Introduction

On behalf of Ross, Brian and Wayne, welcome and thank you for coming to share with them in this service of thanksgiving for the life of Grace.

We are here today, to pay our last respects to a very gracious and gentle lady.  Grace Doreen Vogt, very dearly loved wife of Ross, and much-loved mother of Brian and Wayne.
Grace who was the youngest child of Traugott and Anna Tschirpig, was also loved sister of the late Flora and Alwin, also the late Alma and Oswald.  Of Herbert and Norman and the late Allen.

We are here to acknowledge the sadness of Grace's death, and while we would not wish her back to her devastating illness and pain.  Her death will undoubtedly leave a tremendous void in the lives of those who loved her so, and she will be sadly missed.  So we come today also to surround her family, Ross, Brian and Wayne with our love and support.  I would therefore also on behalf of those of us who are gathered here to share in this service with you Ross, Brian and Wayne, offer you our most heartfelt sympathy and care.

We gather also to affirm the Christian conviction, that while death is the end of life, as we know it, it also marks a new beginning in some way.  I love the words of an old Hymn by George Matheson, which go, “O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee, I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow will richer fuller be.  Etc”

We also and especially have the reassuring words of Jesus Christ which go “I am the resurrection and the life, those who believe in me though they die yet shall they live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25,26

Finally though, we are here to give thanks for Grace's life.  For her love for her family, and theirs for her.  Her marriage to Ross.  The life they have shared together.  Their devotion to each other and their many and varied joint interests.  For Grace's generosity of nature and spirit.  For her graciousness, as well as her Christian faith amongst other things.  These things, we shall give thanks for together and celebrate.

But let us first now offer this time into God's hands.

Prayer

Gracious and loving God,
Today we gather here with mixed emotions.  While many are reluctant to let Grace go because she was loved so dearly, at the same time, we feel a sense of relief that she no longer suffers.  We pray therefore that you will be especially close to her family Ross, Brian and Wayne and other family members who will miss her so terribly.
We ask also that you enable us all to be reassured by the hope and the promise through Christ, that you have Grace in your safekeeping.  Be with us all in this sad time, and enable us to draw strength and comfort from you.  Let this time together be an especially comforting time as well as a time of celebration in the knowledge that while Grace is no longer physically present with us, she will continue to live on through all those values and principles to which she held, as well as the memories which are so indelibly printed in the minds and hearts of those who loved her.  These things we pray in Jesus name.  Amen

Hymn “And can it be”

Scripture
Psalm 100
John 14:1-7: Rev. Richard Carter

Eulogy: Shared by Ross and sons Brian and Wayne

Short reflection on scripture
There is no doubt that Grace's confidence in a great and faithful God are evidenced in the scripture passages she chose for today.  The Psalm is a Psalm of thanksgiving, but also of tremendous confidence in a God who is ever-present with his people, and is a welcoming and a gracious host and carer, just as Grace was.  I would say that would sit very comfortable with Grace, and resonate with her understanding of God – as does the passage of John 14, where we are reminded that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us.
Grace's family have indicated that Grace's faith even in the midst of her pain and her suffering was an inspiration to them, and undoubtedly to all who knew and met with her.  When I visited Grace a couple of weeks ago, her peace and her confidence were certainly an inspiration to me.  And as was her nature, it seems, was only concerned for Ross and her family.  I am grateful to have met Grace, and I am sure that all of you are too.
May I remind you of words of scripture from the apostle Paul, who reminds us that love never ends.  I believe it has caused many writers to write such words as these that follow, which were written by Sir Walter Raleigh :
"... true love is a durable fire
  in the mind ever burning;
  never sick, never old, never dead,
  from itself never turning."
        (From the poem As You Came From the Holy Land by Sir Walter Raleigh)
"... love than death itself more strong"
        (From the hymn Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost) by Christopher Wordsworth
We know that Grace is physically gone from our presence, but in a very profound way, all that Grace has been and all that she has done – her values, her principles, and the love that she has shared with you, her family and her friends will continue on.  Let me tell you – that is your inheritance, and it is the greatest gift anyone can ever bequeath to you.  May God rest her soul.

I'm going to invite Jeanette now to lead us, as we reflect together on the words as she sings them – Amazing grace.
Musical reflection: Jeannette Mickan “Amazing grace”

Prayers of Thanksgiving: Rev. Richard Carter

Let us pray:
Loving God, today we lift our hearts in gratitude for all the benefits, which have come to us through the 77 years of the life of Grace; for all your goodness to her during that life; for all that she was to those who loved her; and for everything that reflected your goodness and love.  We also thank you that she is in your loving hands.  Help us to be content to release her to you.
We give thanks for the many ways in which Grace shared her life with others and us: In strength and in weakness, in achievement and failure, in joy and in sorrow.

We remember with gratitude Grace's:
        Early life
        her home and family involvement
        her close relationships with family members and friends
        her commitment to daily work
        her service to the community
        her leisure activities
        her personal qualities                 and
        her courage in facing sickness and death

Surround us and all who mourn today with your continuing compassion.
Especially Ross, Brian & Wayne whose sense of loss in so keen; may all travel on more confidently after today, strengthened by the reality of new life in Christ.  Then, loving God, in your good time, reunite us with those whom we have loved in your everlasting kingdom, where there shall he no more tears and no more partings.

As a community, we also express a sense of common loss, for we grieve the loss of a valued member of our community.  Help us to follow in the steps of those like Grace, who in every age have responded to your call, ventured their life on your faithfulness, and lived in loving obedience to your will.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.           Amen.

Commendation:
Loving God,
By your creative power you gave us the gift of life, and in your redeeming love you have given us new life in Christ.  Rejoicing in your gift of eternal life and confident of the love you have for all, we commend Grace to your merciful keeping.  Amen.

Lord's prayer

Hymn “Just as I am”

Benediction

May the feet of God walk with you
And his hands hold you tight.
May the eye of God rest on you,
And his ear hear your cry.
May the smile of God be for you,
And his breath give you life.
May the child of God grow in you,
And his love bring you home.

At the Cemetery

We are here now to commit to the grave Grace Doreen Vogt.

Let us listen to words of scripture

Psalm 121
Rom 8: 38-39

Words of Committal

As we have entrusted Grace into the hands of God, we now commit her body to the grave, earth to earth, ashes to ashes and dust to dust.  In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ who died, was buried, and rose again for us.  To him be the glory forever.  Amen

Prayer
O Lord,
Support us by your grace
Through all the hours of life's day;
Until the shadows lengthen,
And the busy world is hushed,
The fever of life is over,
And the evening comes.
Then, Lord, in your mercy,
Grant us a safe lodging,
A holy rest,
And peace at last;
Through Christ we pray.
Amen

Blessing

Floral tribute