As reports of the school shooting in Newtown CT continue to unfold, may the words of Jesus offer comfort and peace.
SCRIPTURE
For you, O LORD, are my refuge. You have made the Most High your dwelling. (Psalm 91)
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light (Matthew 11:28-30).”
COLLECT
(These prayers are taken from The Order of Christian Funerals)
For the young people
Lord,
Your wisdom governs the length of our days.
We mourn the loss of children in Newtown
whose life has passed so quickly,
and we entrust them to Your mercy.
Welcome them into Your heavenly dwelling
and grant them the happiness of everlasting youth.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
For all who died
Lord our God,
You are always faithful and quick to show mercy.
Our brothers and sisters
were suddenly and violently taken from us.
Come swiftly to their aid,
have mercy on them,
and comfort their families and friends
by the power and protection of the Cross.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Mourners
Father of Mercies and God of all consolation,
You pursue us with untiring love
and dispel the shadow of death
with the bright dawn of life.
Comfort Your families in their loss and sorrow.
Be our refuge and our strength, O Lord,
and lift us from the depth of grief
into the peace and light of Your presence.
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by dying has destroyed our death,
and by rising, restored our life.
Enable us therefore to press on toward Him,
so that, after our earthly course is run,
He may reunite us with those we love,
when every tear will be wiped away.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Lord,
Your wisdom governs the length of our days.
We mourn the loss of children in Newtown
whose life has passed so quickly,
and we entrust them to Your mercy.
Welcome them into Your heavenly dwelling
and grant them the happiness of everlasting youth.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
For all who died
Lord our God,
You are always faithful and quick to show mercy.
Our brothers and sisters
were suddenly and violently taken from us.
Come swiftly to their aid,
have mercy on them,
and comfort their families and friends
by the power and protection of the Cross.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Mourners
Father of Mercies and God of all consolation,
You pursue us with untiring love
and dispel the shadow of death
with the bright dawn of life.
Comfort Your families in their loss and sorrow.
Be our refuge and our strength, O Lord,
and lift us from the depth of grief
into the peace and light of Your presence.
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by dying has destroyed our death,
and by rising, restored our life.
Enable us therefore to press on toward Him,
so that, after our earthly course is run,
He may reunite us with those we love,
when every tear will be wiped away.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
