RESURRECTION: A CEREMONY FOR HOPE, HEALING, AND WHOLENESS

By Robin Brake

 

Opening Music…Healing begins                                           Artist: Tenth Avenue North

Opening Prayer

Healing Prayer

Dear LORD, Be my redeemer, my internal teacher, my divine physician.
Thank You for your presence in my life.
I surrender to You all I am, all I think, all I feel, and all I have.
I recognize in this moment that Yours is the power to heal and make whole.
You who have the power to work miracles,
You who rule time and space, please take me in Your arms and hold me.
Dear Lord, please lift me up and heal me.
Cast out of my mind all thoughts that are not of You.
Cast out of me all harsh and critical nature.
Cast out of me all violence and all anger.
Cast out of me all demons from my past.
For I would be made new.
I wish to walk so close to You that we might be as one.
I ask for new life, new mind, new body, new spirit.
Dear LORD, please come into me and release me from this pain.
Amen.

Music… Come thou Fount                                       Artist: David Crowder Band

A Prayer When It Looks Like You Have Failed
By Rev. Robert H. Schuller

Lord, are you trying to tell me something?

For:

Failure doesn't mean I'm a failure.
It does mean I haven't yet succeeded.

Failure doesn't mean I have accomplished nothing.
It does mean I have learned something.

Failure doesn't mean I have been a fool.
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure doesn't mean I've been disgraced.
It does mean I dared to try.

Failure doesn't mean I don't have it.
It does mean I have to do something in a different way.

Failure doesn't mean I am inferior.
It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure doesn't mean I've wasted my life.
It does mean I have an excuse to start over again.

Failure doesn't mean I should give up.
It does mean I must try harder.

Failure doesn't mean I'll never make it.
It does mean I need more patience.

Failure doesn't mean you have abandoned me.
It does mean you must have a better idea!

Amen

Music….Everyman                                                                            Artist: Casting Crowns

 

Call to Lament 

Paraphrase of Psalm 57 by Leslie Brandt

Encompass me with Your love and mercy, gracious Lord; 
I have no security except in You. 
I am perpetually exposed to the destructive forces of this existence. 
I am in constant danger of losing the battle to 
the very passions and desires of my own nature. 
I can only submit myself to You 
And believe that You will fulfill Your purposes in me.

Your love, O God, is steadfast; 
Your grace is everlasting.

Even when I am beaten down by depression 
And ensnared by my weaknesses and frailties 
And my own lust threatens to devour me, 
You are my God, and You will not let me go.

I am determined to serve You, O Lord. 
May my life be a continual thank-offering to You, 
I shall sing Your praises forever.

Music…. Come to the Water                                                Artist: Matt Maher

Water Blessing:

In the beginning Your Spirit moved over the waters and life was brought forth.  We ask Your Sprit to move over these waters that they might be a source of life.  Where lives are parched and dried up, may these waters become a source of living water. Amen.

Remembrance of those items or ideas that are in need of exorcism and resurrection

( A moment to speak or think or contemplate over the spaces that have caused a disconnect into the wholeness and holiness of us gathered here.)

Music…. Resurrection

Psalm 2010

Ode to Sheol

Robin Brake

Lord help me to be released from this place of sheol.
As the shadows of this world crashes down on me
Fill the darkness with your light
Cover me with your loving grace
Preserve me from sheol that continues to invade my life
The mountains continue to get higher, my strength is failing
Please strengthen me as I am climbing out of this cavern that is full of despair and destruction
As these thoughts race through my mind, release me to peace
Quiet this pain that I might only feel joy
Help me to glorify you though this place
Enable me to worship you through this suffering
Receive me as I walk through these feelings of worthlessness
Guide me down the path that you have placed me on
As you have opened this door help me to not doubt and think that the door has been shut
Do not turn your face away
Keep me in your palm so that I can feel your presence
Holy creator, create in me a clean heart
Raise me out of sheol
And place my feet on solid ground
With firm footing in your loving embrace
Keep me there so that I will feel safe where I live, love, glorify and worship you
Sheol is no longer a place that I belong

Music… Born Again                                                             Artist: Newsboys

A Prayer for a person in need to be in a presence of wholeness after a crime

That I may be the presence that saves...
By Leron Kattan

Let the love of life shine in me
That I may be the presence that saves all beings from their profound suffering
That I may be a spirit that brings life and light into the world
That all my actions be ones that work to save all creatures from all forms of pain 
that are, have been, and will be
In this world and in all the worlds...

 

Affirming our Hope

Music….. You can have me                                                  Artist: Sidewalk Prophets

O God! Refresh and Gladden My Spirit
A Baha'i Prayer

O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. 

O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. 

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.

It is only by dying with you that we can rise with You
A Prayer by Mother Teresa

Lord, help us to see in your crucifixion and resurrection an example of how to endure and seemingly to die in the agony and conflict of daily life, so that we may live more fully and creatively. You accepted patiently and humbly the rebuffs of human life, as well as the tortures of your crucifixion and passion. Help us to accept the pains and conflicts that come to us each day as opportunities to grow as people and become more like you. Enable us to go through them patiently and bravely, trusting that you will support us. Make us realize that it is only by frequent deaths of ourselves and our self- centered desires that we can come to live more fully; for it is only by dying with you that we can rise with you.

Music:  Something Beautiful                                                 Artist: Needtobreathe

 

Postlude: Better Than a Hallelujah                                                 Artist: Amy Grant