The Service in PDF format is at: 04-20-2024 Ginny Held Memorial Service
AS WE GATHER
Today we gather in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to remember the life of Ginny and to proclaim the victory of Jesus Christ who has been raised from the dead. Both the Old and the New Testaments of the Holy Bible speak powerfully of the resurrection of the dead. Isaiah, Hosea, and Paul all remind us, “’Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Such is the wonder of the Christian faith. When a Christian loved one is taken from us in death, we have the assurance that Ginny has won the victory! Our struggle with sin and death, pain and sorrow continues, but her victory is complete! Our sense of loss can be overwhelming, but her victory is won!
Leader: In the name of the Father, the † Son, and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Leader: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
People: He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Leader: He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
People: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Leader: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
People: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray. O God of grace and mercy, we give thanks for Your loving-kindness shown to Ginny and to all Your servants who, having finished their course in faith, now rest from their labors. Grant that we also may be faithful unto death and receive the crown of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
SONG OF COMFORT “Amazing Grace”
Peace Lutheran Church Choir
Text by John Newton. Adapsted and arranged by John Coates, Jr.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found;
Was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found;
Was blind but now I see.
WORDS OF COMFORT
Pastor Lucke
GINNY’S LIFE IN PICTURES (Music)
PRAYER
Leader: Heavenly Father, give to the family of Ginny and all who mourn comfort in their grief and a sure confidence in Your loving care that, casting all their sorrow on You, they may know the consolation of Your love. Lord, in your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Leader: Receive our thanks for Ginny and for all the blessings You bestowed on her in this earthly life. Bring us at last to our heavenly home that with her we may see You face to face in the joys of paradise. In the name of Jesus, the One who knew no sin.
People: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
ALL: 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 temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
CLOSING SONG “Beautiful Savior”
Text: Gesangbuch, Munster, 1677; tr. Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904, Tune: Silesian Folk tune, 1842; 1978 Published by Augsburg Publishing Company, Minneapolis and board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, Philadelphia
Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love thee, Truly I’d serve thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be thine!
Leader: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and +give you peace.
People: Amen.
Virginia Lee Held, or “Ginny” to those that knew her, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband, Walter “Wally,” and son, Gary, on Jan. 16, 2024. She had a kind heart, passion for teaching and was a caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all that knew her.
Ginny was born on June 3, 1941 in New York City, although to Ginny, her hometown was always Corvallis Oregon. Her family moved from New York City to Corvallis in 1947. She was a graduate of Corvallis High School in 1959, as well as a graduate of Oregon State University, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
While at Oregon State University, she worked for the school of business as secretary to the placement director as well as to the Dean. During this time, she obtained her teaching certificate — this choice began her long and loved career as a business teacher at Philomath High School where she taught for 28 years.
Ginny was the recipient of the Al Neet Educator of the Year award in 1987. She was a part of FBLA and DECA, among many other organizations. One of Ginny’s teaching highlights was pioneering the local keyboarding program with her fellow teacher, Georgia Hering. Recognizing the importance of keyboarding for the future, they spent time traveling and hosting workshops for other educators so they could begin their own keyboarding programs. Ginny always liked to keep herself busy.
Ginny met Wally Held, through Wally’s sister Joan. They wed in May of 1964 and had 59 magical years together. Ginny was a fiercely dedicated mom to her only son, Gary; his wife, Amanda; and grandmother to her grandkids, Henry and Myla.
Ginny had a long battle with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, but never lost her cheerful attitude and bright smile. She was an early member of the local Dementia Warriors support group, as well as a dedicated member of Peace Lutheran Church in Philomath, Oregon.
We will miss Ginny every day.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dementia Warriors support group c/o Peace Lutheran Church, or to the Alzheimer’s Association on her behalf.
