{"id":2120,"date":"2011-05-24T11:47:34","date_gmt":"2011-05-24T16:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/?page_id=2120"},"modified":"2019-05-06T07:56:53","modified_gmt":"2019-05-06T12:56:53","slug":"sample-grave-side-service","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/worship\/lay-led-worship\/sample-grave-side-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Sample Grave Side Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Outline from the Methodist Hymnal,p.870 \u00a0with additional prayers and hymns. \u00a0\u00a0Cut and paste what appeals to you. <\/em><\/p>\n

Have someone be leader or read all in unison.
\n<\/em>
\nGathering<\/strong><\/p>\n

We have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of\u00a0 ………\u00a0 We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss.\u00a0 May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/strong>
\nO God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray.\u00a0 You know our needs before we ask, and\u00a0 our ignorance in asking.\u00a0 Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity.\u00a0 Help us to live as those who are prepared to die.\u00a0 And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you.\u00a0 AMEN<\/p>\n

(See additional prayers below)<\/em><\/p>\n

The 23rd Psalm<\/p>\n

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
\nHe maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
\nHe leadeth me beside the still waters.
\nHe restoreth my soul:
\nHe leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
\nFor his name\u2019s sake.
\nYea, though I walk
\nThrough the valley of\u00a0 the shadow of death,
\nI will fear no evil:
\nFor thou art with me;
\nThy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
\nThou prepares a table before me
\nIn the presence of mine enemies;
\nthou anointest my head with oil;
\nMy cup runneth over.
\nSurely goodness and mercy shall follow me
\nAll the days of my life:
\nAnd I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

PSALM 121<\/p>\n

We lift our eyes up to the hills.<\/b><\/p>\n

From where does our help come?<\/b><\/p>\n

Our help comes from the Unseen One,<\/b><\/p>\n

The Maker of the heavens and the earth,<\/b><\/p>\n

Who will not cause our feet to stumble,<\/b><\/p>\n

Our protector who never sleeps.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Abundant One preserves us,<\/b><\/p>\n

The Watchful One is our shelter and <\/b><\/p>\n

support.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Vigilant One guards us from evil,<\/b><\/p>\n

And keeps our Life-breath safe.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Shepherd guards our going out <\/b><\/p>\n

and out coming in from now unto eternity.<\/b>
\n
\nCommendation<\/strong> (place the urn in the ground)
\n<\/em>
\nO God, all that you have given us is yours.\u00a0 At first you gave ……. to us, so now we give him back to\u00a0 you.<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

Into your hands, O merciful God, we commend your servant ……….
\nAcknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold,
\nA lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.\u00a0 Receive ………into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints of light.\u00a0 Amen<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

A PRAYER OF COMMENDATION<\/p>\n

And now we offer and commend (name of person) to the Everlasting One.<\/p>\n

(Name of person), we say to you in the midst of our sorrow and loss that we are grateful that you lived your life among us. We are grateful for your quiet gentleness and for your firm resolve to live life and to die on your own terms. We take joy and relief in knowing that your suffering has ended. We ask you now for forgiveness for any of the ways we may have hurt you in this life – – and we forgive you for any of the ways you may have hurt us. We release you now into the Everlasting Arms. May your passage be swift. May you know Wholeness and Peace now and through all eternity. (May be followed by the Lord\u2019s Prayer.)<\/p>\n

Closing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hymn? \u00a0See suggestions below.
\n
\nBenediction:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A BENEDICTION<\/p>\n

May you be at ease.<\/p>\n

May you be free from suffering.<\/p>\n

May you be healed.<\/p>\n

May you know joy and lightness of being<\/p>\n

May you dwell in comfort and compassion.<\/p>\n

May you be a source of comfort and compassion for all whom you meet.<\/p>\n

Go in peace.<\/p>\n

or<\/p>\n

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
\nAMEN
\n or<\/em><\/p>\n

God be in your head, and in your understanding.
\nGod be in your eyes, and in your looking.
\nGod be in your mouth, and in your speaking.
\nGod be in your heart, and in your thinking.
\nGod be at your end, and at your departing.
\nAMEN<\/p>\n

or<\/em><\/p>\n

Like a rock, God is under our feet.
\nLike a roof, God is over our heads.
\nLike the horizon, God is beyond us.
\nLike water in a pitcher, God is within us and in the pouring out of us.
\nLike a pebble in the sea, we are in God.
\nAMEN<\/p>\n

