For Family and friends and all loved ones We Gather here to praise God We Gather to celebrate the life of David Fleet and his faith We Gather to find soless in the comforting Embrace of our faith and the Embrace of God the Father God the son and God the Holy Spirit As We
Gather we mourn and acknowledge our human loss We Gather with loved ones in community to express our love to celebrate life and to experience God’s healing and comforting presence let us cherish the memories in David’s enduring Spirit may God grant us Grace that in pain we may find comfort
In sorrow hope in death Resurrection dying Christ destroyed our Death Rising Christ restored our life Christ will come again in glory as in baptism David Fleet put on Christ so in Christ May David Fleet be clothed with Glory here and now dear friends we are God’s children what we
Shall be has not yet been revealed but we know that when he appears we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is for those who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure may God’s grace surround us providing strength and peace Jesus said I am the
Resurrection and I am the life those who believe in me even though they die yet shall they live and whoever lives and Believes In Me shall never die let us find comfort in the promise of eternal life and the love that transcends this Earthly realm even though it appeared that Jesus light was
Extinguished in his death it wasn’t death could not hold him God’s power resurrected him and gives hope to the Hopeless Comfort to The Grieving and love in awe Psalm here these words from the psalmist Psalm 46 verse 1-3 and verse 10 God is our refuge and strength a very present help and trouble
Therefore we will not fear though the Earth gives way though the mountains be moved into the Earth of the sea though its Waters Roar and foam though the mountains tremble at its swelling verse 10 be still and know that I am God and I will be honored by every
Nation I will be honored throughout the world the Triune god father Son and Holy Spirit are always present and in the middle of our troubles in the times when we feel that the Earth has given way the loss of a loved one can feel like the
Earth has given way there are times our whole world is shaken in which it can be as if the mountains are falling into the oceans our hope is that Jesus came to to take upon himself all of our burd burdens our fears our sins our Brokenness our pain and our and
Transform them so that we can heal and be made whole he died and behold he is alive forever more and he holds the keys of hell and death and because he lives you shall live too amen and amen let us pray father God God you are present with
Us in our everyday walkaround lives there are times that we recognize your presence and there are times that we don’t acknowledge your presence and go about life as we mind the rudder and yet we deal with life situations that push us to the edge of our own strength and courage the loss of
A dear loved one can do this to each of us it can push us to the edge of our own strength and courage and so it is our prayer that you would help us to rely on your strength because you sustain us because you sustain all creation sustain us today and each day
We Gather to celebrate and acknowledge our loss we ask you to meet us where we are and minister to us for those of us gathered who haven’t experienced your pable presence we ask you to make yourself present to them today as we navigate through the service and the days ahead we
Present we be present with us show us your glory in Jesus name amen and amen let’s stand together and sing our opening song leaning on the Everlasting Arms what a fellowship what a joy Divine leading on the Everlasting Arms what a blessedness what a peace is mine leaning on the Everlasting Arms leaning
Leaning safe and secure from all alarmes leaning leaning leaning on the Everlasting arm oh how sweet to walk in this Pilgrim Way leaning on the Everlasting Arms oh how bright the path grows from day to day leaning on the Everlasting Arms leaning leaning safe and secure from all alarms leaning
Leaning leaning on the Everlasting Arms what have I to dread what have I to fear leaning on the Everlasting Arms I have blessed peace with my Lord so near leaning on the Everlasting Arms leaning leaning safe and secure from all our lives leaning leaning leaning on the Everlasting Arms amen remain standing as we recite together the 23rd psalm it’ll be here in the bulletin the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want he maketh me to lie down in Green Pastures he leadth me beside the Still Waters he restoreth my soul he leadth me in the paths of righteousness
For his name’s sake yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil 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 forever amen and amen please be seated the song in which we are about to listen to song in which David requested it’s a beautiful song it’s called hold on to the memories let’s listen Together All World The rest of your life make a ride of this world while you Canies hold keep them Alive tragedy Soul who are not can I Sh andies hold Aledy Souls who are not Hold to keep them Alive greatest tragedy who are not Cannot what a beautiful way for us to be reminded of the memories many of you may have known that David was a member of a Christian fraternity sigi and today we get the privilege of six of his eternity Brothers sharing of some of those memories and so I invite Zach’s need to
Come and to share good morning everyone I wish I known this song was first I’ve been trying to do the impossible the last couple of days in putting into words on how much David has meant to me and all of us I first met David in the fall of 2000
