A Sweet Lady Named Suzie

Over the last few months, our church has unfortunately lost a number of members who have graduated to their eternal reward in glory. Their absence is deeply and noticeably felt in our services and gatherings by empty seats, silenced voices, and the spaces they once faithfully filled stand as quiet reminders of their presence.

The most recent of these losses is Suzie Fehr, a precious soul who went home to be with the Lord this past Thursday, February 5th. With her health declining for some time, she had not been able to attend our services as often as she would have liked, and her absence was deeply felt, not only in the rhythms of our church gatherings, but in the small, precious ways her presence brightened our congregation.

Despite Suzie’s physical and cognitive challenges, her joy, faith, and outspoken demeanor left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

I first met Suzie on the very first Sunday I preached at CFC in May 2023, when the church was in the process of seeking a lead pastor. After the service, during a potluck in the church basement, Suzie boldly came up to me and said in the way only she could, “You have to be our pastor. God wants you here.” Wanting to respond respectfully, I smiled and said, “Well, we’ll see. If the Lord wants me here, He will make that happen.” But Suzie was not satisfied with that answer. With the certainty only she could have, she repeated, “No, you don’t understand. You have to be our pastor. God wants you here.” I remember smiling and quietly chuckling as I said, “Well, if that is true, then let’s just trust the Lord and see where it goes.”

Well, as most of you know, the vote went well, and I have now had the joy of serving as the pastor of CFC for almost three years.

During this time, I developed a deep love and appreciation for Suzie. Her spontaneous encouragement during my sermons, her joyful exclamations of “That was really good!,” especially over the entertainment at our JOY (Just Older Youth) Dinners, and her delight in being a part of the church activities were always a joy to witness.

Suzie also carried a deep commitment to prayer. If you shared a need, no matter how big or small, Suzie would immediately begin praying, with sincerity, passion, and complete trust that God was listening. What some might have labeled as “special needs,” I believe the Lord saw as something far more powerful: a heart unfiltered, a faith unencumbered, and prayers offered with pure dependence on Him.

One of the things that confirmed my sense of calling to this church was how CFC loved and honored people like Suzie. She was never pushed aside or treated as a disruption. She was embraced, respected, and welcomed, just as Jesus would have done. That spoke volumes to me about the heart of this congregation.

Just a few weeks ago, we were also honored to baptize Rebekkah Moreland, another young woman born with physical and cognitive challenges. Watching this church surround her with love as she went through the waters was a beautiful reflection of the same heart, a church that values faith, not perfection, and people, not appearances.

Today, we take comfort in knowing that Suzie is now with the Lord. The limitations she lived with on this side of eternity are gone. She now understands fully the incredible reality of her salvation; far more clearly than even I, as her pastor, could ever have explained. The faith Suzie carried so simply and sincerely has now reached its perfect fulfillment in the presence of Jesus. Her innocent trust has received its ultimate reward.

Jesus reminds us that this kind of faith is not something to grow out of, but something to grow into.

In Matthew 18:3, He says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

And again in Mark 10:15, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Suzie and Rebekkah show us what that looks like—faith without pretense, trust without complication, and love without conditions.

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

That is Suzie’s reality now, fully known, fully healed, and fully home.

May her life remind us that God is not impressed by our intellect or abilities, but by humble, trusting hearts. And may we all be drawn toward that same innocent, pure faith in God that Suzie lived so beautifully among us.

Question: For those who knew her, what was the special aspect of Suzie Fehr that you appreciated the most?

Have a great week an we’ll see you Sunday!

Pastor Dan