ALTERNATE OPENING<\/p>\n

We have gathered to mourn the passing and to celebrate the life of _________________.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>We have come together to grieve and to give thanks for his life.\u00a0 <\/span>For the next brief space in time, we will cry and laugh almost simultaneously.\u00a0 <\/span>As human beings we are the only creatures gifted to feel such a range of emotions all at the same time.\u00a0 <\/span>It is good that we can do it together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever a death occurs, those of us who remain behind enter a space in time that is quite out of the ordinary.\u00a0 <\/span>Whether we recognize this or not, this is sacred time \u2013 a time that holds potential for healing and insight and understanding that does not come readily in ordinary time.\u00a0 <\/span>With the death of someone we have known and loved, something in each one of us dies too.\u00a0 <\/span>We are reminded of the frailties and the gifts of our relationships.\u00a0 <\/span>We become more aware that we live in fragile human bodies.\u00a0 <\/span>We may come to know a heightened consciousness of what is precious and what is true.\u00a0 <\/span>Indeed with the passing of a loved one, we encounter our own mortality.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we gather in (Christian) community, this sacred time is heightened by our affirmation that there is eternal life after death \u2013 and it is here, together, where we glimpse the mystery of the mansion with many rooms that Jesus promised his disciples as he prepared to leave them. \u00a0 <\/span>There is nothing we can touch, nothing we can describe or pin down – – nothing concrete – – but the mystery of death has the power to bring us to the threshold of faith.\u00a0 <\/span>In this extra – ordinary and sacred time, what we encounter is the power of grief – – and the power of hope.\u00a0 <\/span>It is here, together, where we may intuit the meaning of Paul\u2019s words when he affirms that \u201cNeither life nor death\u2026\u2026can separate us from the love of God.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>So, I welcome you to this time out of ordinary time.\u00a0 <\/span>I invite you to pause, to let it settle in that a precious life has passed from among us.\u00a0 <\/span>We can use the gift of our worship and our memories to bring comfort and peace and joy and laughter to one another as we remember _______________ and\u2026..perhaps……we will enjoy\u00a0 <\/span>a \u201ctrace\u201d of\u00a0 <\/span>________________ presence as we share together. <\/span><\/p>\n

A couple of Celtic blessings – – I have used the first one as an opening blessing after welcoming people.\u00a0 <\/span>The second one as a closing blessing at the end of the service They are from John Phillip Newell\u2019s\u00a0 <\/span>collection called \u201cPraying With The Earth\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

God of birth and life and death and beyond,<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

On this day<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

the blessings of earth.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

On this day<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

the blessings of sea and sky.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

To open us to life<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

to ground us in life<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

to fill us with life<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

and with wonder.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

On those we love this day<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

and on every human family<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

the blessings of heaven, <\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

the blessings of earth<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

the blessings of sky and sea.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

In the rising of the sun and its setting,<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

in the whiteness of the moon and its seasons,<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

in the infinity of space and its shining stars,<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

you are God and we bless you.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

May we know the harmony of Heaven<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

in the relationships of earth,<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

and may we know the expanse of its mystery within us. <\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

We take your promised peace with us.\u00a0 <\/span>Amen.<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

******************************************************<\/p>\n

ADDITIONAL PRAYERS<\/em><\/p>\n

A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING<\/p>\n

(from the United Methodist Hymnal)<\/p>\n

God of love, we thank you<\/p>\n

For all with which you have blessed us<\/p>\n

Even to this day:<\/p>\n

For the gift of joy in days of health and strength,<\/p>\n

And for the gifts of your abiding presence and promise<\/p>\n

In days of pain and grief.<\/p>\n

We praise you for home and friends, and for our baptism<\/p>\n

And place in your church<\/p>\n

With all who have faithfully lived and died.<\/p>\n

Above all else, we thank you for Jesus,<\/p>\n

Who knew our griefs,<\/p>\n

Who died our death and rose for our sake,<\/p>\n

who lives and prays for us.<\/p>\n

And as he taught us, so now we pray:<\/p>\n

(The Lord\u2019s Prayer)<\/p>\n

A NORDIC FUNERAL PRAYER<\/p>\n

\u00a0An ancient Nordic funeral prayer. It is prayed by the one who is about to die:<\/p>\n

Lo, there do I see my father<\/p>\n

Lo, there do I see my mother and brothers and sisters<\/p>\n

Lo, there do I see the line of my people<\/p>\n

Back to the beginning.<\/p>\n

Lo, they do call me to take my place among them<\/p>\n

In the Halls of Heaven<\/p>\n

So \u2013 it is time for us to say good-bye. It is time for us to begin to accept that (name of person) has answered the call to return to his\/her eternal origins. It is time for us to recognize that death is not the enemy, but the Ultimate Healer.<\/p>\n

