Title: Your physician, Christ, has healed you!
Text: 2 Cor. 4:13-5:1
Facebook live: Your physician, Christ, has healed you!
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Deborah A. Trosin Obituary
TROSIN, DEBORAH A. of Waterford; May 23, 2024; age 72; Loving wife of the late Tim; Dear mother of Jennifer (Chris) Lehti; Beloved grandmother of Justin Lehti; Cherished longtime friend of Marsha (Tracy) Oberleiter; Also survived by her grand dog Rex. Mrs. Trosin was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and worked as a medical assistant. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society.
The life of Debbie Trosin, member of this Peace Lutheran Church, summarized in 68 words - or not quite one word for each year of this beloved Christian’s life.
I think we can do a little better?
The text appointed for today from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is often used in funeral sermons. I’ve used it many times as I and those who come to mourn - grieve a loss and rejoice in a victory. We grieve the loss of a friend or family member, but also rejoice in the victory of child of Christ connected to this loss that in Jesus, gives us all hope.
Debbie’s family, for reasons of their own, and at this time have no plans for a funeral or memorial service.
Many families don’t. Some, not connected to the church, see death as the end and grieve personally, while others, celebrate the life of the deceased and remember the good times and move forward.
Other’s still, just don’t know what to do, how to do it and and simply do nothing, letting the funeral home guide them as best they can to a casket and vault, or the crematorium as may be the case.
I wanted to take this opportunity to do a little more.
I’ve known Debbie for the better part of 20 plus years, first meeting her at a Saturday evening service. Many who knew her have passed or don’t remember her from her time here. When she was able to come, she used crutches to get in and out of the church as she was quite heavy and had difficulty walking, and would struggle out of the service huffing and puffing as she went. I didn’t think much of it. Just a member of the church coming to hear the word of God and to receive his gifts in the sacrament. I didn’t know that I would get to know her in a personal way and be her pastor.
In 2010 when I began my time here as Vicar, I started going with Pastor Merrell on my day off from work to visit the shut-in members of the church.
Debbie at this time was, living in her home on Iris St, in Waterford, her home was on Maceday Lake and she loved her home and boating. Her husband Tim, passed away in 2005 at 56 years old and I never got to meet him. When I started visiting Debbie at home, she was by then confined to a motorized wheelchair. It was hard for her to do much of anything for herself or to take care of her home. At some point her daughters’ family moved in with her to help some.
Matt Rich once went over and helped organize a group to take care of some repairs that were needed and that was a big help to her.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Debbie’s day to day was not a joy for her. There was much struggle for her, but she was always happy to see me on our visits. Eventually she couldn’t care for herself anymore and became a long-term resident of the Regency care facility in Waterford. It was good for her and helpful. Those who brought care to her were very nice and friendly. She signed her home over to her daughter.
A bed in a room was now her home.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
I visited her on a regular schedule which was usually once a month. And Debbie was really happy to see me. But as you might expect, it was not always an easy visit. Her mobility issues got worse and she had difficulty hearing which was a long-term problem which was compounded by the fact that she didn’t have hearing aids.
So, when we visited and I would answer her question … it became a bit difficult.
“Pastor, could you speak up? I can’t hear you!”
“Debbie, I’ll try. But I can’t stand here and yell at you.”
Sometimes she wasn’t at Regency when I came to visit, as she had gotten sick and was at the hospital, and those COVID times were especially difficult as you might imagine.
Debbie and I had a lot of discussions about faith. She, as most, was concerned about her salvation. She had devotion books, and Portals of Prayer I brought, and would join on line though Facebook to watch the service but I’m sure she couldn’t hear anything of what was being said.
Earlier this year as I visited, she was very conflicted and asked me:
“Pastor, how can I be sure that my sins our forgiven? I really struggle with this. I’ve not always been a good mother and I’ve hurt people and messed things up!”
This is a pretty common concern for many as we get closer to the time that we will depart this life and death looks to be closing in. For many in care facilities it is a daily concern.
Paul writes:
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
In Christ we understand that death is not the end. There still though, remains judgement and an eternity with the Lord or separated from him.
The Sheep and the Goats. As Jesus relates in the final judgement in Matthew 25.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
Matt. 25:31-33
On this visit Debbie was concerned.
Where would she stand?
What side was she on?
Was she a Sheep or a Goat?
How could she know that her sins are forgiven?
So, I began to tell her again, as I did each month on our visits, the Good News.
That Jesus came to fulfill God’s promise.
That he humbled himself even unto death, death on a cross, so that he might restore the relationship between God and man or between the Creator and his creatures who have fallen away into sin.
And that by Christ’s death in our place we have been brought back to God the Father by faith given to us by the Holy Spirit.
“Do you believe Debbie, that Jesus died for you?”
“Yes, I do!”
“Well, then you have that forgiveness that has been promised.”
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
“Debbie, do you remember all of the visits I’ve had with you where we had communion?”
“Do you remember that after we confess our sins that I pronounced absolution and forgave you your sins as your pastor?”
“Yes, I do.”
Hear it again:
“Almighty God in his mercy has given his son to die for you and for his sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”
“Did you hear that?”
“Yes.”
“Are you forgiven?”
“Yes.”
Remember:
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Paul concludes today in the Epistle reading with the comfort of an eternity in Christ, and this brings me comfort today as I didn’t get to see Debbie at the end of her life:
He speaks of our heavenly dwelling:
5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Rest in peace Debbie.
You are Jesus’ little lamb
You are forgiven.
