Garden Wedding
Chilly for the outdoor rehearsal yesterday afternoon, rain just cleared, girls in sleeveless dresses and bare legs were shivering, goosebumps. Weather this hour is bit hazy, 58 degrees, 80% humidity. Forecast for the outdoor wedding at five o’clock is sunny, 75 degrees, 37% humidity. To share the ceremony Lauren and Daniel will light a candle in memory of Lauren’s father, then Lauren and Joe will light a candle in memory of Patty.
Jewish tradition is that those who have died are kept alive in our loving memory. St. Paul said we sleep in Christ until the trumpet sounds for the resurrection at the last day. Christian belief generally is that when we die we go to heaven to be with God. Our theology is expressed in our prayers at time of death:
Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May your rest be this day in peace,
and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your
servant N. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of
your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your
own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May your rest be this day in peace,
and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your
servant N. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of
your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your
own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the
glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
And then cherished petitions at Christian burial
Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they
may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a
reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal
life with those they love. Amen.
may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a
reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal
life with those they love. Amen.
Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may
go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in
thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in
thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
A wedding may seem an odd time to think of these things, but our Patty will be in everyone’s loving thoughts during the garden wedding in Raleigh this afternoon.
TW+