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Sample text selections and comments appropriate to a memorial service at which individuals from mixed Christian and Urantian backgrounds are in attendance.

Music

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, because,

I am the good shepherd. I am the desire of all ages. I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am the way to infinite perfection. I am the reality of endless life. I am the open door to eternal salvation. I am the living link between time and eternity. I am the infinite Father of my finite children.

Therefore, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Amen.

We are gathered here to honor the memory of a departed friend, one whose life on earth is finished. We come, however, not to voice despair over the death of the physical body but to express our whole hearted faith and rejoice that a human soul has embarked on the career of eternal life in the progressive service of the Heavenly Father; not because life is over but because it has risen to more glorious possibilities; not because the darkness has closed in but because life has opened into the eternal morning. We come to share this common faith, this eternal verity. Amen.

(Two or three of the following may be read)

In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth. These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14)

We humans have begun an endless unfolding of an almost infinite panorama, a limitless expanding of never-ending, ever-widening spheres of opportunity for exhilarating service, matchless adventure, sublime uncertainty, and boundless attainment. When the clouds gather overhead, your faith should accept the fact of the presence of the indwelling Adjuster, and thus you should be able to look beyond the mists of mortal uncertainty into the clear shining of the sun of eternal righteousness on the beckoning heights of (the many mansions in our Father's house) the mansion worlds of Satania. 108:6.8 (1194)

All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. It is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8)

We should remember that there is in the mind of God a plan which embraces every creature of all his vast domains, and this plan is an eternal purpose of boundless opportunity, unlimited progress, and endless life. And the infinite treasures of such a matchless career are yours for the striving! The goal of eternity is ahead! The adventure of divinity attainment lies before you! The race for perfection is on! Whosoever will may enter, and certain victory will crown the efforts of every human being who will run the race of faith and trust, depending every step of the way on the leading of (the indwelling Adjuster) (God's spirit) and on the guidance of that good spirit of (the Universe Son) (Jesus), which so freely has been poured out upon all flesh. 32:5.7 (365)

Lo, I tell you a mystery. The body we now have is not the body which is to be. As the outer shell of the grain of wheat must die before it is transformed into growing life, so that which we sow is perishable. But what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body; it is raised a morontia body and shall become a spiritual body. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory. (I Cor. 15 - Adapted)

The Gods are my caretakers; I shall not stray; Side by side they lead me in the beautiful paths and glorious refreshing of life everlasting. I shall not, in this Divine Presence, want for food nor thirst for water. Though I go down into the valley of uncertainty or ascend up into the worlds of doubt Though I move in loneliness or with the fellows of my kind, Though I triumph in the choirs of light or falter in the solitary places of the spheres, Your good spirit shall minister to me, and your glorious angel will comfort me. Though I descend into the depths of darkness and death itself, I shall not doubt you nor fear you, For I know that in the fullness of time and the glory of your name You will raise me up to sit with you on the battlements on high. 48:6.8 (552) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23)

The consciousness of a victorious human life on earth is born of that creature faith which dares to challenge each recurring episode of existence when confronted with the awful spectacle of human limitations, by the unfailing declaration: Even if I cannot do this, there lives in me one who can and will do it, a part of the Father-Absolute of the universe of universes. And that is "the victory which overcomes the world, even your faith." 4:4.9 (59)

I saw a new heaven and a new earth...And I heard a great voice...saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away...Behold, I make all things new...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life. He who is victorious will possess all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son." (Revelation 21)

The confusion and turmoil of Urantia do not signify that the Paradise Rulers lack either interest or ability to manage affairs differently. The Creators are possessed of full power to make Urantia a veritable paradise, but such an Eden would not contribute to the development of those strong, noble, and experienced characters which the Gods are so surely forging out on your world between the anvils of necessity and the hammers of anguish. Your anxieties and sorrows, your trials and disappointments, are just as much a part of the divine plan on your sphere as are the exquisite perfection and infinite adaptation of all things to their supreme purpose (on the worlds of the central and perfect universe.) (in heaven.) 23:2.5 (258)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most Highs, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust." He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. Thus says the Almighty: "When you call to me, I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble and show you my salvation." (Psalm 91)

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. A thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in morning with thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Let thy work be manifest to thy servants and thy glorious power to their children. (Psalm 90)

I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come?: My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore. (Psalm 121)

Music

Meditation (may be preceded by biography if desired)

Prayer (Person officiating may use a prayer of his or her own, or may read the following prayer:)

Eternal Father we are grateful that in your plan there is for every individual an eternal purpose of boundless opportunity, unlimited progress and endless life. may each of us strive at each step to anticipate this goal of eternity and perfection ahead. Help us to understand that the door is open to all who live by faith, depending every step of the way on the leading of your spirit mediated to us so freely by our Lord, Jesus Christ. 32:5.7 (365)

We pray that you may comfort us in our sorrow and give us imagination of heart enough to rejoice that another of your children has entered the larger life in the mansions of your kingdom. Amen.