Phil's Service

WELCOME and opening prayer.

 

Ethan Play a Song to begin with

 

Scripture reading (Romans 8) – Danielle reading

 

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” ) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Poetry reading # 1 (for Teresa) – Tony reading

 

I’m Free

 

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call

I turned my back and left it all

 

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, or play

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I’ve not found peace at the end of day

 

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow

 

My life’s been full, I savored much

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch

Perhaps my time seems all too brief

Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief

Lift up your heart and peace to thee

God wanted me now – He set me free 

 

Poetry reading #2 (for Heidi, from Phil, read by Ethan)

 

Reach me down my Tycho Brahe, - I would know her when we meet,

When I share my later science, sitting humbly at her feet;

She may know the law of all things, yet be ignorant of how

We are working to completion, working on from then to now.

 

Pray remember that I leave you all my theory complete, 

Lacking only certain data for your adding, as is meet,

And remember men will scorn it, ‘tis original and true,

And the obloquy of newness may fall bitterly on you.

 

But, my love, as my love you have learned the worth of scorn,

You have laughed with me at pity, we have joyed to be forlorn,

What for us are all distractions of men’s fellowship and wiles;

What for us the Goodess Pleasure with her meretricious smiles.

 

You may tell that German College that their honor comes too late,

But they must not waste repentance on the grizzly savant’s fate.

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;

I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

 

What, my girl, you are not weeping? You should save your eyes for sight; 

You will need them, mine observer, yet for many another night.

I leave none but you, my love, unto whom my plans are known.

You “have none but me,” you murmur, and I “leave you quite alone”?

 

Well, then, kiss me, - since my mother left her blessing on my brow, 

There has been a something wanting in my nature until now; 

I can dimly comprehend it, - that I might have been more kind,

Might have cherished you more wisely, as the one I leave behind.

I “have never failed in kindness”? No, we lived to high for strife, -

Calmest coldness was the error which has crept into our life;

But your spirit is untainted, I can dedicate you still

To the service of our science: you will further it? You will!

 

There are certain calculations I should like to make with you,

To be sure that your deductions will be logical and true;

And remember, “Patience, Patience,” is the watchword of a sage,

Not to-day nor yet to-morrow can complete a perfect age.

 

I have sown, like Tycho Brahe, that a greater man may reap;

But if none should do my reaping, ‘twill disturb me in my sleep

So be careful and be faithful, though, like me, you leave no name; 

See, my girl, that nothing turn you to the mere pursuit of fame.

 

I must say Good-bye, my love, for I cannot longer speak;

Draw curtain back for Venus, ere my vision grows too weak:

It is strange the pearly planet should look red as fiery Mars, - 

God will mercifully guide me on my way amongst the stars

 

Short sermon / message (Danielle)

 

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING TO HONOR PHIL? (now is the time )

 

In honor of Phil and his family, I would like to finish with the Lord’s prayer – please recite this with us - 

 

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. 

Amen.

 

Teresa, final thank you