Order of Service

Selasie Rochelle Lotsu

Thursday, 26th September, 2024

St. Barnabas Church, Gorringe Park Avenue, Mitcham, CR4 2DJ, U.K

Receiving the Coffin at Church before the Funeral

We receive the body of our sister Rochelle Lotsu with confidence in God, the giver of life, who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead.

With this water we call to mind Rochelle Lotsu’ s baptism. As Christ went through the deep waters of death for us, so may he bring us to the fullness of resurrection life with Rochelle and all the redeemed. Amen

Procession with the Coffin into the Church

‘I am the resurrection and the 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.’ (John 11.25,26)

I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8.38,39)

We brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (1 Timothy 6.7; Job 1.21b)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness. (Lamentations 3.22,23)

Prayer Over the Coffin

God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you destroyed the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. As we remember before you our Sister Rochelle, we ask your help for all who shall gather in his/her memory. Grant us the assurance of your presence and grace, by the Spirit you have given us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The LORD’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.

He makes me down to lie

in pastures green; He leadeth me

the quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again;

and me to walk doth make

within the paths of righteousness,

e’en for his own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk thro’ death’s dark vale,

yet will I fear no ill;

for Thou art with me, and Thy rod

and staff me comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnishéd

in presence of my foes;

my head Thou dost with oil anoint,

and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life

shall surely follow me:

and in God’s house forevermore

my dwelling place shall be.´

Let us Pray

Heavenly Father, you have not made us for darkness and death, but for life with you forever. Without you we have nothing to hope for; with you we have nothing to fear. Speak to us now your words of eternal life. Lift us from anxiety and guilt to the light and peace of your presence, and set the glory of your love before us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eulogy by Eli Agbotui

Hymn - God sent His Son

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he brings;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,

I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

Tributes

Family members and St Barnabas Church

Mum - Read by Claudia Reid

Aunties and Uncles

St Barnabas Church - Read by Johnson Ayibiowu

Poem by Renee Walter

Hey Selasi,

Why did you have to go too soon?

Leaving aching hearts behind.

I remember when your bright light

First beamed Into my world.

You were twelve then.

Though I’d seen you around

As a young child with your mum.

It was at age twelve

Your beautiful aroma of love

Permeated into my world.

I remember the humorous poem

You wrote about me then entitled

“The Woman Renee”

We connected even though

The age gap between us Was almost twenty years.

I fondly referred to you then

As “my little friend”

My heart bleeds

As I try to process the fact That you are gone.

Though I know you are Resting in the bosom of The Almighty and you are

No longer in pain.

Probably wanting us to know

You are at peace, happy and

Bubbly as ever over there.

I am still in a state of shock.

I weep.

Your bright light is now dim

In my world.

But the Lord knows best.

He always does.

I now say goodnight my friend.

See you in the morning.

Whenever the morning comes

That we meet again in the Heavenly realm.

God bless Selasi,

I am sure your presence Is already felt in heaven with your bubbly and loving Essence.

Sweetly remembered by

Renee.XX

Hymn interludes by the St Barnabas Organist

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

in every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heav’nly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake

to guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

all now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul; when dearest friends depart,

and all is darkened in the veil of tears,

then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay

from His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hast’ning on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Prayers of Penitence

As children of a loving heavenly Father, let us ask his forgiveness, for he is gentle and full of compassion.

Silence and Moment of Reflection

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

May God our Father forgive us our sins and bring us to the eternal joy of his kingdom, where dust and ashes have no dominion.   Amen.

Collect

Merciful Father, hear our prayers and comfort us; renew our trust in your Son, whom you raised from the dead; strengthen our faith that all who have died in the love of Christ will share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Psalm 91 :1-13 Read by Deborah Adewole

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely, he will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes

and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

no harm will overtake you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 - Read by Eshe Joseph

Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  For we live by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.  For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Gospel Reading John 14.1-6

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 14.1-6

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Homily

Prayers of Intercession

God of mercy, Lord of life, you have made us in your image to reflect your truth and light: we give you thanks for, Rochelle for the grace and mercy she  received from you, for all that was good in her life, for the memories we treasure today. Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

You promised eternal life to those who believe. Remember for good this your servant Rochelle

as we also remember her. Bring all who rest in Christ into the fullness of your kingdom

where sins have been forgiven and death is no more. Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Your mighty power brings joy out of grief and life out of death. Look in mercy on Rochelle family, friends, colleagues, and all who mourn. Give them patient faith in times of darkness. Strengthen them with the knowledge of your love. Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

You are tender towards your children and your mercy is over all your works. Heal the memories of hurt and failure. Give us the wisdom and grace to use aright the time that is left to us here on earth, to turn to Christ and follow in his steps in the way that leads to everlasting life. Lord in your mercy

Hear our prayer

Silence

God of mercy, entrusting into your hands all that you have made and rejoicing in our communion with all your  faithful people, we make our prayers through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

The Peace

Jesus says: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. The peace of the risen Lord be always with you. And also with you.

