(Read Genesis 9:8-17)

The lesson from Genesis comes after the story of the great flood when Noah and his family have come out of the ark with all the animals. The great flood that God has sent upon earth is now over and God has established the covenant with Noah, his descendants, and all living creatures on earth that there will never again be such a disaster. Never again will God allow the waters of chaos to destroy the earth. As a sign of that covenant God places the rainbow in the sky. Rainbows have become for us a sign of hope and a sign of the presence of God.

There are times in our lives when we really need a sign of hope and a sign that reminds us that God is always with us. We have come to one of those times today as we gather to celebrate the life of [NAME] and to mourn our loss at …