A Service of Celebration for the
Life of The Reverend Doctor
Charles P. Robshaw
(17 July 1915 - 1 January 2003)[1]
in the Gideon Pond Chapel
January 6, 2003


Order of Service

PRELUDE
    Hymn tunes on the piano

PROCESSIONAL
    Just a Closer Walk with Thee (jazz dirge) (words)

WELCOME

THE DOXOLOGY

OPENING SENTENCES
    John 14:1-7
    Hebrews 12:1-3
    Romans 8:38-39

INVOCATION

HYMN     Shall We Gather at the River

THE FAMILY REMEMBERS
    Lessons we learned from our Dad, Sara Robshaw Haber
    Virtues from a bygone era, Katherine Robshaw Hackney
    Acrostic, Charles Matthew Hackney

HYMN     The Lord's My Shepherd (words)

SCRIPTURE
    Genesis 25:7-11
    I Corinthians 9:24-27
    II Timothy 4:6-8
    Philippians 3:12-14
    Mark 10:41-45

SERMON[2]     Reaching the Goal

SOLO     Precious Lord

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING

THE LORD'S PRAYER

COMMENDATION

BENEDICTION

RECESSIONAL
    Just a Closer Walk with Thee (up tempo)
    When the Saints Go Marching In

POSTLUDE     Amazing Grace on the bagpipes (words and traditional rendition)

Officiants
The Reverend Dr. Mark A. Bayert
Pastor, Oak Grove Presbyterian Church

The Reverend Dr. Jean Daugherty
Chaplin, Gideon Pond Retirement Home

Pianist
Marilyn Eckerle

Soloist
Fred Kuessel

Jazz Band
Marv Eckerle, Baritone
Joe Schweigert, Trumpet
Leah Robshaw, French Horn
Chuck Watt, Trombone
Matt Robshaw, snare drum
Michael Robshaw, bass drum and bagpipes


Once I found out the secret of the Universe. I have forgotten what it was, but I know that the Creator does not take Creation seriously, for I remember that He sat in Space with all His Work in front of Him and laughed. -- Lord Dunsany, "The Hashish Man"

Visit some resources for Christian wisdom, secular wisdom, the funeral service for the author's brother, his father, and three dear friends (Jane, Carol, and Helen). Also please feel free to visit a page of Litany and Hope, and the maintainer's site map.


[1] Dr. Robshaw's last poem was written probably sometime in December 2002. It beautifully reflects his prayer that he not give undue grief and struggle to his family in the manner of his death. In the event, he died peacefully in the early morning after a fun New Year's Eve with Vadis, his wife of 60 years.
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[2] Another tribute, written by William Paul, Dr. Robshaw's good friend and fellow minister, is also available for perusal.
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