Burial Service for
Mary “Matt” Laurel Bonaparte (1942-2023)
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Today's Ministers: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector; The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon; Ms. Beryl C. Dandy, Music Director; Ms. C. Toni Blue, Verger
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
The Service for Burial of the Dead
The people's responses are written in black italics.
Unspoken instructions are written in red italics.
Prelude
The Processional Anthem: I Am Resurrection
[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.
Refrain: I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
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.
Refrain: I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
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.
Refrain: I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Mode 8 antiphon melody; adapt. Bruce E. Ford, Copyright © 1985 Bruce E. Ford, Church Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.]
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 Mary, 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 First Letter to the Corinthians (15:51-58)
51 Look, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When this perishable body puts on imperishability and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A Reading from Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (14:1-7)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
1 [Jesus said,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 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? 3 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. 4 And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
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.
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.
Prayers for the Departed
[BCP, p. 497]
For our sister Mary, 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 Mary, 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 Mary, 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.
LEVAS #120: Sweet, Sweet Spirit
1 There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,
And I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord;
There are sweet expressions on each face,
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
REFRAIN: Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove, Stay right here with us, Filling us with Your love, And for these blessings We lift our hearts in praise, Without a doubt we’ll know That we have been revived When we shall leave this place.
2 There are blessings you cannot receive Till you know Him in His fullness and believe; You're the one to profit when you say, "I am going to walk with Jesus all the way."
3 If you say He saved you from your sin,
Now you're weak, you're bound and cannot enter in,
You can make it right if you will yield,
You'll enjoy the Holy Spirit that we feel.
[Words and Music: Doris Akers, Copyright © 1962, 1990 Manna Music, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #21305. All rights reserved.]
Remarks from Loved Ones (3 minutes or less)
Shannon Camps, Family Member
Paula Evans, Neighbor
Ruthie Nolden, Co-Workers
Solo Musical Offering
by Margarite Johnson
Eulogy
by the Rev. Clarence Kinlaw, Tribe of Judah Baptist Church
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 humankind; 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, Mary. 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!
LEVAS #99: On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
1 My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
REFRAIN:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
2 When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In ev’ry high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]
3 His oath, His covenant and blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]
4 When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]
[Words: Edward Mote, Public Domain. Music: William B. Bradbury, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #95049. 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.
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