During COVID-19, we will be noting any passing members — briefly commemorating their lives.

This past month Jim Hand, an elder-emertius from our fellowship went to be with the Lord Jesus. He was 94 years old.

When I think of Jim, three things come to mind.

He was a man of passion — Passionate about his family, his country, his faith. Especially his faith. And he spoke of these things whenever he could. He loved the gospel, the truth that Christ came to die for us–freeing us from guilt and shame. He was passionate about God’s word. He read his Bible, through and through. He was passionate about the return of Christ. Every Sunday he would ask me, “What’s new, Pastor?” He didn’t really wonder what I was up to. He wondered if I had been looking at the signs of the times – if I was as passionate about Jesus’ return as was he.

Another characteristic quality that marked Jim was patriotism. He loved his country because of the freedoms it afforded. He was proud to have served in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

The other characteristic that stood out in Jim was that of purity. When Jim turned his heart to Jesus, he turned his heart away from evil. People who knew him would remark at the profound change that came about in his life. He wasn’t perfect. But he had been transformed – changed from the inside out. He had seen a lot of evil in his life. From his teen years through his time in the military to his time as a young man – he saw the outcome of a life without God at the center. He wanted to avoid that kind of living. And he wanted to help others do the same.

The thing I remember most about Jim was the sorrow he felt when he lost Anne. I was there all night long with them in the hospital in Pittsburgh. He stood at her bedside – monitors humming and beeping. He spoke softly to her, stroking her forehead, telling her of his love for her. He consistently called out to God, asking him for mercy. I think of that scene every time I read Psalm 34:18:

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.— Psalm 34:18 (NIV2011)

And God was there that night. In the end, God had mercy on Anne, welcoming her into her eternal home. And this past month, we saw God’s mercy on Jim.

Curwensville Alliance will miss Jim, remembering his life.

A graveside service was held.

Thank you, Jim, for your faithfulness to Christ.