A LITURGY OF THE RESURRECTION
Stephen Thomas Hart
July 30, 1954 - November 5, 2024
Christ Episcopal Church, Rochester, New York
November 14, 2024
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD: RITE two
PRELUDE -Instrumental - The Genesee Jubilee Bluegrass Band
All stand while the following anthem is said at the Paschal candle
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.
SONG - Angel Band
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People : And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Stephen. 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.
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with Steve’s family in their grief. Surround them
with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days
to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
REMEMBRANCES John Peter Hart Jane Marie Hart Mike Herbert
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
After each Reading, the Reader says:
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Isaiah 41:9-10 - read by Tom Hart
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Psalm 56:10-12 In unison led by Peter Hart
Miserere mei, Deus
10 In God the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust and will not be afraid, *
for what can mortals do to me?
11. I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God; *
I will present to you thank-offerings;
12. For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet from stumbling, *
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.
Revelation 21:2-7 read by Andrew Hart
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals.
He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more;
mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
SONG - Heading for Home - Composer Peggy Seeger
Gospeler The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Gospel John 14:1-6
‘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.
Gospeler The Gospel of the Lord
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
HOMILY The Rev’d Virginia Mazzarella
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
Presider: In the assurance of eternal life given at Baptism, let us proclaim our faith and say,
The Apostles' Creed
Officiant and People together, all standing
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 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: Mary Lou Hart Segatol-Islami
The Leader and People pray responsively:
Leader: For our brother Steve, 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 Steve and dry the
tears of those who weep.
All: Hear us, Lord.
You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow.
All: Hear us, Lord.
You raised the dead to life; give to our brother eternal life.
All: Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother, Steve, to the joys of heaven.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Steve was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him fellowship with all your saints.
All: Hear us, Lord.
He was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
All: Hear us, Lord.
Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother Steve; Let our faith be our consolation, and eternal
life our hope.
Presider: Father of all, we pray to you for Steve, and for those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to
them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
THE PEACE
All stand
Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
SONG - My Sisters and Brothers
THE HOLY COMMUNION
Presentation of the gifts - Margaret and Amelia Hart
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
If you are sensitive to wheat products, please tell an usher so that you may receive a gluten-free host.
All who are able, stand.
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:
Celebrant and People:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord,
God of Power and Might
Heaven and earth are full of your Glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest.
The people may stand or kneel as they are able.
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:
Presider and People
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 for ever.
AMEN.
People and Celebrant
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 BREAKING OF THE BREAD
A period of silence is kept.
FRACTION ANTHEM
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God.
All are invited to God’s holy table. If you are sensitive to wheat
products, please tell an usher so that you may receive a gluten-free host.
SONG - Instrumental Music
THE COMMENDATION
Presider: Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
All: where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Presider: 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.
All: Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Presider:
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Steve. 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.
Presider : Let us pray,
O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at last.
Amen.
Presider: Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
All: Thanks be to God.
Alleluia, alleluia.