We are gathered today for worship and
a celebration of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
The Congregation is asked to participate in the Service.
THE THANKSGIVING
Pastor: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the source of all mercy and the God of all consolation. He comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows with the consolation we ourselves have received from God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Pastor: 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.
HYMN
"How Great Thou Art" (Pre-recorded)
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our sister, Rita. We thank you for giving her 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 your help, so that we may see in death the gate to eternal life, that we may continue our course on earth in confidence until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before us; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
THE PSALM
Psalm 23
I shall not be in want.
2The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
3You restore my soul, O Lord,
and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
THE LESSON
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
THE GOSPEL
John 14:1-6
14“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.
4And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Sermon
HYMN
"Children of the Heav'nly Father" (Pre-recorded)
THE CREED
Pastor: 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, his only Son, our Lord, He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He 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 and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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
THE PRAYERS
Pastor: Let us pray. Almighty God, you have knit your chosen people together in one communion, in the mystical body of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Given to your whole Church in heaven and on earth your life and on earth your peace.
People: Hear us, Lord.
Pastor: Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection.
People: Hear us, Lord.
Pastor: Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that your Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days.
People: Hear us, Lord.
Pastor: Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleaned from all our sins and serve you with a quiet mind.
People: Hear us, Lord.
Pastor: Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your loving care, that casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love.
People: Hear us, Lord
Pastor: Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a holy and certain hope, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love.
People: Hear us, Lord.
Pastor: Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.
People: Hear us, Lord.
Pastor : Grant us grace to entrust Rita to your never-failing love which sustained her in this life. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, and remember her according to the favor you bear for your people.
People Hear us, Lord.
Pastor: God of all grace, you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to bring life and immortality to light. We give you thanks because by his death Jesus destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection has 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.
People: Amen.
THE COMMENDATION
Pastor: Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Rita. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of eternal peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Let us go forth in peace.
People: In the name of Christ, Amen.