St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Est. 1880, The Reverend Charles L. Fischer III, Pastor, Celebrating the Life of William Given Epps, Sr., April 1, 2017 at 11:00 A.M., 294 & 306 Peyton Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311, 404-696-3620, www.STPAULSATL.org

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
EST. 1880
THE REVEREND CHARLES L FISCHER Ill , RECTOR

CELEBRATING THE LIFE
of
WILLIAM GIVEN EPPS, SR.
APRIL I, 2017 at I I:00 A.M.

sw 294 & 306 PEYTON ROAD

I I ATLANTA, GA 3031 I 404-696-3620 WWW.STPAULSATL.ORG

Order of Service
RITE II

ORGAN PRELUDE
Now Thank We All Our God
Hush! Somebod(s Calling My Name
Amazing Grace

Setting by Egil Hovland [Will Buthod, organ]
Spiritual, arr. Brazeal Dennard [Combined Choirs]
Setting by Trey Clegg [Trey Clegg, Organ]

THE SOLEMN PROCESSION [Book of Common Prayer, p. 491]

OPENING HYMN

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

The Hymnal 1982, No. 362

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortals ills prevailing: for still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing; were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing: dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth his Name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle.

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And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us; we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us; the prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, For lo! His doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth: let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever.

THE COLLECT

[Book of Common Prayer, p. 493]

PRIEST: The Lord be with you.

PEOPLE: And also with you.

PRIEST: Let us pray.

0 God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant William., 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.

0 God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother, William. We thank you for giving him to us, him 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.

A READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
READ BY WILLIAM MAURICE BOZMAN EPPS, SON
JOB 19:21-27A {PEW BIBLE, P. 364, OT}

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READER: The Word of the Lord.
PEOPLE: Thanks be to God.
THE PSALM The Lord is My Shepherd

Howard Goodall [Combined Choirs]

TRIBUTES
MRS. E. PAULETTE SMITH-EPPS, WIFE

THE REV. EDWARD L. WARNER, RECTOR EMERITUS
IXTH RECTOR, ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

A READING FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT
READ BY Ms. LESLIE GABRIELLE FRENCH EPPS-BODRICK, DAUGHTER
REVELATION 7:9-17 {PEW BIBLE, PP. 196- 197, NT}

READER: The Word of the Lord.
PEOPLE: Thanks be to God.

ANTHEM Precious Lord

Thomas Dorsey, arr. Arnold Sevier [Trey Clegg Chamber Singers]

TRIBUTES Ms. TOKI S. HUFF, FRIEND & CO-WORKER THE REV. MONROE FREEMAN, FRIEND & PRIEST ASSOCIATE, SPEC
MR. WILLIAM G. EPPS, JR., SON

SEQUENCE HYMN
Holy, Holy, Holy

The Hymnal 1982, No. 362

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning, our song shall rise to thee: Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and might, God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, Which wert, and art, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though darkness hide thee, Though the sinful human eye thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

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Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.

THE HOLY GOSPEL JOHN I I :21-27 {PEW BIBLE, P. 80, NT}

DEACON: PEOPLE:

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

HOMILY The Reverend Charles L Fischer Ill

THE APOSTLE'S CREED [Book of Common Prayer, p. 496]

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 [Book of Common Prayer, p. 497]

For our brother ,William, 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 William and dry the tears of those who weep.
Hear us, Lord.

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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.
THE PEACE
PRESENTATION OF RESOLUTION Ms. VIVIAN WILLIAMS HILL, CHARLES L. HARPER HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF '64

PRESENTATION HYMN
The Lord is My Ught
The Lord is my light and my salvation, The Lord is my light and my salvation, The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?
R./ Whom shall I fear? Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life.
Whom shall I fear?
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AAHH, No. 160

In the time of trouble He shall hide me, In the time of trouble He shall hide me, In the time of trouble He shall hide me.
Whom shall I fear? R./
Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, Wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
Whom shall I fear? R./

THE HOLY COMMUNION [Book ofCommon Prayer B, p. 369]

CELEBRANT: PEOPLE: CELEBRANT: PEOPLE: CELEBRANT: PEOPLE:

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. For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever say 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 filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

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The Celebrant continues
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 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 before he died for us, 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, according to his command, 0 Father,
Celebrant and People
Christ has died. Christ is r isen. Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our r edemption, 0 Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his deat h, 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.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing:
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LEVA$ II, No.263 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

COMMUNION HYMN
Break Thou the Bread of Life

LEVA$ II, No. 146

Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me, as thou didst break the loaves beside the sea; beyond sacred page I seek thee Lord; my spirit pants for thee, 0 living word!

Bless thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me, as thou didst bless the bread by Galilee; then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall and I shall find my peace, my all in all.

Teach me to live, dear Lord, only fo r thee, as thy disciples lived in Galilee; the n, all my struggles o'er, the n, vic'try won, I shall beho ld thee, Lord, the living one.

COMMUN ION ANTHEM

Pie Jesu (from Requiem)

Andrew Lloyd Webber

[Andrew Christian Bodrick, Sakinah Davis, soloists]

COMMUNION HYMNS Taste and See

LEVAS II, No. 154

R./ Taste and see, Taste and see
The goodness of the Lord.
0 taste and see. Taste and see,
the goodness of the Lord,
ofthe Lord.

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I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall always be on my lips. My soul shall glory in the Lord;
for He has been so good to me. R./

Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us all praise His name. I called the Lord and He answered me;
from all my troubles He set me free. R./

Worship the Lord all you people. You'll want for nothing if you ask. Taste and see that God is good;
in Him we need put all our trust. R./

Let Us Break Bread Together

LEVAS II, No. 152

Let us break bread together on our knees (on our knees); Let us break bread together on our knees (on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me (on me).