We instantly clicked we we thought the same we like the same music the same bands the same movies the same football teams which wasn’t always in agreement with his family’s football teams but I think that’s what brought us pretty close together um those are just many of the reasons why
David was The Godfather and is the Godfather to my son Alex there was many times that David and I didn’t even have to say anything out loud we could just look at each other and automatically know what to do next or what we were going to
Do there’s many things I’m going to miss about David his laugh that mischievous look he had when he wanted to get in trouble or do or mess with people it’s something that I think of many times there aren’t many people in your life that you know they will always be there
For you whenever you need it David was one of them um but I know with all his brothers here and his family that there’s always going to be strong arms around us in these times neat one of my greatest Joys with David the last 23 through
Years is seeing him become a family man and have a family of his own I’ve never seen him so happy and so joyful for when that happened I know there were hurting and I know that we always can go back to the memories of the times we had together
And laugh I love and I miss David I would like to end on a song that him and I listen to quite a lot and I think it’s very meaningful today while you’re here the fun was never ending laugh a minute world only the beginning thank you thank you
Zach and now I ask Ben Carter to come and to share my old school Zach I had to print it out and in bigger letters um that I would have 15 years ago um so for those that don’t know me uh I’m Ben Carter uh David was my big brother in our
Fraternity uh and this is never going to be easy and uh I’m glad I have the opportunity to share a story with you so Fleet Zach and I were the opening lines of some of my Fondest Memories and best told stories three fraternity brothers that have founded common Bonds
Beyond those of Sigma Kai one of those additional secret societies was the fraternity of metal we loved it Fleet most of all so Fleet Zack and I met up in Jacksonville for an ALS walk but the more important reason was that we were going to a metal show a couple of bands
That David knew and one of our favorit As I Lay Dying I called ahead to the to the venue to let them know that our friend had limited mobility and they were more than happy to let us in early and let us have the space we needed to make our friend
Comfortable for the show so in true fashion Fleet Zack and I started drinking beers and getting ready to have our faces melted as the bands played and metal music rained down upon us we forgot our ages and our ail ments we screamed out our favorite songs
The only thing that broke us from our trance was the guy who watched David get up from his walker and walk to the restroom without help this guy thought it was a metal Miracle while he while he stood there freaking out Fleet Zack and I shared a
Laugh what is a miracle is that we met a guy like David Fleet what is a miracle is that we all have memories that will sustain or of excuse me memories of David that will sustain the test of time what is a miracle is that we all have the opportunity to
Share these memories today so that Riley will know how much her dad meant to all of us thank you thank you Ben and if it makes you feel better I I have a 16 font of up here I think I’m going have to move to 18 font but the question I’m left with
After been said what does it look like to have your face melt off it’s a great feeling all right amen and so I also invite Matt ditzler to come and to share good morning everyone uh for those of you that don’t know me I’m Matt ditzler I was David’s roommate for five
Years I’m actually not Sigma Kai I’m a Theta Kai um I also did not print this in large font so bear with me David and I shared many great men times with tremendous friend group um and when looking back there were far more good times than there were any
Other and certainly more than I could share in five minutes during the five years I was blessed to see David’s most extraordinary gift that he left behind to us all his family and friends David wasn’t quick to call anybody a friend his Circle was tight
But once you were in it you knew you had a friend for the rest of your life David was probably one of the bravest men I knew over the years when talking to him about his diagnosis and how he was approaching it David always tried to remain the light in the
Darkness he would say I would rather focus on happiness and sadness that I have controled over in writing it today this this for today I was reminded of one of the last trips that I was able to take with David we were driving to Charleston and I
Had good one-on-one time with David for however long it takes to drive to Charleston it seemed like forever but we got to talking about Riley and listening to How David talked and spoke with pride I knew that David knew happiness and I’ll hold that in my
Heart miss you David till we see you again thank you m Matt as I continue to hear uh David’s fraternity Brothers mine is one that was just a roommate for five years that’s amazing but it reminded me of the fact maybe we all need to take
Time to ride with somebody close to us to Charleston South Carolina we get the privilege of hearing another fraternity brother minus one Mark McCary I also wish I had bigger font so good morning so today I stand before you with a heavy heart to pay tribute to a remarkable individual a beloved brother
