Committal Service for Henry Smith, Saturday March 24th, 2018

Committal Service for Henry Smith – Sat. March 24th, 2018

Gathering
We have gathered here today to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Henry Smith. 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
O God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray.  You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity.  Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you.  AMEN

Let us hear now a reading from the Old Testament:
Psalm 121
We lift our eyes up to the hills. From where does our help come?
Our help comes from the Unseen One, The Maker of the heavens and the earth,
Who will not cause our feet to stumble, Our protector who never sleeps.
The Abundant One preserves us, The Watchful One is our shelter and support.
The Vigilant One guards us from evil, And keeps our Life-breath safe.
The Shepherd guards our going out and our coming in from now unto eternity.

Let us hear now a reading from the New Testament:
Revelation 21:1-7
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 bride 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 his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he 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." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Words of Remembrance from Henry's daughter Vickie:
Henry was born on March 26th, 1924 to Herman and Vera Smith.  He grew up on a farm with his 5 brothers and 5 sisters.  Henry graduated from Glidden High School and enlisted in the United States Army/Air Force.  He served as a mechanic from 1941 to 1945.  Upon return he dated and married Donna Lasher June 6th, 1948.  Henry had 2 children, Terry and Vickie.

Henry led a simple life.  He is remembered as a hard worker who loved doing carpentry.  He was a quiet man, but had a good sense of humor.  He taught his son, Terry, how to work on cars and they enjoyed hunting and fishing together.  He passed his passion for music and dancing onto his daughter, Vickie.  Henry enjoyed playing cards and watching Westerns on TV.  He also enjoyed fishing on the Raccoon River and from time to time he was known to pull a slot machine handle or two. 

Henry was a loving father and grandfather of 7 and great-grandfather of 5.  He will be missed but never forgotten.

Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not for long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that once we shared
Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know.
Laugh at all the things we used to do
Miss me, but let me go.

Prayer of Committal:
O God, all that you have given us is yours... today into your hands, O merciful God, we commend the spirit of your child Henry Smith.
We acknowledge you Lord, and we humbly beseech you, receive into your grace Henry... a sheep of your own fold... a lamb of your own flock... a sinner of your own redeeming.  Receive Henry into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints of light. Amen

Please join me now in the Lord’s Prayer using the word sin:  Our Father...

Benediction:
May you be at ease. May you be free from suffering.
May you be healed. May you know joy and lightness of being
May you dwell in comfort and compassion.
May you be a source of comfort and compassion for all whom you meet.
Go now in our Lord's unending peace.  Amen.

Henry was recognized with the presentation of a flag to his family in commemoration of his service in the military.