Opening Prayer
Words of Commendation
Valerie has prepared for this day, and with the help for the medical practices and treatments, she is here to give thanks for and say goodbye to her immune system.
God of Compassion and Love, You have breathed into Valerie the breath of life and have given her the exercise of her mind and will. In her frailty, she surrenders all life to you from whom it came, trusting in your gracious promises through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Together we thank you for the many blessings her immune system has allowed in her life.
For her many years of energy and health,
We give you thanks, Lord.
For her essence and ability to survive in the face of great adversity,
We give you thanks, Lord..
For her strength to travel far and wide, to raise children, and serve in ministry,
We give you thanks, Lord.
For all you have done in and through Valerie,
We give you thanks, Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading:
For new life to have space to grow, sometimes significant changes must take place. Jesus spoke of this using the analogy of old and new wineskins. He says this in Matthew 9:17. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.
In order to receive and hold new wine, new wineskins are required. In this case, in order for Valerie to receive new life in the form of physical health, a new immune system is required.
Litany for the Dying Immune System:
Leader: Word of God, we affirm that you are the beginning and the end of all life.
All: Risen Lord, help us to trust in your promise of life everlasting.
Leader: Lord God, you have promised that our lives will be changed and transformed.
All: Good Shepherd, death in any form is hard to accept,l but help us to understand that life;s journey leads to you.
Leader: Source of all goodness, we give you thanks for the blessing that you bestowed upon Valerie through her immune system.
All: Gracious God help us to remember the blessings of her immune system, and prepare her to let her immune system go free.
Leader: God of all Creation, strengthen her as she releases this immune system today.
All: Merciful Lord, help Valerie to accept this parting and to trust in the promises of new life.
Leader: Now, may your immune system go in peace.
All: Amen. We believe in your Word and the eternal life you have promised to us. We pray that we may trust in these promises today and always.
Scripture Reading: Revelation 21: 1-5a
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bridge adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
"See, the home of God is among mortals.
he will dwell with them;
they will be God's peoples,
and God himself will be with them;
God will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away,'
And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."
Closing Prayer: For hope, openness, and endurance on the journey.
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