Funeral & Memorial Services
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN FUNERAL/MEMORIAL SERVICE?
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WHAT DOES AN ANGLICAN FUNERAL/MEMORIAL SERVICE LOOK LIKE?
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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COSTS FOR FUNERAL/MEMORIAL SERVICES?
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A RECEPTION AFTER THE SERVICE
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A SELECTION OF RECOMMENDED BIBLE READINGS ISAIAH 40:27-31 JOHN 14:1-7 JOHN 11:17-27 MATTHEW 11:25-30 ROMANS 8:14-39 ROMANS 14:8-9 1 CORINTHIANS 15:42-50 1 CORINTHIANS 15:51-58 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13-18 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-10 1 PETER 1:3-4 REVELATION 21:1-7 PSALM 23 PSALM 46 PSALM 90 PSALM 91 PSALM 116 PSALM 121 PSALM 130 PSALM 139
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SELECTED HYMNS WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS PRAISE MY SOUL ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL THINE BE THE GLORY TO GOD BE THE GLORY HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! KING OF GLORY O LORD MY GOD PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY, O WORSHIP THE KING BE THOU MY VISION, O LORD OF MY HEART; GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH, LORD'S MY SHEPHERD I'LL NOT WANT. MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOUR ODE TO JOY AMAZING GRACE IN CHRIST ALONE HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US, THE DAY YOU GAVE US THE STRIFE IS OER
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What is a Christian funeral/memorial service? A funeral/memorial service marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life, which is now completed in this world, and to commend the person into God's keeping. What makes a Christian funeral/memorial service distinct is that we are remembering the person who has died in the overarching context of remembering who God is, and the promises he has made to us. In the Anglican tradition the funeral/memorial service begins with the minister reading aloud such reassuring sentences from the Bible as: 'I am the resurrection and the life,' saith the Lord; 'he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26) and 'I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. (Job 19:25) With these opening sentences we are led into a funeral service designed to remind us of the great promises made to us by God: that promise being that through the death and resurrection of God’s son Jesus Christ those who follow him have peace with God, the certain hope of eternal life with him, and that we will one day be resurrected as he was.
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What does an Anglican funeral/memorial service look like? A funeral/memorial service at St. John’s follows the funeral liturgy found in the Book of Common Prayer. It follows a set course of prayers, and bible readings designed to point us to God’s word and the promises that he has given to us. The service will have the following elements, and likely in this order • Musical Prelude • Opening Sentences (from the Book of Common Prayer) • 1st Hymn • Welcome by the clergy • Remembrance (eulogy) • Psalm (said together by the congregation) • 1st Scripture Reading • 2nd Hymn • 2nd Scripture Reading • The Apostle’s Creed (said together by the congregation) • Sermon • 3rd Hymn • Prayers • The Lord’s Prayer (said together by the congregation) • Commendation • 4th Hymn • Blessing • Musical Recessional
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Frequently asked questions Where in the church do family members sit?
Before the service pews are designated reserved seating for family members. The minister will be able to help you determine how many pews should be reserved. Where can family members gather before the service?
Prior to the service family members meet with the minister in the Fireside room at the far (east) end of the church foyer. At the start of the service he will lead your family to their designated pews. What about flowers for the service?
Family members will need to arrange their own flowers. You will also need to inform the church office when they will be delivered. Please note that all flowers will need to be removed after the service. For memorial services people sometimes people like to have a small table, placed at the front of the church, on which to place a photograph, flowers, and/or ashes. Do St. John’s clergy come to the burial site?
If the deceased person is being buried at another location you will need to make arrangements with the clergy involved. What is the address of the church?
5350 Baillie Street (Corner of 37th Ave and Baillie Street), Vancouver. What kind of service sheet will we have at the service?
The service sheet will follow the order of service and contain everything required for those gathered to participate in the service. The Apostle’s Creed is printed in full as well as the words for the hymns. Sometimes family will have a photo of the deceased person on the front cover. There is also space on the back cover for special poems, or other words. Printing of the service sheets is included in the cost of the service. There is an additional charge of $50 for printing in colour.
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Costs for funeral/memorial services?
Staffing for a church service only
$200
Staffing for a church service & church reception
$250
Organist (optional)
$200
Facility Costs These are the rates that St. John’s pays to Oakridge Adventist Church for use of the facilities
Sanctuary
$300
Fellowship Hall & Kitchen
$250
Chapel
$175
There is an additional cost of $50.00 for printing bulletins in colour. There is no additional cost for a graveside or interment service, but additional arrangements must be made with the clergy as to their availability.
