A Service of Thanksgiving
For the Resurrection Life of
Eleanor Vivian Bigwood
October 23, 1931 – May 15, 2026
May 23, 2026
1:00 pm
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Westborough, MA
PRELUDE
Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele Johannes Brahms
Prelude on ‘Wonderful Peace’
Yeon Soh, Organ
INTRODUCTION
Welcome in the name of Jesus, the Savior of the world. We are gathered to worship, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, to remember before God our sister, Ellie, to give thanks for her life, to commend her to our merciful redeemer, and to comfort one another
in our grief.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death lie his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by our breath gave us life, we glorify you.
We glorify you.
Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we praise you.
We praise you.
Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you.
We worship you.
To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever.
Amen.
HYMN Precious Lord, Take My Hand Thomas A Dorsey
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be
with you all.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our sister, Ellie. We thank you for giving her to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In you boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
REMEMBRANCES
Paula Bigwood, Emily Belrose and Julia Bigwood
FIRST READING ISAIAH 43:1-3a Heather Mueller
A reading from Isaiah.
1 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC
Sure on this Shining Night Samuel Barber
Daniel Moore, soloist
SECOND READING COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 Frida Mueller
A reading from Colossians.
1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN In the Garden
GOSPEL John 14:25-27
The Holy Gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Jessica Goodrich
ANTHEM
On Eagle’s Wings Michael Joncas
Daniel Moore, soloist
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray. Almighty God, in holy baptism you have knit your chosen people together into one communion of saints in the body of Christ. Give to your whole church in heaven and on earth your light and your peace. God of mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to share the new life in Christ. God of mercy, hear our prayer.
Give courage and faith to all who mourn, and a sure and certain hope in your loving care, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may have strength for the days ahead.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that, where this world groans in grief and pain, your Holy Spirit may lead us to bear witness to your light and life.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
Help us, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.
God of mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all grace, we give you thanks because by his death our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection he opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Make us certain that because he lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
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 trespasses,
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,
forever and ever. Amen.
COMMENDATION
Let us commend Ellie to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Eleanor.
Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold,
a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.
Receive her into the arms of your mercy,
into the blessed rest of everlasting peace,
and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN Nearer My God to Thee
DISMISSAL
Go on peace, serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Christ ist Erstanden BWV 627 No.3 J. S. Bach
Yeon Soh, Organ
The family invites you to a meal in the Fellowship Hall following the service.
All are welcome!
If you would like to make a donation in Ellie’s memory, gifts may be made via cash, or check made out to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and left in the offering plate as you exit the sanctuary. You may also make an online donation via credit card at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z9G3/campaign/C-16E64
OR use our QR Code
PARTICIPANTS
Preacher The Rev. Jessica Goodrich
Presiding Minister The Rev. Cassandra Hartnett
Worship Assistant Randy Koopman
Ushers Debra George and Jonathan Trumbull
Readers Paula Bigwood, Emily Belrose, Julia Bigwood, Heather Mueller, and Frida Mueller
Altar Guild Stephanie Leclair and Trudy Roybal
Livestream Operator Rahul Meriga
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