Jason Bergren's Memorial Service
[organ prelude]
Pastor Nelson: Let's worship God and remember before Him our beloved Jason, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation. He comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrow with the consolation we ourselves have received from god. Let us pray:
Almighty God, whose love never fails and who can turn the shadow of death into daybreak, help us to receive your word with believing hearts so that, hearing the promises in scripture, we may have hope, and may be lifted out of darkness and into the light and peace of Your presence through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Would you join me in the affirmation of faith in reciting together the Apostles' Creed. Let's share together:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hades.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
From thence He shall 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 life everlasting.
Amen.
David Heesen: Jason,
A Crippled Boy's Prayer (words and music by William L. Carter)
A little boy sat alone in a wheelchair
watching all the other kids run and play.
On his face I saw a look far and distant;
With trembling voice I heard the little boy say,
REFRAIN
Will I be a crippled boy in heaven?
Will my wings refuse to sail thro' the air?
Lord, I know the way I am is for a reason
But will I be a crippled boy up there?"
"They say you must be born again to enter heaven
Walk the straight and narrow say on this earth.
I don't seem to understand all the meaning--
I've never walked since the day of my birth.
His eyes were closed, his little face turned t'ward heaven.
"Will my life there be the same?" I heard him say.
Thro' tears of joy his face lit up, he'd found the answer.
He turned to me then I heard him say:
REFRAIN
"I won't be a crippled boy in heaven.
I know my wings are gonna sail thro' the air.
I can run and play with all the other children.
I won't be a crippled boy up there."
First Corinthians 13:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[2] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
We're going to bow in prayer at this time and as we do I'm going to lead you in prayer, and part way through I will ask you to join me in sharing together the Lord's Prayer. Let's pray together:
God our Father, today, we thank you for your love for us. And we thank you for the love that you have demonstrated to us in the giving of Jason, and the experience that all of us have had, being touched by him in some way or through his family. And that's why we're here today. And God, help us to claim in your promise that your grace is sufficient for us in times like this, in times of loss and mourning. And help us, Lord, to seek you for comfort and strength. Let's share together the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Heesen family [Sarah] has another number for us at this time.
Sarah: seemed kind of sad
I guess the Lord just gave me a song.
I Belong to the King (Ida L. Reed and Shelly Garlock Hamilton)
1. I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,
I shall dwell in His palace so fair;
For He tells of its bliss in yon heaven above,
And His children in splendor shall share.
CHORUS
I belong to the King, I'm a child of His love,
And He never forsaketh His own;
He will call me some day to His palace above,
I shall dwell by His glorified throne.
2. I belong to the King, and He loves me I know,
For His mercy and kindness, so free,
Are unceasingly mine wheresoever I go,
And my refuge unfailing is He.
3. I belong to the King, and His promise is sure,
That we all shall be gathered at last
In His kingdom above, by life's waters so pure,
When this life with its trials is past.
Pastor: Jason Stuart Bergren, 21, 7930 So. Dowling Lake Road, died on Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Jason was born in Superior on April 25, 1978; to Tim S. and Jodi "Jo" Bergren, and had lived in the Superior area all of his life. He was currently a student at Superior Senior High School, and would have graduated this June. Jason had been active with the Special Olympics in bowling. He is survived by his parents, a brother, Tim J, TJ Bergen, in Spring Park, Minnesota; his maternal grandparents Willard and Ardice Thorssen, Bennett; his paternal grandmother Crystal Bergren of Hawthorne, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Stuart Bergren, in 1981. The family would also like me to mention that after the service everyone is invited to join them for a luncheon at the TriLakes Civic Club on Amnicon Lake, and that is scheduled to begin at one o'clock. At this time in our service we're going to have a time of remembrance, and Carol Richart has something she wants to share at this time.
Carol: WELCOMING A SPECIAL CHILD
A meeting was held quite far from earth;
It's time again for another birth,
Said the angels to the Lord above,
"This special child will need much love."
He may not run or laugh or play;
His thoughts may seem quite far away.
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.
So let's be careful where he's sent;
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.
They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play;
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from heaven;
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is heaven's very special child.
Edna Massimilla
Pastor: Thank you, Carol, and Willard, Jason's grandfather, has asked if he could share a few words at this time as well.
Willard: I apologize for having my name on there for reading scripture, but I heard Pastor announce the scripture as well that I didn't want But I had to say something in remembrance of Jason. From the very beginning ... when I first met, seen him for the first time, he was filled with ______ running through his whole body ______ many cords and things and I thought, "he won't be here long." But he surprised all of us; he was here twenty-one years. He became a blessing to many people. He seemed to be so happy. When you'd see him, I would go there and if I just held his hand he was content. ___ ___ ___ at the home ___ ___ ___ surgery ___ ___ ___ he was aware of my presence there ___ ___ any move I made and I couldn't get away with anything (laughter). Sometimes, just sitting talking to him ___ ___ -__ one time I recall ___ ___ ___ no one else would go around, ___ ___ ___ he wouldn't mind it.
...
Pastor: Some friends of the family have also passed this along, so Tim and Jodi asked me to read this today:
Dear Jodi & Tim,
It's easier for us to write our feelings than it is to say them aloud--especially during your time of sorrow for Jason. We feel so sorry about not having Jason around with his smiley face and booky-booky-bow-bow during the football games. He was such an inspiration and happy boy in spite of the adversities that life dealt him throughout his life. We know that Jason finally arose from his wheelchair and is now standing on his own. Only now to enjoy a life which was deprived from him for twenty-one years. We are sure that Jason is now in God's care where Jason's words of "num-num" can now be clearly understood as "hamburger, fries, and malt and other goodies off the menu at heaven's McDonald's. We think of him running and playing with other children and Jason begins to venture into a new life with many new friends. We truly believe that Jason is looking down today and is saying "Thank you, Mom and Hazel, for all that you did for me and for your love and devotion as the best parents that a boy could ask for. Don't cry for me, for I can now roam through many peaceful valleys led by God's helpful and caring hands. Words cannot express our feelings during your loss of a super son. We are here for you and we know that time heals as happy and joyful memories of Jason will live on forever.
Your friends
* * *
Pastor:
In the few moments I have with you today I would like to share from Ecclesiastes 3:1-14. I will read it for you and as I read I would ask that you listen very carefully to what God 's Word has to say to us today:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
This text teaches us that God rules over His creation and part of God's ruling over His creation is that He creates time. Time is in God's hands and there is a purpose for everything under heaven. Now I must say that this is something that has always bothered mankind--to be limited by space and time. You see, we are defined as human beings and by the fact that we are finite. We can only live in a particular place at a particular time and it is true that with modern technology we can literally live just about anywhere in the world we would want to ...