Yesterday was the funeral service for Kevin Brown. Actually, it was a celebration of life! If I had to guess, I would say there were at least 400 people at Southridge Reformed Church in Kalamazoo (Texas Twp.) It lasted a bit over 2 hours.
It all started with a prelude done by a musician named Jerry Doorlag. I've never heard him before but he was great! The title of the piece he improvised on slips my mind but was very familiar.
Next was a praise set. The leader, Brian Drews, is someone I have had the pleasure to have played with many times and he held nothing back then or now. Great selection, and great performance. It really set the mood for what was to come.
Next was a message from pastor Rob Link who is from The River Church. He described how we are the 'church' and not the building we use to praise and worship. I hold the same beliefs and think that he is right on the mark with everything he said. The way he described Kevin and his relationship with Rob could be repeated by everybody who attended this celebration.
The message was followed by a prayer and then two guys who have recorded in Kevin's studio, Brown and Brown Recording, felt led to perform a piece that they recorded and had meaning to this day!
Brothers Tom and Tim and Sister Kathy spoke about their times with Kevin. There were laughs and tears. What a joy these siblings experienced growing up with their older brother!
Following that emotional experience, Julie Cook Brown (Tim's wife) and Jerry Doorlag performed a very emotional song called "Say The Name". That was one of the hardest performances for Julie considering the reason why she was there.
A very moving message from Pastor Mark Vanderson described Kevin. The more people talk about their relationships with Kevin, the more I felt blessed to have had one with him as well. He leaves his mark and you can never forget his smile or his positive attitude.
Next was a photo montage with Brian Drews singing and playing while pictures of Kevin and his family were flashed on a screen showing the history and the love Kevin left behind.
Then Msgr. Michael Hazard really put into perspective about how believers in God, regardless of denomination, are after the same thing...God! And he moved forward with the Lord's Prayer.
The next part really got to me. A home video was played where Kevin, his wife Deb, Julie and Tim plus some others were sitting around in a living room singing "Go Tell It On The Mountain"...Kevin with his guitar and everybody else was singing and just having a great family moment. Kevin really invested in family. It was his source for strength and faith in God. I have to admit, I teared up...
Then the party really started! It began with Brian Drews on keyboards, Brad Scott on bass, Daryl Lane on guitar plus a saxophone, two other guitars, drums, and a few singers. It only grew from there...by the end there was at least 30 people on stage singing, playing and dancing like Kevin would have if he were up there! Everybody were on their feet for the entire set and what a joyous sound coming from this church! I haven't experienced anything like this in many years. My heart was light even though it remembered why this was happening.
Pastor Mark Vanderson read some lyrics that Kevin was working on. It was like Kevin knew that his time was coming. The words were a perfect description of what life should be and how he lived it.
And now, it was time to say goodbye...
...Louisiana style!
Kevin always wanted to be led out New Orleans style. And he was. There was Dixieland band there to lead his casket out of the sanctuary! I cried while I listened to the beautiful, joyous music being played. It was goodbye.
No. Not goodbye. Until we meet again, my friend.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment