Bett Robinson was a remarkable woman, a lady of inner beauty, contagious faith and joy, grace in suffering.  She was respected and loved by everyone.  Two of her favorite scripture passages, which I read in her memorial service, are these:

John 15:5:  Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches.  Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing."

James 1:2-4:  "My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing."

And we sang two magnificent hymns, Great is Thy Faithfulness, and Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.  Against the background of terror, war and violence, listen to these inspiring words:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.  There is no shadow of turning with Thee.  Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be.  Great is Thy faithfulness!  Great is Thy faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Bett Robinson had a faith worth singing about, and so do we.

Prayer:  Loving God, we are in awe of your grace.  Fill our hearts with gratitude and humility, restore our souls to singing, our hearts to loving, our hands to doing justice.  Empower us to press on in the way you have shown us in Christ until we know in our bones that nothing can separate us from your love.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.