PRAYERS TO BE USED AT A FUNERAL HOME FOR A DECEASED ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMAN
ACW National Prayer Almighty God, we pray for your blessing and grace on our work and witness as Anglican Church Women in Canada. We give thanks and praise for giving us wisdom, knowledge and understanding so that we may serve in spirit and in truth. Called to be your church, may our study, learning, worship and service be always to your glory and the building of your kingdom in our communities and throughout the world. In our ministry may we always respond to the needs of others with love. We pray in the name of the One who redeemed and loves us, Your Son, Jesus our Saviour. Amen
Leader:
We shall miss the presence of our dear sister in Christ, ______. As we mourn the passing of our friend, let us lift up hearts full of thanksgiving for a life well-lived and for work well done. Let us humbly pray that we may be given grace and strength and wisdom to enable us to perform our duty in the pathway of life’s service. We shall miss her presence and so for now, we say “Farewell”, believing that the time will come when we once more say, “Hello”.
WORDS OF HOPE FROM SCRIPTURE
A READING FROM _______ (Insert one of the following readings, or another appropriate reading of choice, perhaps a favourite scripture of the deceased.)
Lamentations 3:17-26, 31-33 Thessalonians 4:13-18 II Corinthians 4:6-5:10 Ephesians 1:16-20, 3:16-18 I Corinthians 15:51-57 John 14:1-6a Romans 8:28-35, 37-39
PSALM 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE (One or more members speak about ___________’s contribution to the group and express condolence as appropriate.)
CLOSING PRAYERS
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.
Leader: Let us take a moment in silence and let each of us offer a silent prayer from the heart.
CLOSING BENEDICTION Almighty God, hear the prayers, spoken and unspoken, of our hearts. Grant the blessing of Thine inner peace and my Thy benediction rest upon us. For Thy name’s sake. Amen
