Trust in Grief

Opening Responses
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Reader	In the darkest night – when we feel most afraid
ALL	SOMEONE COMES ALONGSIDE US – A MAN WALKING IN THE DARKNESS AS IF DARKNESS WERE DAY.
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Reader	In the storms of life when we feel buffetted – our dreams blown and torn – our trust stretched to its fullest.
ALL	JESUS CALLS OUR NAME AND CALMS THE STORMS THAT ASSAIL US.
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Reader	In the trials of life when we feel overwhelmed by worry and apprehension.
ALL	JESUS REACHES OUT A HAND - INVITES US TO TRUST AND WE FIND WE CAN WALK ON WATER.
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Suggested Readings: Matthew 14: 22-33, John 11: 1-44 (shortened if necessary)
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Closing Responses
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Reader	We give thanks for the fruits of the labours of those who have died: For the gifts they gave to the world For the gifts they gave to us.
ALL	GATHER THEIR FRUITS THE WORK OF THEIR HANDS AND THEIR HEARTS INTO THE HARVEST OF THE KINGDOM.
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Reader	In our sorrow for those who died, we look to you and to one another for comfort.
ALL	LORD, ENFOLD IN YOUR LOVE OUR ACHING HEARTS AND THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO MOURN CHERISH US – SOOTHE US – CONSOLE US – TEACH US TO BELIEVE IN A FUTURE BEYOND TEARS.
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Reader	As we remember those we love, we remember your love for them, a love that endures from eternity to eternity.
ALL	WE ENTRUST THOSE WE LOVE TO YOUR ETERNAL LOVE WE COMMIT THEIR SOULS TO YOUR KEEPING. WE GO TO LIVE IN HOPE THAT WE WILL MEET THEM IN YOUR KINGDOM WHERE THERE ARE NO TEARS – NO MOURNING NO DARKNESS OF SORROW FOR YOU ARE OUR LIGHT AND OUR SALVATION AND WE PLACE ALL OUR TRUST IN YOU.
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Reader	And so, we ask God to bless us and keep us in trust
ALL	THE FATHER – THE SON – AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
Reader	And until we and those whom we have loved and lost meet again
ALL	MAY GOD HOLD US IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.
	AMEN. © 2000 Wellspring