The funeral (Pt. 2), tuesday, february 8, 2011, Additional prayers .

Grampa told me and basically the whole fam as we were all growing up together, that (since I was the only religious one left in the Johnston crew besides himself and my grammie) he wants me to say the prayers over his grave. Well, a priest has to do that, silly. He always thought I would change my mind and go into the ministry. My favorite Rev. Matthew configured a way for me to recite the opening Psalm 121, then a bunch of stuff he did, then I said an additional prayer from the ' book of common prayers ' and then he did, and i did another, and he another. Then the soldiers and Matthew finished it up. Here are the two prayers I chose closely-- uncanny how related they are to the current situation among the remaining family. They say the lessons Grampa would have stressed. You know, just like his affectionate " You have two days to be sad--the wake and the funeral. That's it. "

#ONE
Almighty & everlasting God, we yield unto thee most high praise & hearty thanks for the wonderful grace & virtue declared in all thy Saints, who have been the choice vessels of they grace, & the lights of the world in their several generations; most humbly beseeching thee to give us grace so to follow the example of their steadfastness in thy faith, & obedience to thy holy commandments, that at the end of the general resurrection, we, with all those who are of the mystical body of thy Son, may be set on his right hand, & hear that his most joyful voice: " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. " Grant this, O Father, for the sake of the same thy Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator & Advocate.
Amen !

#TWO
Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of those who depart hence in the Lord, & with whom the soulds of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh are in joy & felicity: We give thee hearty thanks for the good examples of all those thy servants, who, having finished their course in faith, do now rest from their labors. And we beseech thee that we, with all those who are departed in the true faith of thy holy Name, may have out perfect consummation & bliss, both in body & soul, in thy eternal & everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen !

( Tuesday, February 08, 2011 @ the gravesite )