A farewell service at a church in Shanxi province in northern China was for a lady believer who passed away at the age of 87.
In a memorial service held at the Christian Church of Linfen Yaodu District on October 14, the choir sang "Song of Remembrance" and "Sleeping in the Lord's Arms" to remember Li Funv who died on October 10.
In his sermon, Deacon Liu Xiaochun read several passages from Genesis, John, and Revelation about God's creation, death, and the origin of sin, as well as the salvation, resurrection, and love of Jesus Christ.
Following his sermon, Pastor Wang Shuai addressed Christians' attitudes toward death, destiny, and eternal life. He believes that death is not an end but a beginning, not silence but waiting, not relief but triumph, nor a departure but a destination. It was reminded to the congregation that death is the end for all humans, and that judgment will follow. Those who believe in the Lord do not die, but sleep, and look forward to their resurrection.
Elder Zhang Xiaohua then recalled the life of Li Funv. Li was born in a poor peasant family and raised a son and three daughters. Her whole life was filled with hard work and thrift, and she was always obedient to her husband. Even if she was aggrieved, she never bothered others about it, and she always tried to help others whenever she could.
When she was 74, she was baptized and received the gospel. God healed her leg burns and many illnesses. As soon as her husband came to follow Jesus, their temperament and character changed, and they began respecting and loving one another. When her husband turned 84, the Lord took him back to his heavenly home. Because she could not go outside due to her old age, she used to preach the gospel in front of her house, showing the gospel leaflets to her neighbors.
Wang Tao, her third daughter, was also chosen and used by God. She led many seekers to the name of the Lord and dedicated her home as a gathering and reception place. She also keeps taking care of the paralyzed 80-year-old mother-in-law for more than ten years. In addition, she is a member of the church choir.
- Translated by Richard Zou
中国北方的山西省的一个教会送别一个去世的女信徒。
10月14日，临汾尧都区基督教会举行的追思礼拜中，教会诗班献唱了《追思歌》《睡主怀中》。
刘小春执事宣读了圣经中《创世记》、《约翰福音》和《启示录》中几处有关神的创造、死亡及罪的由来，以及耶稣基督的拯救、复活和爱以及末日复活的相关经文。
之后王帅传道做了基督徒面对死亡、归宿及永生的思考的主题证道。王传道分别从在基督徒看来，死亡不是结束而是开始；死亡不是沉寂而是等候；死亡不是解脱而是凯旋；死亡不是离开而是归宿进行分享。他劝勉会众，死亡是众人最后的结局，审判必然临到。信主的人不是死了，而是睡了，要期待复活，得着永生。
之后张晓华长老回忆了老人的生平。李福女老姊妹自幼出生在贫苦农家，结婚后含辛茹苦养育了一男三女。老人一生辛勤劳作勤俭度日，她对丈夫百依百顺。总是力所能及尽其所能去帮助别人，即使自己受委屈也从不与别人计较。
老人在74岁时接受福音，受洗归主。腿部烫伤被神医治，多次生病都得到了医治。后来老伴也信了耶稣，夫妻二人脾气性格都改变了不少，互敬互爱。后来老伴84岁被主接去，她也因年迈不能出行，就常坐家门口传福音，常把福音单张给周围的邻舍看。
而神也拣选使用了她的三女儿王涛，信神以后，引领许多慕道友归主名下；她女儿把自己的家里奉献作为服侍接待点，坚持照料瘫痪十多年的八十多岁的婆母，还参加了教会诗班的侍奉。
李福女老姊妹于10月10日安息主怀，在世87年。
https://www.gospeltimes.cn/article/index/id/64915
山西教会为87岁的信徒举行追思礼拜
A farewell service at a church in Shanxi province in northern China was for a lady believer who passed away at the age of 87.
In a memorial service held at the Christian Church of Linfen Yaodu District on October 14, the choir sang "Song of Remembrance" and "Sleeping in the Lord's Arms" to remember Li Funv who died on October 10.
In his sermon, Deacon Liu Xiaochun read several passages from Genesis, John, and Revelation about God's creation, death, and the origin of sin, as well as the salvation, resurrection, and love of Jesus Christ.
Following his sermon, Pastor Wang Shuai addressed Christians' attitudes toward death, destiny, and eternal life. He believes that death is not an end but a beginning, not silence but waiting, not relief but triumph, nor a departure but a destination. It was reminded to the congregation that death is the end for all humans, and that judgment will follow. Those who believe in the Lord do not die, but sleep, and look forward to their resurrection.
Elder Zhang Xiaohua then recalled the life of Li Funv. Li was born in a poor peasant family and raised a son and three daughters. Her whole life was filled with hard work and thrift, and she was always obedient to her husband. Even if she was aggrieved, she never bothered others about it, and she always tried to help others whenever she could.
When she was 74, she was baptized and received the gospel. God healed her leg burns and many illnesses. As soon as her husband came to follow Jesus, their temperament and character changed, and they began respecting and loving one another. When her husband turned 84, the Lord took him back to his heavenly home. Because she could not go outside due to her old age, she used to preach the gospel in front of her house, showing the gospel leaflets to her neighbors.
Wang Tao, her third daughter, was also chosen and used by God. She led many seekers to the name of the Lord and dedicated her home as a gathering and reception place. She also keeps taking care of the paralyzed 80-year-old mother-in-law for more than ten years. In addition, she is a member of the church choir.
- Translated by Richard Zou
Shanxi Church Holds Memorial Service for 87-Y-O Believer
