Memorial Eucharist for Mary Loretta Brown
May 6th, 2023
Processional Anthem
I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though they die. And everyone who has life, and has committed themselves to me in faith, shall not die for ever.
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. After my awaking, he will raise me up; and in my body I shall see God. I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him who is my friend and not a stranger.
For none of us has life in ourselves, and none becomes our own possession when we die. For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So, then, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord!
So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
Songs of Praise
It Is Well with My Soul (Horatio Spafford)
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed his own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
How Great Thou Art (Carl Boberg)
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, "My God, how great thou art!"
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
The Collects
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Mary, and grant her an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with Mary’s friends and family in our grief. Surround us with your love, that we may not be overwhelmed by our loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The First Lesson Joshua 1:9
I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 121 (arr. Rain for Roots)
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the mountains
He has been my defender since my birth
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the heavens
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the earth
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
He will keep you safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
He will keep you safe
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the mountains
He has been my defender since my birth
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the heavens
Oh, my help comes from the Maker of the earth
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
He will keep you safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
He will keep you safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
He will keep you safe
In the sunshine, in the moonlight
He will keep you
I lift my eyes up to the mountains
Where does my help come from?
The Second Lesson Revelation 21:2-7
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples,
and God himself will be with them and be their God;
he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
My Soul Finds Rest (Psalm 62) (arr. Sandra McCracken)
My soul finds rest in God alone
My salvation comes from him
My soul finds rest, God is my home
I will not be shaken, I will not be shaken
The Gospel Reading John 10:11-16
+This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Gospel Acclamation
My Soul Finds Rest (Psalm 62) (arr. Sandra McCracken)
My soul finds rest in God alone
My salvation comes from him
My soul finds rest, God is my home
I will not be shaken, I will not be shaken
Reflections Sandy Zull, Mele Girma, Danny Bryant
The Apostles’ Creed
In the assurance of eternal life given at Baptism, let us proclaim our faith and say,
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He 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.
The Prayers of the People
For our sister Mary, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I am Resurrection and I am Life."
Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Mary, and dry the tears of those who weep.
Hear us, Lord.
You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow.
Hear us, Lord.
You raised the dead to life; give to our sister eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our sister to the joys of heaven.
Hear us, Lord.
Our sister was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give her fellowship with all your saints.
Hear us, Lord.
She was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant her a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
Hear us, Lord.
Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our sister; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
Silence is kept.
Father of all, we pray to you for Mary, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Song of Preparation
Love Will Bring You Home (Sandra McCracken)
September sunlight through the clouds
Arms outstretched, the North, the South
The pavement pacing with your shoes
Racing the shadows of the trees
Dancing cover from the heat
Someone is looking out for you.
You've come so far, how far you've come
Go the distance
Into the arms where you belong
Love will bring you home,
Love will bring you home
We are hard-pressed on every side
We persevere through valleys wide
He will not cause your foot to slip
He sets the wind against your back
The finish near, it is not yet
Thanksgiving ever on your lips
You've come so far, how far you've come
Go the distance
Into the arms where you belong
Love will bring you home,
Love will bring you home
The bridegroom sun,
Runs across the sky,
With legs so strong,
He runs to meet his bride,
With every sunrise
You are my portion and my cup
Poured out for me, you fill me up
With oil you have anointed me
And as I run, I want to rest
To feel your peace within my chest
Like Mary sitting at your feet.
You've come so far, how far you've come
Go the distance
Into your Father’s arms you run
Love will bring you home
You've come so far, how far you've come
Go the distance
Into the arms where you belong
Love will bring you home
Love will be your home
Love will bring you home
Love will be your home
Love will bring you home
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope of everlasting life. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray,
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Music
Be Ye Glad (Michael Blanchard)
In these days of confused situations
In these nights of a restless remorse
When the heart and the soul of a nation
Lay wounded and cold as a corpse
From the grave of the innocent Adam
Comes a song bringing joy to the sad
Oh, your cry has been heard and the ransom
Has been paid up in full, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad, oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
Now, from your dungeon, a rumor is stirring
And you have heard it again and again
Ah, but this time the cell keys, they're turning
And outside there are faces of friends
Though your body lay weary from wasting
And your eyes show the sorrow they’ve had
Oh, the love that your heart is now tasting
Has opened the gates, be ye Glad
Oh, be ye glad, oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
So be like lights on the rim of the water
Giving hope in a storm sea of night
Be a refuge amidst the slaughter
Of these fugitives in their flight
For you are timeless and part of a puzzle
You are winsome and young as a lad
And there is no disease or no struggle
That can pull you from God, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad, oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad
Sweet Comfort (Latifah Phillips, Sandra McCracken)
Whatever my God ordains is right
His holy will abides
I will be still whatever he does
And follow where he guides
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Yet shall fill my heart
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Sorrow shall depart
Whatever my God ordains is right
He makes my feet to stand
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine
He holds me in his hand
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Yet shall fill my heart
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Sorrow shall depart
This bitter cup, I take it
My fainting heart restored
So here I stand, unshaken
I trust upon the Lord
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Yet shall fill my heart
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Sorrow shall depart
He is my God though dark my road
He holds me, I shall not fall
Whatever my God ordains as right
To him I leave it all.
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Yet shall fill my heart
Sweet comfort, sweet comfort
Sorrow shall depart
The Prayer after Communion
Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ, and have given us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be to us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of joy with all your saints; through
Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
The Recessional
In Christ Alone (Keith Getty, Stuart Townend)
In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my All in all,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone! Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
scorned by the ones he came to save.
Till on that cross, as Jesus died,
the wrath of God was satisfied.
For every sin on him was laid,
here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground his body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain.
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
up from the grave he rose again!
And as he stands in victory
sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am his and he is mine—
bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
this is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
can ever pluck me from his hand;
Till he returns or calls me home,
here in the power of Christ I’ll stand!
The Dismissal
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.