Introduction
Prayer
Hymn 681 "In heavenly love abiding"
Wherever He may guide me
No want shall turn me back
My shepherd is beside me
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh
His sight is never dim
He knows the way He taketh
And I will walk with Him
Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen
Bright skies will soon be o'er me
Where the dark clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure
My path to life is free
My Saviour has my treasure
And He will walk with me.
Prayer
Old Testament Reading Psalm 103 v13-18 - Mr. Alan Mordaunt (Son-in-law of Jessie)
New Testament Reading 2 Corinthians 4 v7-12, 16-18 and John 14:1-4,6,27 - Dr. Ken Cochran (Brother-in-law of Jessie)
Born in Brodick on the beautiful Island of Arran; constant visits to grandparents homes on the the shores of the Holy Loch, Argyll, and Greeenock
on the other side of the Firth of Clyde; Jessie's choice of building a bungalow for retirement
in this rural setting of the East Neuk of Fife - all contributed to her intense
awareness of, and delight in, God's creation. Let us sing ...
Hymn (Songs of God's People) 86 "Oh Lord my God"
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
And when I think that God His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in.
That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin;
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home - what joy shall fill my heart!
Then shall I bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Tribute - Rev. Andrew Stevenson
Prayer of Thanksgiving - Rev. Melvyn Wood
Hymn 680 "My times are in Thy hands"
My Times are in Thy hand,
Whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.
My Times are in Thy hand,
Why should I doubt or fear;
My Father's hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.
My Times are in Thy hand,
Jesus the crucified;
Those hands my cruel sins had pierced,
Are now my guard and guide.
My Times are in Thy hand,
I'll always trust in Thee,
And after death, at Thy rigth hand,
I shall for ever be.
This tribute was given at the funeral service in Kemback Parish Church
on November 24th, 1998.
It also formed the basis of the Tribute given at the Thanksgiving Service on
December 3rd. by Rev. Andrew S. Taylor.
Jessie Wilson's death on Wednesday of last week came as a shock to her
family and friends. Though she had been ill a year ago she seemed to have
made a good recovery - and indeed she had just driven over to Fife from
Ayrshire four days earlier.
Jessie was a very fine person - a positive person, someone who was well known and highly respected in the communities in which she lived and worked - and well beyond these too. Jessie had a great gift and ability to make friends, friendships which she actively nurtured and kept alive - friendships which lasted over the years. And she had many of them both here in the U.K., and overseas.
Endowed with God-given gifts of head and heart, hand and soul, Jessie saw it as her Christian responsibility to develop these to the very best of her ability. This she did and, as teacher, church worker, neighbour, friend - as someone with artistic flair and a caring nature, she played her part in the life and work of God's world effectively, efficiently and in a kindly way.
Qualifying from Jordanhill College in the late 1930's as a Primary School teacher she added further qualifications1. in Physical Education and Art2. that allowed her to teach in Secondary departments. This she did most successfully - and I can vouch for that personally for Jessie was my first female colleague in Physical Education when I started teaching in Dalry High School exactly 50 years ago. And the friendship that began then has lasted down the years.
From Dalry she moved to Ardrossan Academy where she held a post of responsibility, and then for the last 5 years prior to retiring she returned to Primary teaching in Stanley School, Ardrossan where she became the Assistant Head. A competent, caring, well organised and well-prepared teacher she always showed a keen interest in the welfare of her pupils. And nothing pleased her more than to meet up with her Former Pupils3. and hear how they were faring - this especially so in her retirement years in Largs.