And a dear friend Dave Fleet his unwavering spirit and zest for life were infectious touching the lies of everyone he met there were countless days and nights of camaraderie and competition living in nerdville playing various card games in DND D these games were more than just
Pastimes for us they were a can canvas for Dave’s creativity strategic thinking and most importantly his ability to bring joy into every session in DND D he was the heart of our adventures where his character always was ready to dive head first into the unknown mirroring his approach to
Life even when faced with his diagnosis Dave’s res resilience Shone through he faced every day with courage and a positive spirit inspiring us to all cherish each moment and to live life to the fullest Dave’s Legacy is not just in the memories we shared but in the lessons he
Taught us to face challenges with courage to find joy in every moment and to treasure the bonds of Brotherhood so in closing Dave thank you for the laughter the long talks and memories you will forever be a part of our hearts rest in peace brother thank you Mark another great reminder of our
Ability to face things in life with boldness and courageousness thank you for sharing that about David as well and so at this time another fraternity brother Ben Kina will come and share more about David okay you know I uh I admired about Dave was that uh he never said anything negative about
Anyone he was always upbeat and positive but he was a really hard critic for movies um if you know Dave he really was tired of the Marvel movies and I can I look back over our s text messages there was a Marvel movie coming out I said hey
What do you think Dave about the Marvel and he’s like man listen I just got down watching Ant-Man for 30 minutes I turned that stuff off and it’s even worse than Aquaman and I was like well Dave let talk more about this so I’m not going to
Lie I stirred the pot and I had him talking more about it and uh it was my just know his you know we talked about his infectious laugh and just would also turn him upside down uh was political talk on Facebook there’s a brother here we can’t say his name but he’d
Definitely likeed to give him a couple Jabs here and there about the constant political rhetoric um it was really enjoyable actually um you know with Dave uh we’ve said it um his love for his family is was huge we got we got your eyes the way Dave nothing makes you more happy you
Know when you have a child of your own and to see Dave with all of his kids you know Ryan others as well that man he loved you guys like no other and he’s going to watch down on you always I can’t read my writing here but
I also will miss Dave smack talk if you don’t know that Dave was a huge Braves fan I’m a Yankees fan he had more jokes and I did because we won more but he had a lot better jokes but you know in closing um you know he’ll always be in our hearts I
Know that so thank you for the opportunity to speak about Dave thank you thank you Ben I think that uh the ability to talk smack is a family trait because as soon as Kelly saw me uh I have a gator tie on because I’m a Gator fan like David is
Amen thank you and Kelly said you’re wearing a loser’s tie this year I just had to be quiet but there’s always next and so we continue hearing more memories and stories and bve Dave tanal was going to come and share more about David well I didn’t write anything down
Because no matter how big it was I still w’t be able to read it so I just put it in my head Dave was one of those guys like everyone says he was always able to listen he didn’t never judge he was just one of the good people that you run
Into and we joined a fraternity and one of our biggest values I think is getting people with different temperaments talents and convictions so in that kind of situation you’re going to run into a lot of guys and you call him brother and they are that you would have never run into any
Other day any other life Fleet I would have run into an aage pit had a Slayer concert anytime he just we we like the same music play guitar um not the same football team um and I I live in Lake City and I moved way right after I Gra uated um went a
Few years without seeing everybody and started to get back in touch with people Dave was one of the first ones um when I first met him he had a Blan mohawk with and uh I had a similar haircut when I was younger so instantly knew this guy’s going to be interesting and he
Was I went over to his house a few times as much as I could um the last time I saw him was in March and uh he gave me one of his guitars cuz he wanted to go to somebody who he knew would take care of
It and uh it’s on my wall right now I was looking at it when I left he’ll always be right there you know I uh I wish I’d seen him again I was reading to our text when I left the last time I saw and I was having trouble with my daughter my
Ex-wife wants more money I mean it’s you know life and uh and I I started thinking I’m like God what was wrong with me here I am and I’m talking to this guy about my little petty problems and I felt like dirt and I texted him back and I’m glad I texted
And didn’t called while I was driving of course and uh I said I’m so sorry I said I feel like I’m just the most selfish person in the world I said here I am talking talking about my little problems and here you are fighting what you’re
Fighting he is he actually wrote no no no no no no no he said I would never want what’s happening to me make people think that what they’re going through is smaller if that didn’t Encompass what that dude was I don’t I don’t know what