Text: 2 Cor. 4:13-5:1
Facebook live: Your physician, Christ, has healed you!
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Deborah A. Trosin Obituary
TROSIN, DEBORAH A. of Waterford; May 23, 2024; age 72; Loving wife of the late Tim; Dear mother of Jennifer (Chris) Lehti; Beloved grandmother of Justin Lehti; Cherished longtime friend of Marsha (Tracy) Oberleiter; Also survived by her grand dog Rex. Mrs. Trosin was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and worked as a medical assistant. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society.
The life of Debbie Trosin, member of this Peace Lutheran Church, summarized in 68 words - or not quite one word for each year of this beloved Christian’s life.
I think we can do a little better?
The text appointed for today from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is often used in funeral sermons. I’ve used it many times as I and those who come to mourn - grieve a loss and rejoice in a victory. We grieve the loss of a friend or family member, but also rejoice in the victory of child of Christ connected to this loss that in Jesus, gives us all hope.
Debbie’s family, for reasons of their own, and at this time have no plans for a funeral or memorial service.
Many families don’t. Some, not connected to the church, see death as the end and grieve personally, while others, celebrate the life of the deceased and remember the good times and move forward.
Other’s still, just don’t know what to do, how to do it and and simply do nothing, letting the funeral home guide them as best they can to a casket and vault, or the crematorium as may be the case.
I wanted to take this opportunity to do a little more.
I’ve known Debbie for the better part of 20 plus years, first meeting her at a Saturday evening service. Many who knew her have passed or don’t remember her from her time here. When she was able to come, she used crutches to get in and out of the church as she was quite heavy and had difficulty walking, and would struggle out of the service huffing and puffing as she went. I didn’t think much of it. Just a member of the church coming to hear the word of God and to receive his gifts in the sacrament. I didn’t know that I would get to know her in a personal way and be her pastor.
In 2010 when I began my time here as Vicar, I started going with Pastor Merrell on my day off from work to visit the shut-in members of the church.
Debbie at this time was, living in her home on Iris St, in Waterford, her home was on Maceday Lake and she loved her home and boating. Her husband Tim, passed away in 2005 at 56 years old and I never got to meet him. When I started visiting Debbie at home, she was by then confined to a motorized wheelchair. It was hard for her to do much of anything for herself or to take care of her home. At some point her daughters’ family moved in with her to help some.
Matt Rich once went over and helped organize a group to take care of some repairs that were needed and that was a big help to her.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Debbie’s day to day was not a joy for her. There was much struggle for her, but she was always happy to see me on our visits. Eventually she couldn’t care for herself anymore and became a long-term resident of the Regency care facility in Waterford. It was good for her and helpful. Those who brought care to her were very nice and friendly. She signed her home over to her daughter.
A bed in a room was now her home.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
I visited her on a regular schedule which was usually once a month. And Debbie was really happy to see me. But as you might expect, it was not always an easy visit. Her mobility issues got worse and she had difficulty hearing which was a long-term problem which was compounded by the fact that she didn’t have hearing aids.
So, when we visited and I would answer her question … it became a bit difficult.
“Pastor, could you speak up? I can’t hear you!”
“Debbie, I’ll try. But I can’t stand here and yell at you.”
Sometimes she wasn’t at Regency when I came to visit, as she had gotten sick and was at the hospital, and those COVID times were especially difficult as you might imagine.
Debbie and I had a lot of discussions about faith. She, as most, was concerned about her salvation. She had devotion books, and Portals of Prayer I brought, and would join on line though Facebook to watch the service but I’m sure she couldn’t hear anything of what was being said.
Earlier this year as I visited, she was very conflicted and asked me:
“Pastor, how can I be sure that my sins our forgiven? I really struggle with this. I’ve not always been a good mother and I’ve hurt people and messed things up!”
This is a pretty common concern for many as we get closer to the time that we will depart this life and death looks to be closing in. For many in care facilities it is a daily concern.
Paul writes:
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
In Christ we understand that death is not the end. There still though, remains judgement and an eternity with the Lord or separated from him.
The Sheep and the Goats. As Jesus relates in the final judgement in Matthew 25.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
Matt. 25:31-33
On this visit Debbie was concerned.
Where would she stand?
What side was she on?
Was she a Sheep or a Goat?
How could she know that her sins are forgiven?
So, I began to tell her again, as I did each month on our visits, the Good News.
That Jesus came to fulfill God’s promise.
That he humbled himself even unto death, death on a cross, so that he might restore the relationship between God and man or between the Creator and his creatures who have fallen away into sin.
And that by Christ’s death in our place we have been brought back to God the Father by faith given to us by the Holy Spirit.
“Do you believe Debbie, that Jesus died for you?”
“Yes, I do!”
“Well, then you have that forgiveness that has been promised.”
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
“Debbie, do you remember all of the visits I’ve had with you where we had communion?”
“Do you remember that after we confess our sins that I pronounced absolution and forgave you your sins as your pastor?”
“Yes, I do.”
Hear it again:
“Almighty God in his mercy has given his son to die for you and for his sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”
“Did you hear that?”
“Yes.”
“Are you forgiven?”
“Yes.”
Remember:
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Paul concludes today in the Epistle reading with the comfort of an eternity in Christ, and this brings me comfort today as I didn’t get to see Debbie at the end of her life:
He speaks of our heavenly dwelling:
5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Rest in peace Debbie.
You are Jesus’ little lamb
You are forgiven.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
Amen.
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