Below are the words spoken by Rev. Theodore Lewis on December 23rd, 2010...
WORDS OF THE REV. TED LEWIS AT THE FUNERAL OF
MARIE ROSE JOSEPHINE NGHIEM-PHU
December 23, 2010
I am here firstly as a family member. My membership in this distinguished family comes about not through any merit of my own but through the graciousness of Marie Rose’s daughter VyVy in marrying my son Nathan. I am here also as a priest of the Anglican Communion, the main component of which in this country is The Episcopal Church but which is a world-wide fellowship, functioning not only in Britain where it had its beginning (hence the name Anglican), but also in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. In both capacities I am honored to be allowed to take part in our gathering this evening for our beloved Marie Rose, not so much to mourn her loss as to celebrate her life, in this place so beautifully decorated with ikebana and the like and to which so many of you have come. I would express my appreciation also for the Buddhist ceremonial which our brother and sisters have just performed with such authenticity.
As an Anglican priest it is my belief that the Anglican and indeed Christian tradition, which was part of Marie Rose’s own heritage, has much to say to an occasion even such as this, perhaps especially such as this. Now is not the time, nor is it my function here, to make a full exposition of it. But with your permission I will offer a few prayers taken from the Burial Office of our Book of Common Prayer as some indication of its riches.
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Grant to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins and serve thee with a quiet mind.
Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in thy fatherly care, that casting all their grief on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, that casting every care on thee they may know the consolation of thy love.
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.
Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.
Grant us grace to entrust Marie Rose to thy never-failing love. Receive her into the arms of thy mercy, and remember her according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people.
Remember they servant, O Lord, according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people. And grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, she may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom.
Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss in thy eternal and everlasting glory, and with all they saints to receive the crown of life which thou dost promise to all who share in the victory of thy Son Jesus Christ.
* * *
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
(turning to the Urn)
Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit you.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace, both now and ever more.
Amen
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