A Celebration of Life and Resurrection
for
Susan Lynette Birkeland
January 18, 1961-November 18, 2006
December 16, 2006; 2 p.m.
Christ the King Lutheran Church
New Brighton, MN.
Pastor Deborah Birkeland Officiating
Lynn Bursch, soloist; Carol Hokel, pianist
Eulogy for Susan delivered by her Uncle, Dr. Tyrone S. Birkeland
PRELUDE
SOLO His Eye is on the Sparrow
Video Presentation
WELCOME AND INVOCATION
P: When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
PSALM 23 (Read responsively)
P: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want
C: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters; He restoreth my soul;
P: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
C: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou are with me;
P: Thy rod and staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
C: Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.
P: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
C: And I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Amen.
GREETING
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P. Let us pray.
PRAYER
P: O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our loved one, Susie. We thank you for giving her to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us your help, so we may see in death the gate to eternal life, that we may continue our course on earth in confidence until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before us, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C. Amen.
ORIGINAL POEM A Thorn in my Side D.J. Birkeland
EULOGY for Susan Lynette Birkeland delivered by her Uncle, Dr. Tyrone S. Birkeland
TRIBUTES TO SUSAN Open to others
Deborah Birkeland Lindsey
Bryan Birkeland
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Isaiah 40: 28-31 Blake Birkeland
1 Corinthians 13 Blair Birkeland McDonald
1 Corinthians 15: 51-58
SOLO On Eagle’s Wings
SERMON Pastor Deborah Birkeland
Stand
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
P: God has made us his people through our Baptism into Christ.
Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of
heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord. He
was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and
born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He
descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right
hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS
P. Let us pray the Prayer of St. Francis which Susie loved
C: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console’ to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
COMMENDATION
P. Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Susan. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receiveher into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
C. Amen
COMMITTAL
And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. If anyone serves me, she must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honor her." (John 12:23-26)
P. In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to almighty God our sister, Susan. We commit her remains to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her and keep her. The Lord makes his face shine on her and be gracious to her. The Lord look upon her with favor and give her + peace.
C. Amen
SOLO The Lord’s Prayer
P. Lord Jesus, by your death you took away the sting of death. Grant to us, your servants, courage to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake in your likeness To you, the author and giver of life, be all honor and glory, now and forever.
C. Amen
P. Rest eternal grant her, O Lord;
C. and let light perpetual shine upon her. Amen
P. Let us go in peace.
SOLO O Holy Night
Family and friends are invited to the Fireside Lounge for coffee and fellowship together, and to a dinner at 6 p.m. at Kaare and Cynthia Birkeland’s home, 1469 Fox St., Wayzata,Minnesota
(There were also other Memorial Services held for Susan Birkeland in other cities where she had family and friends).