Funeral Service for Stephen Carlton Wright 20 th December 1947-27 th December 2015 Friday 8 th January 2016 St Andrew s Cathedral Sydney
Choir Intro I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. William Croft, arr Ross Cobb Welcome Rev Canon Christopher Allan Hymn: Amazing Grace 1 Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see. 2 God s grace first taught my heart to fear, his grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! 3 Through every danger, trial and snare I have already come; his grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. 2 continued
4 The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; my shield and stronghold he shall be as long as life endures. 5 And when this earthly life is past, and mortal cares shall cease, I shall posssess with Christ at last eternal joy and peace. John Newton Funeral Sentences I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. John 11:25 26 I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Congregational Prayer (said by all) Heavenly Father, in your Son Jesus Christ you have given us a true faith and a sure hope. Help us to live as those who believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to eternal life; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 3
Eulogies David Albert Nicholas Wright Paul Clarke Music item: HARD ROAD performed by Tim Rogers Reading: Psalm 23 Fifa Riccobono 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. 4
Choir: Deep River Deep river, my home is over Jordan. Deep river, Lord I want to cross over into camp ground. O God s children, O don t you want to go to the heavenly feast in that promised land, the land where all is peace? Walk right into heaven and take my seat, and throw myself at Jesus feet. Trad. Spiritual, arr. Luboff Reading: John 14:1-6 Jane English 14 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going. 5 Thomas said to him, Lord, we don t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? 6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Sermon Rev Canon Christopher Allan 5
Choir: And I Saw a New Heaven and Earth And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:1-4) Edgar Bainton The Lord s Prayer (said by all) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. 6
Music item: EVIE PART 2 performed by John Paul Young and Warren Morgan The Committal The Blessing: The Lord Bless You and Keep You The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. John Rutter The Wright family have asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to SUPPORT ACT LIMITED (SAL) supportact.org.au. Thank you to everyone who has supported the family with prayer. Your love and prayers have been deeply appreciated. 7
The Adult Choir of St Andrew s Cathedral Organist & Director of Music: Mr Ross Cobb 02 9265 1661 Contact Information: cathedral@sydney.anglican.asn.au www.sydneycathedral.com PO Box Q190 QVB Post Office NSW 1230 St Andrew s Cathedral Sydney Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, NIV. Copyright hymns reproduced with permission under Licence No 179325 CCLI. 8