Sermon Tone Analysis

Nobody awoke on Sunday, November 25th to think by the end of the day their daughter, sister, grandaughter, niece, cousin or friend would leave this earth by the end of the day.

It is tragedy for each of us to be here today remembering the brief life of Kieran McGill.

Hearts are broken, there is an emptiness inside many in this room today, and yet Kieran is very much alive today in the presence of Christ in heaven.

In fact, she is more alive today than she has ever been.

If you were to ask her to come back to this earth, I firmly believe she would say - “Please do not ask that I come back, where I am is just too wonderful!”

However, that does not remove the loss being felt in this room today.

So, may I suggest this afternoon that we endeavor to remember the life of Kieran McGill, the joy she touched so many hearts with, and the lasting memories of happiness that so many were blessed with on this earth —

Shall we pray...

(Pray for comfort, strength and aide in this time of grieving and remembering)

FORMAL OBITUARY and Memories

Kieran P. McGill, 18, of Thornton, Colorado, passed away on Sunday, November 25, 2018 in Scott City, Kansas.

She was born on March 15, 2000 in Denver, Colorado to Darrin J. and Cheri A. (Campbell) McGill.

Kieran was a 2018 graduate of Prospect Ridge Academy in Broomfield and a current freshman at Garden City Community College in Kansas.

Kieran was studying elementary education, her life-long aspiration to become a kindergarten teacher, and had just begun her first season playing on the college softball team.

Softball was her passion and she loved every moment on the field with her teammates.

Prior to playing on a softball scholarship for Garden City, she played for four years at Horizon High School and the past six years alongside her younger sister Elisabeth on a competitive team, the Colorado Venom, which her father coached.

Kieran will always be remembered as “Red” a nickname her grandfather Dudley lovingly called her the moment she was born.

Her contagious smile could light up any room and her kind and caring personality will never be forgotten.

Our world has been robbed of a shining, brilliant light.

She filled our lives everyday with love, laughter, and joy.

Survivors include her parents, Darrin and Cheri of Thornton, CO; paternal grandmother, Judy McGill of Hudson, CO; maternal grandparents, Jennifer and William Johnson of Hudson, CO; siblings, Elisabeth L., Nathanial J. and Ainsley G. McGill.

She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceded in death by her paternal great-grandmother, Rosalie G. and paternal grandfather, Dudley J. McGill.

Some of the things that Kieran loved were Disney movies and songs, especially when the female characters were strong and independent — fighters and defenders.

Her sister Elisabeth - her best friend - told me that she identified more with characters like Mulan and Merida from Brave.

Both of these princesses were not the “I need a man to rescue me” type of girls, but young ladies who were determined and strong.

I believe this gives us insight into Kieran --- I know she her parents shared that she struggled with dyslexia and yet she overcame, was pulling A’s in her first year of college and was an avid reader!!!

She is said to always have had a book in her hand.

This speaks loudly of an overcomer!

Her favorite colors may have been aqua and teal to decorate with, and purples and pinks to wear - but there was a strong spirit inside of her - a winning spirit.

I never had the chance to see her play softball - but a scholarship to college tells me she was a fighter on the field.

Her Grandma Judy mentioned to me that she had to change her position at a game, I believe to an infield position, where she again showed herself triumphant and gained the cheers of her team ‘ Martha, Martha’ a new nick name arising from her coach accidentally calling her by the wrong name.

The funny thing is when Judy shared this story I was thinking of Martha in the Bible - an industrious woman who sought the needs of others and had a servant’s heart --- interestingly this is the same kind of character as Mulan and Merida!

Was this the character of Kieran?

A young lady who wanted to educate young minds and hearts as a career?

Kieran - a young lady ready to take hold of her dreams and ‘Touch the Sky’

SONG - TOUCH THE SKY - from BRAVE - MERIDA’s Character

Dad and Possibly Coach John Wolf come to share some thoughts of Kieran

OPEN MICROPHONE - This morning the family wanted to give the opportunity for anyone who like to share a fond, or funny memory, or something that Kieran did to impact your life.

There is no better way to remember someone than to share good memories — can you help us do that today?

Are there some friends or family members that will share for just a minute or two of how Kieran touched your life.

My Memories and Experience

This morning I would like to share the few memories I have of Kieran...

I have been the Pastor at Destiny for a little over 3 years now.

Kieran’s Grandma Judy has been an intricate part of our church serving in so many ways, but one I interact with a lot because she manages our money as bookkeper/treasurer.

I have heard Judy share on many occassion about the Grandkids - and the girls softball games...

I remember earlier on in my time here specifically Kieran coming to services with her grandmother.

I also recall this very pleasant young lady during the funeral time for Dudley - her grandfather.

Well spoken, respectful, and smiling.

November 18, the Sunday before she died, I remember Kieran being in church with Grandma again.

She was home for Thanksgiving from college.

I was so impressed that she would take the time to come to church with Judy.

Afterward both my wife and I had the opportunity to talk with her a little about school, and how much she was enjoying it, and liked the community she was in.

There was a sweetness about her, an impressiveness about her that I saw, something that both my wife and I walked away with and commented on.

Later I came to realize what that was.

I was unaware that that afternoon, Kieran asked her Grandmother for my email to inquire about being baptized in water!

Although her family has had history in being a part of our church here, she had gone off to college and made a decision to engage in going to church --- AND ---- MAKING A DECISION TO FOLLOW CHRIST.

Funny, so many young people go to college and LOSE FAITH IN GOD while they are there — but Kieran came to new discoveries of it!

Judy shared with me that she was always one that had a tenderness toward the things of God, but this quiet but strong young lady made a determination in her first months of “getting her wings” so to say - to pursue God.

She shared a little about this with her sister as well.

After becoming aware of this I realized that was what I sensed that Sunday when we were talking —

It is not because Kieran knew her life would be cut short prematurely, or had a sense of what would take place on November 25th, but because her soul longed to connect with Jesus!

Sometimes we put off the pursuit of knowing God when we are young, thinking we can do that later, but than we never get around to it… but this determined young lady did not procrastinate!

That leaves us today with this GREAT ASSURANCE — THIS CONFIDENCE --- That Kieran is in the presence of God!

As tragic as it seems that in just a moment a collision with a semi could take life - in reality she took on NEW LIFE!

The amazing wonders of Heaven, and being held in the arms of Jesus!

I am also confident that she met Jesus and heard Him utter these words...

SONG - I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

Words of Comfort

So today we can rest knowing that Kieran is not in pain, she is not suffering from the effects of the accident, but she swiftly went to be with Christ in heaven.

She is experiencing the awe and wonder, and grandeur and the HOPE that awaits everyone that has received Christ.

The problem is - we are here on earth!

We are here and she is not!

We are he

The sense of loss is great.

The sense of expectation of those things to come in her life is gone...

It feels unfair...

WHYS

May I first say - don’t ask the why questions!

I am a why person!

I drive my wife crazy with the “whys” sometimes ---

Even if we come to know the why - we may never understand it!

Some things are left better not understanding, but just accepting.

Instead allow the peace of God to be your comfort!

Another word for advocate here is COMFORTER — let the Spirit of God be a comfort during this time...

Let the Good Shepherd of our souls walk you through this season and bring you to safety on the other side...

Accepting her loss does not mean accepting her absence -

Fill her absence with wonderful memories and be thankful for the years shared with her.

Allow the holidays and birthdays and special events to include her memory being thankful for the time that was shared together.

There is a poem I often start a Celebration of Life service with… in fact I started Dudley’s service with this… let me read it again...

MISS ME - BUT LET ME GO

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little--but not too long

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me--but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take