Liturgy at a stillbirth

Scripture

God will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom. Isaiah 4o:n

Prayers

Let us pray.
Compassionate God, you hold us in your constant love. Comfort us as we grieve the loss of this child who never was born. Be with N. [and N.] in their anguish. Grant to their child, [N.], the joys of heaven; and to each of us, bring healing and grace. Renew our hopes for the future and our faith in your goodness. We pray through Jesus Christ, who carries all our sorrows and brings us from death to new life. Amen.

O God, who gathered Rachel’s tears over her lost children, hear now the sorrow and distress of N. [and N.] for the death of her expected child. In the darkness of loss, stretch out to her the strength of your arm and renewed assurance of your love; through your own suffering and risen Child Jesus. Amen.

Heavenly Father, your love for all children is strong and enduring. We were not able to know N. as we had hoped. Yet you knew her growing in her mother’s womb, and she is not lost to you. In the midst of our sadness, we thank you that N. is with you now.
Amen.

A Song of Christ’s Goodness

Anselm of Canterbury

Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you; ,:.

you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.

Often you weep over our sins and our pride, ‘:·

tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.

You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, ‘:·

in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.

Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life; ‘:·

by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.

Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; ‘:·

through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.

Your warmth gives life to the dead, •:your

touch makes sinners righteous.

Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us; •:-

in your love and tenderness, remake us.

In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness, •:for

the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.

Commendation

We commend to your mercy, O God, our child N., that death may be for her the gate of life and peace with you. At your heavenly banquet, may we rejoice with her and all your children to see you face to face, one holy and undivided Trinity in glory everlasting.
Amen.

Give rest, O Christ, to your child with your saints
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray in the words our Savior Christ has taught us.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy Name,
    thy kingdom come,
    thy will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our tresspasses,
    as we forgive those
        who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
    and the power, and the glory,
    for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

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