In retirement she kept herself busy and active by, among other things, participating in the activities laid on for Senior Citizens, and maintaining her keen interest in Scottish Country Dancing - she being a founder member of the North Ayrshire Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
Underpinning everything Jessie did: indeed the motivating force in her whole life was her very strong Christian faith. Her work for Christ and His Church was both life-long and immense. Regular in her attendance at worship, she was active in every branch of Church life as she passed along the Christian way - in Sunday School as pupil and teacher, Girls Association4. and Youth Fellowship5. (as member and Office-bearer), Choir and Guild (active to the end), as an Ordained Elder6. and as a Reader7. she fulfilled the role in each case most effectively and with sensitivity and grace. A capable and confident speaker, she was invited to speak at many meetings, and she conducted worship most effectively as a Reader when called upon so to do.
Jessie's was a faith nurtured in the manses of
Brodick and Dalry where
she absorbed the loving Christian atmosphere created by her Father and
Mother. Her upbringing and that of her sisters was not narrow or hidebound
for her parents encouraged their daughters to develop width in outlook
and experience, learn consideration and thoughtfulness for others and being
aware of the feelings of others, as well as to render service to others
where help was needed.
Jessie got her first trip overseas when she was awarded a League of Nations Scholarship when she was 21 - and this took her to Geneva. True to her nature, when she returned home she visited various youth groups sharing with them something of her experiences in Geneva. In time Jessie was to travel extensively in the U.K. and abroad something she greatly enjoyed.
Marrying late in life she enjoyed sharing some very happy and fulfilling years with David8.. With similar professional backgrounds9. they were able to share so much and travelled to distant parts on semi-official business. They also thoroughly enjoyed sharing and visiting each other's families and friends. Jessie was delighted to 'gain' a family in David's children and grand-children, and she was keenly interested in their development, interests and activities. She received much joy, satisfaction and pleasure in her step-family.
Jessie was a kindly, caring person - caring for her mother in her final lengthy illness, looking after an elderly aunt for many years, and helping others in their time of need. A highly organised person, Jessie had a dignity about her in all that she did. She had a serious side too to her personality - tempered with a good sense of humour. She could be firm and frank, always courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others. In her life she showed forth the love of her Lord whose teaching and example she followed. Many folk have benefited from knowing Jessie and she will be greatly missed by family and friends.
To her step-family - Marjorie May and Arnott - and their families: to her sisters Mary and Jean and their families we offer our sincere sympathy and commend them to the love and compassion of Almighty God. We thank God for the life of Jessie Wilson, and for the privilege of knowing her and sharing something of her active, gracious and valuable life.
Amen.
Hymn 388 "The King of Love my Shepherd is" v1-4*
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
Tribute
Prayer
Committal - Hymn 388 v5-6*
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.
Call to Worship
Hymn 367
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Christ our God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Christ our God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Christ our God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise.
Prayers and Lord's Prayer
1st. Reading : Ecclesiastes 3 v1-8,11-14 - Alan Mordaunt (Son-in-law of Jessie)
Solo : "Such Lovely Things1 " - Anne Jones
The lark in flight upon an April morning
The rolling downs, the sweetly scented air,
A starlit night, the glory of the dawning
All these and more were made for us to share.
Such lovely things are yours and mine to cherish
A field of corn, a weeping willow tree
Sweet vales and hills whose beauty ne'er shall perish
Such lovely things will surely ever be
God made them all
For you and me.
2nd. Reading : 1 Thessalonians 4 v13-14,18 & John 14 v1-6,27 - Dr. Ken Cochran (Brother-in-law of Jessie)
Tribute - Rev. Andrew S. Taylor
"Ave Maria" ... Flautist - Caroline Morgan (former pupil of Jessie)
Prayers
Intimations2
Hymn 279
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom.
Let the church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
For her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won.
No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life;
Life is nought without Thee, aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors, through Thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above.
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won.
Benediction.
McKelvie family resting place on the shores of the "Holy Loch".The Rev. Evie Young officiated
Readings
Jessie, our companion in faith and sister in Christ, we entrust you to God...
Amen".
Published on the Internet, for the use of Friends, Family and Former Pupils around the world - in memory of Jessie Wilson by her nephew, Kenneth Cochran.
Kenneth W.M. Cochran
