Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die John 11:16 (NRSV) In the presence of death, Christ offers us sure ground for hope and confidence and even for joy, because he shared our human life and death, was raised again triumphant and lives for evermore. In him his people find eternal life. Methodist Worship Book PHOTOGRAPH: istockphoto.com / Lisa Thornberg
The Lord is my shepherd The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long Psalm 23 (NRSV) PHOTOGRAPH: istockphoto.com / Chris Schmidt
There you may be also To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die. Thomas Campbell (1774-1844) PHOTOGRAPH: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6 (NRSV)
We wake eternally We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:7-9 (NRSV) Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so; For those whom thou think st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me... One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die. John Donne (1572-1631) PHOTOGRAPH: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES
I will give you rest PHOTOGRAPH: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (NRSV)
Cast thy care on Jesus Cast thy care on Jesus, What is death to those Who in deep submission On his love repose? But a short step further, Nearer to his side Where thine eye shall see him And be satisfied? Frederick G. Scott (1861-1944) Support us, O Lord, all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over and our work done. Then in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Methodist Worship Book PHOTOGRAPH: istockphoto.com / Mike Kiev
The Lord will take of your death Take care of your of your life and the Lord will take of your death. George Whitefield (1714-1770) PHOTOGRAPH: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES If I have to say goodbye to stream and wood, To wide ocean and the green clad hill, I know that he, who made this world so good Has somewhere made a heaven better still. This bears witness with my latest breath Knowing the love of God, I fear no death. Major Malcolm Boyd, killed in action in France, June 1944
The house and gate of heaven Bring us, Lord our God, at our last awakening, into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate, and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity; in the habitation of your glory and dominion, world without end. Amen Methodist Worship Book PHOTOGRAPH: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES
We will remember them They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)
God give them peace PHOTOGRAPHS: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES & istockphoto.com / Chris Leachman What shall we pray for those who died, those on whose death our lives relied? Silenced by war but not denied, God give them peace. What shall we pray for those who mourn friendships and love, their fruit unborn? Though years have passed, hearts still are torn; God give them peace. What shall we pray for those who live tied to the past they can t forgive, haunted by terrors they relive? God give them peace. What shall we pray for those who know nothing of war, and cannot show grief or regret for friend or foe? God give them peace. What shall we pray for those who fear war, in some guise, may reappear looking attractive and sincere? God give them peace. God give us peace and, more than this show us the path where justice is; and let us never be remiss working for peace that lasts. Words John L. Bell and Carnwadric Parish Church Worship Group, music John L. Bell, copyright 1996, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow, G2 3DH, Scotland. wgrg@iona.org.uk; www.wgrg.co.uk. Reproduced by permission.
For they shall be comforted Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5: 4 (NRSV) PHOTOGRAPH: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES Cradle, O Lord, in your arms everlasting, all who seek here for your comfort today: make of our lives prayers of joyful self-giving, offered to Christ who is light for the way. Christopher T. Bradnock (copyright applied for)
Farewell to Thee! Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort, deal graciously with those who mourn, that they may cast every care on you and know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Methodist Worship Book Farewell to Thee! But not farewell To all my fondest thoughts of Thee; Within my heart they still shall dwell And they shall cheer and comfort me. Anne Bronte (1820-1849) God grant to the living, grace; to the departed, rest; to the world, peace; and to us and all the faithful, life everlasting; and the blessing of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be with us now and for ever. Amen. Methodist Worship Book PHOTOGRAPH: 2011 PHOTOS.COM A DIVISION OF GETTY IMAGES
To live in the hearts of those we Go, silent friend, your life has found its ending; to dust returns your weary mortal frame. God, who before birth called you into being, now calls you hence, his accent still the same. Go, silent friend, your life in Christ is buried; for you he lived and died and rose again. Close by his side your promised place is waiting, where, fully known, you shall with God remain.
leave behind is not to die Go, silent friend, forgive us if we grieved you; safe now in heaven, kindly say our name. Your life has touched us, that is why we mourn you; our lives without you cannot be the same. Go, silent friend, we do not grudge you glory; sing, sing with joy deep praises to your Lord. You, who believed that Christ would come back for you, now celebrate that Jesus keeps his word Words and arrangement John L. Bell, copyright 1996, WGRG, Iona Community, Glasgow, G2 3DH, Scotland. wgrg@iona.org.uk; www.wgrg.co.uk. Reproduced by permission. PHOTOGRAPH: istockphoto.com / Mehmet Yunus Yeşil
FRONT & BACK PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS: istockphoto.com / Linda Steward This booklet is available as a PowerPoint presentation and can be downloaded from www.methodist.org.uk/powerpoint Compiled by Joy Fisher (Publications Coordinator, The Methodist Church in Britain) Design and production: Methodist Publishing, on behalf of the Methodist Church in Britain, registered charity no. 1132208 Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes 2011 For further resources concerning remembrance and bereavement visit: www.methodist.org.uk/gift Further copies are available in packs of 50 for 5 (plus p&p) from Methodist Publishing 17 Tresham Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6SG Email: resources@methodistchurch.org.uk Tel: 01733 235962 Web: www.methodistpublishing.org.uk PA623-CT-11