Responsive Reading
Worship
Life Everlasting
The Essential Book of Funeral Resources
Object:
Leader: Grass turns brown and withers from heat and lack of water, but it springs forth again when nourished. So we, too, are dead and lifeless without the renewing waters of the Word and the gardener, our Lord, who cares for our needs. We read in Psalm 90:1-9, 12-14:
Reader: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Response: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Reader: You turn us back to dust, and say, "Turn back, you mortals."
Response: For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
Reader: You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
Response: In the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
Reader: For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
Response: You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
Reader: For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.
Response: So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Reader: Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants!
Response: Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Reader: Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Response: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Reader: You turn us back to dust, and say, "Turn back, you mortals."
Response: For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.
Reader: You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;
Response: In the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.
Reader: For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
Response: You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
Reader: For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.
Response: So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.
Reader: Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants!
Response: Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
