Officiant: Rev. Andrew Conard
The pastor may greet the
family. Music for worship may be offered while the people gather. Hymns
and songs of faith may be sung during the gathering. The pall may be
placed on the coffin or urn with these words:
Dying, Christ destroyed our death.
Rising, Christ restored our life.
Christ will come again in glory.
As in baptism
#name put on Christ, so in Christ may
#name be clothed with glory.
Here and now, dear friends, we are God’s children.
What we shall be has not yet been revealed; but we know that when he
appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Those who have this hope purify themselves as Christ is pure.
The coffin or urn may be carried
into the place of worship in procession, the pastor going before it and
saying the word of grace, the congregation standing. Or, if the coffin
or urn is already in place, the pastor says the following from in front
of the congregation.
The Word of Grace
Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. Those who believe in
me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and
believes in me shall never die.
I
am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I hold the keys of hell
and death. Because I live, you shall live also.
Greeting
Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of
#fullname.
We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. Through our tears, we celebrate
#name’s life.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.
My name is Andrew Conard, one of the pastors at the United Methodist
Church of the Resurrection. ***
#name has been a member at Church of the
Resurrection for ## years.***
As in baptism,
#name put on Christ, so in Christ may
#name be clothed
with glory. Here and now, dear friends, we are God’s children. Our hope
today is to put a tremendous exclamation point at the end of a great
life - and to celebrate both
#name’s life and God’s promises.
If there has been no procession, the pall may be placed at this time.
Whether
or not the pall is placed at this time, the sentences printed above
under Gathering may be used here if they were not used earlier.
Hymn or Song
Prayer
One or more of the following or
other prayers may be offered, in unison if desired. Petition for God’s
help, thanksgiving for the communion of saints, confession of sin, and
assurance of pardon are appropriate here.
Eternal God, we praise you for the great company of all those who have
finished their course in faith and now rest from their labor.
We praise you for those dear to us whom we name in our hearts before you.
Especially we praise you for
#name, whom you have graciously received into your presence.
To all of these, grant your peace.
Let
perpetual light shine upon them; and help us so to believe where we
have not seen, that your presence may lead us through our years, and
bring us at last with them into the joy of your home not made with
hands but eternal in the heavens; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture (Psalm 130)
This or another version of Psalm 130 (UMH 515, 516 or 848) may be sung or spoken:
Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; LORD hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, LORD, kept a record of Sins, LORD, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel,
put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with
him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their
sins. (TNIV)
Proclamation and Response
Old Testament Lesson
One of the following lessons may be read:
|
Isaiah 40:1-8 | Prepare the way for the LORD |
|
Isaiah 40:28-31 |
Renew strength; wings like eagles |
| Exodus 14:5-14, 19-31 |
Israel’s deliverance |
|
Isaiah 43:1-31a, 5-7, 13, 15, 18-19, 25; 44:6, 8a |
God will deliver |
|
Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13 |
Hymn of Joy |
Psalm 23
This or another version of Psalm 23 (UMH 136, 137, 138, or 754) may be sung or spoken:
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for
you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
New Testament Lesson
One of the following lessons may be read:
| 1 Corinthians 15:1-2a, 12, 16-18, 20, 35-38a, 42b-44, 54-55, 57 |
Resurrection; spiritual body; death swallowed up in victory |
|
Revelation 21:1-7 | Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
|
|
Romans 8:1-2, 11, 14, 17-18, 28, 31-32, 35-39 |
Resurrection; If God is for us, who can be against us? |
|
2 Corinthians 4:5-18 |
Glory in God |
|
Ephesians 1:15-23; 2:1-10 |
Alive in Christ |
|
1 Peter 1:3-9, 13, 21-25 |
Blessed by God |
|
Revelation 7:2-3, 9-17 |
The multitude of the redeemed |
Psalm, Canticle or Hymn
|
Psalm 42 |
As a deer longs for flowing streams |
Psalm 43
|
You are the God in whom I take refuge. |
|
Psalm 46 |
God is our refuge and strength. |
|
Psalm 90 |
From everlasting to everlasting |
Psalm 91
|
My God in whom I trust. |
|
Psalm 103 |
Bless the Lord, O my soul. |
|
Psalm 116 |
I will lift up the cup of salvation. |
|
Psalm 121 |
I lift up my eyes to the hills. |
Psalm 139
|
O Lord, you have searched me. |
|
Psalm 145 |
The Lord is gracious and merciful. |
|
Psalm 146 |
Praise the Lord, O my soul. |
|
Canticle of Hope (UMH 734) |
God shall wipe away all our tears. |
Canticle of Remembrance (UMH 652)
|
The souls of the righteous |
Gospel Lesson
One of the following lessons may be read:
|
John 14:1-4 | [Jesus said,] "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. My Father's house has plenty of room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
|
|
Luke 24:13-35 |
Jesus at Emmaus |
|
John 11:1-4, 20-27, 32-35, 38-44 |
The raising of Lazarus |
Naming
The life of the deceased may be gathered up in the reading of a
memorial or appropriate statement, or in other ways, by the pastor or
others.
