June 4, 1970 ~ November 8, 2025
November14, 2025 Rev. Kent Gilbert, Pastor
1:00 pm Dr. Bernardo Scarambone, Organist
“Good teachers possess a capacity for connectedness. They are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves.” ~Parker J. Palmer
Gathering Music
Ringing of the Peace Bell
Welcome Rev. Kent Gilbert
Opening Prayer Rev. Kent Gilbert
Hymn #287 Come, Teach Us, Spirit of Our God Murray C.M.
1.Come, teach us, Spirit of our God, the language of your way,
the lessons that we need to live, the faith for every day; the faith for every day.
2. Excite our minds to follow you, to trace new truths in store,
new flight paths for our spirit space, new marvels to explore; new marvels to explore.
3. Engage our wits to dance with you, to leap from logic’s base, to capture insight on the wing, to sense your cosmic grace; to sense your cosmic grace.
4. Inspire our spark to light from you, to catch creation’s flair, new artistry to celebrate, new harmonies to dare: new harmonies to dare.
5. Delight our hearts to worship you, to learn compassion’s code, to live in context of your love, great teacher who is God; great teacher who is God!
Readings
Isaiah 50:4-8a
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.
Romans 12:3-21
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Special Music Thank You For Being a Friend Gold, arr. Gilpin
Berea Community High School Choir, Amanda Barnhill, Director
Thank you for being a friend, traveled down the road and back again. Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant. I’m not ashamed to say I hope it always will stay this way. My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow. And if you threw a party, invited everyone you knew, well, you would see the biggest gift would be from me and the card attached would say, “Thank you for being a friend.”
If it’s a car you lack, I’d surely buy you a Cadillac. Whatever you need, any time of the day or night. I’m not ashamed to say I hope it always will stay this way. My hat is off, won’t you stand up and take a bow.
And when we both get older with walkin’ canes and hair of gray, well have no fear, even though it’s hard to hear, I will stand real close and say “thank you for being a friend.” I wanna thank you.
And when we die and float away into the night, the Milky Way, you’ll hear me call as we ascend, I’ll say your name then once again, “thank you for being a friend.”
Words of Remembrance and Reflection
During this time the family will lead with remembrances, followed by a few identified close colleagues and friends. Then any who wish are invited to share step to the front of the sanctuary and sit at the side pew to bring a brief word, reflection or story when invited.
Because Eef meant so much to so many and there may not be enough time for everyone at the microphone, everyone is invited to use the included card to share any memory, story, gift or grace. The cards can be placed in the baskets in the Community Room or left at the altar if you are unable to stay.
Affirmation of Faith Adapted from Romans 8:35-39
One: Let us say again what we believe:
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; and we know that in everything God works for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.
All: We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of Commendation and Release Rev. Kent Gilbert
Hymn #247 My Shepherd Is the Living God Consolation CMD
1 My shepherd is the living God,
I therefore nothing need;
In pastures fair, near pleasant streams
you settle me to feed.
You bring my wandering spirit back
when I forsake your ways,
And lead me for your mercy’s sake
in paths of truth and grace.
2 When I walk through the shades of death,
your presence is my stay;
A word of your supporting breath
drives all my fears away.
Your hand, in sight of all my foes,
does still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
your oil anoints my head.
3 The sure provisions of my God
attend me all my days;
O may your house be my abode,
and all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
while others go and come –
No more a stranger or a guest,
but like a child at home.
Benediction
Postlude
At the conclusion of the service, the family will be proceeding to Berea Cemetery for a brief interment ceremony. They will return to greet friends here at the church as soon as Eef is laid to rest.
Meanwhile, all guests are invited to join in fellowship, food, and conversation in the Community Room, directly below the sanctuary.
We are grateful to the many students, community members, friends and colleagues who have helped make this difficult time a little easier by your contribution of food, help, and love making this service and reception possible.
Dr. Eef Ji Fontanez
June 4, 1970 ~ November 8, 2025
Eef was born on June 4, 1970, in Richmond, VA to Israel James and Mary Levina Fontanez. He spent his formative years in Wilsonburg, West Virginia. After high school Eef attended and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in education from Berea College. He later earned his master’s degree in education and went on to achieve his Doctorate at Eastern Kentucky University. Eef was a driving force in the Berea community since 1988. With the creation of one of the region’s first “gay-straight alliance” clubs to break down discrimination. At first Eef educated students as a classroom teacher until he became the school counselor of Berea Independent Schools. As a counselor at the school, Eef shaped many young lives. He was always there to guide and support all the students with love and compassion. It comes with no surprise that after 30 years of service to the community as Eef took retirement and was honored with the Berea Human Rights Commission “John G. Fee” Award for his unwavering work.
Eef will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. He sought to assist with family and community needs. He delivered food to families during COVID. He organized and assisted with the care of his aging mother. He enjoyed planning and serving in various roles for the school such as commentator of basketball games, a coordinator for homecoming and graduation. His love for animals created a revolving door of furry children that needed a home and love. Eef enjoyed reading, learning and traveling as evidence by his part in school trips.
Family was a big part of who Eef was. He is survived by his mother Mary Luzader, his siblings James Fontanez, Patricia Jones, Stella Luzader and Bobby Luzader; his nieces and nephews Alexis, Nolan, Ethan, Joellen, Jillian, Sophia, Colton, Mason and Carter, In-laws Lori, Brian, Kristen, and his fur babies Sherlock and Roxy. He was preceded in death by his father Israel Fontanez and our beloved Mary Ellen McNew.
A Celebration of Life honoring Eef will take place on Friday, November 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Union Church. While the family holds a private burial at Berea Cemetery, friends and loved ones are invited to remain at the church for a reception. The family will return to Union Church following interment to join in fellowship and remembrance.
The family wishes to thank Mary Kay Gilbertson, Angela Anderson, Lori Zastrow, Kent Gilbert, and Greg Lakes for their unwavering support, love and compassion.
Forever in our hearts, Eef will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace our dear son, brother, uncle, colleague, teacher, counselor and friend.
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