Religious readings

God our Comforter, you are a refuge and a strength for us, a helper close at hand in times of distress. Help us so to hear the words of our faith that our fear is dispelled, our loneliness eases and our hope reawakened. May your Holy Spirit lift us above our natural sorrow, to the peace and light of your constant love; through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen.

B3. Matthew 10 : 29, 31

Jesus said “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. So don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”

B4. A reading from the Revelation of St John

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband., and I heard a great voice from the throne of God saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”

B5. I Weep in Love from an Indian Christian

I am glad, lord, for I wept today.

And I hid my tears inside my handkerchief.

Still my eyes were burning, and my head got hot;

My heart was beating fast and I felt weak,

Solemn thoughts rose up from my mind.

And a note of thankfulness played its melody in my being.

Why ? I do not know.

I know that drops of tears which I hid in my kerchief,

Have been a stepping stone for me to thee.

Lord, I cry; make me weep, and give me tears to flow;

Thy loving touch transforms my grief

Into joy, and peace, and I weep in love

I am glad, Lord, for I wept today.

B6. John 11 : 1 - 45

A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’

B7. Christmas Thoughts

Beyond the Christmas trees, the angels and the stars, and beloved carols; Beyond the presents, the shopping, the baking, and cooking; beyond all of these sights and sounds of Christmas… There is hope.

Hope… for the bereaved, even at Christmas, one of the most painful times of the year. There is an essence of hope; Hope… that sustains us through the days of grief and anger and frustration and loneliness.

The hope that someday the pain of death will be eased.

The hope that someday our smiles will be real. The hope that once again we will laugh and love and cry completely without fear and hollowness. The hope that someday we can remember with a tenderness merely tinged with sorrow and not overwhelmed by it.

So it is for each of us. Let us hope… for peace, compassion, love, sympathy, understanding, sharing and listening. In the support we give to one another, may we receive and understand all these gifts.

B8. God's Garden Must Be Beautiful

God saw you getting tired,

When a cure was not to be.

So he wrapped His arms around you,

And whispered, "Come to Me."

You didn't deserve what you went through,

So He gave you a rest.

God's garden must be beautiful,

He only picks the best.

And when we saw you sleeping,

So peaceful and free from pain,

I could not wish you back

To suffer that again.

B9. Mothers Never Really Die by Helen Steiner Rice

Death beckoned her with outstretched hand

And whispered softly of an unknown land.

But she was not afraid to go

For though the path she did not know

She took death's hand without a fear

For He who safely brought her here

Had told her He would lead the way

Into eternity's bright day.

And so she did not go alone

Into the valley that is unknown

She gently took death by the hand

And journeyed to the promised land.

And there, with step so light and gay,

She polishes the sun by day

And lights the stars that shine at night

And keeps the moonbeams silvery bright.

For mothers really never die

They just keep house up in the sky

And in the heavenly home above

They wait to welcome those they love.

B10. 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind, It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

B11. The Weaver

My life is but a weaving,

Between my Lord and me,

I cannot choose the colours

He worketh steadily.

Often times He weaveth sorrow

And I, in foolish pride,

Forget He sees the upper...

And I the underside.

Not 'til the loom is silent,

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful

In the Weaver's skillful hand,

As the threads of gold and silver

For the pattern He has planned.

B12. Tears

If tears could build a stairway

And memories a lane,

I would walk right up to Heaven

And bring you back again.

No farewell words were spoken,

No time to say "goodbye,"

You were gone before I knew it

And only God knows why.

My heart still aches with sadness

And secret tears still flow.

What it meant to love you -

No-one can ever know.

B13. A prayer of St Francis de Sales

Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow;

The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day.

Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.

B14. The Homecoming

(A poem for the bereaved by Allister J. Walker)

Don't worry that I've passed away

death is not the end,

death is another journey

I'm with my maker and my friend.

Don't worry that I've passed away

you won't be left alone,

I'll be watching and waiting

until God brings you home.

Don't upset yourself my friends,

for in death I have no fear.

I've lived life to the full

a life that's never been dull.

I know I've had my moments -

there have been times of strife,

but I need not worry

now that I have eternal life.

Don't upset yourself my friends,

for I don't consider death to be a loss.

For Jesus Christ my Saviour

when he died upon the cross.

My new home, up here in Heaven

is so perfect and divine,

with banquets of delight

and fresh fruit from the vine.

Don't worry that I've passed away

for I am now at ease

and until the day we meet again

I'll sit here and rest in peace.

B15. I Am Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,

I'm following paths God made for me

I took his hand, I heard him call

Then turned, and bid farewell to all.

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to sing, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found my peace at close of day.

And if my parting left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy -

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss -

Ah yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened in deep sorrow,

I wish you sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I've savoured much -

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me,

God wants me now ... He set me free.

B16. The Rose Beyond the Wall (A L Frink)

Near a shady wall, a rose once grew,

Budded and blossomed in God's free light,

Watered and fed by the morning dew,

Shedding it's sweetness day and night.

As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,

Slowly rising to loftier height,

It came to a crevice in the wall

Through which there shone a beam of light.

Onward it crept with added strength

With never a thought of fear or pride,

It followed the light through the crevice's length

And unfolded itself on the other side.

The light, the dew, the broadening view

Were found the same as they were before,

And it lost itself in beauties new,

Breathing its fragrance more and more.

Shall claim of death cause us to grieve

And make our courage faint and fall?

Nay! Let us faith and hope receive -

The rose still grows beyond the wall.

Scattering fragrance far and wide

Just as it did in days of yore,

Just as it did on the other side,

Just as it will forever more.

B16a. The Rose Beyond the Wall (Short version)

A rose once grew where all could see,
sheltered beside a garden wall,
And, as the days passed swiftly by,
it spread its branches straight and tall.

One day a beam of light shone through
a crevice that had opened wide -
The Rose bent gently toward its warmth
then passed beyond to the other side.

Now you who deeply feel its loss,
be comforted - the rose blooms there -
Its beauty even greater now,
nurtured by God’s own loving care.

16a

B17. Footprints in the Sand (Mary Stevenson)

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

B18. Footprints in the Sand (Margaret Fishback Powers)

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

B19. Light shining out of darkness (William Cowper)

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform –
He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in un-fathom-able minds
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace.
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour.
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan his work in vain.
God is his own interpreter
And He will make it plain.

B20. Angels' Feathers

God has sent his angels
To watch us from above,
To shelter us from evil
And share His holy love.

Their wings are decked with feathers
So pure, so good, so white,
They help us through our darkest hours
And lead us to the light.

B21. Broken Chain

We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.

It breaks our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone -
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you
You are always by our side.

Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same
But as God calls us, one by one,
Our chain will link again.

B22. 23rd Psalm

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 for ever.

B23. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

B24. John 14: 1-4

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

You know the way to the place where I am going.

B25. In Heaven

As the sun sets upon this life
And your body is laid to rest
I know you’ll be up in Heaven
Because God only takes the best

I know you’re watching over me
And it takes away the pain
I will carry you in my heart
Until we meet again

My world is a little darker
Now that we’re apart
But the memories are shining brightly
Within this broken heart

You touched the lives of those you loved
And we wanted you to stay
But you were needed up in Heaven
And God whispered “come this way”

I know whenever I’m lonely
And this smile becomes a frown
I’ll look up to the sky above
And there’ll be an Angel looking down

B26. A Prayer for Peace

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, your pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

Oh, divine Master, Grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

B27. We Let You Go

Into the darkness and warmth of the earth
We lay you down.

Into the sadness and smiles of our memories
We lay you down.

Into the cycle of living and dying and rising again
We lay you down.

May you rest in peace, in fulfilment, in loving;
May you run straight home in God's embrace.
Into the freedom of wind and sunshine
We let you go.

Into the dance of the stars and the planets
We let you go.

Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the star maker
We let you go.

We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy;
Go safely, go dancing, go running home.