Committing Joan Holt into the care of God

Prayers for us to support Bob Holt as he says goodbye to Joan at the Committal 9.30am on Wednesday morning

GATHERING IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Light a candle, and take a moment to sit quietly.

You might like to listen to a piece of Music: (Suggestion Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone)

Some words of comfort

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3v22).

God says: “I will never leave you: I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13 v5).

Opening Prayer Read this prayer out loud

Loving God, I hold Joan before you ….

I thank you for the good times we shared together.

I hold before you the challenging times.

Be close to me, and to all those people who knew and loved Joan. May we know the peace of your presence today and in the days to come.

I know there are no words I can say at this moment to take away the pain. I come as I am knowing you bind us together in love; in this world and the next.

So, take this moment and help me know your presence with me, now and always. Amen

You might like to read Psalm 23

A time of prayer

Loving God, you tell us to look forward to a day when your kingdom shall come and your will be done; a time when there will be no more sorrow and death and when every tear will be wiped from our eyes.

Until that time comes, help us to find comfort in your love.

I commend Joan to you, grant them your eternal peace.

I pray for Joan’s family, especially Bob, her friends and neighbours and for each person who is so much poorer now Joan is no longer with us in the same way.

Support us all in the days ahead. Amen

A TIME TO LEAVE THE ONE WE LOVE TO GOD’S LOVE AND CARE.

If you are able, read aloud:

Travel on Joan from this world, in the name of God the Father, who created you in love; in the name of Jesus Christ who sets you free from sin; in the name of the Holy Spirit who brings us all into new life. Rest in peace, in God’s love, now and forever. Amen.

You might like to listen to “In Paradisum” from Fauré’s Requiem

A closing prayer

Gracious God

Support me and all who loved Joan in the days ahead and give us the comfort you have promised, until the time comes when we can remember not just with sorrow but with joy.

Blow out the candle and spend a few minutes in the quiet

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 believe in me will never die”.