Last year I felt near death: after surgery to remove a tumour I had 6 months of chemotherapy. The surgery was successful, but there was a small risk of a metastatic route being present. Thus the precautionary chemotherapy. From mid-way through the course I felt so sick I felt at death's door.
My mind kept turning to my funeral.
Here are the hymns and readings for it:
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age to same;
his holy Name--the Lord, the Mighty One.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and for evermore!
Thine be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry, thou o'er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry, thou o'er death hast won.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry, thou o'er death hast won.
(play the recording: good audio gear too, no cheap rubbish, even if it costs a few hundred to hire)
(My mother enjoyed singing this aria)
I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
I know that my redeemer liveth
And that he shall stand
At the latter day, upon the earth
Upon the earth
I know that my redeemer liveth
And he shall stand
Stand at the latter day, upon the earth
Upon the earth
And though worms destroy this body
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
I know that my redeemer liveth
And though worms destroy this body
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
Yet in my flesh shall I see God
Shall I see God
[we all know this one]
(off his African Sanctus album: must be played loudly!)
(same request as above regarding good audio)
And Bible readings:
Opening of service: John 1:1-3; Psalm 91:1-2
Philippians 3:7-12
Colossians 1:13-20
Psalm 16:7-11
End of service: Ps 13:5-6
Then Fanshawe's
African Sanctus
(also played loudly as a postlude)
At the wake
Dvorak's New World Symphony (we played part at my father's funeral)
Bach's Cello suites (Julia and I heard these at one of our first outings together).
