Bulletins - First Baptist Church of Hoquiam (WA)

Welcome
Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of Bob Matthews. As a follower of Jesus and born again Christian, Bob is having the best days of his existence and we want to join him in worshipping God our creator.
We all come to these moments with mixed emotions. Even as our hearts are filled with joy at knowing that Bob is free from illness, pain, and struggle we our experiencing loss. That loss is very real. Something inside of us knows that death is not natural. We aren’t supposed to be separated from loved ones but in this world there is a deep brokenness that ends with death. That brokenness can feel hopeless but Bob and every believer in Jesus knows that there is a hope. Our brokenness comes from sin but Jesus came to pay the price for sin so that one day we might join our Heavenly Father in his kingdom.
Jesus said it this way,
John 3:16–21 ESV
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Today, we pause. We look away from all the things that distract us from eternity. We look death in the face and realize that we will walk through that door someday. The question is what will be on the other side? There are only two paths in this life, one leads to life and the other to destruction. Bob chose Jesus and in so doing he chose life. As we remember Bob’s life, I know he would want you to chose Jesus.
As we sing this first song, just imagine when you will walk through that final door and into eternity.
- - John 3:16–21ESV
Robert Joseph Matthews, age 71, a longtime resident of Hoquiam, died on February 10, 2024, at his home in Hoquiam. He was born on January 2, 1953, in Aberdeen, Washington.
After high school Bob went to work for the Weyerhaeuser Company, retiring after working there for 45 years.
Bob was a good family man and friend to many. He enriched the lives of those who knew him. He liked to ride his motorcycle, hunt, fish, clam dig, camp with his trailer, smoke meat and harvest his apples. He was always ready to share his bounty and help those in need.
Bob belonged to and whole heartedly supported the First Baptist Church of Hoquiam; ABATE, and the Wisemen of which he proudly was a charter member.
Surviving relatives include his four children and their families.
Sharing in Life and Memories
Bob was a faithful friend. He was the kind of man you wanted in your corner. When the chips were down, Bob was there to lend a hand. When there was fun to be had, Bob was ready to jump in. When there was a ride to take, Bob was ready. When there was fishing and camping to do he brought his favorite people into his places of peace. Bob love his family and treated those he loved like family.
You could count on Bob. How often can you say that these days? It seems like a lost art to be a man of quiet strength and integrity. Bob was loving husband, boyfriend, father, and follower of Jesus.
Many are strong but lack compassion . . . that’s Jesus in a man.
Many speak with boldness but few keep their word . . . that’s Jesus in a man.
Many love their hobbies but few master the art of loving people through them . . . that’s Jesus in a man.
When we look at Bob’s life we see a real man with real faults who submitted Jesus and became the man so many needed him to be.
Each of us have the opportunity to give our lives to Jesus. So often we hold on to what we think will make us happy, stronger, or a million other reasons we give to avoid surrender to Jesus. But in the end, it is the work of Christ in us that gives our lives the deepest meaning that our souls long for. It is in Christ that we find a foundation of hope that cannot be shaken. Jesus made his followers a promise so that when things grew hard and the way became difficult, and death dame knocking on our door, we would always have hope. Jesus said:
John 14:1–3 ESV
1 “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.
Bob’s hope has been made complete. He is in heaven having his best days. Bob will be missed . . . but he will not be forgotten. Those who he loved and called friend and family will carry on his memory and always be reminded of his strength, his joy, and his love. Let’s thank Jesus for the gift that Bob was to us.
Pray with me.
Let’s share. Who has a memory, or a story, or a word of encouragement for those gathered here in Bob’s memory?
- - John 14:1–3ESV

Welcome

John 3:16–21ESV

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Sharing in Life and Memories

John 14:1–3ESV