********************************************************************************<\/p>\n

Lord\u2019s Prayer from The New Zealand Prayerbook<\/p>\n

Eternal Spirit Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,<\/p>\n

source of all that is and that shall be,<\/p>\n

Father and Mother of us all.<\/p>\n

Loving God, in whom is heaven.<\/p>\n

The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe!<\/p>\n

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth!<\/p>\n

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!<\/p>\n

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us.<\/p>\n

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.<\/p>\n

In times of temptation and test, spare us.<\/p>\n

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.<\/p>\n

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,<\/p>\n

now and forever.<\/p>\n

Amen.<\/p>\n

********************************************************<\/p>\n

Peace, my heart let the time for parting be sweet.<\/p>\n

Let it not be a death but a completeness.<\/p>\n

Let love melt into a memory and pain into songs.<\/p>\n

Let the flight through the skies end in the folding of wings over the nest<\/p>\n

Let the last touch of your hands be gentle,<\/p>\n

Like the flower of the night.<\/p>\n

Stan still, O Beautiful End, for a moment,<\/p>\n

I bow to you and hold up my lamp<\/p>\n

To light you on your way. \u2013 Rabindrinath Tagore<\/em><\/p>\n

***************************************<\/p>\n

HYMNS<\/p>\n

ABIDE WITH ME<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
    \nThe darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
    \nWhen other helpers fail and comforts flee,
    \nHelp of the helpless, oh, abide with me.<\/li>\n
  2. Swift to its close ebbs out life\u2019s little day;
    \nEarth\u2019s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
    \nChange and decay in all around I see\u2014
    \nO Thou who changest not, abide with me.<\/li>\n
  3. I need Thy presence every passing hour;
    \nWhat but Thy grace can foil the tempter\u2019s pow\u2019r?
    \nWho, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
    \nThrough cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.<\/li>\n
  4. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
    \nIlls have no weight, and tears no bitterness;
    \nWhere is death\u2019s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
    \nI triumph still, if Thou abide with me.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    AMAZING GRACE by Newton<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
      \nThat saved a wretch like me!
      \nI once was lost, but now am found;
      \nWas blind, but now I see.<\/li>\n
    2. \u2019Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
      \nAnd grace my fears relieved;
      \nHow precious did that grace appear
      \nThe hour I first believed.<\/li>\n
    3. Through many dangers, toils and snares,
      \nI have already come;
      \n\u2019Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
      \nAnd grace will lead me home.<\/li>\n
    4. The Lord has promised good to me,
      \nHis Word my hope secures;
      \nHe will my Shield and Portion be,
      \nAs long as life endures.<\/li>\n
    5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
      \nAnd mortal life shall cease,
      \nI shall possess, within the veil,
      \nA life of joy and peace.<\/li>\n
    6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
      \nThe sun forbear to shine;
      \nBut God, who called me here below,
      \nWill be forever mine.<\/li>\n
    7. When we\u2019ve been there ten thousand years,
      \nBright shining as the sun,
      \nWe\u2019ve no less days to sing God\u2019s praise
      \nThan when we\u2019d first begun.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      HYMN OF PROMISE P.707 IN Methodist Hymnal. \u00a0Google for chords<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      O God, Our Help in Ages Past<\/h1>\n

      The United Methodist Hymnal Number 117
      \nText:<\/b> Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
      \nMusic:<\/b> Attr. to William Croft; harm. by W.H. Monk
      \nTune:<\/b> ST. ANNE, Meter:<\/b> CM<\/i><\/p>\n

      \n

       <\/p>\n\n\n\n
      1. O God, our help in ages past,
      \nour hope for years to come,
      \nour shelter from the stormy blast,
      \nand our eternal home.2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
      \nstill may we dwell secure;
      \nsufficient is thine arm alone,
      \nand our defense is sure.3. Before the hills in order stood,
      \nor earth received her frame,
      \nfrom everlasting, thou art God,
      \nto endless years the same.4. A thousand ages, in thy sight,
      \nare like an evening gone;
      \nshort as the watch that ends the night,
      \nbefore the rising sun.5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
      \nbears all who breathe away;
      \nthey fly forgotten, as a dream
      \ndies at the opening day.<\/p>\n

      6. O God, our help in ages past,
      \nour hope for years to come;
      \nbe thou our guide while life shall last,
      \nand our eternal home.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

       <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      (Outline from the Methodist Hymnal,p.870 \u00a0with additional prayers and hymns. \u00a0\u00a0Cut and paste what appeals to you. Have someone be leader or read all in unison. Gathering We have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of\u00a0 ………\u00a0 We come together in grief, acknowledging our human […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2115,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2120","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2120"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5798,"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2120\/revisions\/5798"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chilmarkchurch.org\/service\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}