‘Remembering with Hope’ – a service held on Tuesday 23rd March 2021 to commemorate loved ones
We felt it was important to mark the date of the start of the first lockdown with a reflective service giving space to remember those we know who had passed away over the last year (whatever the reason), not forgetting others that have passed away in previous years. This also tied in with the National Day of Reflection on that day.
A team of us at the Elizabeth Prout Bereavement Care (The Briery) and Growing Old Grace-fully joined together to plan and hold this online service and time of sharing
There were 47 people at the service, we spent an hour together with a varied programme including readings, reflective silence, break out rooms to share about loved ones, and an act of remembrance whilst watching a video of the Remembrance Tree made for us by the sisters at The Briery.
Whether you were there on the night or not, we would like to share the readings with you for your own meditations
You can read them here on the screen or download a PDF for printing here:
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house there are many places to live in..’ John 14:1,2
Psalm 42 : 1-8
As a deer yearns for running streams, so I yearn for you, my God.
I thirst for God, the living God; when shall I go to see the face of God?
I have no food but tears day and night, as all day long I am taunted, ‘Where is your God?’
This I remember as I pour out my heart, how I used to pass under the roof of the Most High, used to go to the house of God, among cries of joy and praise, the sound of the feast.
Why be so downcast, why all these sighs?
Hope in God! I will praise him still, my Saviour, my God…
Deep is calling to deep by the roar of your cataracts, your waves and breakers have rolled over me.
In the daytime God sends his faithful love, and even at night; the song it inspires in me is a prayer to my living God.
Why so downcast, why all these sighs?
Hope in God! I will praise him still, my Saviour, my God.
‘Wait, Wait on Our God’ by Jan Berry
Taken from ‘Let Justice Roll Down’ compiled by Geoffrey Duncan.
When the land is dry and barren,
Reduced to degraded dust,
Wait for God to restore life,
Bringing growth for our emptiness.
Wait, Wait on Our God,
Keep vigil, keep faith,
For hope comes in the morning
When the city is derelict,
with boarded- up windows and abandoned cars,
wait for God to restore its vitality
Bringing anger to our numbness
Wait, Wait on Our God,
Keep vigil, keep faith,
For hope comes in the morning
When we are numbed with grief,
raw pain breaking the monotony,
wait for God’s tender touch
bringing comfort for our healing
Wait, Wait on Our God,
Keep vigil, keep faith,
For hope comes in the morning.
Psalm 23 (responsorial)
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me
to revive my drooping spirit.
The Lord is my shepherd,
there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me along the right path;
He is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
The Lord is my shepherd,
there is nothing I shall want.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
Hymn: On Eagles Wings
Words and Music: Michael Joncas, OCP © 1979.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!“
And He will raise you up
on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand
The snare of the fowler will never capture you
And famine will bring you no fear
Under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand
You need not fear the terror of the night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand
For to His angels He’s given a command
To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up
Lest you dash your foot against a stone
And He will raise you up
on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand
And hold you, hold you in the palm of His hand.
Links to Helpful Agencies:
Here are a few links that might be helpful to you or your friends and family:
Grief and Loss Service (West Yorks and Harrogate):
Ring 0808 1963833 or connect online 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week
Cruse Bereavement Care Helpline (National)
Ring 0808 808 1677 (click link to see opening times)
The Art of Dying Well – this Catholic website has many helpful pages and videos, including some on Coping with Bereavement and Grief
Living with Loss – an insightful website by Abi May with articles on grief including how our faith may be affected.
Many more helpful links from Leeds Bereavement Forum can be found HERE and HERE
May you know God’s presence with you
all along your journey of loss and remembrance.
Download a printable PDF of these Readings here: