12 February 2026 – Chapel – Drew Theo Chapel

Gathering Music

“What Does the Lord Require of You?”
Music: Mark Miller

What does the Lord require of you?
What does the Lord require of you?
What does the Lord require of you?
I want to know! I want to know!

Justice! Kindness!
Walk Humbly with your God!
Justice! Kindness!
Walk Humbly with your God!

Gathering and Greeting

Dean Edwin Aponte

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live,
and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
I died, and behold I am alive for evermore.
Because I live, you shall live also.
Friends, we have gathered here to praise God
and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of our friend, James Rufflin.
We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort,
in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

Opening Song

“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” UMH 127
Words: William Williams

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 deliverer, strong deliverer,
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.

Opening Prayer

Adrian Mendoza

Leader: Let us pray. O God, who gave us birth,
you are ever more ready to hear
than we are to pray.
Give to us now your grace,
that as we shrink before the mystery of death,
we may see the light of eternity.
Speak to us once more
your solemn message of life and of death.
Help us to live as those who are prepared to die.
And when our days here are accomplished,
enable us to die as those who go forth to live,
so that living or dying, our life may be in you.
Remind us that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us
from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Reading – John 14, selected verses

Ji Hae Lee

[Jesus said,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In God’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.
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while the world will no longer see me,
but you will see me;
because I live, you also will live.
I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name,
will teach you everything,
and remind you of all that I have said to you.
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.”

Leader: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.

Solo

Dee Jackson

Reflections

Rok Choi, Dr. Chris Boesel, Dr. Stephen Moore, Rev. Dr. Althea Spencer-Miller

Sacrament of Holy Communion

Beth Quick, Marcel Okito, Sharon Hausman, Rok Choi

Abide with Me
A Sung Communion Liturgy
for a Service of Death and Resurrection

(Tune: EVENTIDE, 10 10.10 10)
Text: Beth Quick, 2019, 2024.
Incorporating phrases from “Abide with Me,” Henry F. Lyte, 1847.

Abide with us; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; God, with us abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
God, in our grieving, you our refuge be.

God, you created everything we see.
You formed our friend, and all that he would be.
You walked with him by waters still and clear.
And through dark valleys you were always there.

We need your presence every passing hour.
What but your grace can conquer death’s deep power?
Who, but you God, can be our guide and stay?
Through clouds and sunshine, God, abide always.

Christ knew our trials, for he faced them too.
He hurt and suffered, met death, like we do.
We follow Jesus, lifting high the cross
And with his strength, we bear the pain and loss.

Before his death, Christ joined with friends to eat.
Fruit of the vine, and bread formed out of wheat.
“Take, eat, and drink; remember when you do.
Sharing this meal, my life I give to you.”

Spirit of God, be poured on us today,
and on this wine and bread, your Spirit stay.
Make them become the life of Christ in us,
Send us to love and serve as Jesus does.

As we depart, we leave with words of peace.
E’en in our grief, we’re called to share your grace.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, the victory?
God, you abide for all eternity.

Hymns During Communion

“La Lucha”
Words/Music: Mark Miller

En la lucha hay vida
En la lucha esperanza
En la lucha hay vida
Siempre hay siempre hay esperanza

Cantamos en la lucha
Cantamos por la justicia

Cantamos por nuestras vidas
Siempre hay siempre hay esperanza

“Precious Lord, Take My Hand” – OneLicense #A-729109
Thomas Dorsey

Precious Lord, take my hand,
lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
through the storm, through the night,
lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When my way grows drear,
precious Lord, linger near,
when my life is almost gone,
hear my cry, hear my call,
hold my hand lest I fall:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

When the darkness appears
and the night draws near,
and the day is past and gone,
at the river I stand,
guide my feet, hold my hand:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.