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 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 Lazarus. 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.
Organ Prelude
Prelude in C Major
J.S. Bach
Sheep May Safely Graze
Bach
Arioso from Cantata 156
Bach
Entrance Anthem
Book of Common Prayer, page 469
The Collect
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with thy spirit.
The Celebrant prays the Collect, and all say Amen.
The Hymnal, 652
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, words by John Greenleaf Whittier.
Psalm 19, responsively.
Book of common Prayer, page 606
The Reading
Hebrews 11 - 12:2
Reflections
Stephen Rose
The Homily
The Rev. Leslie G. Reimer
Musical Interlude
Prelude on Before thy throne, O God, I come
Before thy throne O God, I come
with every step an inward prayer;
As this poor sinner nears your home,
turn not your loving face from her.
Poems by Emily Dickinson
read by Anne Burnham
The Prayers
Book of Common Prayer, pages 480, 481
Hymn, 487
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life, words by George Herbert, music by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
The Commendation
Book of Common Prayer, pages 482, 483, and 484.
The Blessing
Dismissal
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Postlude:
"Little Fugue" in G Minor Bach
The Cross used in the procession today was given to Calvary Church in memory of Michael, Melisssa, and Emily Moore, by Dr and Mrs. G. Douglas Krumbhar and their children. It was dedicated on Friday January 28, 1955. It is a Celtic Cross, a form not only beautiful in itself but one that symbolizes a vital and debonair religion. The circle represents eternity. The interlacing designs are characteristic of Celtic art.
The Face: At the bottom is a serpent representing evil. He is being trampled by Uriel, the angel of the Resurrection and leader of the Seraphim. His name means "God is my light." Above him are three intertwined circles symbolic of the Trinity. The cross arms have two angels, one shielding the sun, the other the moon. Together they symbolize the Crucifixion. Inside there are a dog (fidelity), a bird (human souls) and a sea horse (humor). Taken together thy represent all God's creatures. The top angel is Haniel, leader out-the Virtues, who represent invincible courage. The Unicorn is an ancient symbol for our Lord.
The Back: The legend in tbe circle is "For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory." In the center is Calvary.
Calvary Episcopal Church
315 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
Leading the service:
The Rev. Dr. Harold T. Lewis, Rector
The Rev. Leslie G. Reimer, Associate for Pastoral Care
The Rev. Robert E. Stevens, Jr., Curate
Dr. Alan Lewis, Organist
Suzanne Wolfe and Jutliette Callomola, Readers
Laura, Anne, and Mary Hazlett, Acolytes
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"