FOREWORD. May Christ s peace be yours throughout this life until we meet around his throne in glory everlasting. Pastor Moldenhauer

Transcription

1 FUNERAL PLANNING GUIDE

2 FOREWORD Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13). Since God first promised a Savior to Adam and Eve, his people have faced death with that peaceful assurance ringing in their ears. While death remains unnatural and uncomfortable, we who hope in Christ know that death is not the final word. Our God who raised Christ from the dead has promised that he will also raise our mortal bodies and give them everlasting life. Even while we await that final resurrection, we know that we will not be separated from God. We face death confident that, as body and soul separate, our soul will immediately be with Christ in heaven. This gives us comfort when facing death s finality. Nothing will sever us from Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Death does sever us from our loved ones, however. This is why we plan and hold Christian funerals. The deceased enjoys that blessed rest that awaits those who die in the Lord. But those who are still living grieve and mourn. Our funerals are meant to comfort them by proclaiming the Gospel comfort of Christ s resurrection. A Christian funeral, therefore, is a time to rejoice that God has carried his grace on to completion for an individual. It is also a time to give the comfort of Christ and the consolation of his resurrection to those who grieve and mourn. For this reason, it isn t a bad idea to plan your funeral. Choosing Scripture lessons and hymns is a way to give one final confession of your faith in Christ and the hope of the resurrection that sustained you throughout life and death. The following pages are meant to assist you in planning some details of your funeral. The green sheet is a copy of the form on page 7, and may be returned to me for safe-keeping in the pastoral records at Our Redeemer. May Christ s peace be yours throughout this life until we meet around his throne in glory everlasting. Pastor Moldenhauer

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ORDER OF SERVICE PAGE 4 This is the basic outline of a Christian funeral, which gives an idea of how the service progresses. SUGGESTED SCRIPTURE LESSONS PAGE 5 The Scripture lessons are just suggestions and should not be considered an exhaustive list. You may choose different Scripture lessons that have been especially meaningful and comforting to you. SUGGESTED HYMN SELECTIONS PAGE 6 Good hymns proclaim the comfort of the Gospel and the hope of the resurrection. Again, this list is not exhaustive, and you may select hymns that are not on the list. CHRISTIAN FUNERAL PLANNING FORM PAGE 7 This form provides the basic information necessary to plan and hold a Christian funeral. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THIS BOOKLET On the following pages you will find several items that will assist you in making plans for your Christian funeral. Read through the booklet and spend time considering your selections for Scripture lessons and hymns. The green sheet that is inserted in the booklet is a copy of the form on page 7. It is meant to be returned to the church office to be kept in the church records if you so desire. The form on page 7 may be kept in your personal records.

4 ORDER OF SERVICE - CHRISTIAN FUNERAL The Order of Service for a Christian Funeral, like every worship service, seeks to proclaim the Gospel. It also applies the comfort of the Gospel to those who are grieving. Variation is allowed in the number of hymns and Scripture lessons. Two or three lessons are usually read. Two to four hymns are usually sung. Often a soloist or choir sings one of the hymns or an anthem. Note that Psalm 23 is included as part of order the service. GREETING AND PRAYER PSALM 23 HYMN RESURRECTION COMFORT (SPOKEN RESPONSES) LESSON A HYMN OR ANTHEM MAY BE SUNG LESSON A HYMN OR ANTHEM MAY BE SUNG SERMON READING OF OBITUARY THE APOSTLE S CREED PRAYER LORD S PRAYER BENEDICTION CLOSING HYMN

5 SUGGESTED SCRIPTURE LESSONS OLD TESTAMENT Job 19:23-27 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Psalm 16 Psalm 27 Psalm 46 Psalm 90 Psalm 116 Psalm 118 Psalm 121 Psalm 139 Isaiah 25:6-9 Isaiah 35:3-10 Isaiah 65:17-20 Zephaniah 3:17 I know that my Redeemer lives There is a time for everything You have assigned me my portion and cup The Lord is my light and my salvation God is our refuge and strength From everlasting to everlasting you are God Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever I lift up my eyes to the hills You have searched me and you know me The Lord will destroy death forever The ransomed of the Lord will enter Zion with singing I will create a new heavens and new earth The Lord will quiet you with singing NEW TESTAMENT Matthew 11:25-30 Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened John 3:16 For God so loved the world John 5:19-29 Those who hear the voice of the Son of God will live John 11:21-27 I am the resurrection and the life John 14:1-6 In my Father s house are many rooms Romans 8:1-11 God will give life to your mortal bodies Romans 8:28-30 In all things God works for the good of those who love him Romans 8:31-39 Nothing will separate us from the love of Christ 1 Corinthians 15:12-24 Christ has indeed been raised from the dead 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 We will bear the likeness of the man from heaven 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 Death has been swallowed up in victory 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 We fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen Ephesians 3:14-21 How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ Philippians 1:3-6 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion Philippians 1:21 To live is Christ; to die is gain Philippians 3:8-11 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We will be with the Lord forever 1 Peter 1:3-9 He has given us new birth into a living hope Revelation 2:10b I will give you the crown of life Revelation 7:9-17 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst Revelation 19:6-9 Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb Revelation 21:1-7 I saw a new heaven and a new earth Revelation 21:22-22:6 There will be no more night

6 SUGGESTED HYMN SELECTIONS CW 105 CW 143 CW 152 CW 156 CW 160 CW 167 CW 206 CW 211 CW 213 CW 219 CW 254 CW 321 CW 349 CW 369 CW 374 CW 376 CW 379 CW 389 CW 415 CW 417 CW 418 CW 419 CW 422 CW 434 CW 550 CW 551 CW 554 CW 588 CW 606 O Sacred Head, Now Wounded He s Risen, He s Risen I Know that My Redeemer Lives Awake, My Heart, with Gladness This Joyful Eastertide Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying I Know of a Sleep in Jesus Name Forever with the Lord Lord, When Your Glory I Shall See The Day Full of Grace Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name Jesus, Priceless Treasure Beautiful Savior My Shepherd Will Supply My Need Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness Amazing Grace Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me Be Still, My Soul I m But a Stranger Here My God Will Never Leave Me If God Himself Be for Me Jesus, Lead Us On Lord, You I Love with All My Heart Behold a Host, Arrayed in White For All the Saints Oh, How Blest Are They Abide with Me For Me to Live Is Jesus

7 CHRISTIAN FUNERAL PLANNING FORM PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Birth date: Birth place: Baptism date: Baptism place: Confirmation date: Confirmation place: Confirmation verse: FAMILY INFORMATION Spouse (include maiden name): Marriage date: Marriage place: Children: Father: Mother (nee): Siblings: SERVICE INFORMATION Scripture lessons: Preferred sermon text: Hymn selections: Pallbearers: Burial location: Other notes: