Pastor Rupert Sharpe

Order of Service OFFICIATING MINISTERS Bishop O’Garth McCoy National Superintendent UPCJ Bishop John Smith Bishop Howard Francis Assistant Superintendent Pastor Joseph Lewis Regional Executive Presbyter- Region 4 Pastor Clebert Russell National Secretary Treasurer Pastor Barrington Gayle Pastor, Calvary Tabernacle UPC Processional “Beulah Land” - Mrs. Sandy Beagle, soloist Opening Remarks and Prayer

Pastor Barrington Gayle

Hymn of Praise

“In The New Jerusalem”

Scripture Reading Psalm 46 Dr. Adrine McKenzie (granddaughter) Tributes Calvary Tabernacle UPC Congregational Tribute Dr. Colette Smith Tributes | The Community Mr. Dallas Dickenson | Councilman

Mr. Darrel Martin | Ferncourt High School Past Students Mr. Baldwin Miller | Solo Ms. Inez Gowie

Mr. Basil Hue | Accordion Solo Mrs. Frances Brooks-Davis

Tributes | North Beulah UPC

Congregational Choir Sister Marie Sewell The Sunday School Choir

Pastoral Tributes Pastor Everald Edwards

Pastor Ainsley Laing Pastor Noel Gordon Congregational Hymn “Jesus Shall Lead Me” Tributes United Pentecostal Church

Bishop Howard Francis | UPCJ Board Reverend Mercella Ward-Francis | Pastors and Ministers Pastor Joseph Lewis | Presbyter – Region 4

Congregational Hymn “Sweeter Than All”

Family Reflections Dr. Barbara Sharpe (daughter in law)

Great Grandchildren | Miss Alyssa Miller

Grandchildren | Mrs. Janice Wilson

Children | Mr. Robert Sharpe

Eulogy

Ms. Laurie-Ann Sharpe and Ms. Susan McKenzie (granddaughters) Offertory Hymn “All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus”

Choir Selection

Calvary Tabernacle Choir Message

Prayer for the Family

Bishop O’Garth McKoy, Superintendent UPCJ

Pastor S. Robert Stewart

Recessional “Marching to Zion”

Hymns

I’ve reached the land of corn and wine, And all it riches freely mine, Now shines undimmed the blissful day, But all my sins are cast away

Beulah Land

Oh, Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land As on the highest mount I stand I look away across the sea Where mansions are prepared for me And view the shining glory shore, My Heav’n, my home forever more!

The Savior comes and walks with me And sweet communion here have we, He gently leads me with His hand, For this is Heaven’s table land.

The zephyrs seem to float to me, Sweet sounds of Heaven’s melody, And angels with the white robed throng Join in the sweet redemption song.

In The New Jerusalem

When the toils of life are over, And we lay our armor down, And we bid farewell to earth with all its cares, We shall meet and greet our loved ones, And our Christ we then shall crown, In the new Jerusalem.

When the last goodbye is spoken And the tear stains wiped away, And our eyes shall catch a glimpse of glory fair, Then with bounding hearts we’ll meet Him Who hath washed our sins away, In the new Jerusalem.

There’ll be singing, there’ll be shouting When the saints go marching home, In Jerusalem, in Jerusalem, Waving palms with loud hosannas As the King shall take His throne, In the new Jerusalem.

When we join the ransomed army In the summer land above, And the face of our dear Saviour we behold, We will sing and shout forever, And we’ll grow in perfect love, In the new Jerusalem.

Jesus Shall Lead Me

Where He may lead me I will go, For I have learned to trust Him so, And I remember ’twas for me, That He was slain on Calvary.

Jesus shall lead me night and day, Jesus shall lead me all the way,

He is the truest Friend to me, For I remember Calvary.

O I delight in His command, Love to be led by His dear hand; His divine will is sweet to me, Hallowed by bloodstained Calvary.

Hymns

Sweeter Than All

Christ will me His aid afford, Never to fall, never to fall, While I find my precious Lord, Sweeter than all, sweeter than all.

Jesus is now, and ever will be, Sweeter than all the world to me, Since I heard His loving call, Sweeter than all, sweeter than all.

Tho’ a vessel I may be, Broken and small, broken and small, Yet His blessings fall on me, Sweeter than all, sweeter than all.

When I reach the crystal sea, Voices will call, voices will call, But my Savior’s voice will be Sweeter than all, sweeter than all.

I will follow all the way, Hearing Him call, hearing Him call, Finding Him, from day to day, Sweeter than all, sweeter than all.

All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus

Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,

By His presence all divine?

True and tender, pure and precious, O how blest to call Him mine!

Love of Christ so freely given, Grace of God beyond degree, Mercy higher than the heaven, Deeper than the deepest sea!