Would he is just one of the best people he really was he sent me a picture of R playing guitar one time and um he was so proud of you and I I I don’t know it’s just he has such a joy to him and it was in it was
Infectious and uh I he’ll always be part of me I appreciate it thank you Dave what a a great reminder it is for all of us that often in the things in which we endure in our life makes us more empathetic to those that are around us amen take an
Opportunity to reach out to someone this week maybe today and let them know that you were in this life with them as well and so Steve papis is coming to put a a bow on all of the the shares of his fraternity Brothers thank you thank you well
Um thanks Ben for putting me last buddy appreciate that um Today We Gather to remember remember and celebrate the life of a remarkable Soul a dear friend our dear friend David Fleet in the bonds of Sigma Kai and I tell you it’s great to see all of you guys it really is a
Brotherhood but in the bonds of sigai we shared not only a fraternity but a friendship that with stod the test of time David exemplified courage in the face of adversity having battled ALS with unwavering strength for over six years and tell that’s one thing about David and Lura we spoke about this
He never complained never through the darkest moments he stood tall embodying resilience that inspired all who knew him as a Living testament to David’s enduring spirit I stand before you as a survivor of two horrible car accidents a testament to the fragility and the resilience of life and we had many
Conversations about that on dealing with pain the right way and we fed off each other Beyond’s life’s challenges David’s Legacy shines brightly through the love he poured into every aspect of his existence I reflect on the shared Journey he he paints a canvas of camaraderie laughter and shared dreams
David’s love not was not only reserved for his friends and family but radiated most profoundly in his role as a devoted father he loved you Riley we spoke about you often there were countless times David spoke with pride about Riley his eyes filled with an unmatched warmth today we
Honor David’s Legacy by remembering remember in the love he had for Riley a love that transcends the boundaries of life and continues to guide her journey in these moments of Sorrow let us find solace in the memory of David’s courage his his enduring Legacy in the boundless love he showered upon those he
Held dear as we say our farewells let us also carry forward the lessons of resilience friendship in unwavering love that David shared with all of us rest in peace my friend in Eternal peace and may his light continue to shine through the heart through the hearts of those who
Were touched by his remarkable spirit thank you thank you Steve Steve reminded me as all of his brothers did of David’s enduring spirit and so his sister Kelly Gilbert comes and shares about her brother David Kelly when my parents told us told me in the early morning of June 27th 1978 that
They were going to the hospital cuz mommy’s baby was finally coming I was so excited I was so excited to have this baby I couldn’t wait I loved him so much I led playing with them helping taking care of them we were each other’s best buddies Playmates confidence siblings at
Times bodyguards and even mortal enemies over our years we bonded over sharing the upstairs arguing over who was going to clean what we loved climbing trees and we also bonded over our love of the ocean and my dad and I actually taught my brother how to surf
We have so amazing memories from our childhood um I sometimes wonder how my parents endured the trip to and from Virginia without leaving us on the side of the road with bus fair or maybe just a hitchhike there her junior year my junior year of college brought sibling rivalry to the
House literally my brother came back to Tallahassee with me for the Florida state Florida game and stayed with me and my roommate and the rest of my sorority sisters in my sority house sleeping on a um pallet in our room everybody loved him we all took care of
Him he went everywhere with us and to our begrudge nobody asked for David’s driver’s license to come in but they all asked for our driver’s license he was 17 possibly my um best memory and something that I will always hold dear to my heart was watching David when he
Became a daddy the look in his eyes and the look on his face and just the transformation of him becoming a dad was the most amazing thing that I got to witness and it just warmed my heart and my soul probably even looking at you is just a blessing and seeing my brother
Become a daddy and being able to share that with that special moment of being a parent with him was amazing and I’m glad that we have you and you can live on his with his legacy thank you kayy it is also good for me to hear of sibling
Rivalries Kelly you shared some touching moments there but one of the words that really stuck to me that she said was when he became when he became a father friends each one of us each day are becoming becoming more like Christ so hear these words of Jesus as
John wrote them in the Gospel of John Chapter 14 verse 1-6 and I’ll be reading verse 26 through 27 as well do not let your hearts be troubled you believe in God and believe also in me my father’s house has many rooms and if that were not so would I have told
You that I am going there to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am you know the way to the place
