07/21/2024
By request this is the text of Mist Jone's eulogy as I gave it July 19, 2024.
OPEN WITH PRAYER.
We are here to both mourn our loss and celebrate the life of Misty Jones. The death of a friend, or a loved one, brings us face to face with eternity. We dare not honor the life and death of another without being reminded of the fact that we, too, will die. The Bible teaches us that death is a kind of gateway or transition leading to the rest of eternity. Getting saved does not give you eternal life, you have eternal life, the question is where you spend it. When we lose a loved one to death, and to be sure everyone here loved Misty, it is normal and OK to feel however you feel. Anguish, anger, self blame, regret, and more are all normal though negative feelings in this situation. We are not trying to disrespect normal feelings. If you are feeling sad here, it is safe and OK to cry.
We will try to focus here on here life, her contributions and celebrate those. That doesn't mean we ignore grief, or that grief is not OK, it just means the purpose of this gathering is to celebrate her life and achievements. I met Misty and Tara when they came to take care of my dear friend Edgarline Pratt in her final days. I was told beforehand how difficult her life had been and the challenges that she had faced, but I never would have known it. From day one the Misty I know was a caring nurturing, human being who could not do enough for people in need. Misty was not only devoted to Edgarline until her dying day, she took on the role of house mother in the church house that became a shelter for the homeless. She learned how to do the paperwork to help people without a photo ID obtain one. She learned how to access medial care, in home care and meet the needs of those she helps efficiently and effectively. That was just the beginning for her. She followed in Rev. Calvin's footsteps and got involved in the work of domestic violence extraction. That is where you help someone being abused in their home leave safely and give them a place to stay. That work is neither easy nor safe, but she took it of her own initiative.
Misty also was involved in the culinary ministry. We serve lunch every week at our church during the service. She prepared and served the meal every other week. Shiloh Community Church is involved in Rev. Franklin Graham's Operation Christmas Child, also known as the shoebox ministry, wherein we provide shoeboxes full of items for children around the world to receive for Christmas. Now I understand they are doing it year round. Misty began a local shoebox ministry here in Steuben County to make sure every child that is in a homeless shelter or put up in a hotel by the Steuben County Department of Social Services, all homeless children, I believe up to the age of 16, in our county, had a shoebox with presents for Christmas last year. In all because of Misty, Shiloh Community Church's many donors in the community provided all 75 children who were homeless for Christmas last year with presents letting them know someone cared and they were not forgotten. Misty also gathered and distributed donations to the needy of clothing and household items all year around.
Most importantly, Misty loved the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. This means Misty was and is a Saint. There is a church that thinks only it's leader can declare someone to be a Saint, but that is not what the Bible says.
When addressing his letters that became books of the bible Paul makes it clear who the Saints are.
1 Corinthians 1:2
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
1 Corinthians 14:33 "for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."
Jude 1:3 "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."
You get the idea, there are many more verses making it clear that all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are Saints. I am confirming here today that Misty was a Saint, it was clear from her life and the way she lead it, and from my private conversations with her that she was truly a child of God who is with Him in Heaven, and it will not be wrong in the future to refer to her as Saint Misty of Corning. I'm not saying you have to, but it would not be wrong to.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." We can rest assured that Misty is in Heaven though because the Bible aslo records these words:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
Misty loved and served the Lord until the day she died. We can know with confidence that we who have salvation through Jesus will see her on the other side. What is it like for her now?
John 14:2 "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." God has prepared a place for Misty, and she is there.
John 14:3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." So Jesus himself came and met Misty in Heaven, received her, and she is with Him.
Some of you may think it harsh that I am saying only the saved will see Misty in Heaven but the Bible says"
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
It's just a fact of how our world works. It's like saying the sky looks blue, it's just the way it is. So if you do not know Jesus as your Savior I encourage you to pray and admit you re a sinner and ask Jesus, the son of God, to come into your heart. It really is that easy if you mean it. You do not even have to pray out loud.
Moment of silence to pray that prayer if you never have or to reflect about Misty as you choose.
Now I invite you to come up one by one and share a good memory of Misty, or tell us how you met or something we may not know about her.
