A Service Celebrating the Life of

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart...”
— Ecclesiastes 3:11

With profound love and gratitude, we remember the life of Mrs. Nirmala Tota, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and woman of faith. She passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord on May 14, 2025, at the age of 86.

Born to Rev. Pagadala Mark Samuel and Mrs. Charlotte Samuel, she was the second of their daughters. A trained graduate in Arts, she served as a senior assistant in a high school. She later married Mr. T.K. Rao, Chief Engineer in the Roads and Buildings Department, and together they raised a family built on love, humility, and strong Christian values.

Nirmala lived a full and vibrant life—rooted in faith, devoted to her family, and driven by a strong sense of purpose. As a dedicated teacher, she shaped many young minds. As a mother, she raised her daughters, Dr. Nalini Lam and Dr. Padmini Muthyala, with strength, courage, and deep empathy.

She was a woman of both conviction and curiosity. Nirmala followed Indian politics passionately, enjoyed tracking the latest in movies, fashion, and even YouTube Shorts. Yet, her heart remained steady in God’s Word—she read the Bible every day, and her favorite book was Ecclesiastes, which she often reflected on with quiet wisdom.

Nirmala shared a warm and caring relationship with her sons-in-law, Chittaranjan Lam and Sashidhar Muthyala, treating them with kindness, friendship, and respect. Her legacy also lives on through her beloved grandchildren—Rachel, Sareen, and Joshua—who were constant sources of joy in her life.

She is also survived by her cherished sisters, Mrs. Padmini Rajkumar, Mrs. Lalitha Jonnalagadda, and Mrs. Monica Paul Surender, along with 17 nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.

Though we deeply miss her presence, we celebrate her eternal peace and the beautiful life she lived. May her memory continue to inspire and bless us all.

With love,
Nalini, Chittaranjan, and Rachel
Padmini, Sashidhar, Sareen, and Joshua

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart...” - Ecclesiastes 3:11

THE GATHERING

THE WORD OF GRACE AND GREETING: Rev. David Ravinder

HYMN: Lekkinchaleni Sthothramul

PRAYER:

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

O God, who gave us birth, you are ever more ready to hear than we are to pray. You know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Give to us now your grace, that as we shrink before the mystery of death, we may see the light of eternity. Speak to us once more your solemn message of life and of death. Help us to live as those who are prepared to die. And when our days here are accomplished, enable us to die as those who go forth to live, so that living or dying, our life may be in you, and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us from your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Psalm 23: Rachel Lam (Granddaughter)

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Revelation 21:1-7 Sareen Muthyala

(Grandson)

GOSPEL LESSON: John 14:1-4, 18-19, 25-27 Joshua Muthyala

(Grandson)

NAMING: Dr. Nalini Lam (Daughter)

TRIBUTES:

Joshua Muthyala (Grandson)

Sareen Muthyala (Grandson)

Rachel Lam (Granddaughter)

SERMON: ‘Life, Death and Eternity’ Rev. David Ravinder

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

COMMENDATION

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

THE LORD’S PRAYER:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN: How Great Thou Art

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

(Please pick-up lunch boxes placed with love and gratitude near the doors)

లెక్కించలేని స్తోత్రముల్

పల్లవి: లెక్కించలేని స్తోత్రముల్ దేవా ఎల్లప్పుడు నే పాడెదన్

ఇంతవరకు నా బ్రతుకులో నివు చేసిన మేళ్ళకై

1. ఆకాశ మహాకాశముల్ దాని క్రిందున్న ఆకాశము

భూమిలో కనబడునవన్నీ దేవా నిన్నే కీర్తించు్ … లెక్కించలేని …

2. అడవిలో నివసించునవన్నీ సుడి గాలియు మంచును

భూమిపై నున్న వన్నీ దేవా నిన్నే పొగుడును … లెక్కించలేని …

3. నీటిలో నివసించు ప్రాణుల్ ఈ భువిలోని జీవ రాశులు

ఆకాశమున ఎగురునవన్నీ ప్రభువా నిన్నే కీర్తించున్ … లెక్కించలేని …

Lekkinchaleni Sthothramul

Devaa Ellappudu Ne Paadedan

Devaa Ellappudu Ne Paadedan (2)

Intha Varaku Naa Brathukulo (2)

Nuvvu Chesina Mellakai (Lekkinchaleni)

Aakaasha Mahaakaashamul

Vaatiyandunna Sarvambunu (2)

Bhoomilo Kanabadunavanni (2)

Prabhuvaa Ninne Keerthinchun (Lekkinchaleni)

Adavilo Nivasinchuvanni

Sudigaaliyu Manchunu (2)

Bhoomipainunnavanni (2)

Devaa Ninne Pogadunu (Lekkinchaleni)

Neetilo Nivasinchu Praanul

Ee Bhuvilona Jeeva Raasulu (2)

Aakaashamuna Egurunavanni (2)

Prabhuvaa Ninne Keerthinchun (Lekkinchaleni)