My Dear Friends at Sion Baptist Church,
This is my 5th letter to you. It has been a month since, in an unprecedented decision; we had to close the doors of Sion Baptist Church for (to the best of our knowledge) the first time in nearly three and one half centuries of worship. I recall saying to one of my deacons that the Communion service of March 15th 2020 was undoubtedly the most important I had ever led in twelve years of ordained pastoral ministry. The final sentence of my sermon that day was: “Be at peace. Be still and know that I AM God. HE WILL NOT LET YOU PERISH!” I encourage each of you Christians to hear afresh these truths and take them to heart today and in the days ahead. Because that sermon was not recorded I offer it to you again – with some updates – this coming Sunday. I trust that the messages you have been receiving from me up to and including Easter have blessed and helped you through these difficult times. I want to thank all those who have contributed to our fellowship by sending messages of encouragement and posting these on our website.
We are frequently told in scripture that we are to grieve with those who grieve and to rejoice with those who rejoice – and so we have been during these dreadful days. It is, of course, with a mix of sadness and joy that I have to announce the death of our dear friend and fellow church member Derek Booth who received his homecoming call from the Lord this Easter Sunday, of all days. He will be greatly missed by his family and by his brothers and sisters at Sion Baptist Church. But we do not begrudge him his rest in the Lord, nor a longed-for reunion with his loved-ones, especially his beloved Joan.
A Committal Service for Derek Booth is set to be held at Burnley Crematorium on Friday April 24th 2020 at 09:15 hours. I have the particular privilege of leading a service for a man who was both my friend and prayer-partner. I am so glad that Derek got a mention at the end of the Easter sermon recording - and this was prior to learning of his passing. I am quite sure that the Lord had a hand in that!
Because of the Covid-19 outbreak this service will be restricted to family members only. This is disappointing for us but it is also a reminder of a grim reality faced by grieving families the world over at the moment. However, I understand that Burnley Crematorium will be recording funeral services free of charge so we will, in time, be able to witness something of the tribute paid to our brother and friend. If, in the meantime, you wish to send cards or messages of condolence I encourage you to do so by sending them to the family via the Church Manse: c/o Rev Mark Faris-Robertson 18, Sunnyside Close, Rossendale BB4 8PE. Alternatively, if you wish to send an e-mail with words which might be included in the eulogy or address please do so to: markfr2018@outlook.com
We can look forward to hosting a memorial and thanksgiving service for Derek at some point in the future at Sion Baptist Church when we will all be able to remember our brother and celebrate his life in a way that is fitting. In conclusion I think it also fitting to end my letter to you with some words of scripture that I know were very dear to Derek’s heart, from Psalm 103 which he often quoted verbatim:
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s… 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him…
Thank you to each one of you. Stay well and stay safe. Stay in touch. Stay with the Lord!
With our love, Mark & Susan (April 15th, 2020)