Seek The Things Above

Heaven

Heaven is a present as well as future reality. 

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”?

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 

Committal - Where O’ Death Is Your Sting

Committal

from whom can we seek help? (NINTH CENTURY)

In the midst of life, we are in death; from whom can we seek help? (NINTH CENTURY) Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. (, UMH 846)

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. (, UMH 846)

who made heaven and earth. (, UMH 846)

Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (, , , )

We will not all die, but we will all be changed.

We will not all die, but we will all be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

For this perishable body must put on imperishability,

and this mortal body must put on immortality.

Then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

"Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(, , , )

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure. You, Lord, show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (, , UMH 748)

my body also dwells secure.

You, Lord, show me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy,

in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (, , UMH 748)

Almighty God, into your hands we commend your son/daughter Name, in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

into your hands we commend your son/daughter Name,

in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This body we commit to the ground (to the elements, to its resting place), earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. (TRADITIONAL)

(to the elements, to its resting place),

earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. (TRADITIONAL)

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors for their deeds follow them. (, ALT.)

Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors

for their deeds follow them. (, ALT.)

Prayer

Gracious God, we thank you for those we love but see no more. Receive into your arms your servant Name, and grant that increasing in knowledge and love of you, he/she may go from strength to strength in service to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

we thank you for those we love but see no more.

Receive into your arms your servant Name,

and grant that increasing in knowledge and love of you,

he/she may go from strength to strength

in service to your heavenly kingdom;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dismissal

Now to the One who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of God's glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (, ALT.)

and to make you stand without blemish

in the presence of God's glory with rejoicing,

to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,

be glory, majesty, power, and authority,

before all time and now and forever. Amen. (, ALT.)

Colossians 2:20–21 NRSV

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations, “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”?

Colossians 3:1–4 NRSV

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.