HE IS LORD!

Thursday, December 6, 2001

A service of worship dedicated to the glory of God and in Thanksgiving for the life of

Patricia Guevin Bradley

December 26, 1939 – December 2, 2001

PRELUDE Tribute by Megan, Joshua, and Sarah Bradley

representing Pat’s Grandchildren

WELCOME AND PRAYER Dr. Jack Layman, CIU Professor

* HYMN #43 “All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name” Alden Gold, family friend

TRIBUTE by Pat’s brother John H. Guevin, Jr., for the Guevin family

TRIBUTE by Pat’s Sons and Daughters-in-love

SCRIPTURE READINGS by Pat’s family

PRAYER Dr. Terry Hulbert, Columbia Biblical Seminary

SPECIAL MUSIC Jim and Shari Johnson

Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church; Longview, TX

MESSAGE Dr. Jack Layman

* HYMN #147 “How Great Thou Art” Alden Gold

BENEDICTION Rev. Donald Burnett, Pastor, St. Andrews Evangelical Church

* Those who are able may stand

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Rev. Jeff Shipman, one of the pastors at Columbia Crossroads Church (where Pat was a member), will conduct the graveside service at Bush River Memorial Gardens

The pallbearers will be Pat’s sons, Peter, David, Mark, Paul, Philip, and Matthew Bradley

Patricia Jean Guevin was born on December 26, 1939 to John H. Guevin, Sr., and Margaret Thomas Guevin in Schenectady, New York. (Even though we tried, she wouldn’t let us get away with giving her one present for Christmas and her birthday.) At the age of 17, she met Stephen Ralph Bradley at an adult spaghetti supper. (The actual events of the evening, about who swooned over whom first, have been hotly debated for over 44 years.) Steve and Pat were married on July 23, 1960. They had their life planned out…she would be the wife of an Air Force officer and engineer and they would have two boys and two girls, each 2 years apart. (Mom was very fond of a “Dennis the Menace” cartoon that says, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans for the future.”)

God had other plans for Pat. She had three sons in 3 years and 4 days and then began a new life as a pastor’s wife. God introduced Pat to a role she would enjoy for the next 36 years...she would be “Mom,” not just to her biological sons, but to the literally thousands of others, of all ages, who would cling to her and rely on her for emotional, spiritual, and physical support.

God’s assignment was not limited to just the United States. When Pat was finished touching the lives of adults and kids in Maine and Massachusetts, God moved her halfway around the world to Guam and Micronesia. (Growing up, Pat said she never would be a missionary because of all the snake stories she had heard.) Son #6 arrived on Guam. (Steve and Pat wisely decided to give up trying for a daughter.) Pat spent a total of 9 years on Guam, ministering to singles and couples, youth, college age, families, servicemen, and others. God continued to add to the list of people who considered Pat a second “Mom.”

In 1984, God moved Pat back to “The States” and gave her the responsibility she embraced for the next 17 years. First at LeTourneau College in Texas, and then at Columbia Bible College and Seminary (later Columbia International University) in South Carolina, Pat had the privilege of ministering directly to college students. Literally thousands of men and women grew to love Pat as she reflected Christ in her life. She was also a prayer warrior, lifting up her family and others daily before the Throne of God. She always desired to join God in His work, and to be used by God as an example of God’s grace, mercy, and power. She was loved by many, and will be missed by many.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[Jesus said], “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

“Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

John 14:27 and 1-4

PAT’S FAVORITES:

BIBLE VERSE: JEREMIAH 17:7,8

COLOR: RED

DÉCOR: ANYTHING WITH STRAWBERRIES

DRINK: COKE

PIE: PECAN

FOOD: PIZZA

ICE CREAM: COFFEE

3 RULES WE DIDN’T DARE BREAK:

1. SHIRTS MUST BE WORN AT THE DINNER TABLE

2. NO HAND WASHING AT THE KITCHEN SINK

3. NO HAIR BRUSHES ON THE TABLE

From Pat’s testimony: “God has blessed me with a wonderful, faithful, God-honoring husband, six great sons who have given us five daughters-in-love, and 11 grandchildren. I can either look back and focus on my failures, mistakes, sins; or I can look back and see God’s hand on my life over all these years and focus on the cross which paid for me in total. I have the worth of the Lord Jesus Christ stamped on me. Experiencing God says, ‘As you look back on God’s activity in your life, you will recognize the supreme wisdom in how He has led you. Look forward to what He will do next. He stands ready to meet you.’ ”

Pat’s last journal entry on November 27…5 days before she went to be with her Lord. (The day’s devotional was entitled “Preparing for the Presence of God”):

“Prepare for the coming of the Lord in my heart. HE IS LORD!”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We thank God for the people of St. Andrews Evangelical Church who provided their sanctuary and the musical and sound support for this service. We thank God for the outpouring of love, support, meals and help from the people of Columbia Crossroads Church and CIU, and from other friends. God is glorified by your acts of selfless service.