A Celebration of Life
Rosanna Leeson
August 6, 1946 to October 28, 2018
AS WE GATHER
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Today we gather in the valley. Grief rising on one side, pain rising on the other. The valley can be lonely, treacherous, and all-encompassing. I will fear no evil. Ahead lies a mountain, a mountain of hope. Joy and peace envelop all who pass through the valley and ascend the mountain. Today we make that journey to the mountaintop.
CALLING ON GOD Psalm 23
Pastor: In the name of the Father, the † Son, and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
People: He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.
Pastor: he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
People: 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.
Pastor: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
People: Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Pastor: Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!
OPENING HYMN: “Nearer My God to Thee”
Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee!
E’en though it be a cross That raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be: Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee!
Nearer, my Lord, to thee, Nearer to thee,
Who to thy cross didst come, Dying for me!
Strengthen my willing feet, Hold me in service sweet
Nearer, O Christ, to thee, Nearer to thee!
Nearer, O Comforter, Nearer to thee,
Who with my loving Lord Dwellest with me!
Grant me thy fellowship! Help me each day to keep
Nearer, my Guide, to thee, Nearer to thee!
But to be nearest still, Bring me, O God,
Not by the visioned steeps Angels have trod.
Here where thy cross I see, Jesus, I wait for thee,
Then evermore to be Nearer to thee!
PRAYER
Pastor: Let us pray. O God of grace and mercy, we give thanks for Your loving-kindness shown to Rosanna and to all Your servants who, having finished their course in faith, now rest from their labors. Grant that we also may be faithful unto death and receive the crown of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
ROSANNA’S LIFE IN PICTURES (Music – I Can See Clearly Now)
EPISTLE READING 2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
GOSPEL John 14:1-6
(Jesus said) “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
SONG OF COMFORT: “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”
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.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me;
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
Pastor: Father in heaven, give to the friends of Rosanna and to all who
mourn comfort in their grief and a sure confidence in Your loving care that, casting all their sorrow on You, they may know Your love. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: Receive our thanks for Rosanna and for all the blessings You
bestowed on her in this earthly life. Bring us at last to our heavenly home that with her we may see You face to face in the joys of paradise. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.
Pastor: O God of all grace, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ,
to bring life and immortality to life. We give You thanks that by His death He destroyed the power of death and by His resurrection He opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Strengthen us in the confidence that because He lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life nor things present nor things to come will be able to separate us from Your love, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
ALL: Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: “How Great Thou Art”
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
The pow’r throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
I 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;
Refrain
But 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;
Refrain
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!”
Refrain
Service in PDF: 11-02-2018 – Rosanna Leeson