Memorial Service for Mary Myers Allen, Sat. January 11th
Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, a welcoming and diverse community seeking to walk in the Way of Jesus and to reveal Christ’s reconciling love in our city, nation, and world.
Prelude Medley of Negro Spirituals
Largo by New World Symphony
We Shall Overcome
Opening Anthem Please rise in body or spirit
Book of Common Prayer p. 491
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.
Collect Book of Common Prayer p. 493
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant 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.
First Lesson Isaiah 61:1-3 seated
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
Psalm 23 read in unison; remain seated
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his Name's sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;
thou annointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
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.
Second Lesson Romans 8: 14-19, 34-35, 37-39
For 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.
Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus H383
Gospel John 14:1-6
Please rise in body or spirit
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Homily seated The Reverend Brooke Myers
Apostles' Creed Please rise in body or spirit
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 of the People Standing or kneeling in body or spirit
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 Mary eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented;
bring our sister Mary to the joys of heaven.
Hear us, Lord.
Mary 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 Mary;
let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
Father of all, we pray to you for Mary, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to her 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.
Exchange of the Peace: Response "And also with you."
Offertory Anthem Give Me Jesus by Mark Hayes Sung by Mary Chapman
Eucharistic Prayer Please rise in body or spirit
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. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
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:
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.
standing or kneeling in body or spirit
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.
Lord's Prayer
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.
Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia
Administration of the Sacrament
All are welcome!
Communion Hymns
Let Us Break Bread Together L152
Amazing Grace L181
Post Communion Prayer standing or kneeling in body or spirit
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.
Commendation standing or kneeling in body or spirit
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, 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.
Blessing
Dismissal: "Thanks be to God."
Recessional Hymn Lift Every Voice and Sing L1
Postlude
Servers
Preacher The Reverend Brooke Myers
Celebrant The Reverend Earl Mahan
Assisting Clergy The Reverend Julie Graham
Deacon The Reverend Chester Hines
Organist Earl Naylor
Singers Mary Chapman & Members of Holy Communion Choir
Reader: Barbara Robinson
Greeters Elizabeth Hines, Gretchen Wilkes
Chalice Bearer Karen Payne
Producer Tyler Schwartz
Mary Allen’s family invites you to proceed to the parish hall for refreshments, greeting, and a time to remember her. They will join the reception after the interment in Holy Communion’s columbarium in the Chapel.
In Remembrance…
Mary Myers Allen was born in Gettysburg, Pa. to the late Adam J. Myers, Sr. and the late Amanda E. Myers. She graduated from Gettysburg High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Education degree from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State).
She inspired hundreds of young people throughout her long and distinguished teaching career which began in Princess Anne, Maryland. It was in Maryland that she met fellow educator Dr. Marcus Allen. They were married in 1953.
In 1958, when her husband was hired as professor of French at Morgan State University, they moved to Baltimore where she was a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and an active member of the Faculty Wives at Morgan.
In 1966, when her husband was recruited to establish the French section of the Department of Modern Languages at the newly formed University of Missouri-St. Louis, they moved to University City where she continued her teaching career at Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School (formerly Daniel Boone Elementary School), and at Flynn Park Elementary School where she also served as Teacher-in-Charge and later as Acting Principal. She also served as a district-wide reading specialist in the public and parochial schools.
In 1987, she was awarded Merit Teacher status in the School District of University City, was selected as the district’s Teacher of the Year, was one of 10 finalists for the State of Missouri Teacher of the Year, and was nominated Economic Educator of the Year by the Center of Economic Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
After retiring from teaching in 1990, she tutored students at Barbara C. Jordan Elementary School for 27 years until the age of 92. In 2015, she was recognized by the School District of University City for 40 years of service and her many contributions to education in the district.
She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion for 57 years serving two terms on the Vestry, eight years as a church-school teacher, four years as church-school superintendent, and 10 years on the archives committee.
In addition, she was a past President of the Circle in the Square Quilters, and a former board member of the University City Residential Service and the Citizen’s Committee for University City Schools.
She also was a member of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War serving as Patriotic Instructor and Press Correspondent for the St. Louis Julia Dent Grant Tent #16, and was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
An avid genealogist, she documented her family's history dating back to her maternal great-grandfather who was born in 1780, four years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane Willingham (Mark), granddaughter Amanda Willingham, cousin Cornelius Beaden, and a host of nieces, nephews, chosen family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Marcus Allen, and by siblings John Henry Myers, Adam Jerome Myers, Jr., Lewis Horace Myers, Charles Thomas Myers, and Rachel May Myers Pressley.
THE TEACHER
Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?
I teach them knowledge, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.
I teach them power to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness through and through.
I teach them love for all mankind
And all God’s creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.
Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.
Leslie Pinckney Hill
Former President of Cheyney University
Music used and reprinted with permission under
OneLicense #A-704988, WorshipCast License #13476,
and St. James Music Press License #14747
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion
7401 Delmar Blvd.
University City, Missouri 63130
314-721-7401
