Reflections on the Memorial Service

[Dennis M. Scott]

Great service. Roland did a beautiful job, and the Lord was abundantly present. While Brad likely would have been a little uncomfortable with all the hubbub about him, the glory was really geared to God. Others have taken pictures, and hopefully will post. Wish all of you could have been there physically. The Lord responded to your prayers for the service.

[Grandma Carolyn]

Great service. Roland did a beautiful job, and the Lord was abundantly present. While Brad likely would have been a little uncomfortable with all the hubbub about him, the glory was really geared to God. Others have taken pictures, and hopefully will post. Wish all of you could have been there physically. The Lord responded to your prayers for the service.

Dennis it was a wonderful surprise to me to get to meet you and your wife in real person. The fellowship with you was wonderful. I just wasn't ready for it all to end. I am missing you guys already. You are the kind of people that it is so easy to be with you and feel relaxed and comfortible around you.

Yes, the service was such a blessing to me. I'm sure that Brad would have been happy with all of us there. After all, he included us all in his life and we were a part of his life, too.

I, especially, enjoyed getting to meet his mother and father. What precious folks they are. I told Brad's mother that I remember how Brad told us about what a prayer warrior she is, and that I really want to be on her prayer list.

How precious is the Spirit of God that binds us together in the bond of love.

Carolyn

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Here's the worship folder from Brad Mercer's memorial service. It was an encouraging and comforting service. Thanks to Roland and all who ministered today.

[Betty Bolerjack]

Mark and I arrived home about an hour ago. I agree that it was a beautiful service and that Roland did a great job. What a wonderful tribute to a life of love for God and others.

It was great to visit with some that I have met before and others that I met for the first time today. I got to meet people that I have been wanting to meet for a long time. I'm sorry for those that couldn't attend. We missed you.

Mark recorded the service on his MP3 player, but it's not a great recording. I believe it was Roland that told us that they were recording it at the church. Hopefully, that will be available for those who are interested. Also, Mark took several pictures, but I'll be surprised if he gets any of them posted tonight.

I have to say that, even though Brad was being ornery when he said his famous "I just wanna be a blessing," he truly was and continues to be a blessing to many.

[Mark Bolerjack]

I will post more later, but here is the group picture that we took. I think that most NazNetters are present except for Karen and Charlotte, and Steve & Sherri Hendrix.

Those present are (left to right):
David Pettigrew, Mark, Betty & Tamara Bolerjack, Scott Cundiff (behind Mark), Jim & Faye Severns, Dennis & Linda Scott, John Ross (Behind Linda), Cecil Wallace, Rosalee Ross, Judy Hamilton, Doug & Carolyn Franklin, and Roland & Emmy Hearn.

[Grandma Carolyn]

Betty and Mark, I enjoyed getting to be with you and your beautiful daughter.

Doug and I had gone to bed, but, I can't sleep and I'm up crying like a baby. It has all hit me and I'm speechless about what to say. I'm grieving for the beautiful family and Brad's wonderful friends that he was so close to. I'm grieving to because Brad was special to me, too.

I pray for myself that Jesus will help me to love Him and others more as Brad tried to tell us and show us.

My words probably sound hollow, but, from the depths of my heart I don't know how to express what I'm feeling right now.

I thank God for giving us NazNet and this opportunity for beautiful Christian relationships and friends.

gc

[Judy Hamilton]

Betty and Mark, I enjoyed getting to be with you and your beautiful daughter.

Doug and I had gone to bed, but, I can't sleep and I'm up crying like a baby. It has all hit me and I'm speechless about what to say. I'm grieving for the beautiful family and Brad's wonderful friends that he was so close to. I'm grieving to because Brad was special to me, too.

I pray for myself that Jesus will help me to love Him and others more as Brad tried to tell us and show us.

My words probably sound hollow, but, from the depths of my heart I don't know how to express what I'm feeling right now.

I thank God for giving us NazNet and this opportunity for beautiful Christian relationships and friends.

gc

Carolyn..Jesus is the lover of your soul and it shows.. I love you and am always inspired by your sincere heart.. Thank you for being my friend Judy

[Grandma Carolyn]

Carolyn..Jesus is the lover of your soul and it shows.. I love you and am always inspired by your sincere heart.. Thank you for being my friend Judy

Thank you, dear friend, and thank you for being my friend, too.

Carolyn

[David van Beveren]

Here's the worship folder from Brad Mercer's memorial service. It was an encouraging and comforting service. Thanks to Roland and all who ministered today.
Thank you Scott, and thank you all for sharing your experiences about the service here, so we can get a feel of it all.
Again it shows what a great gift of God Brad has been.
And at the same time, I see part of Brad is still here, because of what he has teached us has become a part of our lives.

Love,

[David Pettigrew]

Brad's life continues to be used of the Holy Spirit. Yesterday was a God-send to me in so many ways, not the least of which was meeting so many wonderful people face to face. It's another crazy Sunday morning, but I just had to take a moment to stop, reflect, and give God praise. I think that's what Sunday is supposed to be, and Brad's service reminded me of that.

[Roland Hearn]

I got home late last night after not getting away from RCN until around 6:00PM. We then went to a dear friends home to have hamburgers, his own special shrimp dish and a Dallas Stars game. All were good.

I came away a little frustrated because while I got to have brief chats with a few Naznetters I was hungry for more but just couldn't get to everyone. Specific apologies Dennis, David and Jim who I deliberately said I would chat to after the service and then got swallowed up in talking to people. Mark and Betty, I was so glad we got to chat before hand a bit, it was wonderful to catch up with you guys. Carolyn, thanks for being such a supportive and encouraging spirit yesterday.

The service was recorded for both web cast and DVD. I'm not sure when the service will go on line but when it does I've asked Scott to put a link up to it from Naznet. Also if you want a DVD I do know how to get a hold of them now.

The truth is that for me yesterday was incredibly healing. The spirit of encouragement and receptivity of the message of Brad's life overwhelmed me with a sense of love and awe. I found myself truly energised when I walked away from the church last night. I needed that.

The favourite part of the service for me was having the old singing team from NewStart back together again. I was in tears before the service starting remembering what awesome worship we use to have with a team that truly reflected the core values of the church through the spirit with which they sang. Karen was awesome standing at the front singing her heart out at her husbands memorial service, that really blessed me, Rick and Steve, who most of you probably don't know, were simply pillars of support for the team and my wife rocked.

Thanks to all who were able to attend.

I love Naznet and the spirit of its people.

[Judy Hamilton]

The presence of the Holy Spirit during Brad's memorial service was as a warm soft blanket. The music was excellent, and please know that Karen Mercer ministered to us with her lovely voice as she was part of the quartet. Roland, Brad's mother, Jean Mercer, and a dear friend from New Start Nazarene Church in Frisco shared anecdotes, which revealed Brads quirks and only increased the miss for his humor. Is it not a great tribute to a life well lived when one is missed for an absence of the humor their life provided to others? Roland spoke of Brad, a man who embraced love, the Jesus kind of love. Brad sensed needs that were beyond his ability to make changes, and was a willing cog in the wheels of change to meet the need of that moment in time, be it an area where there is a void of a Nazarene Church, or loving people where there is a void of Christ's peace in their lives. His humor and transparency in sharing love with oh so many left an indelible mark on the lives and hearts of many people.
The lady in red, Brad's mother, inspired this mother. The tribute she shared of her first born was poignant to mothers. We listened to her relate stories revealing Brad's tender years and know much of what made Brad the person we loved is because she is a loving mother who faithfully prayed and prays for her children. I am reasonably sure Brad's two sons and his daughter are immersed in their grandmother's daily prayers. Such a blessing.

Not the least of pleasure was meeting and sharing a meal and conversations with naznetters from across the country. and hugs on my classmates and their spouses of SNU/BNC of the infamous Class of 65' I will return and try to post photos later..have a pressing invite to lunch with Kris. Judy

[Judy Hamilton]

Photos of naznetters at Brads Memorial..i apologize for absence of the Mercer Family, at the time it seemed abit intrusive..so chose not to request they pose for a photo

John & Rosalie Ross..dear friends from my SNU Class of 65'17262
David and Tracy Pettigrew & a little girl who missed her nap:basic0117263
L>R BACK Row David Pettigrew,Scott, Jim Severn, Dennis Scott, John and Rosalie Ross, Cecil Wallace, Doug and Carolyn Franklin, Roland and Emmy Hearn. FRONT ROW: Mark,Tamara and Betty Bolerjack, Faye Severn, Linda Scott and me, Judy, (pulling Linda out of hiding)17265
Carolyn Franklin and Johnnie Sloan of our SNU Class of 65'17266
Jim and Faye Severn drove all the way from Nashville, sitting behind is Mark and Betty Bolerjack17267
Scott Cundiff, using wisdom, rented a car, avoiding any mishaps w/ me driving him to Love Field17274

[Judy Hamilton]

more photos
L to R Doug Franklin and Cecil Wallace..were pleased to catch up w/ each others lives17268
David Petigrew and the "apple of his eye"17269
SNU Class of 65..minus me and plus Cecil Wallace (far right)17270
Roland Hearn17271
Brad'sMother, Jean Mercer17272

Dennis and Linda Scott17278

[Charlotte Mercer]

Thank you all for coming. It was a wonderful service for those who didn't get to come. I agree with the rest that you did a great job, Uncle Roland. I can't imagine how hard that must have been. I know I wouldn't have been able to talk straight - especially after the songs (and I agree with you, Uncle Roland, that it was really nice hearing the old Newstart worship team singing together). I was crying through almost the whole thing. I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to more of the NazNetters who were there, but I'm still glad you were.

[Karen Mercer]

Thanks guys for coming up and giving me all the hugs and sweet words of encouragement.
I completely understand why Brad considered you all friends. You have blessed our family so much!

[Ian Gentles]

We are so happy all went well, and a great servant of the Lord was honored. So neat you all could meet up together. Bless all who attended and supported the family and Roland.

[Grandma Carolyn]

Ian it is going to be a wonderful time of joy and blessing when we finally have a time when we will get to meet you in person.

gc

[Marsha Gupton]

Judy

Thank you for posting your pictures. That is a great picture of Scott. I'll be with Jim and Faye on Friday night so perhaps they will share a little with me.

Carolyn looks great. I wish I could have been there.

Marsha:fav11

[Christer Hiort]

I have posted the vignette that was played on Brads Memorial Service.
It is on Youtube.

I Hope this link will work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMYvxC5D5vI


God Bless

Christer

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Marsha, my wife liked Judy's photo of me too. I said it makes me look old. She said, "Well....". I got the point! I decided to make it my new avatar.

Also, all of you Matthew and Sarah fans (I know that is about everyone) will see that I have a new signature photo of my grandkids. It was taken at Brenham, Texas - in the bluebonnets.

Judy

Thank you for posting your pictures. That is a great picture of Scott. I'll be with Jim and Faye on Friday night so perhaps they will share a little with me.

Carolyn looks great. I wish I could have been there.

Marsha:fav11

[Ian Gentles]

I met Brad once for a brief time, and was so touched by his spirit on NazNet, still feel grief, wanted many more discussions with him. Hang on Brad i coming too, we can discuss things in glory, glad you got there mate!