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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.
, ,
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.
, ,
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.
, ,
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.
, ,
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.
 , ,
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

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