Where I’m going Thomas said to him Lord uh we don’t know where you are going so how can we know the way Jesus answered I am the way and the truth and the life and no one comes to the father except through me verse 26 but the advocate the Holy Spirit whom
The father will send in my name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you peace I leave with you my peace I give you I do not give to you as the world gives and do not let your heart be troubled and do
Not be afraid this is the word of God for the people of God thanks be to God Amen the word gospel comes from a Greek word that was an announcement of good news this was the announcement that a son was born and the heir of the king was born on that or that a significant battle had been won there were numerous attempts to tell the good news
And John told one of the four in the scriptures the Gospel of John connects us with the Jesus Jesus’s story John uses the words of Jesus to bring Comfort to those who are and will grieve the loss of their friend teacher and Lord May these words that we have
Read be comforting to you as well Jesus says don’t let your hearts be troubled trust in God and trust also in me it gives hope and a promise in the middle of struggle and loss and Jesus implores the disciples and a non disciple to trust in God and don’t let your hearts be
Troubled Jesus tells them to take heart and not be anxious he has just told them that he is going away they and we also should trust God and Trust Jesus as well in these verses of chapter 14 Jesus Comforts his disciples assuring them about the afterlife in the way to
God where God dwells and where Jesus is going are many Dwelling Places there are plenty to go around and Jesus is going to prepare a place for them and us there is a place for you you must believe in Jesus and Jesus makes the statement in verse six that he is
The way the truth and the life and we receive this home in which David experiences Now by believing that Jesus is the way the truth and the life Jesus ultimately makes a home for you and me on Earth we do as Jesus did and commanded us to do Jesus commanded
Us to go and make disciples and Jesus modeled this for us and the disciples on Earth we can make a home for our loved ones where everyone is welcome everyone of David’s brothers and Kelly talked about David becoming a dad David made a home for his daughter Riley he loves
Her his love is more than all the stars in space David was concerned about Riley and folks caring for her I know with her family and her brothers his brothers that Riley would be cared for I know with the wonderful community that is around you you will lean Riley into them
And you will lean into Jesus and verse 26 and 27 Jesus reveals to the disciples what life is going to be like after he leaves Jesus taught the disciples about salvation and when the Holy Spirit comes they will understand what Jesus taught the Holy Spirit teaches us of Jesus and he convicts us
Of sin in verse 27 it highlights the peace Jesus offers a and it’s distinct from worldly peace and it is often stood as an encouragement to trust in Jesus amid life’s challenges I was appointed here to Lakewood in July of 2018 or I came here
In July of 2018 and it was not too long before that that David was diagnosed with ALS several months after that me getting here David and I were able to sit down and have a great conversation the very things in which were shared about David I found to be true he was
Intentional he processed things he thought at a deeper level often times I am a two to maybe two and a half dimensional person I think David knew that there was a fourth dimension and he thought and processed in that manner we talked about hard things of suffering and pain and
Loss and I too could see that I his in his eyes this resilience and it does my heart good to know that David never complained and this morning I complained just because I didn’t get my drink from Starbucks when I thought I should get it the Holy Spirit teaches us all things
He will give us peace a supernatural peace this peace sustains us so don’t let your hearts be troubled or fearful Faith gave David peace as we’ve heard and many of you know David was a private person he was Private with his faith and yet his calmness his courage and his boldness
Gave witness to his faith though at times his Humanity could push him to ask questions to to prayer and to the foot of Jesus Jesus at the Mission Barbecue here at the Town Center there is a saying on the wall and this is that saying how would you play the game if
You knew you couldn’t play the game tomorrow hear that question again how would you play the game if you knew you couldn’t play the game tomorrow I shared that with Kelly and Laura as we were meeting meting together and they said this is what ALS is
Like I can’t remember which one of you that shared but at the oh it was Ben Ben shared that what was interesting is to watch one of the concert goers see this medical metal miracle happened when David got up from his chair and walked uh into to the restroom
He must have been trying to get his face to melt off too but here’s the beauty of this David experienced an everlasting Miracle we have the promise of the fact that where David is at there is no more pain there is no more suffering there is no more tears and he walks
Amen you see so we worship a god that is a miracle making God whether it’s here in the present or in what we know as the not yet which is David’s present ALS Robbs you of the of playing the game as you would want to play the
Game it forces you to play the game in ways you never thought you would have had to do it forces you to rely on people when you never thought thought you would have to and as we celebrate David’s life he gave us one more gift his celebration
