The Celebration Service/Song #3

The Celebration Service
Monday, May 7, 2001
6:30 PM
Papago Park
Phoenix, Arizona

The Order of Service

Prelude:
   Keyboard Selections played by Ken Reeves
Welcome and Opening Prayer:
   Pastor Paul Sorenson
Song #1:
   Amazing Grace by Cecilia
   From: Voice of the Feminine Spirit
Reflections on Noel's Life & God's Love:
   Pastor Paul Sorenson
A Father's Message:
   John Schuderer
A Mother's Letter:
   Marna Chvarak
   [Not Shared Publicly at Service]
Song #2:
   Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton
   From: Eric Clapton Unplugged
Reading #1:
   Barbara Schuderer (Stepmother)
   Excerpt from A Return to Love: Reflections
   on the Principles of A Course in Miracles by
   Marianne Williamson
Song #3:
   A Place in the World by Mary Chapin Carpenter
   From: A Place in the World
Reading #2:
   Ryan Schuderer (Brother)
   On Joy and Sorrow
   From: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Song #4:
   Bourée by Johan Sebastian Bach
   Performed by Jethro Tull
   From: Standup
Email and a Love Poem:
   Heather Burns (Partner)
Song #5:
   Dante's Prayer by Loreena McKennitt
   From: The Book of Secrets
Open Sharing:
   by Family and Friends
Closing Comments and Prayer:
   Pastor Paul Sorenson
Postlude/Song #6:
   Standing in Motion by Yanni
   From: In Celebration of Life
Reception
Spreading of Ashes

A Place In The World
Performed by Mary Chapin Carpenter
From: A Place in the World
[Click on CD cover to hear RealPlayer sample]

What I'm looking for, after all this time
Keeps me moving forward, trying to find it
Since I learned to walk all I've done is run
Ready, on my mark, doesn't everyone
Need a place in the world

Could be right before your very eyes
Just beyond a door that's open wide
Could be far away or in you own backyard
There are those who say, You can look too hard
For your place in the world

Takes some of us a little longer
A few false starts gonna make you stronger
When I'm sure I've finally found it
Gonna wrap these arms all around it

Could be one more mile, or just one step back
In a lover's smile, down a darkened path
Friends will take our side, enemies will curse us
But to be alive is to know your purpose
It's your place in the world
Your place in the world
Your place in the world

Noel's stepmother, Barbara, chose this song because it reminds her of some of the children and adults Noel used to work with, many of whom seem to face challenges as they find their place in the world. The song also reminds us that we do indeed have a place in the world, a purpose, and something to give.