Title: M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Author: usr108
Last saved by: rmattek
Company: WELS

MINISTRY - FUNERAL
Resources

PRAYER
M:	Almighty God, we praise you for the great company of saints who have finished their lives in faith and now rest from their labors. We remember especially our loved one, _______________ , whom you have redeemed by the blood of your Son and received as your dear child through holy baptism. We thank you for giving him to us as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your compassion, comfort all who are sad in this hour. Lord, in your mercy, 
C:	Hear our prayer.
M:	We praise you for your love in Christ, which sustains us in life and death. In our earthly sorrows help us find strength in the fellowship of the church, joy in the forgiveness of sins, and hope in the resurrection to eternal life. Lord in your mercy,
C:	Hear our prayer.
M:	You do not leave us comfortless but strengthen and care for us through your Word and Sacrament. You give us family, friends and neighbors to help when there is loneliness now and in the days to come. Brighten our future with a firm trust in your promises and care. Lord, in your mercy,
C:	Hear our prayer.
M:	Remove our fears and make us bold to pray with confidence as our Savior has taught us:
C:	Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your, name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
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LITANY OF REMEMBERING
M:	In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C:	Amen.
M:	With grateful hearts, O Lord, we remember before you this day our ancestors of long ago, that great company of "heroes of faith" whose trust in you, recorded in your sacred Word, becomes the inspiration for our own.
C:	Inspire us by their memory, O Lord, to hear your Word with faithful hearts as they once did and, hearing, to obey with Spirit-driven trust in You and dedication to your will.
M:	With grateful hearts, O Lord, we remember before you this day your faithful followers of every age – among them our own mothers and fathers, pastors and teachers – called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit's guiding to be your holy Church, by whose faithful witness the gospel of your grace has reached at last even to us.
C:	Inspire us by their memory, O Lord, to be your Church indeed, here and wherever you would send us in your service, that by faithful words and loving deeds we may pass on the gift of life in Jesus Christ that conquers even death.
M:	With grateful hearts, O Lord, we remember before you this day our own loved ones whose memories still burn within our hearts, whom you have called in your good time from their labors in life to that life which knows no end.
C:	Inspire us by their memory, O Lord, to carry on their work in this our day, caring for the sick and grieving, the hungry and homeless, and above all the spiritually lost, until at length you call us too, by your great grace in Jesus Christ, to join them there where memories are swallowed up in everlasting joy!
	(CW 219, sung)
Lord, when your glory I shall see and taste your kingdom's pleasure, 
		your blood my royal robe shall be, my joy beyond all measure! 
	When I appear before your throne, your righteousness shall be my crown;
		with these I need not hide me. 
	And there, in garments richly wrought, as your own bride I shall be brought 
		to stand in joy beside you.