Issuu

Ronald Lee Peterson August 22, 1962 - March 5, 2026

Ron devoted more than 35 years to public service across CDC, EPA, and the Peace Corps, with assignments that took him from Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, Kenya, India, and the Republic of Georgia. Ron's dedication to public health began with the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, where he helped bring clean water to rural communities-an experience that shaped the course of his career and his deep sense of purpose. His life's work reflected a profound belief in service and a steadfast commitment to improving the well‑being of communities around the world. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Ron led a life grounded in humility, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the value of helping others. But those who knew Ron remember him just as much for the warmth and sincerity he brought to everyday moments. He cared deeply about people, listened generously, and had a gift for offering thoughtful insight-or perfectly timed humor-with his trademark pause and gentle smile. Conversations with Ron often drifted into stories from his time overseas, shared with affection, curiosity, and a twinkle in his eye. His kindness, generosity, and steady willingness to help made him not just a respected colleague but a true friend to many. Ron will be deeply missed by his loving family, by all who had the privilege of working with him and by all whose lives were made brighter simply by knowing him.

PRELUDE GATHERING Standing Welcome in the name of Jesus the Savior, who died and was raised to new life by the grace of God. We are gathered here to worship, to remember before God our brother Ronald Peterson, to give thanks for his life, to commend him to our merciful redeemer, and to comfort one another in our grief. THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you. | We glorify you. Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you. | We praise you. Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you. | We worship you. To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. | Amen.

HYMN 856

How Great Thou Art

GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you PRAYER OF THE DAY O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother, Ron. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as companions in our pilgrimage on earth. In your 3

boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen. Seated REFLECTIONS AND TRIBUTES Shanta Swezy (Sister-in-law) Kelly L’Esperance (Friend) Mark Ketcherside (Friend from age of 6) Becky Haywood (niece) SCRIPTURE READINGS FIRST READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Read by Curtiss Swezy (Father-in--Law)

Psalm 23 (read responsively) Read by Brent Larson (Nephew) The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: For Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. SECOND READING: John 3:16-17 POEM

Read by Sara Larson (Sister)

For Dad by Hewan Peterson

Standing GOSPEL John 14:1-7 Seated SERMON Standing HYMN 779

Pastor Mark H. Larson Amazing Grace

APOSTLES' CREED God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Kneeling or Seated PRAYERS Let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus, full of compassion, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Ron and dry the tears of those who weep. God of mercy, | hear our prayer. Jesus, man of sorrows, you wept at the grave of Lazarus your friend; comfort us who mourn. God of mercy, | hear our prayer. 5

Jesus, firstborn of the new creation, you raised the dead; give to our brother, Ron, life eternal. God of mercy, | hear our prayer. Jesus, friend of sinners, you promised paradise to the repentant thief; bring Ron to the joys of heaven. God of mercy, | hear our prayer. Jesus, wellspring of life, you washed Ron in baptism and anointed him with the Holy Spirit; give him communion with all your saints. God of mercy, | hear our prayer. Jesus, bread of life, you nourished Ron at your table on earth; Welcome him at your table in the realm of heaven. God of mercy, | hear our prayer. Jesus, bright morning star, comfort us in our sorrows at the death of Ron. Let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope. God of mercy, | hear our prayer. God of all grace, we give you thanks because by his death our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Make us certain that because he lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come shall be able to separate us from your love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen. Standing SHARING THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you all. |And also with you. Please share a sign of blessing with your fellow worshipers in whatever way is comfortable for you. GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Lift up your hearts! | We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise. You are holy, O God of majesty, and holy is your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. He lived as one of us, and knew our joy, our pain and sorrow, and our death. By his death on the cross you revealed that your love has no limit. By raising him from death you conquered the last enemy, crushed all evil powers, and gave new life to the world. In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. 6

Remembering your gracious acts in Jesus Christ, we take from your creation this bread and wine and joyfully celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming. Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us, and upon these gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ and with all who are baptized in his name. Remember our brother Ron whose baptism is now complete in death. Bring him into your eternal joy and light, together with all who have died in the peace of Christ; through whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty God, now and forever. | Amen. Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray… LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. INVITATION TO COMMUNION The risen Christ dwells with us here. All who are hungry, all who are thirsty, come. Seated DISTRIBUTION Standing POST COMMUNION The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen COMMENDATION Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Ron. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. | Amen. HYMN 638

Blessed Assurance

FAREWELL Let us go forth in peace in the name of Christ. | Amen. Seated POSTLUDE Please join family and friends in the Sims Atrium for a time of fellowship and refreshment. Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #21979.

Officiant: Pastor Mark H. Larson Organist: Sarah Hawbecker