Beatrice (Betty) Taylor

18 June 1933- 16

May 2021

The Celebration of the life of Betty Taylor

The Celebration of the life of Betty Taylor 

Entrance Hymn

Lord I'm Coming Home  

I've wandered far away from God, Now I'm coming home

The paths of sin too long I've trod, Lord, I'm coming home

Coming home, coming home , Never more to roam

Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I'm coming home

I've wasted many precious years, Now I'm coming homeI now repent with bitter tears, Lord, I'm coming home

Coming home, coming home, Never more to roam

Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I'm coming home.

Celebrant: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: The grace and peace of God Our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Sprinkling with Holy Water

In the waters of baptism, Betty died with Christ and rose with her to new life, may she now share with him eternal glory.

Placing The White Pall

( Laid by Neville, Gordon, Debbie, Candy, Nicola, Trinette)

On the day of Baptism, Betty was clothed in Christ and given the flame of faith. May the risen Christ now enfold her in his love and bring her to the fulness of life.

Eulogy:

Candy, Steffy and Michael, June

Opening Prayer

Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that through this mystery your servant Betty, who has gone to her rest in Christ, may share in the

joy of her resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

All: Amen

First Reading (read by Nicola Richardson)

A reading from the book of Wisdom

The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God , and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; But they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having being disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself. Like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever. Those who trust in Him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Response:

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

He leads me in the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

Second Reading: (Read by Trinette Pavey)

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians

Our brothers, we want you to know the truth about those who died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him. What we are teaching you now is the Lord’s teaching: we who are alive on the day the Lord comes will not go ahead of those who have died. There will be the shout of command, the archangel’s voice the sound of God’s trumpet, and the Lord himself will come down from heaven. Those who have died believing in Christ will rise to life first; then we who are living at that time will be gathered up along with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. So then, encourage one another with these words.

The Word of the Lord.

Response: Thanks be to God.

Please stand for the Gospel Acclamation

Gospel Acclamation

Allelulia, alleluia

I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; anyone who lives and believes in me will never die.

Allelulia

Gospel Reading:

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to his disciples,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you.

I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too.

You know the way to the place where I am going”.

Thomas said, “ Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus said, “ I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Prayers of the faithful

Celebrant: God our Father has given us victory over sin and death through his Son, Jesus Christ. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join our prayers to his.

Christo: God our Father, in baptism Nana Betty received the light of Christ; scatter the darkness now, and as once your Son walked upon the sea, lead Nana Betty safely home, where we will all meet her again in You. We pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Gabby: Many friends and members of our families have gone before us in the hope of the resurrection. May they welcome Nana Betty with joy into the everlasting home of heaven. We pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Joshua: We pray for those who care for the sick and the dying, especially those who cared for Nana Betty during her life. We pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Jonathan: Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Nana Betty. For all the love she gave us and for all the wonderful ways in which she touched the lives of others. We pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Shania: Lord, comfort our family and friends in this time of sorrow; give us strong faith in you and strength to face the uncertainties of this life. Give us the peace that only you can give. We pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Caitlin: We pray for all gathered here today. Lord keep our minds and hearts on your kingdom that lasts forever. We pray to the Lord.

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Rosanne: For our deceased relatives and friends. Lord bring them into the light of your presence, and give them a share in Your glory. We pray to the Lord

All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Matthew: We pray for the people in India that the Lord protect them and help them in their difficult time. Help those affected by the pandemic and be their consolation and strength. We pray to the Lord.

Celebrant:

Father, into your hands we commend the soul of our sister Betty Taylor. Look gently upon her and bring her home to your kingdom where death will be no more. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

OFFERTORY HYMN: I Surrender All

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all.

All to thee my blessed saviour,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender, Make me Savior wholly thine

May thy Holy Spirit fill me, May I know thy power divine.

I surrender all, I surrender all.

All to thee my blessed saviour

I surrender all.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. 

Acclamation of Faith

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,

we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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….

Communion Rite

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

All: For the kingdom, and the Power, and the glory will be yours. For ever and ever and ever Amen.

LAMB OF GOD

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Communion Hymn

Have Faith in God

Oh Lord you lead me, by the still waters, quietly restoring my soul, You speak words of wisdom, the promise of glory, the power of the presence of God.

Have faith in God, Let your hope rest on the faith He has placed in your heart. Never give up, Never let go of the faith He has placed in your heart.

Oh Lord you guide me, through all the darkness, turning my night into day. You’ll never leave me, never forsake me, the power of the presence of God.

Have faith in God, Let your hope rest on the faith He has placed in your heart. Never give up, Never let go of the faith He has placed in your heart.

Prayer after Communion

Celebrant: Grant we pray, Almighty God, that your servant Betty, who has journeyed from this world, may by this sacrifice be cleansed and freed from sin and so receive the everlasting joys of the resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

FINAL COMMENDATION

Celebrant: Trusting in God, we have prayed together for Betty and now we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see Betty again and enjoy her friendship.

Although this congregation will disperse in sorrow, the mercy of God will gather us together again in the joy of His kingdom. Therefore let us console one another in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Incense

Song of Farewell

Celebrant:

Saints of God, come to her aid!

Hasten to meet her, angels of the Lord!

All: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.

Celebrant:

May Christ, who called you, take you to himself.

May angels lead you to Abraham’s side.

All: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.

Celebrant:

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,

And let perpetual light shine upon her.

All: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.

Into your hands, Father of mercies, we commend our sister Betty, in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, she will rise with him on the last day.

We give you thanks for the blessings which you have bestowed upon Betty in this life: they are the signs to us of your goodness and of our union with the saints in Christ.

Merciful Lord, turn towards us and listen to our prayers;

Open the gates of paradise to your servant Betty and help us who remain to comfort one another with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Christ and are with you and with our sister forever.

All: Amen

Celebrant:

In peace let us take Betty to Pinnaroo for cremation. May the angels lead her into paradise. May the martyrs come to welcome her and take her to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.

Recession:

The Lord is my Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd, and I want to follow,

wherever He leads me, wherever He goes .

Over the mountains, the waters and byways,

valleys and highways he’s waiting for me.

I want to go to meet Him there, to lay myself down in His love.

The Lord is my shepherd, and I want to follow,

wherever He leads me, wherever He goes .

And while on the journey, to where we are going,

He promised to be there, to help us along.

And over the mountains we’ll walk on together,

to know all the wonders He’s given to me.

I want to go to meet Him there, to lay myself down in His love.

The Lord is my shepherd, and I want to follow,

wherever He leads me, wherever He goes .