Abounding Service

“It was a slice of Heaven,” reflected Grace Community Church leadership where the Celebration of Life was held. On Saturday, we honored the life and legacy of the founder of Abounding Service, Gary De Velder. ❤

Over 200 people participated, representing generations of families, multiple eras, and global cultures from his long arc of life and impact.

Many shared, “I learned so much about Gary, I had no idea!” (If you haven’t seen them yet, here is his obituary and remarkable pictures: https://aboundingservice.org/gary/ )

We heard how Gary found joy in each day. We certainly saw it in the faces of his students and Encouragers on Saturday (even the ones who weren’t in this picture)! They displayed 75 heartfelt cards answering, “Teacher Gary is ____ for me.”

We reflected on what Gary loved, including all kinds of music, from classical, to jazz, to K-Pop! 😀

In class, Gary and I joyfully helped our refugee and immigrant friends pronounce words to the rhythm of early American jazz. This fun exercise is super helpful for pronunciation of American English!

Connecting to joy and jazz, I want to invite you to something Dad would love.

There’s a unique performance coming up this Friday, April 24 at 7pm at the Jazzbird Lounge of the Ravenscroft.

Gary would appreciate this music — and would especially love how all the ticket proceeds will be donated to Abounding Service in support of his legacy! What a blessing from our good friends at Music Serving the Word!

This benefit concert is an honor for Abounding Service and an honor to Gary.

If you’re in town and would love take part in Gary’s legacy as you enjoy the swinging music of Ray Brown, please meet me there!

Chris Ross and the Corner Pocket Quartet
Performing the music of the Ray Brown Trio
Friday, April 24 7-9pm
Jazzbird Lounge at the Ravenscroft in Scottsdale
https://theravenscroft.com/event/jazzbird-nights-chris-ross-corner-pocket-quartet/

Back in English class the past two days, we've had a special time together as our refugee and immigrant friends and Encouragers shared what they learned at Gary's Celebration of Life.

Many shared who they will choose to be because of Gary. Their shares included, “a teacher, reach out to help others, be a good man in my life, a learner, helper” and many more, all from the heart.

You, me, all of us together. We are his legacy of love and service.

It's an honor to serve together with you,

Derek

Derek DeVelder
Abounding Service
Executive Director
AboundingService.org

We wish you a blessed Easter! It's an honor to serve together with you.

At this time, we also look toward the memorial service / celebration of life for the beloved founder of Abounding Service — my father, Gary De Velder.

I would love to see you there as we remember and honor Dad together. Please wear your traditional clothes, especially if you are from another country!

Gary's service will be Saturday, April 18 at 10am in the Student Center of Grace Community Church (the building farthest east on the campus, 1200 E Southern Ave, Tempe, AZ 85282).

(Dad’s personal request is that, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Abounding Service in his memory.)

To be clear, you are his legacy. You, me, all of us — with people we may never meet, expanding the ripples of impact we may never see.

Together with you, we continue Gary’s vision of empowering the marginalized to serve others. You, me, all of us — we are his legacy.

You are an honor to Dad,

Derek

Derek DeVelder
Abounding Service
Executive Director
AboundingService.org