Wake Service for Irene Rainville - August 28, 2020 - Led by Denise Hackert-Stoner, ARCWP

Created by Denise Hackert-Stoner, ARCWP

Candle lighting (by family member)

We hear about the light of Christ, and about Christ being the light of the world. We might ask, what is this light? 

If we light a candle in a dark room, or turn on a lamp, we might first notice the source of that light. But soon our eyes are open to the entire room. When the sun rises every morning we might notice first the glory of our magnificent, life-giving star. But soon we make out the details of the world around us. We navigate our day; we see ourselves, our own lives, and the lives of our loved ones, indeed we see all of Creation, in the light of our sun.

The light of Christ is like that. In the Divine light of the Christ we see truth. We see love. We see the world the way it was meant to be, and we see our true selves.

There are people in the world called to carry this light. We are here this evening to honor one of them.  

Irene was many things to many people. A trusted mentor and companion to the many young people she served in youth ministry. A dear friend whose humor and deep listening brought joy and understanding. A loving daughter, wife, devoted mother and grandmother. 

And for all of us, all the time, in every situation, Irene carried the Light of Christ into our lives.

With her love, her humor, her way of listening and affirming, she carried the light. When we were with Irene we saw ourselves more clearly. That was her gift. Her Christ light. That is the woman we celebrate tonight. 

Let us pray for our dear Irene, knowing that she rests now in the source of that divine light. 

Please respond, "Carry the light of Christ"  

Irene lived a life of love. Love of family, love of friends, love of life. She now rests in the source of all love. As we remember and celebrate her let us... "Carry the light of Christ"  

Irene saw with the light of Christ the way the world should be. She helped build that worldview in her work with the young people she loved so much. She now rests in the light of that world. As we remember and celebrate her let us in our own way, using our own gifts, continue her work. Let us…"Carry the light of Christ"

Irene saw the people in her life as they were, and loved them as they were. She saw with the light of Christ, which is truth, which is love. As we remember and celebrate her let us take up that light. Let us see ourselves, and our family and friends as the true selves we all are. And let us love and nurture these true selves as they blossom into fullness of being.... Let us "Carry the light of Christ"  

May Irene, in the company of saints known and unknown, in the care of angels seen and unseen, in the presence of the light she carried on her journey,  live in radiant joy until we meet again. Amen.