Birth and Growing Up
Engagement and Marriage
Career
Personal Life
Personal Impact - words and phrases from family
Other - As needed
Christian Witness
Transition from Naming
Incorporation of Scripture
Message of Hope
Hymn or Song
Creed or Affirmation of Faith
A hymn or musical response may either follow or precede the Creed or Affirmation of Faith.
Commendation
If the Committal is to conclude this service, it may be shortened and substituted for the Commendation.
Prayers
One or more of the following prayers may be offered, or other prayers
may be used. They may take the form of a pastoral prayer, a series of
shorter prayers, or a litany. Intercession, commendation of life, and
thanksgivings are appropriate here.
God of us all, your love never ends.
When all else fails, you still are God.
We pray to you for one another in our need, and for all, anywhere, who mourn with us this day.
To those who doubt, give light;
to those who are weak, strength;
to all who have sinned, mercy;
to all who sorrow, your peace.
Keep true in us the love with which we hold one another.
In all our ways we trust you.
O God, all that you have given us is yours.
As first you gave
#name to us, now we give
#name back to you.
Receive
#name into the arms of your mercy.
Raise
#name up with all your people.
Receive us also, and raise us into a new life.
Help us so to love and serve you in this world that we may enter into your joy in the world to come.
God of love, we thank you for all with which you have blessed us even
to this day: for the gift of joy in days of health and strength and for
the gifts of your abiding presence and promise in days of pain and
grief.
We praise you for home and friends, and for our baptism and place in your Church with all who have faithfully lived and died.
Above all else we thank you for Jesus, who knew our griefs, who died
our death and rose for our sake, and who lives and prays for us.
And as he taught us, so now we pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
All pray the 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. Amen.
Hymn
This may be a recessional hymn.
Closing Comments
Include any announcements which the family would like to include, i.e. reception, graveside service, etc.
As we prepare to conclude the service, I encourage you to continue to
share stories about
#name. Each of you know stories about this
wonderful person and telling the stories help keep her memory alive.
Make sure and use
#name's name, as using
#name's name is an important way
to keep her memory alive.
- As this service concludes, I invite you to remain seated as the family processes out. You will then be released row by row.
In the days, weeks and months ahead, you will
need to care for and comfort each other and the family. Some people
find comfort being part of a Christian community and you are welcome to
worship with us at Resurrection any weekend.
If you feel like giving
someone a call, do that. If you have a story that you want to share
about
#name, I encourage you to do that as well. Watch after and care
for one another. Many of you have experienced some grief in
anticipation of this day, but know that it will continue in the days
and weeks ahead. That is okay. Care for each other and remember
#fullname.
Dismissal with Blessing
The pastor, facing the people, may give one or more of the following, or other, Dismissal with Blessing:
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.