Offertory Hymn

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it someday for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

Refrain

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see,

For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I’ll share.

Refrain

Eucharistic Prayers

The Lord be with you

And also with you

Lift up your hearts.

We  lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth, giver of life, and conqueror of death. By his death on the cross, your Son Jesus Christ offered the one true sacrifice for sin,

breaking the power of evil and putting death to flight. With all your saints We give you thanks and praise

Through his resurrection from the dead you have given us new birth into a living hope, into an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. With all your saints We give you thanks and praise

The joy of resurrection fills the universe, and so we join with angels and archangels, with Rochelle and all your faithful people, evermore praising you and singing :

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus:

dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life: Lord Jesus, come in glory.

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,

 We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Communion Hymn/Filing Past Coffin

When peace like a river attended my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul

Refrain:

It is well (it is well)

With my soul (with my soul)

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

let this blest assurance control:

that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

and has shed his own blood for my soul.

Refrain:

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin, not in part but the whole

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh, my soul

Refrain:

And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll

The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend

Even so, it is well with my soul

Prayer after Communion

Gracious God, we thank you that in your great love you have fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ and have given us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet: grant that this sacrament may be to us a comfort in affliction and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but fullness of joy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen

Together we pray:

Heavenly Father, in your Son Jesus Christ you have given us a true faith and a sure hope. Strengthen this faith and hope in us all our days, that we may live as those who believe in  the communion of saints,  the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection to eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Post Communion Hymn

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah

Pilgrim through this barren land;

I am weak, but Thou art mighty,

Hold me with Thy powerful hand.

Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,

Feed me till I want no more;

Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,

Whence the healing stream doth flow;

Let the fire and cloudy pillar

Lead me all my journey through.

Strong Deliv’rer, strong Deliv’rer,

Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;

Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,

Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death and hell’s Destruction,

Land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises,

I will ever give to Thee;

I will ever give to Thee.

Commendation and Farewell

Let us commend Rochelle Lostu  to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer.

God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust  Rochelle to your mercy in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and forever.

Recessional Hymn - Abide with Me

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide

The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day

Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away

Change and decay in all around I see

O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness

Where is death’s sting?

Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies

Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee

In life, in death, o Lord, abide with me

Abide with me, abide with me.

Dismissal

God the Father, by whose love Christ was raised from the dead, open to you who believe the gates of everlasting life. Amen.

Hymn - Abide with Me at Burial London Road Cemetery

God be with you till we meet again;

loving counsels guide, uphold you,

may the Shepherd’s care enfold you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain:

Till we meet, till we meet,

till we meet at Jesus’ feet.

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;

unseen wings, protecting, hide you,

daily manna still provide you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain

God be with you till we meet again;

when life’s perils thick confound you,

put unfailing arms around you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain

God be with you till we meet again;

keep love’s banner floating o’er you,

smite death’s threat’ning wave before you;

God be with you till we meet again.

Refrain

Committal

We have entrusted Rochelle to God’s mercy, and we now commit her body to the ground:

earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust: in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our frail bodies so that they may be conformed to his glorious body, who died, was buried, and rose again for us. To God be glory forever.  Amen.

Presentation of Wreath

Two Minutes Silence

Laying of Wreaths

Lifting/wheeling of the Casket

Presentation of Wreath

Song: Goodness of God by Jenn Johnson

I love You, Lord

Oh, Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

And in darkest night You are close like no other

I’ve known You as a Father

I’ve known You as a Friend

And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah

And all my life You have been faithful, oh

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now

I give You everything

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me, oh-oh

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now

I give You everything

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it keeps running after me

And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

I’m gonna sing, I’m gonna sing

Oh, ‘cause

‘Cause all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

Oh, I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God

We love You for that

One for all my days

Closing Prayer/Benediction

May Christ the good shepherd enfolds you with love, fill you with peace, and lead you in hope, to the end of your days; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.