The Burial of Wanda Hann

Wanda Hann
10/24/2025
Isaiah 25:6-9
Revelation 21:2-7
John 6:37-40

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Those who knew her well know that Wanda’s life was characterized by a love for her faith, her family, and God’s creation.  In a sense, this is the pinnacle of a life well lived.  Because it shows a love for the things that God loves.  Faith, family, and creation.

For much of her life, Wanda was a regular attendee of services here at St. Timothy’s, and she served on the Altar Guild, among many other things.  When she was able, she was committed to being here in person.  Her faith was always an important part of who she was and how she lived.

As many have noted, Wanda found great joy in spending time with her extended family, especially during holiday celebrations.  One of God’s deepest blessings is to spend time with family, whether that family is related to us by blood, or is a family of choice.  Families, and companionship with the people we love are a gift from God, and Wanda knew that and lived it out in her own life.

And then there is creation.  Wanda loved the birds that came to her feeders.  And I really get that.  In the time when we had birdfeeders, I could sit there for hours watching them.  (But never as long as our cats watched them!)  But there’s something in that about birds relying on people.  And also, there’s something that stirs in our hearts to watch birds eat what we provide.  In a sense, having a bird feeder is joining God in the care of creation.

Faith, family, and creation.  These were the loves of Wanda’s life.  And they are all gifts from God in each of our lives.  And through faith, family, and creation, you could say that God was always on Wanda’s mind.  Because those are the places where we find God.  Wanda kept God on her mind and—even more importantly—God kept Wanda in mind.

As we just heard Jesus say in the gospel reading from John, “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away.”  And, “this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.”

Wanda was given to Jesus in her baptism, and Jesus does not lose what is his.  God will raise up Wanda along with her beloved Lawrence on the last day.  And God will raise you up on the last day.  Because—like Wanda—you have been given to Jesus, and Jesus does not lose what is his.

Amen.