A Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration for the Life of
Herschel Robert Atkinson
1 November 1925 — 20 August 2021
18 September 2021
2:00 PM
The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, Celebrant The Reverend Gwin Hanahan, Preacher The Reverend Deacon Georgia Newman-Powell, Deacon Dr. Jack Mitchener, Organist
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND I AM THE LIFE The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the Resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 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.” This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn. From The Book of Common Prayer, page 507
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A Liturgy for the Burial of the Dead The Opening Voluntaries Chorale Prelude on Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele, BWV 654 (Hymn 339, “Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness)
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Chorale Prelude on O Welt, ich muss dich lassen, Opus 122, No. 11 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) (Hymn 309, “O Food to pilgrims given”)
Prelude on the Welsh Hymn Tune Rhosymedre
(Hymn 587, “Our Father, by whose name all fatherhood is known”)
Variations on Westminster Abbey
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) Richard Proulx (1937-2010)
(Hymn 518, “Christ is made the sure foundation”)
Prelude on An Old Irish Church Melody, St. Columba (Hymn 645, “The King of love my shepherd is” – Psalm 23)
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
The Procession 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. The Opening Collect Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Herschel. 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.
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The First Lesson Reader A Reading from The Wisdom of Solomon.
Wisdom 3:1-5, 9 Read by Steve Jenkins
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; 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. People Thanks be to God. Psalm 42:1-7
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Simplified Anglican Chant S-415
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1 As the deer longs for the / water-brooks, * so longs my soul for you, O / God. 2 My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living / God; * when shall I come to appear before the presence of / God? 3 My tears have been my food day and / night, * while all day long they say to me, “Where now is your / God?” 4 I pour out my soul when I think on / these things: * how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of / God, 5 With the voice of praise and thanks-/giving, * among those who keep / holy-day. 6 Why are you so full of heaviness, O my / soul? * and why are you so disquieted with- / in me? 2nd half of chant 7. Put your trust in / God; * for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my / God.
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The Second Lesson Reader A Reading from The Letter of Paul to the Romans.
Romans 8:14-19,34-35,37-39 Read by Stephen Glenn Dignam
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 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. Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. All stand to sing.
The Sequence: Hymn 335
music: I Am the Bread of Life, Suzanne Toolan (b. 1927); arr. Betty Pulkingham (1928-2019) words: Suzanne Toolan (b. 1927), adapt. of John 6
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All remain standing.
The Holy Gospel Gospeler People
John 14:1-6
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Gospeler People
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Homily
The Rev. Gwin Hanahan
Said by all, standing.
The Apostles’ Creed 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.
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The Prayers
The People respond to every petition with “Hear us, Lord.”
Led by The Rev. Pat Miller
For our brother, Herschel, 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 Herschel, 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 brother eternal life. Hear us, Lord. You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother to the joys of heaven. Hear us, Lord. Our brother was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him fellowship with all your saints. Hear us, Lord. He was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom. Hear us, Lord. Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope. Celebrant
Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our brother, Herschel, who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism. Grant that his death may recall to us your victory over death, and be an occasion for us to renew our trust in your Father’s love. Give us, we pray, the faith to follow where you have led the way; and where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen. The Peace Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.
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The Holy Communion The Offertory The Offertory Hymn: 522
music: Austria, Franz Joseph Heydn (1732-1807); desc. Michael Y. Young, (b. 1939) words: John Newton (1725-1807), alt.
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All stand.
The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you.
Eucharistic Prayer B, BCP, p. 367
Celebrant People
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant People
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. Celebrant
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 for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: All sing
The Sanctus and Benedictus
S130, Franz Schubert, Deutsche Messe
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All stand or kneel.
Celebrant
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life. On the night before he died for us, 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.”
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Therefore, according to his command, O Father, All
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
Celebrant
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. 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
BCP, p. 364
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.
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All sing
The Breaking of the Bread
S 155, Gerald Near
The Communion The Postcommunion Prayer 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.
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All sing
The Commendation Hymn: 358
music: Russia, Alexis Lvov (1799–1870) words: Carl P. Daw, Jr. (b. 1944)
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The Commendation Celebrant Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Herschel. Acknowledge, we
humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
The Blessing
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All sing.
The Closing Hymn: 688
music: Ein feste Burg, melody Martin Luther (1483–1546); harm. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) words: Martin Luther (1483–1546); tr. Frederic Henry Hedge (1805–1890); based on Psalm 46
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The Dismissal Deacon People
Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Closing Voluntary Chorale Improvisation on “Now Thank We All Our God,” Opus 65, No. 59 Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933)
Flowers are given to the glory of God and in celebration of the life of Herschel Robert Atkinson by St. Alban’s Episcopal Church and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
A reception follows on the Labyrinth.
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All music is reprinted by permission under www.OneLicense.net (license number A-717455).
DIOCESE OF ATLANTA
The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright, Bishop of Atlanta
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler, Dean Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music The Reverend Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Community and Education The Reverend George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar The Reverend Catherine Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care The Reverend Julia B. Mitchener, Priest Associate The Reverend Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries The Reverend Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate Mr. Del King, Senior Warden Mr. Samuel T. Wilmoth, Junior Warden 2744 Peachtree Road, NW ∙ Atlanta, GA ∙ 30305-2920 ∙ (404) 365-1000 www.stphilipscathedral.org
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