Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

188 MINUTES OF THE SYNOD OF THEWord for our hearts. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and thelife. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." (Jn.11:25-26).The minister shall then lead the people in prayer. A Psalm (or Psalms) maybe sung (Psalm 121 is very appropriate.).4.2 The Reading of Scripture. Appropriate Scripture passages should beread. The following may be found most suitable:(a) Words of comfort and contemplation: Pss. 23; 39:4-13; 90; 103:13-18; and 130.(b) Words of salvation: Jn. 3:16-17; 10:9-11, 27-30; 14:1-11; Rm. 5:1-I 1; and 8:1-11.(c) Words of the godly life: Prov. 4:18; Mai. 3:16-18; Heb. 10:23-25; Mt.25:34-40.(d) Words of resurrection and eternal life: Ps. 73:23-26; 1 Cor. 15:20-28;35-58; Rev. 21:1-4, 22-27; and 22:1-7.4.3 The Sermon. The minister should give a brief address from anappropriate text of Scripture.4.4 The funeral may be concluded with the singing of a Psalm, and withprayer by the minister.5. At the grave, the minister may read a suitable Scripture, such as 1 Cor.15:53-58, and use the following or similar words:"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be thename of the Lord.Forasmuch asit has pleased God, in His wise providence, to takeout of this world the soul of [name of the deceased], we thereforecommit his/her body to the ground, looking for the resurrection ofthe dead, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord JesusChrist, at whose coming in glory the earth and the sea shall give uptheir dead; and the mortal bodies of those who sleep in Him shall bechanged, and made like unto His own glorious body, according tothe mighty work by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself.I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, 'Write, "Blessed are thedead 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.Drafted by Gordon J. Keddie,January, 1995.