Council Grove Christian Church

3/4/26
Servants of God,
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying,
‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’
‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors,
 for their deeds follow them!’”
-Revelation 14:13
 
Our church family is grieving. Our dear sister in Christ Mary Ann Wendel died peacefully on Sunday evening. Her passing is a great loss to her family and our congregation. She was an extraordinary human being and a wonderful friend. We will miss her warm smile, her quick wit and her deep love for the Lord and the people of God. A service to honor her life is being planned and we will publish that information as it becomes available.
Like so many Christian women, Mary Ann understood the power of femininity. She spent the last years of her earthly life largely giving wise and tender care to those around her who were in need. Professionally she was a nurse, but she was far more than professional in her skills. She was Christ-like. Her deeds will follow her.  
Mary Ann’s method, was largely, to conceal her method. She was a master at delivering large blessings in small and often unheralded ways. She did not need the spotlight. She knew how to navigate troubled waters with calm and kindness. Like all of us, she was not perfect, but she was a true disciple of Jesus—growing in grace and serving to the end. She did not try to be what she was not, and she was comfortable with the tough and ambiguous circumstances of life.
Though she was quite sophisticated in her thinking, Mary Ann was always the country girl at heart. Born to a teenaged mother and brought up by her grandparents, she knew that people often inherit complications they would never choose. She became a person who could encourage others to embrace the goodness of God even in the hard times. She was a thinker, a reader and an articulate member of the body of Christ. To the end, she was an unashamed country girl from rural Missouri. Her life had both deep roots and beautiful fruit.
Along with our dear sister Mary Boyce, she was known as one of “the Marys” among the missionary community of the United in Christ Ministries in Texas and Mexico. Her gentle spirit and her willingness to serve long and hard during mission trips was legendary. She taught sacrificial service in word and deed.
Mary Ann had the wonderful capacity to be a true and faithful friend. Friendship with her was rich and interesting and full of fun. She was not a demander or a part-time friend. She had a warm and welcoming spirit. She was comfortable discussing theology or tad poles. She had the ability to see beauty in the smallest of the flowers and relished in preserving garden fruits and vegetables. Her house was a tidy place of welcome, gracious hospitality and simple beauty accented with joy and hope.
She loved her family with gentle ferocity. No one who knew her could think otherwise. Her beginning in life shaped how she valued and cherished those closest to her. Mary Ann was easy to love. Marcia and I will miss her company. I was a periodic coffee visitor; Marcia was a regular lunch companion. We both loved her deeply and we will miss her until we are reunited at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. Our love for Mary Ann was hardly unique. She drew people in to the safe circle of compassionate and hopeful friendship and fellowship. She leaves a gap in our church family. Until we are reunited, she will be held in the firm embrace of tender and hopeful memories.
Blessings,
Pastor John
Coram Deo