Celebration of the Life of
ALBERT BECKETT

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ORDER OF SERVICE

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A Celebration of the Life of Albert Beckett
September 20, 1931 – September 29, 2021
The Church of the Intercession, New York City
Thursday October 7, at 10 am

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Piano Preludes:
Voluntary on “Eventide”, Arnold R. Mote
”O Store Gud” (How Great Thou Art), Frederick Swann (b. 1931)

All who are able, please stand.

Processional
Sonatina BVW 106, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

Opening Anthem
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.

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HYMN
“Love Lifted Me”

I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me–
Now safe am I.

Love lifted me, Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me;
Love lifted me, Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.

All my heart to Him I give,
Ever to Him I'll cling,
In His blessed presence live,
Ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true
Merits my soul's best songs;
Faithful, loving service, too,
To Him belongs.

Love lifted me, Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me;
Love lifted me, Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.

Souls in danger, look above,
Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be–
Be saved today.

Love lifted me, Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me;
Love lifted me, Love lifted me,
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.

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THE FIRST READING
Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33

A Reading from the Book of Lamentations.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

THE PSALM
Psalm 139

Out of the depths have I called to your, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice;*
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,*
O Lord, who could stand?

For there is forgiveness with your;*
therefore you shall be feared.

I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him;*
in his word is my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning,*
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the Lord,*
for with the Lord there is mercy;

With him there is plenteous redemption,*
and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

THE SECOND READING
Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans.

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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THE OBITUARY

THE REMEMBRANCES

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THE HYMN
”I Love To Tell The Story”

I love to tell the story of unseen things above:
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true.
It satisfies my longings as nothing else could do.

I love to tell the story,
’twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story. ’Tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God’s own holy word.

I love to tell the story,
’twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it, like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I love to tell the story,
’twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

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THE GOSPEL READING
John 14:1-6

The Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to You, Lord Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms. 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. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Christ.

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THE HOMILY
The Rev. Rhonda Rubinson

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THE APOSTLES CREED

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.

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THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

For our brother, Albert, 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 Albert, 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 brother eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.

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

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

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

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

SILENCE

Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our brother, Albert,
who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism.

Grant that his 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.

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THE OFFERTORY ANTHEM
The Lord’s Prayer, Alfred Mallotte
Lorna Myers, Mezzo Soprano

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The Holy Eucharist
Eucharistic Prayer A
Page 361, Book of Common Prayer

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THE COMMUNION ANTHEM
“If I Can Help Somebody”, A. Bazel Androzzo
Lorna Myers, Mezzo Soprano

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THE COMMUNION HYMN
“Just a Closer Walk With Thee”

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Thro' this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

When my feeble life is o'er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

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THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER

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.

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THE COMMENDATION

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, Richard. 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.

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THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

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HYMN
”The Strife Is O’er, The Battle Done”

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions has dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!

The three sad days are quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head.
Alleluia!

He closed the yawning gates of hell;
the bars from heaven's high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!

POSTLUDE
“Lord, Guard And Guide The Men Who Fly Air Force”, Quebec

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Interment will follow
at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY

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Participants

The Rev. Rhonda J. Rubinson
Church of the Intercession, Celebrant

The Rev. Luis Gomez
Church of the Intercession, Assisting

 Lorna Myers
Soloist/Cantor, BM, MM Mezzo Soprano

George Davey
Piano, BM, MSM

 Ms. Juliet Lowe-Tannis
Church of the Intercession, Facilitator

Mr. Tommy Cheng
Church of the Intercession, Zoom and Audio Technician

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