The attachment seems to have disappeared so I am pasting the words we used below.

 

In Loving Memory of Mark Rodger: Daddy and Husband
31st March 2017

GATHERING
We gather today to celebrate the life of Mark Rodger. To share our memories of him, to testify to his love for God, and to find comfort in God’s promises of hope.

WORD OF GRACE
Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever live and believes in me shall never die.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
I die, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I hold the keys of hell and death.
Because I live, you shall live also.

We have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Mark. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

PRAYER
Eternal God, from whom we come and to whom we return,
You are ever present with us; you are our strength, our guide, our refuge, our rock, and our redeemer. We know that your love never fails, and we can find comfort in that knowledge when it seems our sorrows may overcome us.

We come today filled with that sorrow, knowing we will not see Mark again on this earth. But we also gather with expectation, trusting in your great promises, and knowing that from death comes everlasting life.

We meet in gladness, too, remembering the joyous times we spent with Mark: the music he produced with friends and family; the dedication he gave his students and the congeniality with his colleagues; the laughter shared as the three brothers competed and joked; and especially the love he showed for Alison, Elisabeth, Rowena, and his extended family. And so we ask, merciful God, that these memories continue to flow through our minds as we go into the world.

Loving God, to all of us gathered here, and those remembering Mark from afar on this day, grant your peace, bestow upon us your compassion, and let your light shine upon us so that we may continue in the knowledge of your love and grace.

In your most precious name we pray, Amen.

COMMENDATION
God of us all, your love never ends.
When all else fails, you are still God.
We pray to you for one another in our need,
And for all, anywhere, who mourn with us this day.
To those who doubt, give light;
To those who are weak, strength;
To all who have sinned, mercy;
To all who sorrow, your peace.
Keep true in us the love with which we hold one another.
In all our ways we trust you.
And to you,
With your Church on earth and in heaven,
We offer honor and glory, now and for ever, Amen.

O God, all that you have given us is yours.
As first you gave Mark to us,
Now we give Mark back to you.

Receive Mark into the arms of your mercy.
Raise Mark up with all your people.
Receive us also, and raise us into a new life.
Help us so to love and serve you in this world
That we may enter into your joy in the world to come. Amen

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING*
The peace of God which passes all understanding
Keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
And of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
And the blessing of God almighty, The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

 

Music

Annie’s Song played by Rowena and Mark

As the deer pants for the water
1- As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after you
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you

R- You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone will my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship you

2- I want you more than gold or silver
Only you can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye

3- You're my friend and you are my Father
Even though you are my King
I love you more than any other
So much more than anything

Be Thou My Vision
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;
be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might;
be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower:
O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:
be thou mine inheritance now and always;
be thou and thou only the first in my heart;
O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, thou heaven's bright sun,
O grant me its joys after victory is won;
great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.