Funeral

At times like this we look for meaning. Our faith is tested. Our understanding of God and of ourselves, is put to the test. Is our love deep enough to endure? Is God’s grace vast enough to suffice?

We want to make sense of such suffering. Why does a loving God allow that such pain to continue in this world? I also know that while there are no words that can easily stop the pain, there are words which point us toward the place of healing; to the person through whom healing is available.

---------- has only known the love of his mother, father, and family in the safety of his mother’s womb and the love of Christ in heaven. His knowledge of love and provision are so pure. We are gathered here out of pure love and honest respect for ----------------------- and all of the family and for each other.

There are a few things you can know for sure!

Know where ----------- is, in (Matthew 18:2-4) “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” Infants are innocent from sin and know that today as we assemble he is in paradise!

Know God’s love for you and -------------. “(Jeremiah 29:11). ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” All that occurs is well within the scope of God’s provision and care, though we may not understand it.

In other words, times like these can either become a wedge between us as disappointment turns to bitterness or times like this can become a bridge over which we cross, arm in arm, bringing us closer together, looking for help in the troubled times and finding it in one another; finding God moving through each other.

In times like this the Lord does not reveal the wisdom of explanation, only the comfort of His grace; and it is more than enough to sustain us. Our Lord , the master of mercy who once walked this earth and now is Lord of Heaven and Earth, offers His embrace to each one of us!

On ----------------- Our Lord decided to receive little ------------- up into His loving and strong embrace ---------------- went directly from the shelter of the love of His father and the womb of his mother, into the arms of His Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is to those same arms that we must run now, placing our trust in the God who knows what we cannot know; into the arms of the one who now holds -----------. In the fullness of His presence there is peace.

I cry out along with the worshipper of God of old:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalms 121:1-8 ESV)

Let us close this service by reading -Psalm 23

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 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.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Let us pray-

Our most loving and gracious heavenly Father, Our God our refuge and strength,

close at hand in our distress;

meet us in our sorrow and lift our eyes

to the peace and light of your constant care.

Help us so to hear your word of grace

that our fear will be dispelled by your love,

our loneliness eased by your presence