BrDevon

I would leave it at asking the person who is in the process of passing if there is a message he or she wishes relayed to the child (be prepared for a nasty answer). While we do not have a person in the process of dying (thank God) in my family, it is well known amongst most of my siblings that my mother does not want anything to do with one of her children when it comes to that point. She has caused nothing but heartache and pain to the family and while we have remained civil and will still support her in times of need (she is family), we will not walk near the human land mine she has become unless it is necessary.

Even though I have to read the lips, I can tell you the phrasing is right on for a doo-** style. Assuming they sing as well as they have the timing, I give it a 10. (Not scoring the lyrics - they are obviously using the lyrics of the song). Here's one for you... And seriously... the dude on the tambourine... is he just (falsetto voice) "Faaabulussss!" or what?

I'm so sorry, Murph. It is a blessing that in a situation where others would embrace negative, you have always chosen to seek the best in your ex, and her mother. It is a gift that I wish many others shared. May pleasant memories bring you a measure of comfort.

Whether one chooses to accept it or not, women have always had a vital role in Christianity. Let us not forget for a moment that it was not one of the twelve apostles who discovered the tomb was empty at the Ascension, it was a woman. Jesus did not get "zapped" onto the earth, but arrived in human form, borne, obviously, of a woman. Throughout history, women have been tormented for being Christian. It is not something I agree with; it is history. Joan of Arc burnt for her belief. I can not imagine being tormented that way. This, however, I do believe - Jesus knows your suffering, and will strengthen you to be a warrior for Him, if you give yourself fully to Him and refuse to be concerned about the ways others value your belief. In the end, only you can decide the power of your faith, and the path to which you are called. I will pray that you receive peace and are led to what is truly meant for you.

I have nothing of substance to add, so I will simply support the advice you have already received. I have been Anglican, I am currently worshiping with Lutherans. Neither church expects a public confession of anything. Both are satisfied with a person coming before the Almighty as they know how and confessing from their heart. If they continue to be burdened, then they are welcome to privately confess it to the clergy. And truly, it does take much to shock clergy. It will not be repeated, unless the confession contains an open threat to hurt/kill someone or self. If it does go down that path, the person hearing the confession will have to act as they see proper. Speaking for self, I advise those who wish me to hear a confession that what is said is between us and God, and will be forgotten by both as forgiven sin, but an intent to harm self or other can not be kept silent. If someone knowing that I can not maintain silence, tells me of an intent to commit a crime that would hurt him/herself or others, then they made an informed choice and can expect the outcome.

I tell people up front: if it involves harming yourself or others, all bets are off. If they continue to confess, that's on them. If they choose not to, I didn't know a thing, it's between them and the Almighty. The clergy/penitent privilege does not mean that you seal everything. If someone tells you they are planning a murder and you fail to act, you are an accessory. It's just easier and more "fair" to tell the penitent up front where the line is drawn.

I had almost forgotten this song, but I saw it on a TV show yesterday. I can easily see it at a funeral: Art Garfunkel -All I Know

I have been known to scare heck out of people because it is not unusual for me to start crying when I sing, especially certain hymns. Part of it is that I no longer sing in English, but now sign the songs. I don't know if the emotional "disconnect" is from memories of when I could hear the music, the amount of concentration required for me to keep time to music I no longer hear (when I sing, I am usually singing with others, and have to keep the timing of my signing matched to the phrasing and timing of their vocals). There was a time where I would have been ashamed to "lose it" on stage and cry in front of people. But I have learned two things: trying to hold it back is like trying to use a paper cup to hold the tide, and frankly, I no longer care if someone is put off seeing me cry. Some were put off seeing me sign songs, but I look at it this way: the vast majority of songs I sign are worship songs in a worship setting, so the question lies, who am I trying to impress? If I am worshiping my Almighty, He already knows the depths of my heart, and the tears are in context. If I am trying to impress the people in the congregation, I am worshipping for the wrong reason.