Let us drink wine together on our knees (on our knees); Let us drink wine together on our knees (on our knees). When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me (on me).

Let us praise God together on our knees (yes, on our knees); Let us praise God together on our knees (yes, on our knees). When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me (on me).

POST COMMUNION PRAYER [Book of Common Prayer, p. 498]

Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have fed us with the spiritual food and drink ofthe Body and Blood ofyour
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 ofjoy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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COMMENDATION HYMN Total Praise

AAHH, No.I 13

Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills Knowing my help is coming from you. Your peace You give me in time of the storm. You are the source of my strength. You are the strength of my life.
I lift my hands in total praise to You. Amen.
THE COMMENDATION [Book of Common Prayer, p. 499]

PRIEST: Give rest, 0 Christ, to your servant with your saints,

PEOPLE: where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

PRIEST:

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.

PEOPLE: Give rest, 0 Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life
everlasting.

PRIEST:

Into your hands, 0 merciful Savior, we commend your servant William. 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.

DISMISSAL DEACON: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power
of the Spirit.
PEOPLE: Thanks be to God.

II

CLOSING HYMN Blessed Assurance

LEVAS II, No. 184

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! 0 what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His spirit, washed in His blood.

R./ 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. R./

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. R./

SOLEMN PROCESSION
I,!
ORGAN POSTLUDE Fanfare

[Book of Common Prayer, p. 500]
Jacques Lemmens [Will Buthod, organ]

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WILLIAM GIVEN EPPS, SR.
August 15, 1939-March 16, 2017
William Given "Bill" Epps, Sr. was born on August 15, 1939 in Hendersonville, Tennessee to Thelma Naomi Epps. During his preschool years, his mother took him back to her childhood home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was in Cambridge that William grew up and became an adult. He was a proud Cantabrigian.
He was educated in the Cambridge Public Schools. He graduated from Rindge Technical School. He went back to Rindge High School Reunions every five years. In fact, he was honored to be named "Most Congenial" at his Fiftieth High School Reunion in 2007. He attended Shaw University for two years. In 1995, he successfully completed the four year program of theological education Education for Ministry -- administered by the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Bill's first son, William Maurice Bozman, was born to the late Delores A. Bozman. In 1963, Bill married the late Mary Louise French. Leslie Gabrielle French Epps and William G. "Chip" Epps, Jr.
were born to that union. On May 5, 1979, William married, E.
Paulette Smith in Atlanta, Georgia. They were married for thirtyeight beautiful years.
Bill was a world traveler. During his marriage to Paulette, the couple traveled to five continents together. Some countries visited included: Spain, Senegal, the Gambia, Belgium, Kenya, England, France, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Venezuela, China, Thailand and Italy. In addition, they cruised the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Aegean, and the Nile. Bill loved to drive, and the couple drove cross country from Atlanta to Los Angeles in 200 I. Bill's goal was to drive all of the U.S. States. He was able to drive to 39 states before his health declined.
Bill was a proud member of the Chappaquiddick Tribe Wampanoag Indian Nation. In 20 15, he traveled with Paulette to Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts for the Wampanoag Gathering (Pow Wow). At that time, he received his Native American name "Gentle Spirit".
During his lifetime, Bill worked in several capacities: insurance salesman, computer operator and trainer for IBM, and a professional driver for a medical transportation company. Later, he worked for Atlanta Public Schools as an assistant teacher. He
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retired from the school system in 200 I. In 1974, Bill moved to Atlanta and immediately joined St.
Paul's Episcopal Church. Bill loved his St. Paul's Church family. He was a true servant of God and the church. He served as Junior Warden for four years. He served on the Outreach Committee and took food to families once a month. He was a member and leader of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He was a Licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister. In this capacity, he took communion to the sick and shutin, and served on the altar as a Lector and Chalice Bearer. In 2005, he went on a mission trip to Nicaragua with eight other St. Paul's members. The group laid the foundation for a dormitory in Bluefields, Nicaragua. Singing in the Men's Chorus and the St. Paul's Choir was one of the great joys of Bill's life. He was a Second Tenor who loved to sing the Christmas Concerts.
Bill Epps had several hobbies. He was an avid sports fan of all professional teams in the New England area: the Patriots, Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins. He never missed a game. He was also a great communicator. He remembered everyone's birthday via email. He also sat at the computer for hours sending messages and greetings to hundreds of friends. He collected baseball caps from all over the world and throughout the United States.
Cherishing his memory are his devoted wife, E. Paulette Smith-Epps; brother-in-law, Thomas Gerald Smith (Debra); children, William Maurice Bozman-Epps, Leslie Gabrielle French Epps-Bodrick and William Given Epps, Jr.; grandchildren, William Chauncey Bodrick, Mariya Jehan Paulette Epps, Andrew Christian Bodrick; and godson, Trey Clegg. Extended family members include: Patricia Dailey-Griffin Oerry), Eddie and Linda Hollingsworth, Alfonso Shepard (Sonya), Alisha Spears (Chip's fiance), Alma Quarles, and Jala Leak. Bill was dearly loved by numerous cousins, relatives and friends.
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I CORINTHIANS I 5:5 1-57
Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 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. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 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.' 'Where, 0 death, is your victory? Where, 0 death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

..

We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of Jove and care during this period of bereavement Every expression oflove; whether it was a hug, a word of encouragement, a prayer, a card, a fforal arrangement, a visit, a call, an email or a monetary donation, has enriched our lives. We appreciate everything and everyone for all that you have done for us. We will be grieving for many days to come. Therefore, we ask that you continue to pray for us. May God continue to bless all of you.

The Family of William Given Epps, Sr.

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