An Online Memorial Service for the Two Connecticut Duck Hunters
Introductory Thought:
I think all of us are having trouble wrapping our heads around this significant loss and the possibility that it could have been any of us. The image of those young men capsized and fighting for their lives does not go away easily. Nor will the surviving hunter easily overcome his experience that is a kind of posttraumatic stress based on acute grief. For everyone on this website, I offer this private memorial experience. This service includes a few portions from my annual Blessing of the Fleet and then moves into the words of a memorial service. The first two Scripture passages are used in the annual Blessings of the Fleet. In this context, they have vivid application.
Invocation:
In the name of God the Father, who created the waters and the birds we seek. In the name of God the Son, who redeemed the people who ply the waters and seek the birds. In the name of God the Holy Spirit, who fills and inspires all things with the awesome presence of the Almighty. Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 93:1,3,4
“The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty. The Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength… The seas have lifted up; the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.” (NIV)
Scripture: Psalm 107: 23-31
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep. For He commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof; they mount up to heaven; they go down again to the depths, their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man and are at their wits end. They then cry unto the Lord in their trouble and he bringeth them out of distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then they are glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (KJV)
Scripture: Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me besides the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
A Time of Silent Prayer to Remember Our Connecticut Brothers and Their Families…
We Speak the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 out 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.
Closing:
In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to everlasting life, we commend our brothers to the Lord, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. May the Lord bless them and keep them, may the Lord make His face to shine up on them and be gracious unto them, may the Lord lift up His countenance upon them and give them and their families peace. Amen!
Rev. Larry Eckart, Pastor
Island Lutheran Church
Hilton Head Island, SC
RiverLarry2@sbcglobal.net
Introductory Thought:
I think all of us are having trouble wrapping our heads around this significant loss and the possibility that it could have been any of us. The image of those young men capsized and fighting for their lives does not go away easily. Nor will the surviving hunter easily overcome his experience that is a kind of posttraumatic stress based on acute grief. For everyone on this website, I offer this private memorial experience. This service includes a few portions from my annual Blessing of the Fleet and then moves into the words of a memorial service. The first two Scripture passages are used in the annual Blessings of the Fleet. In this context, they have vivid application.
Invocation:
In the name of God the Father, who created the waters and the birds we seek. In the name of God the Son, who redeemed the people who ply the waters and seek the birds. In the name of God the Holy Spirit, who fills and inspires all things with the awesome presence of the Almighty. Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 93:1,3,4
“The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty. The Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength… The seas have lifted up; the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.” (NIV)
Scripture: Psalm 107: 23-31
“They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep. For He commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof; they mount up to heaven; they go down again to the depths, their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man and are at their wits end. They then cry unto the Lord in their trouble and he bringeth them out of distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then they are glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (KJV)
Scripture: Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me besides the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
A Time of Silent Prayer to Remember Our Connecticut Brothers and Their Families…
We Speak the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 out 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.
Closing:
In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to everlasting life, we commend our brothers to the Lord, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. May the Lord bless them and keep them, may the Lord make His face to shine up on them and be gracious unto them, may the Lord lift up His countenance upon them and give them and their families peace. Amen!
Rev. Larry Eckart, Pastor
Island Lutheran Church
Hilton Head Island, SC
RiverLarry2@sbcglobal.net
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