Grief and joy often go together in the Christian life. “As sorrowful yet always rejoicing,” wrote Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:10.
That is our experience as an IBC family this week, as we grieve but celebrate the homegoing of three long term members, Bill Shingleton on Monday, Mary Dugan on Wednesday, and Grace Hanshew today.
Grace Hanshew moved to Martinsburg in 1967 when her husband, Martinsburg native Charles Hanshew, became pastor of his home church Independent Bible Church (IBC). After her husband’s death in a car accident in 1982, Grace continued to attend and serve the Lord at IBC, being a member here for 56 years. She served the Lord as a mother of two sons, pastor’s wife, choir director, organist, teacher of a Ladies’ Bible class, and in many other ways. Her priority in life was to always follow and serve the Lord, trusting Him to take care of the rest, which He did.
Grace’s life verses were Romans 12:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 10:31, “do all to the glory of God.” She did not want attention drawn to herself, but always desired the Lord to get all the glory He deserves.
Today, at her Memorial Service, I’ve been drawn to speak on how to live to the glory of God—full surrender, faithful service, and final satisfaction from 2 Timothy 4:6-8, where the inspired Apostle wrote:
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Mary Dugan’s funeral was yesterday, and her involvement at IBC started in the early 1950’s when Wanda Light led her to Christ and brought her to the church (then called the Berkeley Station Independent Christian Church). She was a member of IBC for 68 years. She served faithfully in the ministry with her husband, Daniel Dugan as he served in the roles of Assistant Pastor at IBC and Pastor at Providence Bible Church. She was also a Sunday School teacher, faithful mother of two daughters (who are also married to men in the ministry), and had the gift of exhortation or encouragement that blessed many.
At Mary’s funeral, her sons-in-law spoke and used her favorite verse, Ephesians 2:8-10.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Three funerals in four days. Two pastors’ wives’ services on consecutive days. Yes, we are sorrowful yet always rejoicing. But, our certain hope of glory with Christ in heaven gets ever sweeter as we send more of our church family to enjoy His presence.
It is encouraging to think of all the reunions of IBC’ers already gone to be with Jesus. Let’s look forward to being with them and worshiping our Savior in person.
And, let’s follow their example to keep spreading the Gospel and making disciples so that we can take many more with us to heaven.