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Funeral Liturgy with Eucharist
by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The following memorial service was written for a dedicated musician of Christ's Church who began playing for services at age 12 "and never quit." He served 38 of those years as Director of Music at Trinity English Lutheran, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and graciously and generously shared his gifts and talents across the Church.
A Celebration of the Life of
Richard Carlson
October 6, 1928 - March 11, 2002
P = Presiding Minister A = Assisting Minister C = Congregation
GATHERING
Pre-Service Music by Mr. Robert Hobby, organ, and Mr. Glenn Basham, violin
Please Stand
P. 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.
C. Thanks be to God.
P. 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.
Processional Hymn "For All the Saints"
A. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
C. Our God is merciful.
A. Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
C. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.
A. Blessed are those who from now on die in the Lord.
C. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.
A. I shall not die, but I shall live,
C. and recount the deeds of the Lord.
A. Open to me the gates of righteousness,
C. That I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
A. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous.
C. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful
ones.
(Ps. 116:5,7,15;
Rev. 14:13; Ps.118:17,19)
Kyrie from Missa Orbis Factor
The Presiding Minister sings a line, then all repeat.
P. The Lord be with you.
C. And also with you.
P. Let us pray. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother, Richard. We thank you for giving him 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 quiet confidence that we may continue our course in faith; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
Please be seated
WORD
Choir: "Lift High the Cross"
First lesson: Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 91:1-2,11-16 Tone VII, solemn
Gospel: John 11:21-27
Homily
Please stand
Hymn of the Day #534 "Now Thank We All Our God"
A. God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
C. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only
Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,
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, he is
seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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.
A. Let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "I am the resurrection and the life." Lord, you consoled Mary and Martha in their distress; draw near to us who mourn and dry the tears of those who weep.
C. Hear us, Lord.
A. You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow.
C. Hear us, Lord.
A. You raised the dead to life; give to our brother, Richard, eternal life.
C. Hear us, Lord.
A. You promise life to those who believe; bring our brother to the joys of heaven.
C. Hear us, Lord.
A. Our brother was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him fellowship with all your saints.
C. Hear us, Lord.
A. He was nourished with your body and blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
C. Hear us, Lord.
A. Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
C. Hear us, Lord.
P. 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.
C. Amen
P. The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C. And also with you.
All greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying "Peace be with you." Afterwards, the people are seated.
MEAL
Choir: "When in Our Music God is Glorified"
Please stand
A. Let us pray. O Lord, our God,
C. we bring to the table gifts that you first gave us: our lives, those we love, this bread and wine. Unite us as one in him who is our eternal hope, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Great Thanksgiving: (chanted)
P. The Lord be with you.
C. And also with you.
P. Lift up your hearts.
C. We lift them to the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
P. It is right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord; who brought to light the living hope of a blessed resurrection, that, in our grief, we may rejoice in full assurance of our change into the likeness of his glory. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C. (sung) Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of pow'r and might: Heav'n and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
P. Holy are you, O Lord, and great is your majesty. All the saints in heaven and on earth sing their praise of your eternal glory.
For in the beginning, you prepared the worlds by your holy Word, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. You laid out your holy plan of creation and redemption, that all who might know you would have faith, not in things seen, but in things not seen.
By faith, the patriarchs dared to hope in the promise of your love and care. By faith, the prophets revealed your word of the blessing that was to come. By faith, your chosen people waited in longing for that blessing, until, in the fullness of time, you sent your only Son, born in the flesh from one whose faith was not in vain. In that Son is the fulfillment of the faith and hope of all the saints. In him is our salvation won and your eternal love revealed.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
In heaven and on earth, O God, the saints and angels unite around your holy altar to proclaim the mystery of faith:
C. Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!
P. We remember and hold fast to Christ's examples of faith and life as the saints before us have done. We remember his living among outcasts and sinners, his concern for the poor, his life of prayer and worship, and his teachings about your love.
But chiefly we remember his life-giving passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, and his promise to come again to raise us and all the faithful departed to live together eternally in fellowship with him in his heavenly kingdom.
Send now your Holy Spirit upon these gifts of bread and wine and upon us also, that we might know the presence of him who is the hope and salvation of the living and the dead, and through him, be united in prayer and praise with all those who have gone before us.
With this feast, join us in one holy communion of saints, one great cloud of witnesses, with St. Peter and St. Paul, with St. John and St. Mary Magdalene, with our brother Richard and all the blessed dead whose lives of faith in unseen things continue to inspire us, as we lift our voices to you, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in eternal glory, now and forever.
C. Amen
P. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
C. 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 and ever. Amen
Please be seated
Communion
After Communion: Please Stand
A. Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have given us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be to us a comfort in affliction and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
SENDING
The Commendation:
P. Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Richard. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
C. Amen
A. We entrust you to God who created you.
C. May you return to the one who formed us out of the dust of the earth.
A. Surrounded by the angels and triumphant saints,
C. May Christ come to meet you as you go forth from this life.
A. Christ, the Lord of glory, who was crucified for you, bring you freedom and peace.
C. Christ, the High Priest, who has forgiven all your sins, keep you among his people.
A. Christ, the Son of God, who died for you, show you the glories of his eternal kingdom.
C. Christ, the Good Shepherd, enfold you with his tender care.
A. May you see your redeemer face to face:
C. And enjoy the sight of God forever.
A. Let us pray. O Lord, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen
P. May the God of the resurrection, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, guide and bless you always.
C. Amen
P. Let us go forth in peace.
C. In the name of Christ. Amen
Recessional Hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
Postlude
+
Acknowledgments:
Portions of the liturgy are reprinted from the communion liturgy and the order for the Burial of the Dead, Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright 1978, Augsburg Fortress Publishing. The prayers after the creed and the prayer after communion are adapted from the Book of Common Prayer 1979. The Offertory Prayer, Eucharist Prayer of the saints and the Benediction are by the Rev. T. L Weitzel. The commendation versicles and closing prayer are from the Rite of Commendation of the Dying, Occasional Services,1982.
SHEPHERD OF THE GLADES LUTHERAN CHURCH
6020 Rattlesnake Hammock Road
Naples, Florida 34113
Saturday. March 23, 2002
11:00 a.m.
.
Presiding Minister
The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Representing Bishop James R. Stuck, Indiana-Kentucky Synod ELCA
Assisting Minister
The Rev. Richard Kraus
Ret. Pastor-Emeritus, St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, IN
Preacher
The Rev. Jon L. Culp
Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran Church, Naples, FL
Choral Director
Douglas Denisen
Shepherd of the Glades Lutheran Church, Naples, FL
Organist
Robert Hobby
Director of Music, Trinity English Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, IN
Violinist
Glenn Basham
Concert Master, Naples Philharmonic Orchestra