All that thrills my soul is Jesus; He is more than life to me; And the fairest of ten thousand In my blessed Lord I see.

By the crystal flowing river With the ransomed I will sing, And forever and forever Praise and glorify the King.

We Are Marching To Zion

Come, ye that love the Lord, And let your joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne, And thus surround the throne.

We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.

Let those refuse to sing, Who never knew our God; But children of the heavenly King, But children of the heavenly King,

May speak their joys abroad, May speak their joys abroad.

The hill of Zion yields A thousand sacred sweets, Before we reach the heavenly fields, Before we reach the heavenly fields, Or walk the golden streets, Or walk the golden streets.

Then let our songs abound, And every tear be dry; We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground, We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground, To fairer worlds on high, To fairer worlds on high.

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Eulogy

upert Sharpe, known to many as Brother Rob, was born on June 25, 1925 on the Island of Jamaica. He was the first-born child of Rebecca Sharpe and George Mongal. Rupert had seven brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded him in death. Rupert’s father traveled to Jamaica from India as an undocumented worker, which is why when Rupert was born he was registered under his mother’s last name, Sharpe. Many can recount the stories he told of his father who came from Calcutta to work in Jamaica’s cane fields. He shared many of his father’s stories of India and passed along many Hindi words from his father’s first language.

As a young boy, Rupert grew up in the Darliston and Somerton districts of St. James, until his father accepted a job in St. Ann’s Bay and moved the family there.

Rupert’s formal education did not go beyond primary school (elementary school in the States), as his schooling was cut short by the death of his parents. As the eldest, Rupert went to work early and assumed responsibility for his younger siblings. One of his first jobs was setting traps and from there he worked as a butler in the Great House on the Seville Plantation. Rupert went on to learn a trade and became a tinsmith, eventually spending over a decade in Jamaica’s thriving bauxite industry. Working at Reynolds Jamaica Mines was hard work, but he did it to provide for his family and ensure that his children had an education.

Rupert was also an entrepreneur. He started his own business delivering cooking gas and other materials to businesses and individuals. He traveled the roads from Kingston and Montego Bay to wherever he was needed. In the later parts of his life, he was a mini bus operator and transported children, church members, and political groups. No doubt many can recall him driving– to and from conventions and church services across the island.

No matter his earthly accomplishments, without a doubt his greatest loves were the Lord Jesus Christ and his wife of over sixty-five years, Doris Sharpe. Rupert Sharpe and Doris Brown were married on January 13, 1952. The couple raised five children, and helped to raise many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Rupert and Doris raised their children with discipline, respect and above all a love for God. The couple routinely prayed together for each of their children, and all their grandchildren, who lived around the world. They beamed with pride at family milestones and accomplishments such as graduations and weddings. However, to Rupert and Doris, nothing in life was more important than a walk with the Lord. Every member of their household was reminded to “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” and “Fear God and keep him commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

The story is told that Rupert Sharpe was riding his bicycle home from work one day in 1948, when he had an encounter with the Lord. He recounted that the Lord told him that he was called to preach the Word and that he would be blessed with special gifts to complete the task.

Walking home another day in the same year, he passed an outdoor service, where he heard the message of salvation. Rupert accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. He fully committed his life to Christ and never looked back. He went on to serve faithfully in the United Pentecostal Church of Jamaica for over 60 years. He was a member of Calvary Tabernacle in St. Ann’s Bay, where he served as a deacon and evangelist to many new

churches. Rupert never missed a convention, a street meeting or an opportunity to visit the sick. He spent his life working to build Christ’s Kingdom. In his early years, Rupert drove a blue transit bus, which he used to transport people to and from church.

When his bus was not in the service of the church, Rupert Sharpe transported students to Ferncourt High and other neighboring schools. The students have their stories to tell of the many times Rupert would drive, worship and preach to them.

Much can be said about Pastor Sharpe’s devotion to the things of God. He preached the Word of God wherever he went; in the car, on the plane, at the store. He was never ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Some might remember “Harvest Time,” a radio program. When it was first broadcast in Jamaica, Rupert would walk the streets with a transistor radio on his shoulder, so that people in his community could hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He visited many homes praying for the sick, blessing children, and interceding for families. He dedicated hours each day to prayer, fasting and studying the Word of God. His memory of scripture was unparalleled. He was also blessed with the gift of tongues. On one occasion, during a turbulent flight, Rupert began speaking in tongues so loudly that no doubt all the passengers onboard the plane heard him. After a safe landing, one of the passengers approached and informed Rupert that he had been praying in Mandarin Chinese. She reported that she understood every word of his prayer for the Lord to protect the plane and for a safe landing. After that encounter he led the lady to the Lord and baptized several of her family members in Jesus name. The stories of the prayers of healing and deliverance are many.

In 1994 he became the pastor of North Beulah, Priory (United Pentecostal Church) where he led the church until he became aged. Sunshine or rain he was present at the church for prayer meetings and to open the church for Sunday School and worship services. Many revivals were experienced at the little Priory church. On one occasion thirty-eight persons received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In one particular year, over 100 persons received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It is said that most persons in Priory were either baptized or filled with the Holy Ghost at North Beulah. Today, many ministers, church leaders and members of congregations world-wide credit their beginning to the little Priory church.

Pastor Sharpe loved the word of God so much that it brought tears to his eyes when he read or listened to the scriptures. Likewise, singing the praises of God and talking about the goodness of God would make him cry and result in the familiar dip. One of his favorite songs, sung often and full-throated was, “All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus”. The lyrics of that song so aptly convey the essence of a man whose all and everything was wrapped up in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Rupert Sharpe will be remembered as a stalwart for Christ; a committed husband, loving father, and caring family man. We celebrate the life in Christ that Pastor Rupert Sharpe lived and the legacy that he leaves behind. People all over the world have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ through his faith and faithfulness. We celebrate with joy because Rupert Sharpe has fought a good fight, kept the faith and finished his race. We rejoice that his earthly body no longer feels pain for he is safely in the arms of his Lord and Master.

Pastor Rupert Sharpe is survived by his wife Doris; his children Mavis, Avril, Robert, Ruth and Harper; 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

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A Tribute to Pastor Rupert Sharpe

by Lady Gweneth Gallimore

reetings to the Sharpe’s family, Ministers, friends & well-wishers of my dear friend & Brother in Christ Pastor Robert Sharpe. There are no words adequate enough to express my deep emotions, as we celebrate the life of a soldier well lived. I give honor to our Great Jehovah, the God who never fails to grant peace, comfort and hope even in what seems like our darkest hour.

I first met this great man of God when I moved to St. Ann’s Bay in 1953, as the new wife of the late Bishop David Gallimore. Pastor Sharpe was one of the first foundation members of the Calvary Tabernacle Church in St. Ann’s Bay. What a warm, endearing and special spirit he displayed in welcoming me to the church family. Without speaking one word in English, but in another language we both are familiar with, I understood and felt his deep seated passion and love for God. That welcome he gave me in a heavenly language & with tears streaming down his face yet decorated with the most captivating smile, made the right connection and he maintained that sweet anointing right to the very end.

Everywhere he went throughout the community, at home and abroad in every way possible your soul will always be richly blessed by his encounter. As Pastor of the extended congregation in Priory, St. Ann, where he diligently emptied his heart week after week, it was his greatest joy to still see to it that everyone was transported to fellowship in St. Ann’s Bay afterwards. Praise & worship was his daily persona, even as he transported school children & various commuters, he was known for songs of Zion ringing throughout the journey. To them it was entertainment, but as unto God his passionate Ministry led thousands of souls to Christ, mentoring many of his new converts into Ministries of their own. His stars spread throughout the Caribbean, Canada, England & the USA. We all loved & enjoyed Bro. Rob as he was affectionately called. All the Brethren, every child, every soul under his Ministry, can attest to the unique way in which he touches everyone, one smile, one song, one prayer, one tear at a time bottled up in a sweet endearing & unwavering spirit. The gentle calm demeanor of our dear brother is unparalleled.

Pastor Sharpe was so instrumental in setting the pace for us and I encourage all those he has left behind, to stand fast in the hope we have in Christ. Let the fond memories and the legacy of this true Soldier of the cross, live on forever. No doubt Pastor Sharpe is Rejoicing In Peace right now! Angels have stepped aside, because another stalwart has joined the heavenly host!

Pastor Sharpe has beat me to the mark, but as I continue to press towards that higher calling, I shall cherish the baton he has left & keep on trudging until it is time to pass it on! My prayers remain with you all.

Pallbearers

Mr. Robert Sharpe Mr. Winston Miller Mr. LaShon Ramsey

Mr. Warren Walters Mr. Bill McLean Rev. Everald Edward

Thank You

The family of Pastor Rupert Sharpe would like to thank you and acknowledge with great appreciation your kindness during his time of illness and passing. It is during this time of sorrow that we feel the love and care of family, friends and the body of Christ. Your love is deeply appreciated and will always be remembered.

Interment The Sharpe Family Plot Smithfield, Priory, St. Ann Professional Services St. Michaels Funeral Home stmichaelsfuneralhomeja.com (876)917-6269 | (876)383-5688 Program Layout and Design Gracious GraFX www.GraciousGrafx.com (305) 928-4439 Printing Pentecostal Tabernacle International www.PenTab.org (305) 651-9696

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39 (KJV)