(An acolyte or some other person leads the procession carrying the lighted Paschal Candle. Thurible, Cross and torches are carried after the Paschal Candle. The Celebrant follows with assisting ministers. During the procession to the Altar one or more of the following sentences may be read)
Celebrant:
Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and I am the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and who ever lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25-26)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His compassion never fails: every morning they are renewed. (Lamentations 3: 22-23)
Jesus said, Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. (John 14:1)
I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38-39)
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. (Romans 14: 8-9)
We brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away: Blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1: 21)
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27).
(The coffin (covered) is placed in the middle of the center isle before the altar. The foot of the coffin faces the altar. The position of the Paschal Candle is to the front left side of the coffin facing the altar)
THE INTROIT HYMN | Great Is Thy Faithfulness
1.Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not, as thou hast been thou for ever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness; morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2.Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above, join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3.Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth, thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
COLLECT FOR THE DEPARTED
Celebrant: Let us pray:
Almighty God, we remember before you today your servant, Carmell, and we pray that, having opened to her the gates of larger life, you will receive her more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have served you in the past, she may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for, ever and ever. All: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
THE OLD TESTAMENT READING | Wisdom 3:1-5,9 | Read by: Micah Hanna, Granddaughter
Reader: The Word of God, written in the book of Wisdom chapter five beginning at verse one. 1.But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. 2. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, 3. and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. 4. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. 5. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; 9. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.
Reader: The Word of The Lord! All: Thanks be To God
HYMN | The Lord’s My Shepherd
1.The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want. he makes me down to lie in pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by.
2.My soul he doth restore again; and me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness, even for his own Name’s sake.
3.Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, yet will I fear no ill; for thou art with me; and thy rod and staff my comfort still.
4.My table thou hast furnished in presence of my foes; my head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.
5.Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me; and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.
All: And also with you
Reader: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John the fourteenth chapter beginning at the first verse. All: Glory to Christ our Saviour.
1.‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2.In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4.And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5.Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6. Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Reader: The Gospel of Christ
All: Praise to Christ our Lord
HYMN | Through All The Changing Scenes
1.Through all the changing scenes of life, In trouble and in joy, The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ.
2.O magnify the Lord with me, With me exalt His Name; When in distress to Him I called, He to my rescue came.
3.The hosts of God encamp around The dwellings of the just; Deliverance He affords to all Who on his succour trust.
4.O make but trial of His love; Experience will decide How blessed are they, and only they, Who in His truth confide.
5.Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear; Make you His service your delight; Your wants shall be His care.
5.To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God Whom we adore, Be glory, as it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
THE HOMILY | The Rev’d. Fr. Deangelo Bowe, Rector, The Church of The Most Holy Trinity
THE CREED (The Apostle’s Creed)
Priest: Let us with confidence and hope confess faith into which we were baptized as we say: All: 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 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 PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL | Led by:
Deontai Jennings, Grandson
Leader: We have gathered to celebrate the entry of Carmell into life eternal. People: To affirm with praise and thanksgiving the goodness of the Lord.
Leader: Let us rejoice in God’s presence with us, in death as in life among those who now see God face to face. People: Our lips will shout for joy, for God’s love is over all that God has made. Blessed be God’s glorious Name forever!
Leader: We feel the pain of separation, we are conscious of our loss, but we have hope in Jesus Christ. People: We give thanks to God from whom comes all life and death and who surrounds us in both. We have affirmed our faith and rejoice in Christ’s victory over death, which is God’s promise to us.
Leader: Lord, You raised the dead to life. People: Give to our sister Carmell eternal life;
Leader: Our sister Carmell was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit. Give her fellowship with all your saints. People: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: She was nourished with Your Body and Blood; Grant her a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom. People: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our sister, Carmell. Let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
All: Amen
THE PENITENCE
Priest: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess oursins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let us therefore confess our sins.
All: Almighty God our Heavenly Father, we have sinned against You and one another, in thought, word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are sorry and repent of all our sins. For your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the honour and glory of your Name.
THE ABSOLUTION
Celebrant: Almighty God, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. ALL: Amen.
OFFERTORY HYMN | Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine
1.Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine: O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God; born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long, this is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long.
