Funerals are celebrations of the resurrection. St. Paul's encourages that funeral services be held in the sanctuary, where members worship and where the rich resources of Christian hymnody and music are most accessible. The pastor and staff of St. Paul's Lutheran Church are committed to helping with funerals for members and non-members. To have the pastor conduct a funeral at St. Paul's, please call the church office at 301-791-1738. A funeral service should not be scheduled without checking availability of the pastor and facility. Printed copies to our Guide to Christian Burial are also available at the church office.

Scripture suggestions for funerals

Old Testament Lessons 

  1. Job 19:23-27a “For I know that my Redeemer lives.”
  2. Isaiah 25:6-9 “Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears.”
  3. Isaiah 35:3-10 “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened.”
  4. Isaiah 40:1-11, 28-31 “Comfort, O comfort my people…In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD.”
  5. Isaiah 61:1-3 “The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me…to bring good news.”
  6. Lamentations 3:22-33 “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases.”
  7. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “For everything there is a season.”

Psalms

  1. Psalm 23 “The LORD is my shepherd”
  2. Psalm 27 “The LORD is my light and my salvation”
  3. Psalm 42 “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God”
  4. Psalm 46 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
  5. Psalm 90 “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth.”
  6. Psalm 91 “You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
  7. Psalm 116:1-8. 15-19 “I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications.”
  8. Psalm 118 “O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast loves endures forever.”
  9. Psalm 121 “I lift my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the LORD.”
  10. Psalm 130 “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice!”
  11. Psalm 139 “O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up.”
  12. Psalm 143 “Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness.”

Gospel Texts 

  1. Matthew 11:25-30 “Come to me all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
  2. Matthew 25:31-40 “The king will say, “Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
  3. Luke 12:22-27 “Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.”
  4. John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God.”
  5. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world.”
  6. John 5:19-29 “The hour is coming…when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will live.”
  7. John 11:21-27 “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live.”
  8. John 14:1-6 “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places.”

New Testament Lessons 

  1. Romans 5:1-11 “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  2. Romans 5:17-21 “As one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to life for all.”
  3. Romans 8:14-19 “We are children of God”and joint heirs with Christ”if we suffer with him”we may also be glorified with him.”
  4. Romans 8:24-28 “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.”
  5. Romans 8:31-39 “Nothing separates us from the love of God.”
  6. 1 Corinthians 15:12-26 “For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being.”
  7. 2 Corinthians 4:15—5:10 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
  8. Philippians 2:5-11 “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”
  9. Philippians 3:7-16 “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on.”
  10. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again”God will bring with him those who have died.”
  11. 1 Peter 1:3-9 “By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus.”
  12. Revelation 7:9-17 “And there was a great multitude”standing before . the Lamb”cried out in a loud voice.”
  13. Revelation 21:1-7 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.”
  14. Revelation 21:22—22:7 “And there will be no more night”for the LORD God will be their light.”

Suggested Hymns for Funerals 

These are suggested hymns; you are not limited to only those listed below.

  1. A Mighty Fortress
  2. Amazing Grace
  3. Beautiful Savior
  4. Children of the Heavenly Father
  5. How Great Thou Art
  6. I Know That My Redeemer Lives
  7. I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
  8. Jesus Christ is Risen Today
  9. Jesus, Priceless Treasure
  10. Lord of All Hopefulness
  11. My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
  12. My Faith Looks Up to Thee
  13. Now Thank We All Our God
  14. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
  15. The Church’s One Foundation
  16. Thine Is the Glory
  17. What A Friend We Have in Jesus