Death Has No Hold On Us
During our final Waterville Valley Community Church service of the season, one of our attendees took his last breath here on Earth. This is what some of our church members had to say while reflecting on this event.
Reflection Post
By Lydia Buck
[Last Sunday] was the last day of mountain top church for the season - we had no knowledge that soon after we took our last season selfie that we would all watch a man take his final breath while singing to Jesus. Throughout compressions, and until calling compressions - instead of chaos, crying and screaming... there was instead the most beautiful send off to Heaven with prayers and singing taking place and the Lord's Prayer being said by those waiting their turn to help with compressions.
If there was no knowledge of life after death and where you will end up, it would have been such a dark day. But because this man chose to have Jesus in his life - we all could rest easy knowing he's walking side by side with his Creator.
[Sunday] was a beautiful testament to the power of eternity and that death has no hold on the soul that loves Jesus. ♡
Reflection Post
By Ellyn Franklin
There was a hushed reverence over the mountaintop as this man made his transition from this life to the next. Even though the men assisting with compressions did their utmost to keep him here on this earth, Archer had apparently been praying for over a year to join his wife in heaven. After his spirit had left this realm, one of our church volunteers led the group in singing the old gospel hymn, "I'll Fly Away."
If you fear death.... if it is dark and scary to you and you do not know what is beyond that veil.... the Bible gives some clear answers to that question. Answers I believe each human knows in their deepest core to be true. If you're not ready to die, you're not ready to live.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In Memory of Archer Davis
By Michael O’Rourke
Good afternoon, friends. With both joy and sadness, Arch and I took our last road trip to Waterville Valley together on Thursday afternoon. Waterville has always been a special place for Arch and Terry; filled with friends, laughter, and countless memories. When I called Arch on Wednesday to plan the trip for the long weekend, he was excited. Arch and I, and my dog Mick, began the ride to the valley. We stopped at Common Man for coffee and an apple cider donut, then the Eddy on 49 to observe the beauty and watch the river flow.
We reached the base of the ski area before sunset and enjoyed a brief walk, reminiscing, and admiring the beauty and the progress being made on the mountain. This would be the beginning of a weekend surrounded by dear friends and familiar faces.
On Saturday night at dinner, we told Arch about the Sunday morning Waterville Valley Church worship service held on top of Snow’s Mountain. The plan was to catch the “church chair” at 8:30 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. service. When morning came, Ro and I got on the chairlift first, followed by Arch, Taylor, and Colleen, and up the mountain we went. Arch even cracked a joke about it not being an express chairlift since it stopped so many times. When Arch reached the top, he was greeted with a smile by his friend Vlad, whom he and Terry had known for 27 years. Arch poured a cup of coffee and took his seat on a bench in the outdoor amphitheater between Ro and Colleen with a perfect view of the trails he had skied so many times before.
He was communicative, content, reflective and completely at peace. It was a warm, sunny, beautiful morning.
Larry Andrews began the service with a prayer and gave a message about not being afraid and to trust in God. He referenced Corrie Ten Boom, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. Trust God today no matter how dark your situation. God says, ‘You are coming out.’" Arch said a loud “Amen!”. Arch and his family and friends were aware of his rapidly declining health compounded with an inoperable condition. Arch expressed every day to be reunited with Terry and be relieved of what would be a difficult journey ahead. We were all praying for Arch.
As Larry finished, Noah Buck began to sing and play, “Lead Me to the Cross”. As the melody rose through the trees, I looked over at Arch; he was singing, smiling, and looked so happy. There, in the middle of that song, surrounded by friends and the beauty of the mountains, Archer gently leaned forward and fell to Rosaura’s feet. There was no struggle or fear, only peace. Arch took the chairlift to the top of the mountain as far as it could go and then Terry, and the angels, took him the rest of the way home.
Noah, who is also an ER nurse, along with Josiah, began leading life-saving efforts. The congregation, in prayer, quietly moved aside. The EMS paramedics arrived to do their careful work. When the blanket was drawn over Arch, the congregation, who had moved the service, began to sing “How Great Thou Art.” Their voices rose across the mountain and echoed through the valley. It was beautiful, spiritual, and filled with love.
With more than eighty worshipers being lead in prayer by Randy and Marissa Schroeder, Noah asked me if I would address the community. He walked me over to the folks and I shared some comforting words about Arch and his love for Waterville and the community. I acknowledged witnessing death in this way may be traumatic, but I wanted them to understand Arch’s condition, his sudden decline and the challenging road ahead. I spoke of his longing and praying to be reunited with his wife Terry and the joy he experienced over the weekend surrounded by friends, familiar faces, and places, just like he and Terry had always done.
As I walked away to be with Arch, Marissa instinctively and beautifully began to sing, ‘I’ll Fly Away’. Arch was carefully transported down the Livermore Trail, and I had the privilege of riding with him in the back of the truck. When we arrived, Alan and Lisa where there to receive their brother Archer. They shared heartfelt words of gratitude for the EMS team who cared for their brother so compassionately. During the experience, having Rosaura, Taylor and Colleen with me was so comforting. I felt the presence and peace of the Holy Spirit, as we witnessed the power of prayer and a true miracle on Snow’s Mountain.
Before that morning, we had one of the best weekends imaginable. We were joined by Rick and Sue Shultz, Steve Schlesinger and his girlfriend Katie, and our kids, Taylor and Colleen. We all shared laughter, oysters, great food, and good drinks at the Coyote. We celebrated Oktoberfest in Town Square with live music, cold beer, and friends who had known Arch and Terry for decades. Everywhere we went, people welcomed him with hugs and smiles.
After the Oktoberfest celebration, we went back to the condo, as Sue had prepared homemade chili. After a little time in the sun, we all gathered and hiked Smarts Brook with Arch leading the way.
Everyone who knew and loved Arch knew he was going to do things his way and that’s exactly what he did. It couldn’t have been more perfectly written.As we think about Arch now, we can picture him reunited with Terry, smiling down from the trails above. He had joy in his heart, peace in his soul, and a joke always ready, with his signature mix of wit and warmth. Arch and his love Terry will be missed; their spirit will always be a part of all of us.