2.Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture burst on my sight; angels descending, bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3.Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Saviour am happy and blest; watching and waiting, looking above, filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
THE PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERINGS:
Celebrant: Through Your Goodness, Lord we have this bread and wine to offer, the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands. They will become our spiritual food. All: All things come from you, O Lord, and of your own do we give you. Blessed be God forever. Amen
THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
THE SURSUM CORDA
THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER | Form E - Pg. 142 BCP
THE CONSECRATORY PRAYER
THE ACCLAMATION
THE PATER NOSTER
THE BREAKING OF BREAD
Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
THE INVITATION
Celebrant: My brothers and sisters in Christ, draw near and receive His Body, which He gave for you, and His Blood, which He shed for you. Remember that He died for you and feed on Him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
All: Grant us, gracious Lord, that we so eat the flesh of Your Dear Son, Jesus Christ and drink His Blood, that we may evermore dwell in Him and Him in us. Amen
THE AGNUS DEI
All: Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant her rest. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant her rest. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant her rest eternal.
COMMUNION HYMNS:
Hymn | And Now, O Father
1.And now, O Father, mindful of the love that bought us, once for all, on Calvary’s tree, and having with us him that pleads above, we here present, we here spread forth to thee that only offering perfect in thine eyes, the only true, pure, immortal sacrifice.
2.Look, Father, look on his anointed face, and only look on us as found in him; look not on our misusings of thy grace, our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim; for lo! Between our sins and their reward we set the passion of thy Son our Lord.
3.And then for those, our dearest and our best, by this prevailing presence we appeal; O fold them closer to thy mercy’s breast, O do thine utmost for their souls’ true weal; from tainting mischief keep them white and clear, and crown thy gifts with strength to persevere.
4.And so we come; O draw us to thy feet, most patient Saviour, who canst love us still; and by this food, so awful and so sweet, deliver us from every touch of ill; in thine own service make us glad and free, and grant us never more to part with thee.
Hymn | And Now, O Father
1.To God be the glory! Great things he hath done, so loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life Gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give him the glory great things he hath done.
Hymn | Till The Storm Passes By
2.O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, to every believer the promise of God; the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3.Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done, and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; but purer and higher and greater will be our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
1.In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face, While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place. ‘Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.
‘Till the storm passes over ‘Till the thunder sounds no more, ‘Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.
2.Many times Satan whispered, “There is no need to try, For there’s no end of sorrow, there’s no hope by and by” But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I’ll rise Where the storms never darken the skies.
3.When the long night has ended and the storms come no more, Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore; In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.
POST COMMUNION PRAYER:
All:
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 all foretaste of Your heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be unto 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 life with all your saints, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
THANKSGIVING HYMN | The King Of Love
1.The King of love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine for ever.
2.Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul he leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.
3.Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me, and on his shoulder gently laid, and home rejoicing brought me.
THE COMMENDATION:
4.In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with thee, dear Lord, beside me; thy rod and staff my comfort still, thy cross before to guide me.
5.Thou spread’st a table in my sight; thy unction grace bestoweth; and O what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth!
6.And so through all the length of days thy goodness faileth never: Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house for ever.
President: Give rest, O Christ to Your servant Carmell with Your saints. All: Where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
President: You only are immortal, the Creator and Maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to the earth shall we return. For so did You ordain when You created me, saying, “You are dust, and to dust shall you return.” All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Amen
President: (facing the body says)
Let us commend our sister Carmell to the mercy of God our Maker and Redeemer. Deliver your servant, Carmell, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set her free from every bond, that she may rest with all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen
President: Into Your hands, O merciful Saviour we commend your servant, Carmell. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her soul into the arms of your mercy, in the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
All: Amen
President: Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord. All: And let light perpetual shine upon her.
President: May she and all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. All: Amen.
RECESSIONAL
HYMN | Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer
1.Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand; Bread of Heaven, Feed me now and evermore.
2.Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing streams doth flow: Let the fiery cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through; Strong Deliverer, Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
3.When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside: Death of death, and hell’s Destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side Songs and praises I will ever give to Thee.
THE COMMITTAL
(The Consecration of the Grave)