It depends on where the service is leading us, but one of my new favorites is "You are God Alone (Not a god)" by Billy and Cindy Foote © 2004 Billy Foote Music / Integrity's Hosanna! Music CCLI Song # 4243463. The message in the lyrics is great for services focused on Christian teachings that there is only one God, and we are not to follow Man-made deities. Another by the same artist is "You are my King (Amazing Love)". © 1996 worshiptogether.com songs. CCLI Song #2456623. It has a similar message to Amazing Grace, without the funeral association many make. I am biased towards both of these pieces because I sing them in Sign Language as part of my church worship team, while the other members of the team do English Vocals (I can't take credit for the idea. Sweet Honey in the Rock has been doing it for 40 years, now.) These songs have a powerful message that renders beautifully in the visual form that Sign gives it. Even non-signers often say they are moved by watching these songs signed.

Everyone has a recipe, it seems. Around this area 45 minutes to an hour, (an occasional hour and 15 for special occasions and high holidays is acceptable) is standard. The church I attend usually has the following format: se Call to worship (a quick reading of scripture to set the tone of the day's message - usually only a few verses and can be read in under 3 minutes at the longest). Three worship songs or hymns Scripture reading and a short prayer by the reader one more song / hymn Collection of offerings with a short musical piece The pastor's message (some call it a sermon - unless there is a major set of points to cover, it would be extreme for him to break 30 minutes and usually it is about 15 to 20). Closing song / hymn Benediction Doxology Start to finish, usually 45 minutes to just under an hour. That seems to work best for us. The church I grew up in had a similar format other than it added two more scripture readings (one old testament, one new testament) and a reading from one of the gospels, and the time allotment for the sermon was twice as long. They also had a communion at each service where the church where I now attend only offers communion on the first Sunday of the month and holidays where it is appropriate (Holy week, etc.). Difference: add another half hour to 45 minutes, depending on how "wound up" the rector was. Some has to do with denomination, some with tradition, and a lot has to do with how much the congregation will put up with before falling asleep or walking out. We are very fortunate to have a pastor who can teach a great message and explain the Bible well, so his half hour seems like mere minutes, and the following week people walk into church discussing the prior week's message. That is a rare gift, and should be treasured when it is found. Where I grew up, it tended to be the opposite. We were not engaged in the teachings, but "talked at," and most of the prayers said in that sanctuary were for the strength to stay awake and escape the seemingly endless sermon. I have found the length of the service matters less than the quality of the service. I have attended two hour services that left me feeling uplifted and enlightened, and I have attended 15 minute mini services that felt like they took up the entire day. It is a matter of what was presented and how effectively it was presented.

One day people will get it... the ULC does not, has not, and will not ordain by internet. What is done by internet (amongst other means) is to accept a request for a proxy ordination. Just like every other major denomination, the ULC will ordain an eligible candidate without having that person present. Instead, an authorized member of the clergy stands in for the ordinand and the church, barring a reason to the contrary enters the ordinand into the records of the church as a member of its clergy. Yes it is legal. Almost every known "recognized" faith does it. We just get picked on because we make it easier than many denominations.

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's Amore. When you step on an eel and you just want to squeal, that's a moray. If you can't find the dad for the kid you just had, you need Maury. If you just felt the need for these lyrics to read, Ain't you sorry?

Those are exactly the ones I meant. Thank you so much. So as not to hijack this thread, I will post what made me think of it on a different thread.

I wish I could find the article or a link to it, but there was a piece in Reader's Digest years ago titled "I wish you enough". The gist of the piece is that it is something that the writer's parents used to say to her that she learned the value of those words and her final words to her father were those. Essentially it is saying may you never be in need, but may you never have such excess that others may be in need. Better still, may you have so much that you can share with those who need.

There was a song I used to love that was sung a lot at the Catholic chapel at my old school, but it has secular lyrics: Peace within us Peace over us Peace under our feet Peace behind us Peace before us Let all around us be Peace. I wish I had the music or a way to share the tune. It was really neat when sung as a round. We used to have enough people who knew it and sang well that we would sing it as a six part round. With the echoes and acoustics in the room (marble front and back walls, high smooth ceiling), if you knew which way to face and could project your voice well, one singer could easily sound like three or four. Get a group who knew the trick and suddenly a small choir sounded like a production company. Ahh... the memories. As deaf as I have become, I can still hear them in my memory).