Celebration of the Life of
JOSEPH EDWARD GRAHAM

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ORDER OF SERVICE

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A Celebration of the Life of Joseph Edward Graham
February 6, 1954 - October 7, 2021
The Church of the Intercession, New York City
Tuesday October 19, at 1:00PM

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All who are able, please stand.

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
“Blesséd Assurance”

Blesséd assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

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The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, Joseph Edward Graham. 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 Joseph’s family, his family and friends 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.

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THE FIRST READING
Ecclesiastes (3:1-8)

A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

THE PSALM
Psalm 91: 1-4

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.’

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

THE SECOND READING
Thessalonians (4:13-18)

A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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 OBITUARY

Joseph Edward Graham was born on February 6, 1954 to David Edward Graham and Lue Ella Cook in West Palm Beach, FL. He departed this life on Thursday, October 7, 2021. He remained in West Palm Beach during his formative years with his paternal grandparents, Ferd and Alciss Graham. At age seven, he re-joined his mother in New York City. In New York, Joseph attended and sang with the Church of the Intercession Trinity Parish Boys Choir, a ministry he thoroughly enjoyed. Additionally, Joseph attended the Trinity Summer Boys’ Camp in Connecticut.

Joseph finished his formal schooling in New York. He became director of a treatment center and cooked scrumptious meals that fed every aspect of an individual’s soul. He tirelessly served as a mentor for many challenged by drug addiction. He helped them during their recovery journey. They knew they could count on him for encouragement, support and occasional tough love conversations. These individuals had a special place in Joseph’s heart. He loved them and they loved him back.

Joseph moved to Lancaster, PA, where he met and married the love of his life, Jacqueline McPhail on October 9, 1993. Joseph died just two days shy of what would have been their twenty-eighth wedding anniversary. The two were a team, loving each other unconditionally through the good and tough times.

Professionally, Joseph served the community through delivering life essential goods and materials through his trucking skill. He was privileged to be both the owner and operator of his own truck. His infectious smile and love for trucking allowed him to travel and see the entire country. On several trips, his wife, Jackie, would come along with him to be a part of the great experience, the great road trip Joseph so lovingly shared. He drove professionally for over twenty-plus years.

Joseph was preceded in death by his father, David Graham; his paternal grandparents, Ferd and Alciss Graham; his maternal grandparents, James and Ella Cook. These persons helped build the foundation for the man we salute today.

He leaves to celebrate his tremendous life, his wife, Jacqueline Graham; his loving mother, Lue Ella Cook; brothers, Samuel L. Jackson (Elaine), of Stroudsburg, PA, Allan Graham (Deborah) of Pembroke Pines, FL, David Graham (Sharon) of Raleigh, NC and James Dallas Bolden of Atlanta, GA.

Joseph will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom had a special place in his life and heart.

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THE REMEMBRANCES

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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, Joseph, 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 Joseph, 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, Joseph;
let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.

SILENCE

Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our brother, Joseph,
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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HYMN
”This Little Light Of Mine”

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.

Ev'rywhere I go,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Ev'rywhere I go,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Ev'rywhere I go,
I'm gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.

Jesus gave it to me,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Jesus gave it to me,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Jesus gave it to me,
I'm gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine.

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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, Joseph. 
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

The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us peace.

AMEN.

And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remains with you always. 

AMEN.

Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

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HYMN
”Soon And Very Soon”

Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.

No more crying there,
We are going to see the King,
No more crying there,
We are going to see the King.
No more crying there,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.

No more dying there,
We are going to see the King,
No more dying there,
We are going to see the King.
No more dying there,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King.
Soon and very soon,
We are going to see the King,
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We are going to see the King.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

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