Denise Dubsky funeral bulletin

Funeral of Denise Dubsky
December 7, 2022
St. John’s Lutheran Church, Schuyler, NE
Presider: Pastor Day Hefner
Organist: Chrissi Bywater
Flutist: Bridget Hill
Usher: Randy Plummer
Slideshow: Jon Knutson
Music from: Holden Evening Prayer by Marty Haugen
Obituary

PRELUDE

GATHERING

Welcome in the name of Jesus, the Savior of the world. We are gathered to worship, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, to remember before God our sister Denise Dubsky, to give thanks for her life, to commend her to our merciful redeemer, and to comfort one another in our grief.

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you. 
We glorify you.

Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you. 
We praise you.

Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you. 
We worship you.

To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. 
Amen.

SERVICE OF LIGHT: Procession (sung)
Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world,
the light no darkness can overcome.

Stay with us now, for it is evening,
and the day is almost over.

Let your light scatter the darkness,
and shine within your people here.

Evening Hymn

Joyous light of heav'nly glory,
loving glow of God's own face,
you who sing creation's story,
shine on ev'ry land and race.
Now as evening falls around us,
we shall raise our songs to you.
God of daybreak, God of shadows,
come and light our hearts anew.

In the stars that grace the darkness,
in the blazing sun of dawn,
in the light of peace and wisdom,
we can hear your quiet song.
Love that fills the night with wonder,
love that warms the weary soul,
Love that bursts all chains asunder,
set us free and make us whole.

You who made the heaven's splendor,
ev'ry dancing star of night,
make us shine with gentle justice,
let us each reflect your light.
Mighty God of all creation,
gentle Christ who lights our way,
Loving Spirit of salvation,
lead us on to endless day.

GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our sister Denise. We thank you for giving her to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  
Amen.

WORD

PSALMODY, READINGS, AND CANTICLES: Psalm 141

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

V1
O God, I call to you, come to me now;
O hear my voice when I cry to you.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

V2
Keep watch within me, God;
deep in my heart, may the light of your love
be burning bright.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

V3
All praise to the God of all -- Creator of life;
all praise be to Christ and the Spirit of love.

Let my prayer rise up like incense before you,
the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.

READING: LAMENTATIONS 3:21-25
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

READING: Luke 6:27-36
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.

SERMON

The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-28, 30-32, 38)(sung by leader) 
An angel went from God to a town called Nazareth to a woman whose name was Mary. The angel said to her, “Rejoice, O highly favored, for God is with you. You shall bear a child, and his name shall be Jesus, the Chosen One of God Most High.” And Mary said, “I am the servant of my God. I live to do your will.”

The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God,
and my spirit rejoices in you,
You have looked with love on your servant here,
and blessed me all my life through.
Great and mighty are you, O Holy One,
strong is your kindness evermore.
How you favor the weak and lowly one,
humbling the proud of heart.

You have cast the mighty down from their thrones
and uplifted the humble of heart,
You have filled the hungry with wondrous things,
and left the wealthy no part.
Great and mighty  are you, O Faithful One,
strong is your justice, strong your love,
As you promised to Sarah and Abraham,
kindness forevermore.

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God,
and my spirit rejoices in you,
You have looked with love on your servant here,
and blessed me all my life through.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray.

Almighty God, in holy baptism you have knit your chosen people together into one communion of saints in the body of Christ. Give to your whole church in heaven and on earth your light and your peace. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to share the new life in Christ. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Give courage and faith to all who mourn, and a sure and certain hope in your loving care, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may have strength for the days ahead. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that, where this world groans in grief and pain, your Holy Spirit may lead us to bear witness to your light and life. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

Help us, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. God of mercy,
hear our prayer.

God of all grace, we give you thanks because by his death our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection he opened the kingdom of heaven to us all. Make us certain that because he lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER
Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

SENDING

COMMENDATION
Let us commend our sister, Denise Dubsky, to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Denise. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
Amen.

Final Blessing (sung)
Let us bless our God:
Praise and thanks to you.

May God, Creator bless us and keep us, may Christ be ever light for our lives, may the Spirit of Love be our guide and path, for all of our days.
Amen.

POSTLUDE

All are invited to join the family for a light luncheon following the service.
Committal will take place at a later date.