A Service in Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Harriet Burns
Page 5 of 5
To conclude the rites, Bullock turned to the Lord�s Prayer, followed by a traditional responsive reading. This was followed, in turn, by the Commendation:
�Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our sister Harriet, who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism. Grant that her death may recall to us your victory over death, and be an occasion for us to renew our trust in your Father's love. Give us, we pray, the faith to follow where you have led the way; and where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.�
To conclude the afternoon, Harriet�s granddaughter Haley Clair sang the song �Hero.� The lyrics promised:
There's a hero, if you look inside your
heart,
You don't have to be afraid of what you are.
There's an answer, if you reach into your soul,
and the sorrow that you know will melt away.
Lord knows dreams are hard to follow,
But don't let anyone tear them away.
Just hold on, there will be tomorrow,
In time you'll find the way.
And then a hero comes along,
With the strength to carry on,
And you cast your fears aside,
And you know you can survive.
So, when you feel like hope is gone,
Look inside you and be strong,
And you'll finally see the truth,
That a hero lies in you�
There was a final blessing from Dr. Bullock, and then the organ struck a simple melody. Harriet�s friends and admirers slowly made their way out of the sanctuary, and into the bright sunshine outside. It was a 110% perfect day, just as Harriet would have wished it.
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-- Posted November 3, 2008
-- Text and Pictures by Doug Marsh