Service of Remembrance

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Silvester Stevenson
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1 Service of Remembrance Conducted by Reverend Judy Henning, Reverend James Harratt, Father Tom McElhone and Mrs. Bridget Sapiano Saturday 5th December 2015 at 3:00pm St. Margaret s Church, Rainham.

2 Time is Too slow for those who wait Too swift for those who fear Too long for those who grieve Too short for those who rejoice But for those who love Time is eternity

3 Organ Voluntaries Welcome & Opening Prayer Reverend Judy Henning, St. Margaret s Church, Rainham. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we welcome you. Grace, mercy and peace be with you all. We meet today to remember those, whom we have loved but see no longer, to give thanks for their lives, and to comfort one another in our grief. Opening Responses From conception to birth, through childhood and into adulthood God is with us. From middle age into old age, and until death God is with us. Through death and into new life in this great mystery, God is with us. In this never-ending journey, a journey from life to death and to life again God is always with us We trust that beyond absence there is a presence. That beyond the pain there can be a healing That beyond the brokenness there can a be a wholeness. That beyond the anger there may be a peace. That beyond the hurting there may be a forgiveness. That beyond the silence there may be the word. That beyond the word there may be an understanding. That through the understanding there is love.

4 Hymn Abide With Me Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out life s little day; Earth s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see: O Thou, who changest not, abide with me! I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the tempter s power? Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy Cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heaven s morning breaks, and earth s vain shadows flee: In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me! Bible Reading Revelation 21: 1-7 Read by Reverend James Harratt, St. Margaret s Church, Rainham.

5 Hymn I, the Lord of Sea and Sky I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright Who will bear my light to them Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, If you lead me; I will hold your people in my heart. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people's pain. I have wept for love of them They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. I will set a feast for them. My hand will save. Finest bread I will provide till their hearts are satisfied. I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord

6 Poem I m Free read by Bridget Sapiano, Life Celebrant Don t grieve for me, for now I m free I m following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life s been full, I savoured much Good friends, good times, a loved one s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted me now; He set me free

7 Address Father Tom McElhone St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church, Rainham. Prayers Reverend James Harratt, St. Margaret s Church, Rainham. ending with The Lord s Prayer 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Soloist Matthew Crane You Raise Me Up Lighting of the Commemorative Candle Mr. Rehman Chistie M.P. Commemoration Reverend Judy Henning. St. Margaret s Church, Rainham. A Time of Silence Last Post and Reveille Played by Colour Sergeant Andrew Cornish, Royal Marine and Sergeant Jim Christopher, Royal Marine

8 Hymn Praise My Soul The King of Heaven Praise my soul, the King of heaven! To His feet thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like me His praise should sing? Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King! Praise Him for His grace and favour To our fathers in distress; Praise Him, still the same as ever, Slow to chide and swift to bless: Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorious in His faithfulness. Father-like, He tends and spares us; Well our feeble frame He knows; In His hands He gently bears us, Rescues us from all our foes: Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely as His mercy flows. Angels, help us to adore Him; Ye behold Him face to face; Sun and moon, bow down before Him; Dwellers all in time and space: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace.

9 Blessing May God give to you and all those whom you love in this world and the next, His comfort and his peace, his love and his joy, and the blessing of God Almighty, The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen. Organ Voluntaries

10 We thought of you today, But that is nothing new. We thought of you yesterday And will tomorrow, too. We think of you in silence, And make no outward show For what it meant to lose you, Only those who love you know. Remembering you is easy, We do it every day, It s the heartache of losing you That will never go away.

11 On leaving the Church a collection plate will be made available for the Wisdom Hospice. Laments Played by Piper Peter Tennant

12 John Weir Funeral Directors, Rainham

SING JOYFULLY! AUDIENCE HYMNS

SING JOYFULLY! AUDIENCE HYMNS The following pages contain the words and tunes to the hymns sung in this afternoon s concert. All the hymns are from Ancient & Modern. The number of the hymn is listed next