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A reception after the service At our church facility receptions can be held either downstairs in the Fellowship Hall or upstairs in the Foyer and Chapel area. Downstairs a kitchen is attached to the Fellowship Hall that can also be used. Our stoves and ovens are available for heating things up and for keeping them warm; however, all cooking should be done off the premises of St. John's. We are able to provide tables and chairs. Which will be set up by the St. John’ staff. Our coffee maker is located on the main floor in a small kitchen off the foyer. Tea kettles and tea pots are also available. Please note that liquor cannot be consumed on the premises. You Will Need
Please make arrangements to rent the items listed below: ___table-cloths ___silverware ___glasses ___serving plates ___cups ___serving utensils ___plates ___napkins ___bowls ___flower vases
____salt & pepper ____coffee/tea ____sugar ____creamers ____pitchers
Please note that every funeral reception will need to have a designated person in charge of cleaning up the kitchen and all leftover food from the reception. St. John’s staff will be responsible for putting away all of the tables and chairs used during the reception.
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A selection of recommended bible readings Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. John 14:1-7
1“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 11:17-27
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I 6
am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Romans 8:14-39
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to 7
the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 14:8-9
8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 1 Corinthians 15:42-50
42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this 8
perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 2 Corinthians 4:13-18
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
1.For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
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1 Peter 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, Revelation 21:1-7
1 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. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 10
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalm 90
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” 4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. 11
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. 7 For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. 10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.� 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, 12
and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge — 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 13
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!” 5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; 9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 10 I believed, even when I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted”; 11 I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.” 12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. 16 O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!
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Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 130
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! 3 If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. 15
8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Psalm 139
1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,� 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 16
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! 20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
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Selected Hymns WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
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What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear, what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer; O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
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Have we trial and temptations, is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged: take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness: take it to the Lord in prayer.
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Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care? Jesus is our only refuge: take it to the Lord in prayer. Do Your friends despise, forsake You? Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms he’ll take and shield You, You will find a solace there.
PRAISE MY SOUL
1.
Praise my soul, the King of heaven, to his feet thy tribute bring; ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, who like thee his praise should sing? Praise him! Praise him! (4x) praise the everlasting King.
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Father-like, he tends and spares us, well our feeble frame he knows; in his hands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes! Praise him! Praise him! (4x) widely as his mercy flows.
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Praise him for his grace and favour to our fathers in distress; praise him, still the same for ever, slow to chide and swift to bless. Praise him! Praise him! (4x) glorious in his faithfulness.
4.
Angels help us to adore him, ye behold him face to face; sun and moon, bow down before him, dwellers all in time and space! Praise him! Praise him! (4x) praise with us the God of grace. Steve James
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ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderfulthe Lord god made them all.
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The purple-headed mountain, the river running by, the sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky,
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Each little flower that opens, each little bird that singshe made their glowing colours, he made their tiny wings.
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he gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell how great is god Almighty, who has made all things well.
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The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the gardenhe made them every one.
THINE BE THE GLORY
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Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won; angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave-clothes, where thy body lay. Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son, endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
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Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb; lovingly he greets us, scatters fears and gloom; let the church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing, for her Lord is living, death has lost its sting.
3.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life; life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife; make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love: bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
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TO GOD BE THE GLORY
1.
To God be the glory, great things he has done! So loved he the world that he gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
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O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to every believer the promise of God! and every offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son; and give him the glory, great things he has done!
3.
Great things he has taught us, great things he has done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher, and greater will be our wonder, our rapture, when Jesus we see.
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!
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Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty, early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
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Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, only thou art holy, there is none beside thee perfect in power, in love and purity.
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Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, God everlasting through eternity.
4.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty, all thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky aand sea; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty God in three persons, blessed Trinity.
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KING OF GLORY
1 .
King of glory, King of peace, I will love thee; and, that love may never cease, I will move thee. Thou hast granted my request, thou hast heard me; thou didst note my working breast, thou hast spared me.
3.
Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee; in my heart, though not in heaven, I can raise thee. Small it is, in this poor sort to enrol thee: ev’n eternity’s too short to extol thee.
2 .
Wherefore with my utmost art I will sing thee, and the cream of all my heart I will bring thee. Though my sins against me cried, thou didst clear me; and alone, when they replied, thou didst hear me.
O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed:
3.
And when I think that God his Son not sparing, sent him to die – I scarce can take it in. That on the cross my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, how great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee, how great thou art! How great thou art!
4.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home – what joy shall fill my heart! Then shall I bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, my God, how great thou art!
O LORD MY GOD
1.
2.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;
Stuart K. Hine
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PRAISE TO THE LORD, THE ALMIGHTY,
1.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation; O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation; all ye who hear, brothers and sisters draw near, praise him in glad adoration.
4.
Praise to the Lord, who when darkness of sin is abounding, who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding, sheddeth his light, chaseth the horrors of night, saints with his mercy surrounding.
2.
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth, shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth: hast thou not seen how thy heart’s longings have been granted in what he ordaineth?
5.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him! all that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him! let the amen sound from his people again: gladly for ay we adore him.
3.
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee: ponder anew what the Almighty can do who with his love doth befriend thee.
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O WORSHIP THE KING
1.
O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love: our shield and defender, the ancient of days, pavilioned in splendour, and girded with praise.
4.
2.
O tell of His might, O sing of His grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is His path on the wings of the storm.
5.
3.
The earth with its store of wonders untold, Almighty, thy power hath founded of old, hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree, and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.
6.
Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light, it streams from the hills, it descendes to the plain, and sweetly distils in the dew and the rain. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail: thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, our maker, defender, redeemer and friend.
O measureless light, ineffable love, while angels delight to hymn thee above, the humbler creation, though feeble their lays, with true adoration shall sing to thy praise.
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BE THOU MY VISION, O LORD OF MY HEART;
1.
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all else to me, save that thou art – thou my best thought, by day or by night, waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
4.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, thou mine inheritance, now and always: thou and thou only, first in my heart, high king of heaven, my treasure thou art.
2.
Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord; thou my great Father, I thy true son; thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
5.
High king of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Son! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O ruler of all.
3.
Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight; be thou my dignity, thou my delight, thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tow’r: raise thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r.
Traditional Irish Hymn
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GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH,
1.
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand: bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore.
2.
Open now the crystal fountain whence the living waters flow; let the fiery, cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through; strong deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield.
3.
When I tread the verge of Jordan bid my anxious fears subside; death of death, and hell's destruction, land me safe on Canaan's side; songs and praises, I will ever give to thee.
LORD'S MY SHEPHERD I'LL NOT WANT.
1.
The Lord's my shepherd I'll not want. He makes me lie in pastures green. He leads me by the still, still waters, his goodness restores my soul.
2.
He guides my ways in righteousness, And he anoints my head with oil, And my cup it overflows with joy, I feast on his pure delights.
And I will trust in you alone, And I will trust in you alone, For your endless mercy follows me, Your goodness will lead me home
3.
And though I walk the darkest path, I will not fear the evil one, For you are with me, and your rod and staff Are the comfort I need to know.
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MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOUR
1.
May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day, by his love and power controlling all I do and say.
4.
May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea; him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.
2.
May the word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour so that all may see I triumph only through his power.
5.
May I run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe, looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.
3.
May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything, that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.
6.
May his beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win, and may they forget the channel, seeing only him.
ODE TO JOY
1.
Joyful, joyful we adore thee God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
2.
All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heav’n reflect thy rays; stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flow’ry meadow, flashing sea. Chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.
3.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest; wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest. Thou, our Father, Christ, our brother, all who live in love are thine. Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
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AMAZING GRACE
1.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
4.
The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
2.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
5.
Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace.
3.
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come: 'tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
6.
When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we’d first begun. J. Newton; 1772
IN CHRIST ALONE
1.
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand.
3.
There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine-Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
2.
In Christ alone! who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied-For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.
4.
No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till he returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!
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HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US,
1
How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure, that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss; the Father turns His face away, as wounds which mar the chosen One bring many sons to glory
2
Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders; ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life– I know that it is finished.
3
I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom; but I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I can not give an answer. but this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom. 1995 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
THE DAY YOU GAVE US
1.
The day You gave us, Lord, is ended, the darkness falls at Your behest; to You our morning hymns ascended, Your praise shall sanctify our rest.
4.
The sun that bids us rest is waking our friends beneath the western sky, and hour by hour fresh lips are making Your wonderous doings heard on high.
2.
We thank You that Your church unsleeping, while earth rolls onward into light, through all the world her watch is keeping, and rests not now by day or night.
5.
So be it Lord; Your throne shall never, like earth’s proud empires, pass away; Your kingdom stands, and grows for ever, till all Your creatures own Your sway.
3.
Across each continent and island as dawn leads on another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away.
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THE STRIFE IS OER
1.
The strife is o'er, the battle done: now is the victor's triumph won; O let the song of praise be sung: Alleluia!
2.
Death's mightiest powers have done their worst, and Jesus hath his foes dispersed; let shouts of praise and joy outburst:
3.
On the third mom he rose again glorious in majesty to reign; let us awake and join the strain:
4.
He closed the frowning gates of hell; the bars from heaven's high portals fell; let hymns of praise his triumph tell:
5.
Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee, from death's dread sting thy servants free, that we may live, and sing to thee, ‘Alleluia!'
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