"When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.  And they began to weep aloud and they embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again.  And they were accompanying him to the ship."

Paul is saying goodbye.  As he does, the weight of the situation hits the Ephesians.  They realize that they most likely will not see Paul again, and they realize what this means.  Paul is preparing for death.

So the leaders of the church hold a funeral service for Paul.  That is not exactly what is going on, but it is very close.  They are mourning the loss of their good friend and spiritual father.  This time together is a testimony to the value that the church has placed on Paul the missionary.  It is also a tribute to the importance of emotion in the life of the church.

We are allowed to care for our elders just as this church was allowed to care for Paul.  We often forget that.  Sometimes we think emotion gets in the way of love for our neighbor.  This is not the case.

Emotion can be a powerful tool in growth.