The gathering prayer of the service will be offered by the Rt Rev Andrew MacLellan, moderator of the general assembly of the Church of Scotland.

A friend of Donald's and a fellow-graduate of the University of Glasgow, whose motto down the centuries has been "Via, Veritas, Vita - The Way, the Truth, The Life". And this will shape the moderator's prayer.

Rt Rev MacLellan:

"The rank is but the guinea's stamp
"The man's the gowd for a'that

"The rank was the highest in the land; but the man was pure gold
"Let us hold our thanksgiving for Donald Dewar before a light that is limitless and a love that will not let us go

"Let us pray to God who holds in love all people, all nations and all faiths
"For our companion on the way, whose journey took him from Glasgow schoolboy to the chief seat in Edinburgh's parliament, from the study of Scots law to the settling of the constitution, we give thanks to God.

"On the way Donald has been the companion of Glasgow people, men and women and children whom he simply loved;
"The companion of Scottish people, for he was one of us and we loved him - even the millions who never knew him loved him, and the companion - especially - of the poor, the weak, and those left outside.
"As we travel on the way without him, we bless God for Donald's journey.

"For our companion in the truth, who knew so much and understood so much, we give thanks to God.
"From the price of old books to the history of the church, from the great paintings of Scotland to the funniest stories, and above all in the search and struggle for truth in the politics of the people. Donald's resources were unmatched.
"He shared what was in that powerful and unusual mind with all who wanted to listen.

"So now, as we seek the truth without him, we bless God for Donald's wisdom and clarity and light.
"For our companion in life, who laughed and loved and suffered like the rest of us, we give thanks to God.
"It was a truly human life, but it was uniquely Donald's. With his own dreams and visions, his own memories, his own hurts, his own joys that the world could never know.
"Above all, it was life shared with those most precious to him.

"Today our prayers are for Marion and Ian and for Hazel and for all those for whom the pain is more than they can bear.
"Sustain them in years to come with treasured memories of the past and radiant hopes for the future.
"And bring us all at the last to fullness of life with your saints in the kingdom of heaven.

"So in thankfulness for this good, useful, cheerful and truly human life, let Glasgow flourish, let Scotland stand firm and let the morning stars shout together for joy."

Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name
thy kingdom come, thy 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 lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever,
Amen.