Graveside Anelyca Cowdin

OUR BLESSED HOPE

It is from the word of God that we find hope in a time like this:

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 NLT

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

These words are given, not to scare us or make us anxious, but to bring Comfort and Assurance.

We can know that the Lord Himself will return and we will be reunited with loved ones who have gone to the Lord before us.

1 Corinthians 15:50–54 NKJV

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Oh death, where is your sting, O grave, where is your victory;

God alone gives us the victory over death, hell and the grave through Jesus Christ our Lord.

No death shall hurt or torment us in Christ, and no grave shall hold us because:

“where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom”

COMMITTAL STATEMENT:

Angelica, has finished this earthly life with many friends and family standing here to affirm his efforts of love and kindness. But as we stand here this day, Angelica has gone before us, her spirit has already ascended and she has already experienced the very presence of God. It was Jesus that said to one of the men dying on the cross, “ this day you shall be with me In Paradise”.

So what lies before us now is but the earthly tabernacle, the house in which she lived among us for a time. Tenderly and reverently we commit that house to the grave. The body returns to earth from which it came; earth to earth ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

Her spirit returns to God who gave it, waiting for the day when both spirit and body shall again be united at the coming of our Lord.

GRAVESIDE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father into your hands we commit the body of this friend and loved one; and as we have shared this blessed hope as it is written in your holy word. We anxiously anticipate the return of your dear Son. On that day the grave shall give up the body to be rejoined with the spirit, and to be reunited with loved ones.

Until that wonderful day we also commit into your merciful hands the family and friends of Angel, and ask your rich blessings upon them, make alive the hope that is available to all those who call upon Your Name.

Bless them each one with your presence, for in your presence is fullness of joy and life everlasting. Bless them with Your sweet Spirit, because You have said where Your Spirit is there is liberty.

Let each of them discover as they battle with emotions and a sense of loss, that they can experience from You “a peace that passes all understanding”

Go with them today , refresh each one in mind and soul by the power of your Holy Spirit

In the Name of Jesus