

They,inthynearerpresence,stillworshipwithusinthemystery

oftheonefamilyinheavenandonearth...IfitbeThyholywill,

tellthemhowwelovethem,andhowwemissthem,

andhowwelongforthedaywhenweshallmeetwiththemagain...

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Godofallcomfort,

weliftintoThineimmediatecarethoserecentlybereaved...

Liftfromtheireyesthetoodistantvisionoftheresurrectionatthelastday.

AlertthemtohearthevoiceofJesussaying,"IAMResurrectionandIAMLife:"

thattheymaybelievethis.Strengthenthemtogooninlovingservice

ofallThychildren.ThusshalltheyhavecommunionwithThee

and,inThee,withtheirbeloved.Thusshalltheycometoknow,inthemselves,

thatthereisnodeathandthatonlyaveildivides,thinasgossamer.

Amen. ‐‐GeorgeMacLeod(1895‐1991)*THEBENEDICTIONANDCHORALRESPONSEMayGodinendlessmercybringthewholechurch,thelivinganddeparted,toajoyfulresurrectioninthefulfillmentoftheeternalkingdom.Amen.