Monday, April 03, 2006

It's Over

I wanted to let you all know that my mother departed from this life, to dwell in light eternal, a little after 7:00 a.m. this morning.

Many thanks to all of you who have remembered us in your prayers during the past difficult days. I appreciate it very much, and am in awe of the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the Body of Christ together.

My mother hated standard funerals -- hated them -- and made it clear to me many times over the years that she did not intend having one. So we're not; instead we're having a memorial service at my church this Saturday at 11:00 a.m EST. Please be with me in spirit on that day. Thanks again, everyone, for all your kind notes and e-mails.

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

52 comments:

Emily said...

LC--You have been and are in my prayers.

May her soul rest in peace, and you be given what you need in this time.

Sheryl said...

There are no platitudes I can offer to make this time less painful, so I can only say I will continue to pray for you.

Kathryn said...

May she rest in peace and rise in glory...
Thinking of you both.
Love and prayers xx

Jody Harrington said...

Amen. Love and prayers to you.

LoieJ said...

I didn't expect to see that post from you, as, I guess, I always expect people to get better, even though I know better. I hardly know you, but I am grieving with you. May your memories sustain you, and may your faith carry you through the times when there is nothing else to hold you. Actually, it is Christ who will carry you when you think that there is no faith to carry you.

bls said...

God grant her peace, and light perpetual shine upon her.

Prayers for you.

Anonymous said...

Oh, LC--

Im sorry that you are riding this new roller-coaster...praying for you in Japan.

JWD said...

As a member of the Body of Christ, I sit now bearing grief at your loss. I pray for God's comforting presence to be especially upon you, within you, about you.

Jayne said...

Almighty God, our Father in heaven, before whom live all
who die in the Lord: Receive LC's mom into the courts of
your heavenly dwelling place. Let her heart and soul now ring out in joy to you, O Lord, the living God, and the God of those who live. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.


May light perpetual shine upon her, and may God's peace surround you LC.

Pink Shoes said...

Thoughts, prayers, peace and consolation be with you and all who cared for your mom.

Mata H said...

Oh my dear. I know what it is to lose a mother. You are going through a very particular loss, a deepness with its own unique journey. There really is nothing like the death of a parent.

Please know that nothing, not even Death, can destroy love. The love you and your mother felt and feel for eachother can never be taken from you. My prayers are with you, now and through the days ahead.

Closed said...

LC--I've added you to our prayers.

Sue said...

Prayers and hugs to you and all of your family. May God bring comfort and strength, peace and consolation to you all.

Derek the Ænglican said...

We're praying for you too.

Jules said...

So very sorry...
You remain in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Loving God, please hold my sister and friend LC in your strong and loving arms. Sit with her, be with her, let her feel your love-- and ours-- in this sad and empty time.

Anonymous said...

My heart is grieving along with you at the loss of your mother and your friend. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.

Anonymous said...

Just praying...

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry, LC, so sorry. Through gates of pearl, she streams with them.

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

Blessed in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints!

I am surprised by this, somehow, and saddened for you. I am praying for you as you go through this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

What can I say that hasn't been said? You are surely in my prayers. I'm in an online support group, and we show our care for each other with "hugs", so here's one for you.
((((((((LutheranChick))))))))

Evelyn

Anonymous said...

I am more sorry than I can say, LC. I will remember you in my prayers. I'm sure it meant a lot to your Mom that you stayed close to her and took such good care of her. I'm sure she was very proud of you and confident in your strength. May you feel Christ's annointing in these coming days.

Hugs from Dash

Anonymous said...

oops- I do apologize for the typo....

((((((LutheranChik))))))

Evelyn

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your loss...I lost mine 3 years ago in May. May the Lord uphold and strengthen you in this time even as He welcomes her to himself.

Anna said...

May your mother rest in peace and rise in glory.

I am so sorry, LutheranChik. Whatever you're feeling at this time, know that you're surrounded by love and prayers from the RevGals now and in the days and weeks to come.

Anonymous said...

(((hugs)))) Bless you as you find God's peace.

Anonymous said...

Dear LutheranChik,

I have only known you briefly from Beliefnet, but Mata was kind enough to let us know of your mother's passing.

I am so very, very sorry for your loss.

I pray that you find the strength and courage to face the days ahead through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Please know that He is holding you in His arms.

Peace,
Kim
FROG58

Christopher said...

Peace with you and all those who were close to your mother.

Anonymous said...

Oh LC, I am so very sorry. My prayers are with you and all who knew and loved your mother.

May you all, and especially you, LC, know God's peace and love surrounding you.

((((((((LC)))))))))

Anonymous said...

You are in my prayers. Your online communities are here to bear you up, as are your IRL ones.

I felt as though I knew your mom a little bit...from your posts.

Hugs,

Tom in Ontario said...

My deepest sympathies are with you. I'm so sorry. There are tears in my eyes. God bless you.

Rest eternal grant her, O Lord;
and let light perpetual shine upon her.

Charlotte said...

I am so sorry.

((hugs))

Anonymous said...

T --

My sympathy is with you. May your mother rest in peace, and may you and your family know the peace and comfort of Jesus.

Anonymous said...

Oh, {{{LC}}}, I'm sorry. You'll miss her so much. Do let me know if there's anything I can do - a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen.

Namaste

Bette

Rachel Nguyen said...

I am so very sorry.

Please know that you both will be in my prayers.

{{{{{{{{{{{LC}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Love,
Rachel

HeyJules said...

You continue to be in my prayers, LC. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

Hugs. prayers.
Beth

Rainbow Pastor said...

LC, there are no words. You are in my thoughts and prayers. If you need a listening ear for whatever you want to pour into it, I am here.
Blessings and grace.

Cathy said...

I am so sorry LC - may light perpetual shine upon your Mom.

Bad Alice said...

Still praying here.

Shupac said...

Sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

Tawonda, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am lifting you up in prayer. May perpetual light shine upon your mom.

Sally, a Tawonda fan from Beliefnet

Karen Sapio said...

The strife is o'er . ..

Questing Parson said...

May the peace of God envelop you in eternal comfort and healing.

Anonymous said...

May God's grace be with you at this difficult time. I will be praying for you.

dutch said...

Praying. God keep her and comfort you. +

((((LutheranChik)))

Sophia said...

My prayers and sympathy are with you.

May God be with you in the difficult days ahead.

Midnight Oil said...

T--

I'm very sorry to hear about this. Prayers are ascending.

Michael
Midnight oil/spookseeker

Andy Kaylor said...

LC, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You're in my prayers.

Rev Dr Mom said...

May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

And hugs to you. I'm so sorry.

LutherPunk said...

LC - I am so sorry to hear this. May she dwell in God's light forever. You are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

This is pathetically late, but I am so sorry for your loss, LC. RIP.