A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
October 26, 1946 – August 23, 2024
MICHAEL REDNOUR-HALLMAN
T HE BURIAL OF THE DEAD: RITE TWO
Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
St. John’s Episcopal Church Huntington, WV
In this service, the people say the words in bold text.
PRELUDE MUSIC
The bell tolls to begin the service. Please stand as you are able.
I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. And everyone who has life, and has committed himself 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 himself, and none becomes his own master when he dies. 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 are the Lord's possession.
Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord!
So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
Celebrant The Lord be with you. All And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray: O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Michael Rednour-Hallman We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please remain standing THE OPENING HYMN
I, the Lord of sea and sky Wonder, Love & Priase; #812
The Old Testament: Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7
A reading from the Song of Solomon
10 My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away,
11 for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone
12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of one’s house, it would be utterly scorned.
The word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God
The Psalm 84 Quam dilecta! Led by Jim Vassar; Chanted in unison
1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD / of hosts! * My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in / the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest where she may lay / her young; * by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my / King and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in / your house! * they will always / be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is/ in you! * whose hearts are set on / the pilgrims' way.
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place / of springs, * for the early rains have covered it with / pools of water.
6 They will climb from height / to height, * and the God of gods will reveal him- / self in Zion.
7 LORD God of hosts, hear / my prayer; * hearken, O / God of Jacob.
8 Behold our defender, / O God; * and look upon the face of / your Anointed.
9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my / own room, * and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents / of the wicked.
10 For the LORD God is both sun / and shield; * he will give / grace and glory;
11 No good thing will the LORD / withhold * from those who walk with / integrity.
12 O LORD /of hosts, * happy are they who put / their trust in you!
The Epistle: 1 John 4:7-16
A reading from the first letter of John
7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. The word of the Lord. All Thanks be to God.
THE SEQUENCE
The Gospel: John
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John All Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Servant Song
3 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”[b] 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You[c] must be born from above.’[d] 8 The wind[e] blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you[f] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[g] 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[h]
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him
The Gospel of the Lord. All Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE HOMILY
THE APOSTLES CREED
The Celebrant may introduce the Creed with these or similar words
The Rev. Gregory Pennington
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 P RAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
For our brother, Michael, 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 Michael, and dry the tears of those who weep. Lord, hear our prayer.
You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow. Lord, hear our prayer. You raised the dead to life; give to our brother eternal life. Lord, hear our prayer.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother to the joys of heaven. Lord, hear our prayer.
Our brother was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him fellowship with all your saints. Lord, hear our prayer.
He was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom. Lord, hear our prayer.
Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother ; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope. Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant: Father of all, we pray to you for Michael and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
THE PEACE
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. All And also with you.
The people greet each other with a nod, handshake, hug or some other sign of peace.
THE OFFERTORY ANTHEM
Amazing Grace, my chains are gone
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Eucharistic Prayer A
arr. Joel Raney
The people stand.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All It is right to give him thanks and praise. Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
But chiefly are we bound to prayer you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Pascal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. Bu his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
THE SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord
The Hymnal 1982; #S124
You may now kneel or sit as you are able, or you may choose to continue standing.
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.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
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, according to his command, O Father, Celebrant and People
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.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
THE 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 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
THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Celebrant The gifts of God for the people of God. and may add Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving The people are seated
All who seek God and a deeper life in Christ are welcomed to the Altar rail, and baptized Christians are invited to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Come forward and kneel or stand with an upturned palm to receive the host (The bread is gluten-free and vegan). To receive the wine, you may either drink from the chalice or intinct (dip) your host into the chalice.
THE DISTRIBUTION
THE POST COMMUNION P RAYER
After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
The Celebrant and People
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 Service continues on page 13.
THE COMMENDATION
The Celebrant and other ministers take their places
Celebrant Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints, All where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Thou only art immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return. For so thou didst ordain when thou creates me, saying, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return. "Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” All we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
All Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
The Priest says
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend thy servant, Lelah Ann Cutright Nelson. 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 into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen
Priest: Let us go forth in the name of Christ. All: Thanks be to God.
The Closing Hymn is found on page 14
THE CLOSING HYMN
Lift high the cross
The Hymnal 1982; #473
The Celebrant may dismiss the people with these words Alleluia. Christ is risen.
All The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ. All Thanks be to God.
THE POSTLUDE
The Committal will take at the Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Garden, Fayetteville, NC, on October 26, 2024 Michael’s husband, Jackie, along with the Rednour-Hallman families, are most grateful for your presence here today and your ongoing prayers
ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Rev. Gregory Pennington, Rector
The Rev. Klára Kovács, Priest
Dr. David Castleberry & Dr. Barbara Ladner, Vocal ists
Sara Lee, Organist
Vivian Kost, Parish Life Director
Go in peace.
Michael Rednour-Hallman of Ona, WV, was born October 26, 1946, and passed away peacefully on August 23, 2024, at the age of 77 years, 9 months and 28 days. He was the son of the late Harold Rednour and Margaret Eastburn Rednour. He was preceded in death by his beloved dog Caroline; one sister, Carole Dixon; fatherin-law, Jim Hallman, and sister-in-law, Lisa Hallman.
Michael was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Huntington, WV and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was a lover of the arts, music and especially animals. Out of his love for animals, dogs held a special place in his heart. He was a member of the Cursillo Group in North Carolina, where he used his passion and skills in art to create and maintain a webpage. Michael was deeply grateful that he lived in a time in which he could marry the love of his life, Jackie.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving husband, Jackie Rednour-Hallman; his two beloved dogs, Olive and Owen; one son, Shan Hallman; one brother, Tom (Rosemary) Rednour; one brother-in-law, Ben Dixon; three nieces, Kaitlyn Grizell, Waverly (Trent) Dixon-Mason, and Carrie (Michael) Dixon-Johnson; three nephews, Aiden Grizell, Travis Dixon, and Peter Rednour; one great nephew, Brett; two great-nieces, Lexi and Madison; one great-great niece, Vivian; one great-great nephew, Carter; mother-in-law, Debbie Hallman, and sister-in-law, Jamie (Travis) Grizzell.
Two Celebrations of Life are currently planned. One will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington, WV with the Revs. Gregory Pennington & Klara Kovacs officiating. Visitation will precede the service at 2:00 pm in Tyler Hall on the lower level of the church. The family requeststhatthose joining inthecelebrationofMichael’s life wearbrightorcolorfulclothing as Michaelhad an affinity forsuch things,especially neoncolored shoes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice, Huntington, WV.
The second Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, NC with interment following at Holy Trinity Memorial Gardens.
Ferrell-Chambers Funeral Home, Huntington, WV, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ferrell-chambersfuneralhome.com.