Monday afternoon, January 16th, Lester Haas died and was called to His eternal home. His soul is now in eternity awaiting the resurrection of his body on the Last Day. He is now part of the “great cloud of witnesses” surrounding us that Hebrews 12:1 describes.
Please keep Lester and his family, especially Phyllis, in your prayers. Also, as part of the Body of Christ, comfort Phyllis to let her know that not she is not alone in this time of deep sadness and loneliness.
Here is a prayer from Starck’s Prayer Book if you wish to make this prayer your own:
O holy and righteous God, it has pleased You to call Lester from this life. Let us learn from his death that we, too, must die and leave this world, in order that we may prepare for it in time by repentance, a living faith, and avoiding the sins and vanities of the world. Refresh the soul of Lester that has now departed with heavenly consolation and joy, and fulfill for it all the gracious promises, which in Your holy Word You have made to those who believe in You. Grant to Lester’s body a soft and quiet rest in the earth till the Last Day, when You will reunite body and soul and lead them into glory, so Lester’s entire person who served You here may be filled with heavenly joy there. Comfort all who are in grief over his death, especially Phyllis. Be and remain to the bereaved their Father, Provider, Guardian, Helper, and Support. Do not forsake them, and do not withdraw Your hand from them, but let them abundantly experience Your goodness, grace, love, and help, until You will grant them also a happy and blessed end. Hear us because of Your mercy. Amen.
(Adapted from CPH’s Starck’s Prayer Book, Revised Concordia Edition, p. 345)
