Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1997 - Rparchives.org

238 MINUTES OF THE 1997 SYNOD OF THE
(a) Words of comfort and contemplation: Psalms 23; 39:4-13; 90;
103:13-18; and 130.
(b) Words of salvation: John 3:16-17; 10:9-11, 27-30; 14:1-11;
Romans 5:1-11; and 8:1-11.
(c) Words of the godly life: Proverbs 4:18; Malachi 3:16-18; Hebrews
10:23-25; Matthew 25:34-40.
(d) Words of resurrection and eternal life: Psalm 73:23-26; 1
Corinthians 15:20-28; 35-58; Revelation 21:1-4, 22-27; and 22:1-7.
10.3 The Sermon. The minister should give a brief address from an
appropriate text of Scripture.
10.4 The funeral may be concluded with the singing of a Psalm, and with
prayer by the minister.
11. At the grave, the minister may read a suitable Scripture, such as 1
Corinthians 15:53-58, and use the following or similar words:
"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of
the Lord.
Forasmuch asit has pleased God, in His wise providence, to take out of
this world the soul of [name of the deceased], we therefore commit
his/her body to the ground, looking for the resurrection of the dead, and
thelife of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose
coming in glory the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the
mortal bodies of those who sleep in Him shall be changed, and made like
unto His own glorious body, according to the mighty work by which Heis
able to subdueall things to Himself.
I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write, "Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord from now on."' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they may
rest from their labors, and their works follow them.'"
The minister should then conclude with a brief prayer and the benediction.
12. Attention to the bereaved should not end with the funeral, for often the
most difficult times come afterward. Visits from the pastor, the elders or Christian
friends are most welcome. The bereaved should be remembered in our prayer at
worship services and other meetings of the congregation.