Senator John S. McCain III, 81, died from complications related to his brain cancer on August 25, 2018 with his wife and family beside him at his home in Cornville, Arizona.

A memorial service took place August 30, 2018 at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Senator McCain’s family and friends, along with state, local and tribal officials, and business and civic leaders from across Arizona attended the service. Senior pastor Dr. Noe Garcia read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, and John 3:16. Personal friend Tommy Espinoza quoted 1 Corinthians 13:3 and 2 Timothy 4:6-7. And Sen. McCain’s children also read passages from the Bible: Bridget McCain, Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, and Andrew McCain, 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

On Saturday, September 1, 2018, a national memorial service took place at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Sen. McCain’s family, friends, congressional colleagues and staff, as well as US and international leaders attended and participated in the service. The service began with a reading from The Book of Common Prayer that included John 11:25, Job 19:25, and Romans 14:8. Also read during the program were Wisdom 3:1-5, 9 by Sen. Kelly Ayotte (former US Senator from New Hampshire), 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 by daughter Sidney McCain, John 15:12-13 by Sen. Lindsey Graham, US Senator from South Carolina, and The Lord’s Prayer recited by the congregation.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

1 Corinthians 13:3

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

2 Timothy 4:6-7

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

Job 19:25

I know that my redeemer lives,
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

Romans 14:8

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Wisdom 3:1-5, 9

The souls of those who do what is right are in God’s hand. They won’t feel the pain of torment.

To those who don’t know any better, it seems as if they have died. Their departure from this life was considered their misfortune.

Their leaving us seemed to be their destruction, but in reality they are at peace.

It may look to others as if they have been punished, but they have the hope of living forever.

They were disciplined a little, but they will be rewarded with abundant good things, because God tested them and found that they deserve to be with him.

Those who trust in the Lord will know the truth. Those who are faithful will always be with him in love. Favor and mercy belong to the holy ones. God watches over God’s chosen ones.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.

For we live by faith, not by sight.

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

John 15:12-13

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Matthew 6:9-13

This, then, is how you should pray:

    ‘Our Father in heaven,
    hallowed be your name,
    your kingdom come,
    your will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us today our daily bread.
    And forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors.
    And lead us not into temptation,
        but deliver us from the evil one.’

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