~ All Souls Memorial Service

10/15/2013

ALL SOULS MEMORIAL SERVICE

HYMN:

 

 

Presider’s welcome and greeting:

           

            We have all been touched by death, the death of mother or father, husband or wife, friend, child, brother or sister, someone close to us, someone dear to us.

 

            Death is a reality we all face; a mystery we confront - not with fear, but with confidence, because we live within the shadow of the cross of Christ and know the power of his resurrection.

 

            As believers, as followers of Jesus, we celebrate his triumph over death.  We remember those who have gone before us with the sign of faith and who now rest in the presence of the Lord.  For them let us pray.          

           

            (pause)

 

            O God, our Creator and Redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and returned to you in glory.  May all who have died, especially those we remember this evening, share his victory and enjoy the vision of your glory forever.  Grant us your consolation and your peace as we continue our own journey to you.  We ask this through Jesus our Savior and Risen Lord.

 

 

SCRIPTURE READING:

 

INTERCESSIONS:

 

Presider:        We acknowledge Christ the Lord through whom we are saved and we remember with love those who have gone before us.  We hope in the resurrection and await the day when our lowly bodies will be made like his in glory and we pray:

 

Response:  God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        Christ, Son of the Living God, who raised up Lazarus, your friend, from the dead; raise up to life and glory the dead whom you have redeemed by your Precious Blood, we pray:

 

Response:   God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        Jesus, consoler of those who mourn, you dried the tears shed by the families of Lazarus, the widow's son, and the daughter of Jarius, comfort those who must bear the loss of someone dear, we pray:

 

Response:   God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        Christ, our Savior, destroy the reign of sin in our earthly bodies, so that through you we may all gain eternal life, we pray:

 

Response:   God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        Jesus, our Redeemer, look on those who have no hope because they do not know you; may they come to know the promise of the resurrection and believe in the life of the world to come, we pray:        

Response:   God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        Christ, you revealed yourself to the blind man who begged for the light of his eyes; you forgave the sins of many and expelled their demons; show your face to the dead who are still deprived of your light, we pray:

 

Response:   God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        Jesus, Master Carpenter, when at last our earthly home is dissolved, lead us to the heavenly home which awaits us in your kingdom, we pray:

 

Response:   God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        Christ, our brother, we come forward now into the light of the Easter Candle - the ever present sign of your resurrection - and pray for our loved ones by name:

 

(Please come forward one row at a time and speak the name of your loved one.  Then place your flower in the vase. )

 

Response:   God of Mercy hold us in love.

 

Presider:        As followers of the Risen Christ. we walk as children of the light; darkness no longer has any power over us.  We treasure the laughter and love, the hopes and the dreams of those we hold dear; we live in memory with them as one.  With joy, we look forward to the day when every tear will be wiped away and we will be in the presence of the Lord forever.  We pray together:

 

All:      Our Father  -  Hail Mary  -  Glory Be

 

Presider:        Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing.  With great love, the God of all consolation, gave us the gift of life.  May he bless you with faith in the resurrection of his Son and with the hope of rising to new life.  Amen.

 

Presider:        To us who are alive, may he grant forgiveness and to all who have died, a place of light and peace. Amen.

 

Presider:        As you believe that Jesus rose from the dead, so may you live with him forever in joy. Amen.

 

Presider:        May the Almighty God bless you, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Presider:        May the Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

HYMN: