Scriptures:
Isaiah 40:1-8 (New International Version)
Comfort for God's People
1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
6 A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
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Many times, when I attend a funeral, I find myself wondering what mine should be like, and sometimes I sense the Lord answering me with things that could be included. So, I began composing my service, a “Celebration of Life in Christ” program. I’ve had several, but this is the latest (2009) iteration. Still not complete, as I don’t have recessional song, obituary, etc. - hoping not to have to use it soon, though, so i would still have time...
Celebration of a Life in Christ (2009)
Prelude – Stanton Lanier (The Voice, Peace)
Procession – Revelation 19:1 / Great is He / Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95kkqXCo2ew&feature=related
Invocation
Selection - Eternal Praise (Linda Norwood)
Scripture:
Old Testament – Isaiah 55
Selection – Were it not for Grace – Larnelle Harris version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6_lYk8cfIo&feature=related
New Testament – 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:15, Ephesians 2:1-10
Selection - Jesus Paid It All (Crystal Lewis version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBsgWKMxdmE), including verses:
I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness....watch and pray
Find in me....thine all in all
Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calvary's Lamb
And when before thy throne
I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat
Chorus:
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin hath left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Scripture –
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV) 26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
Reflections
Read obituary silently
Selection – Amazing Grace (Kathy Taylor Brown rendition)
http://www.imeem.com/people/pouO77u/music/t23Dfm37/kathy-taylor-brown-amazin-grace/
/ Amazing Grace / My Chains Are Gone / If Not For Your Grace - Israel Houghton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXi0Del29uA
Eulogy
Selection – Through the End of Time (Linda Norwood)
Acknowledgements
Benediction
Recessional - ???
... and my journey with Him continues ...
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