Saturday, January 16, 2010

Legh Kennerley Priest (July 23, 1912 - December 18, 2009)

Christ our good shepherd be with us today as we celebrate the life of Legh Priest. Help us cherish the memories and hear our thanks for your walk with here. For you walk with each of us all our days - from before we are born until after we die.

Some of our lives have many chapters, some few: but whether the volume is thick or thin, you are there on every page.

When the family were younger they lived near here on a few acres, and there were, indeed, sheep.

Are we like sheep? We do stray, we do depend on our shepherd for leading us to the gifts of life.

Jesus our shepherd walks out with us, into the green pastures, stays with us, and sees us safely home. This is the good news in a nutshell: that Jesus came to humankind, comes to us, to lead us through life - and by his sacrificial offering of himself, laying down his life for us, and by his calling of us to be his people, he cares for us, nurtures us, sustains us, redeems us.

When we stumble or fall into the shadow, when we make wrong turnings or choices, he brings us back - he sets us on the right path; when we are threatened - when the safe place he made for us is in danger - he comes to protect us.

Whether the folly is inside ourselves or out, he is there - his rod and his staff, they comfort, they correct, they protect, and they guide.

We celebrate the good long life of Legh Priest today: in the presence of God and one another let us remember her with joy, with gladness, and with hope - as Christ welcomes home one of his own.

Good Shepherd, be our guide, be our comfort.

Good Lord Jesus, in your name is all our praise.

Amen.

JRL+

Thanksgiving and Celebration for the life of Legh Kennerley Priest (July 23, 1912 - December 18, 2009)
St Alban's Episcopal Church, Edmonds, Wash., January 16, 2010 - 2:00 PM

+

Hymn 405 - All things bright and beautiful
Hymn 397 - Now thank we all our God
Hymn 383 - Fairest Lord Jesus
Hymn 470 - There's a wideness in God's mercy

+

No comments: