Sunday morning: 9/11/2022. The church doors were thrown wide
open; screens inside followed the procession from Balmoral, down through Royal
Deeside. Refreshments were available as mourners awaited the Royal cortège
making its way down through Scotland to Holyrood Palace.
Worship was delayed until the body of Queen Elizabeth II had
passed through Banchory.
A helicopter whirring overhead heralded the approach of the
procession. Men usually in shorts or jeans stood solemnly in kilts; women were
dressed to show their respect. Voices were stilled; a respectful hush fell over
the crowd lining the High Street.
Suddenly it arrived. A police escort led the way; the hearse
carrying the coffin draped in the Union Jack passed by; flowers were thrown; a
quiet applause rippled the still air. Some sniffles could be heard; some tissues
wiped away stray tears.
A week ago, the Queen was hosting the Moderator of the
Church of Scotland to a convivial lunch in Balmoral. A few days after that, she
played her part in the changing of the residents of Number 10. Animated and cheerful.
Now she is gone. A monarch who loved and served God and her
country for seventy years. An inspiring life well-lived, incredibly difficult to
maintain in the glare of publicity, criticism and condemnation, but which she
managed with grace and dignity, trusting always in Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to God for her life of faith, and pray that
he will welcome her into his presence with the words, ‘Well-done, good and
faithful servant.’
And now may her son, King Charles III, follow her example,
relying on Jesus during these days of unrest and uncertainty. God give him
wisdom and strength for the role he is called to play.
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