Celebration of Life
October 16, 2004
2:00 p.m.
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
Brea, California

Keith Ranby Saul
August 10, 1981-October 7, 2004

Service Celebrating the Life of
Keith Ranby Saul

Musical Prelude

Opening of the Holy Word
God is in this sacred place.
Let all the earth keep silent
before Her.

Greeting

Responsive Reading
A Common Destiny
By David E. Eaton

All living substance,
all substance of energy, being
and purpose, are united and
share the same destiny.

All people,
those we love and those
we know not of,
are united and share the same destiny.

Birth-to-death we share this unity
with the sun, earth,

Our brothers and sisters, strangers

Flowers of the field, snowflakes,
moonbeams and volcanoes.

Birth-life-death
Unknown-known-unknown

We need one another when we
are in despair, in temptation,
and need to be recalled to
our best selves again.

We need one another when we
would accomplish some
great purpose, and cannot do it alone.

We need one another in the
hour of success, when we look
for someone to share our triumphs.

We need one another in the hour
of defeat, when with encouragement
we might endure, and stand again.

We need one another when we
come to die, and would have gentle
hands prepare us for the journey.

All our lives we are in need, and
others are in need of us.

Planting of the Tree of Life
Please move from the seated area
to the place of planting when the
minister instructs.

Benediction

Our destiny: from unknown to unknown.

May we have the faith to accept this mystery
And build upon its everlasting truth.

Pastoral Prayer

Silent Prayer

Alternative Lord's Prayer
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker,
Pain-bearer, life-giver,
Source of all that is
and that shall be
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God in whom is heaven:
the hallowing of Your name echo
through the universe!
The way of Your justice be
followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by
all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace
and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for
today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from
one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and
test, spare us.
From the grip of all that is
evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power
that is love now and forever. Amen.

Poem by Rumi
Read by Keith's sister,
Caryn Saul

Reading from the Holy Word
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Swedenborgian Perspective
On Life Everlasting

Musical Reflection
Prepared by Keith's friends,
Nick and Mike

Reflection
Jenn Tafel

Family Remembrances
Don Saul
Mareta Tafel
Kathy Tafel

Community Remembrances
Michael
Nick
Leslie
Lawrence

Responsive Reading
We Need One Another
By George E. Odell

We need one another when we
mourn and would be comforted.

We need one another when we
are in trouble and are afraid.

Minister
Jenn Tafel
Keith's cousin
Master of Divinity Student
Swedenborgian House of Studies at
Pacific School of Religion

Music
Provided by
Keith's friends,
Nick and Mike

The Saul family expresses
their deepest gratitude
for your presence here today
to honor the life of Keith and
for your heartfelt condolences.

The Saul family also
expresses its gratitude
to the staff of the
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
for providing the space and services
for today's service.

Keith's cousin, Jenn, officiated at his Memorial Service on October 9th where over one hundred family and friends gathered to celebrate his life. Keith's father, Ken, bought a sycamore tree, which Keith's best friends helped plant in the park in Keith's memory. His friend, Michael, had "In Loving Memory" vinyl stickers made for guests to take, and friends brought pictures and food to share. It was a moving service, and many, many respects were paid.