Gives us an opportunity to reflect on this question how would you play the game if you knew you couldn’t play the game tomorrow is there something you would do differently is there something you know you need to change so that you can play the game like you want
To in the following chapter from this text that I just read chapter 15 Jesus unfolds the way of sustained peace he unfolds the way of a growing relationship with Jesus he unfolds the way he is the true vine we are to remain in him and he is the exclusive source of
God’s life we are to have a relationship with Jesus we if we don’t have a relationship with Jesus we are spiritually Dead We dry up and die and ultimately we are cast into to the fire we are his beloved disciples if we abide in him and his words abide in
Us after Jesus’s death the disciples and the women and the churches were told to remember what he taught us this is also important when we grieve we are to remember that Jesus came he died he was buried he rose from the dead and he is coming again praise God and so today
As we think about that song that we listen to hold on to the Memories by One of the groups that I think was common that was listened to by Disturbed hold on to the memories make Mo the most of this life We Begin by making the most of this life
By giving our life to Jesus and living our life for Jesus drawing others in living a life worth living not complaining living a life in which we would play the game if we knew that we weren’t going to be playing the game tomorrow and also to hold on to the
Memories I had a little bit of reservations of playing that song before we heard everybody speak but that song became more alive as I heard your stories so hold on to the memories because you too have the ability to bring joy into anyone’s life through Jesus Christ let us
Pray oh my God you are leading us through the changes of time to the rest and blessedness of Eternity be near to comfort and uphold us make us know known and to feel that we are your children and are precious in your sight we know that your children live
Forever more with you and that your mercy endures forever we are thankful for the life you have given us for these Seasons we are thankful for the life and the gift of David Fleet your son our loved one help us now to live our lives obediently to you as David did assist us
As we return to our daily lives to obey your will with patience and to endure trials with hope and courage and when the Peace of Jesus falls upon us may We bring peace to those that are around us may we find the perfect rest in you through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen and amen let us stand together and sing our closing song Blessed assurance Blessed Jesus is mine oh what a foraste of Glory Divine air of Salvation purchase of God born of his Spirit wash in his blood this is my story this is my song praising My Savior all the day long this is my story this is my song praising My Savior all the day
Long perfect submission perfect Delight visions of rapture now burst in my sight Angels descending bring from above Echoes of Mercy Whispers of love this is my story this is my song praising My Savior all the day long this is my story this is my song praising My Savior all the day long Perfect submission all is at rest I in my savior am happy and blessed watching and waiting looking above filled with his goodness lost in his love this this is my story this is my song praising My Savior all the day long this is my story this is my song praising My
Savior all the day long amen please be seated and here just a second we’re going to invite David’s fraternity Brothers with sigmaa to come and to have a closing ceremony called The White Rose ceremony now I’m blessed to to be a part of this last part of the service it is a Christian
Oriented service and before they come the family invites you to to stay there’s a reception afterwards and after we will close with the benediction I’ll ask you to stand and I we’ll escort the family out you’ll go out this door straight through the hallway all the way through the courtyard and there’s a
Double glass doors where the reception will be afterwards and the family will meet you and greet you there now if David’s brothers from sigmai will come for for my name is Dan Adams and I’m a simai and connected with a lot of the guys at UNF
Who are s guys and had the privilege of being asked to share this ceremony with y’all this is part of our fraternity’s ritual but it powerfully powerfully illustrates the beauty of the gospel and this is part of a ritual that is public and so we’re we’re happy to share it with
You it’s pretty amazing as Pastor Don shared that through faith in Jesus we can have the hope of eternal life and fleed has is more alive today than he’s ever been through his faith in Jesus and I love what was on the the program the bulletin said to
Live as Christ to die as gain and that is the reality for Fleet today his death is our loss but his death is his gain because of his amazing Savior Jesus the Christ Christ we’re about to conduct the simai white rose ceremony a public ritual we use to honor
A brother who has entered the chapter Eternal is a matter background for those in our fraternity to be reminded of and for those not in our fraternity to be enlightened about our fraternity simai was founded in 1855 on lofty principles grounded in the gospel it’s by no accidents it’s highly
