Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
- May 13, 2023
- 12 min read

Funeral Program for Martha R. M. Avery (1921-2023)

Burial Office & Holy Eucharist for

Martha Rebecca Martin Avery (1921-2023)

May 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Today's Ministers: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector; The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon; The Rev. Charles Hoskins, Rector Emeritus; Ms. Beryl C. Dandy, Music Director; Ms. C. Toni Blue, Verger

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The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

The people's responses are written in black italics.

Unspoken instructions are written in red italics.

The Burial of the Dead

Prelude

Welcome from the Rector

The Opening Anthem

[BCP, p. 491 / Hymn S-381]

I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though she die. And everyone who has life, and has committed herself 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 herself, and none becomes her own master when she 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 Collect of the Day

[BCP, p. 493]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Martha, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Book of Job (19:21-27)

[Ms. Nikki Wilkins Jones]

21 Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me! 22 Why do you, like God, pursue me, never satisfied with my flesh?

23 “O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! 24 O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; 26 and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

A Reading from Psalm 139:1-11

[Ms. Evadne Roberts]

1 LORD, you have searched me out and known me; * you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.

2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places * and are acquainted with all my ways.

3 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, * but you, O LORD, know it altogether.

4 You press upon me behind and before * and lay your hand upon me.

5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; * it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

6 Where can I go then from your Spirit? * where can I flee from your presence?

7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; * if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8 If I take the wings of the morning * and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

9 Even there your hand will lead me * and your right hand hold me fast.

10 If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, * and the light around me turn to night,"

11 Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; * darkness and light to you are both alike.

The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (6:37-40)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

[The Rev. Charles L. Hoskins]

37 [Jesus said,] “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; 38 for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

by The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

The Apostles’ Creed

[BCP, p. 496]

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.

Prayers for the Departed

[BCP, p. 497; Ms. Margaret Anne Pearson]

For our sister Martha, let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I am Resurrection and I am Life."

Lord, you consoled your friends Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for Martha, 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 sister eternal life. Hear us, Lord.

You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our sister to the joys of heaven. Hear us, Lord.

Our sister was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give her fellowship with all your saints. Hear us, Lord.

She was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant her a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom. Hear us, Lord.

Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our sister; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.

The Celebrant concludes with the following prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our sister Martha, who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism. Grant that her 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

[BCP, p. 360]

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

The Offertory

[BCP, p. 376]

Notes About Holy Communion:

All baptized Christians, from any church or denomination and of any age, are welcome to receive Communion in this church.
Please remain in your pews during the distribution of Communion; the minister(s) will come to serve you where you are.
As the minister approaches you with the bread (Body of Christ), extend your hands with palms open and facing up. The customary response to the minister's words is "Amen."
You may eat the bread alone. But if you wish to receive the wine (Blood of Christ), give your bread to the second minister, who will dip it in the wine and place it on your tongue.
If you or someone in your care is unbaptized or would prefer not to receive Communion for any reason, they should cross their arms over their chest. This signifies to the priest that they wish to receive a blessing instead.

Ways to Give to St. Matthew's:

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"Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God." [Ephesians 5:2]

Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now

LEV #189: 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 forever wilt be.

REFRAIN: 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. [Refrain]

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

[Words: Thomas O. Chisholm © 1923, renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Co. Music: William M. Runyan © 1923, renewed 1951 Hope Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #95006. All rights reserved.]

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Law)

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Circling through earth so all may grow

Vanquishing fear so all may give

Widening grace so all may live

Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer A

[BCP, p. 361]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give him 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.

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 forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

LEV #255:

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts

Heaven and earth are filled with your glory

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

[Music: Grayson Warren Brown, A Mass for Soulful People, Copyright © 1979 North American Liturgy Resources, Published by OCP. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #83420. All rights reserved.]

The people stand or kneel.

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.

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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

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 forever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

[BCP, p. 364]

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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 Fraction Anthems

[BCP, p. 364, 407]

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!

Therefore let us keep the feast! Alleluia!

This Far By Faith #36:

O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy and grant us peace,

we pray, O Lamb of God.

Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Gifts of God for the people of God!

LEV #154: Taste and See

REFRAIN: Taste and see, taste and see the goodness of the Lord. Oh, taste and see, taste and see the goodness of the Lord, of the Lord.

1 I will bless the Lord at all times. Praise shall always be on my lips; my soul shall glory in the Lord; for God has been so good to me. (Refrain)

2 Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us all praise God's name. I called the Lord, who answered me; from all my troubles I was set free. (Refrain)

3 Worship the Lord, all you people. You’ll want for nothing if you ask. Taste and see that the Lord is good; in God we need put all our trust. (Refrain)

The Post-Communion Prayer

[BCP, p. 498]

Let us pray.

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.

A Eulogy

[Mr. Charles McMillan]

Special Music by the St. Matthew's Choir

The Commendation

[BCP, p. 499]

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return." All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Martha. 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 your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

The Blessing of the People

[Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 9]

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do God's will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in God's sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

The Dismissal

[BCP, p. 366]

Let us go forth in the name of Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Hymn #287: For All The Saints (verses 1, 3-4, 7-8)

1. For all the saints, who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy Name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed. Alleluia, Alleluia!

3. O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, and win, with them, the victor's crown of gold. Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia, Alleluia!

7. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia, Alleluia!

8. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Alleluia, Alleluia!

[Words: William Walsham How, Public Domain. Music: Sine Nomine, Ralph Vaughn Williams from The English Hymnal, reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #18303. All Rights Reserved.]

Permissions and Credits: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.