Committal Service—Bruce Embleton’s Parents
Angel Island
June 3, 2004
Opening Words
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
Scripture Lessons
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
Hebrews 11
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s.
By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death.
By faith Noah, warned by God about the events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive an inheritance, and he set out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith Abraham received the power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren.
All of these and many others recorded in history died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Sharing by Bruce
The Ritual
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we commend to God’s merciful care Bruce Embleton’s parents— ; and we commit their ashes to this final resting place: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord…they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.” (Rev. 14:13)
The Scattering
Let us pray.
Dear God, you sent your son, Jesus Christ, to bring life and immortality to light. We entrust – to your everlasting care. May this beautiful place in the Bay of San Francisco serve to remind us all of your wondrous creation of life and beauty. Grant us the awareness that each of our days is a true gift from you, to be lived preciously and joyously in hopeful expectation of eternal life in divine presence with those whom we love. In the name of Jesus, the Lord of Life, we pray. Amen.
Benediction
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. Amen.