Intentional that the emblem the the symbol of our fraternity is a white cross and it points to the one who purchased our Salvation on that cross to complement the white cross and by the way the right cross points to the Perfection of Jesus who was worthy and able to accomplish our
Salvation to complement that the flower of simai is the white rose which is why we call this the white rose ceremony Brothers in simai we are gathered here to pay our tribute of love and respect for the memory of our beloved Brother David fle all honor to his
Name on that day when the White Cross of simai was placed upon his heart he accepted our way of life by lofty principles the white cross he wore on the outside was but a representation of the life that he led from the inside today let us remember the Legacy
Of David Fleet the legacy is left in our hearts as we celebrate his life we meet because of his passing from our circle to the chapter Eternal and yet in our hearts is a confidence that his Living spirit hovers near to his dear ones and Friends present we bring our expression of
Sympathy to his memory we would offer our homage for the qualities of both heart and mind he exhibited as a friend as a brother Among Us and as a man of Affairs we have known him as loyal devoted to the high ideals of the white cross which we wear his
Friendship was enduring his generosities were large and his life so impactful and such an inspiration he loved this fraternity but we know that its helpfulness and sympathies Were Meant To Be broader than the bounds of an organization his loyalty was grounded in the faith that fraternalism m stands
Finally for better citizenship for a more noble civilization and for higher ideals of life and its service to man and worship of God the ceremony shares Psalm 23 which we’ve already read but we’ll read this one one verse out of Psalm 23 surely goodness and
Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and that is our confidence that is our hope we grieve with with his family and friends our hearts break for you but even in the midst of grief there is amazing
Hope because of the one to whom the white cross points Jesus the Christ The Souls of all the righteous are in the hand of God and he is their strength and their Redeemer in the sight of the unwise their departure is taken for utter destruction but they are in
Peace for though they be perished in the sight of men yet their Spirits are released from the body of Flesh and their hope is full of immortality and having been a little chastised they will be greatly rewarded for God proved them and received them to himself the righteous live forever more
Their reward is with the Lord and the care of them is with the most high therefore they shall re receive from the Lord’s hand a glorious Kingdom and a Victor’s Crown of righteousness in this place and in this reverent moment the thought is dominant that life and its true friendships are
Indestructible though brief and though all too quickly fading they are indestructible because of God’s spirit death cannot have the victory that which we call death is but the gateway to the life of mortal for the life of the spirit does not die in as much as our dearly beloved
Brother has passed through this chapter of Eternal we celebrate his powerful powerful life his amaz amazing Legacy The Souls of the righteous are in the hand of God it is because of Jesus the one to whom the right cross points this is true let’s pray 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 temp but Deliver Us from Evil for thine is
The kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever am amen almighty God with whom do live the spirits of just men made perfect and that is the hope of the Gospel that we are only made perfect and only able to gain Heaven because of the work of the
One to whom the white cross points and it’s through faith in Jesus that we are made perfect and we can receive the gift of eternal life after we who have trusted in Christ are delivered from their Earthly prisons we humbly the commend the soul of this thy servant our dear brother into thy
Hands who art our creator most humbly beseeching thee that it may be precious in thy sight God we reach out to you that The Words which we have heard this day with our beloved ears May through through thy Grace be so grafted inwardly in our hearts that they may bring forth in us
The fruit of good living to the honor and Glory of thy name direct us oh Lord in all doings with thy most gracious favor and further us with thy continual help that all our works begun continued and ended in you may glorify your name and finally by your mercy obtain for us eternal
Life the Lord bless you and keep you the Lord make his face shine upon you and give you peace the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace Jesus said I am the resurrection of a life anyone who believes in me will live even after
Dying everyone who lives in me and Believes In Me will never die do you believe this David can now say because of the strength provided by his Savior Jesus the Christ I have fought the good fight I have finished my work the White Cross of simai has gained new luster by my life
Amen Let Us stand together as we receive the benediction and I’ll ask that uh you remain standing as uh as we escort the family to the CAC dining room or Jim come and join us there for reception what a beautiful way close the service with this white rose
Ceremony the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and Minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his son Jesus Christ Our Lord and the blessing of God Almighty the father Son and Holy Spirit be among you and remain in you always amen and Amen
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