LBW 325, "Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart"
Devotion
What plans have you made for your funeral? Our previous pastor invited us to turn in our instructions. What scripture? What hymns? Celebrate life? Almost immediately, one hymn stood out for me: "Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart."
Many reasons come to mind. It is a prayer, and prayer has become increasingly important to me. It also nestles among the hymns on "Christian Hope." What we most need at a funeral is hope. God's promise is based on Christ's death on the cross for us, confessed here so warmly. Faith that firmly clings to this gift responds with love for the Lord. This should reassure mourners that leaving this world is just moving closer to the One who loves and is loved best of all. This is a message for the whole world in Epiphany.
Prayer
Lord, the hymn is right: I love you with all my heart. Would that everyone on earth did too. Amen.