Service of Hope and Remembrance 6th June 3pm

Each year we hold a Service of Hope and Remembrance for those who have been recently bereaved and this year it should have been on 6th June at 3pm in Church. However due to the pandemic we are unable to open the church, but members of our church will be following the prayers below in their own homes at 3pm that day and praying for you and your loved ones.

If you would like to join with our prayers please do so. You might like to light a candle and in the time of silence to remember your own loved one.

If you’d prefer to print off the service sheet you can download it here

Hope comes from the Lord

As we cannot be together in Church to think of those we have lost, we offer prayers to give you hope, to comfort and uphold you. If you are of any faith or none please accept them in the spirit they are intended, which is to offer comfort and to uphold whenever you feel the need. We hope that they will help you on your journey.

‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Romans 8:38-39

Prayers

May the grace of Christ uphold you,

and the Father’s love enfold you,

may the Holy Spirit guide you, and all the joy and peace be with you, now and to eternity.

Amen

Risen Jesus, you are there close beside each person, you descend to where we are. And you take upon yourself all that hurts us, both in ourselves and in others. You accompany every human being. More than that, you visit even those who, as non-believers, have died without having been able to know you. And so, in our inner struggle, the contemplation of your forgiveness gives rise to a radiant goodness in the humble heart that allows itself to be led by your Spirit.

Amen

God of life and love, we come to you in our need. Be with us as we experience the abyss of death and grief. Be there in our sorrow and pain; be with us in our fear, that we may find light in darkness, comfort in your Word; in the name of Jesus, who by death has conquered death.

Amen

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

As we light a candle we take a moment of silence to remember our own loved one.

SILENCE

Merciful Father;

hear our prayers and comfort us;

renew our trust in your Son

Whom you raised from the dead;

Strengthen out faith

That all who have died in the love of Christ

will share in his resurrection

Who lives and reigns with you

Now and forever. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

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

the power and the glory for ever and ever

Amen

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do his will;

And the blessing of God almighty,

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen

If you would like to talk to someone please contact us:

Harwood Vicarage

Stitch-mi-Lane

Harwood

Bolton

BL2 4HU

01204 525196

parishsec@hotmail.co.uk