In Celebration of the Life of
Robert (Bob) Walter Gibeling, Jr., a resilient advocate for change and inclusivity, passed away at the age of 72 in Kennesaw, Georgia, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on September 28, 1950, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Naomi and Robert Gibeling, Bob was a proud graduate of Grady High School in 1968. He furthered his education with a degree from Georgia Tech in 1972 and later earned an MBA from the University of Tennessee in 1977.
Bob's remarkable journey began when he came out to his parents at the age of 14, a time when society considered homosexuality a mental illness. Despite this, Bob and his family, who were devout Lutherans, became his steadfast allies in his mission to educate and advocate for social change.
Throughout his career in marketing and advertising, Bob lent his talents to renowned companies such as Georgia Pacific, Siemens, The Weather Channel, Lutheran Services of Atlanta, and Atlanta Interfaith AIDS Network. His commitment to political activism was equally fervent, as he served as a delegate at the historic 2012 Democratic Convention, during which the platform embraced Marriage Equality. He played key roles within the Democratic Party of Georgia's State Committee, contributing extensively to grassroots organizing, policy development, fundraising, and more.
At the time of his passing, Bob had undertaken three runs for Georgia House of Representative District 54 and was diligently preparing for another campaign in 2024.
Bob was a tireless champion for LGBTQIA+ inclusivity and was dedicated to reshaping the Southeast Synod and the National Lutheran Church Body. He cherished his family heritage, found joy in the bonds of friendship, and had a profound passion for exploring the world.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Naomi Gibeling, his aunt, Florence Beaton Outlar Hill, and his cousin Barry Thomas Outlar. He is survived by his cousins, Jan Outlar Edwards, Jeff and Howard Gibeling, numerous second and third cousins, and a host of cherished friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's memory may be made to the Gibeling Inclusive Church Fund at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
The family and Bob's care team extend their heartfelt gratitude to Tranquility Hospice of Kennesaw for their support and care during this challenging time.
As we reflect on Bob's legacy, may we find inspiration in his tireless pursuit of social justice, inclusivity, and unconditional love for all.
PRELUDE
GATHERING
Welcome in the name of Jesus, the Savior of the world. This welcome includes all races or cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, sizes, gender expressions, or relationship statuses. This welcome is regardless of addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us. We are gathered to worship, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, to remember before God our brother, Bob, 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.
ACCLAMATION
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.
Standing
HYMN 504
A Mighty Fortress
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, Bob. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your 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
REFLECTION Bishop Kevin Strickland
A PSALM OF GRACE Bob Gibeling
I called upon you Lord in my hour of despair, and you heard me. Even though I did not fully sense the wonder of your grace.
When I uttered my first baby cry, I was known before the throne of God.
When I was baptized with water and the word, The Holy Spirit captured my heart.
When I sang my nursery songs, The Lord heard my voice.
When I spoke the words of confirmation, God stood beside me.
When I first knew the desire to touch another man, God's love touched my soul.
When I prayed to deliver me from this desire I felt was sin, The Lord answered me.
And my eyes were opened by the Grace of God. I heard your words of acceptance, not change, "My grace is sufficient for you."
Because of your changeless love, oh God
Your Spirit will not let me go.
If I hide in the darkest closet of self denial, You are there - calling......
If I travel to the mountaintop of acceptance and openness, You are there - smiling......
If I pass through the desert of painful rejection and words of scorn, You are therehealing.......
If I sing your praise to others like myself, You are there - rejoicing.......
If I weep from the loss of brothers and sisters whose lives are cut short, You are thereconsoling.......
If I find the earthly love that binds my heart with another, You are there - embracing.......
Or if I go to the farthest reaches of the Earth, You are there - guiding.......
There is no place I can go That you have not already been, oh Lord.
For the steadfast love of God Is broader and deeper Than the places of our mind.
Personal commentary: the first half is a testimonial about God coming to me, the second half is a prayer of thanksgiving to God, concluding with a public affirmation of God’s love.
HYMN When Peace, Like a River
Paula Bonaker and Pam Amy-CuppSCRIPTURE READINGS
2 Corinthians 12:6-9
But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Word of God, Word of Life | Thanks be to God
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Word of God, Word of Life | Thanks be to God
Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL John 10:27-30
The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 10th chapter | Glory to you, O Lord.
My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."
The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.
Seated
HOMILY Pastor Jenny McLellan
Standing
HYMN 729 The Church of Christ, in Every Age
Text © 1971 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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 Mary 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 Bob and dry the tears of those who weep. In your mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, man of sorrows, you wept at the grave of Lazarus your friend; comfort us who mourn. In your mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, wellspring of life, you washed our brother in baptism and anointed him with the Holy Spirit; give him communion with all your saints. In your mercy, | hear our prayer.
Jesus, bread of life, you nourished Bob at your table on earth; Welcome him at your table in the realm of heaven. In your 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 PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you.
Please share a sign of blessing with your fellow worshipers in whatever way is comfortable for you.
Seated
ANTHEM Wondrous Love Arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw
The Redeemer Choir
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?
When I was sinking down, O my soul, beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great “I AM” while millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, and through eternity I’ll sing on!
Standing GREAT THANKSGIVING
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
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.
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 Bob, 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
All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are invited to receive Holy Communion
HYMNS DURING COMMUNION
HYMN 534 Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise
Standing PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen
Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have given us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet. Grant that this sacrament may be to us a comfort in affliction and a pledge of our inheritance of life eternal where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. | Amen.
COMMENDATION
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Robert Gibeling. 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 851 When in Our Music God is Glorified
Text © 1972 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth in peace. | In the name of Christ. Amen.
POSTLUDE
Liturgy from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #21979.
Officiants: Pastors Ron Bonner, Jenny McLellan, Matt O’Rear, Jonathan Trapp, and Deacon Mary Houck
Organist: Sarah Hawbecker
Crucifer: John Thomas
Pallbearers: Cliff Burt, Jonathan DeLoach, Jan Edwards, Mark Engel, John Sabine, and John Thomas
Internment immediately following worship to Arlington, Sandy Springs