Celebration of Life
Austin Soppa
Order of Service
About the Service
There are moments when words seem too small for what we are experiencing. Today is one of those moments. We have come together because we loved Austin, and because that love has changed us. We believe that God is love, and that love does not end when a life ends. Death may change the way we experience someone we love, but it cannot undo the love that was shared.
Today’s service reflects the ways that people of faith have gathered for centuries to remember those who have passed. The liturgy finds all of its meaning in the promise that God’s love has overcome death, and one day all will be healed, including the grief and heartache we feel today.
You are invited to participate as you feel comfortable. Communal responses are indicated in bolded text.
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Burial of the Dead
All stand while the following anthem is said.
I am resurrection and I am life says the Lord. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last will stand upon the earth; and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see and my eyes behold, who is my friend and not a stranger.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labor.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God who brought us to birth, and in whose arms we die, comfort us in our grief and shock at the death of Austin; embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let Austin go into new life; through perfect love, Jesus Christ. Amen Amen.
First Reading | Jeremiah 29:10-14 | Read by Chris Mastrogiovanni
The Lord proclaims: When Babylon’s seventy years are up, I will come and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me. I will be present for you, declares the Lord, and I will end your captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have scattered you, and I will bring you home after your long exile, declares the Lord.
Psalm 23 | Read by Melanie Braam
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff--
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.
Second Reading | Romans 8:35, 37-39 | Read by Rutger Krueger
Who will separate us from Christ’s love? Will we be separated by trouble, or distress, or harassment, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? But in all these things we win a sweeping victory through the one who loved us. I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.
Words of Remembrance
Declan O’Connell
Eddie Cabric
Zach Rezk
Stephanie Jensen
Tamsen Braam
The Holy Gospel | The Shape of Sadness | The Gospel reading is a paraphrase of John 11:21-27 from the Book of Belonging.
The Sermon Rev. Lisa Chmielewski
A brief silence follows the sermon.
The Prayers
Written by Penelope Chmielewski; read by John
For Austin, that he may now be at peace, free from every worry, and surrounded by the love of those who went before him, especially his mom. May he know just how deeply he was loved here and how greatly he will always be missed.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the four people who received Austin’s heart, liver, and kidneys, may they be given strength, healing, and many more years with the people who love them. May a piece of Austin continue to bring life, love, and hope into this world.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For everyone who loved Austin — his family, his friends, and the incredible community he built everywhere he went — may we find comfort in one another and carry forward the joy, kindness, laughter, and energy he gave so freely.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all of us who are hurting and trying to understand how someone we love so much can suddenly be gone, give us strength on the days when this feels too heavy. Help us remember that grief exists because there was so much love, and that our love for Austin does not end here.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
From Penelope and Leo- Uncle Austin, thank you for all the memories, all the laughs, and for always loving us so much. Please take care of him in Heaven and let him know that we will always love him and never forget him.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For his blood family and his chosen family, give us strength as we learn how to live in a world without Austin physically beside us. Help us feel him in the little signs, the memories, the laughter, and all the ways he will continue to be part of our lives.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
And for everyone gathered here today, may Austin’s life remind us to love people loudly, make them laugh, encourage them when they need it, and never underestimate the difference we can make in someone else’s life. May we honor him by carrying a little bit of his light with us when we leave here today
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
God of all, we pray to you for Austin, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
Saying Goodbye
At this time you are invited to come forward to express a final goodbye to Austin.
The Commendation & Closing of the Casket
We commend Austin to the mercy of God, our maker, redeemer, and comforter.
Austin, our companion and child of Christ, we entrust you to God. Go forth from this world in the love of God who created you, in the mercy of Jesus who became human for you, in the power of the Holy Spirit who receives and protects you. May you rest in peace and rise in glory, where pain and grief are banished, and life and joy are yours for ever. Amen.
The casket is closed at this time.
Let us pray.
Loving God, we stand before you in pain and sadness. You gave the gift of life, and now it has been taken from us. Hear the cry of our hearts for the pain of our loss. Be with us as we struggle to understand the mystery of life and death. Receive Austin in the arms of your mercy, to live in your gracious and eternal love, and help us to commit ourselves to your tender care. In your good name we pray. Amen.
Blessing
May Christ the Good Shepherd enfold you with love, fill you with peace, and lead you in hope, this day and all your days. Amen.
A Word from Austin
Dismissal
Go in peace. The souls of all the faithful departed are in the hands of God. Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia.
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On behalf of Austin’s family thank you for being here today and the outpouring of love and support you have extended. You are invited to join us after the service for a reception where we will continue to tell stories and celebrate Austin’s life.