A Service of Witness to the Resurrection in Celebration of The Life and Ministry, The Reverend John D. Sharp, Pastor Emeritus, February 8, 1931-July 2, 2004, Saturday, July 10, 2004, 11:00 A.M., Westhills Presbyterian Church (USA.), 1450 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, The Reverend Marinda Harris, Pastor, Officiating

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Pastor Emeritus
February 8, 1931 -July 2, 2004
Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 11:00 A.M.-
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1450 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia
The Reverend Marinda Harris, Pastor Officiating

The 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 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, for ever. Amen."

Reverend John D. Sharp was born in Brenham, Texas on February 8, 1931 to John E. and ldell M. Sharp. He attended James E. Guinn Elementary, and I.M. Terrell High School in Ft. Worth, and Manuel Training High School in Denver, Colorado.
Reverend Sharp became a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in 1949 and served on the Deacon Board, Trustee Board, Choir, Sunday School, and was a member of the Laymen's Ministry.
In 1951, John was called to military duty and served honorably in the United States Army where he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. After his discharge, John settled in Denver. He married Annie Ruth Cummings and to this union three children were born, Vanessa, David and Celanese.
John responded to the call of God in 1962 and moved to Dallas, Texas with his wife and children, where he attended Bishop College to study for the professional ministry. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967 and continued his education at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree in 1971. While there he became Associate Minister at Wheat Street Baptist Church from 1967-1969.
John pastored Westhills Presbyterian Church from 1971 until1988. During his tenure, he pioneered many community outreach programs including the soup kitchen (now called the Community Dining Table), Food Pantry, Clothing Bank, and Mission Store, Boy Scouts, Prison Ministries, Senior Citizens Center and others. He served as Chaplain at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in North Georgia from 1988 until1992, and was the Pastor of Peabody Heights Presbyterian Church in Eastman, Georgia from 1992 until his retirement in 2002.
During the course of his ministry, he served in several Christian organizations, including Faith At Work, Campus Crusade for Christ, Young Life, and the Billy Graham Association. He was also one of the founders of Concerned Black Clergy.

After his retirement, John served as a member of the Evangelism Committee and Presbytery Pastoral Team of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.
John and Annie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 19, 2003 with 200 family and friends.
He was elected "Pastor Emeritus" at Westhills Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) on July 20, 2003.
Reverend Sharp is survived by a loving and devoted wife of over fifty years, Mrs. Annie Ruth Cummings Sharp, Atlanta, Georgia; one son, Reverend Dr. David Preston Sharp (Linda), San Jose, California; two daughters, Reverend Vanessa D. Sharp (Hudson), Atlanta, Georgia and Mrs. Celanese Fantroy (Thomas), Ellenwood, Georgia; four brothers, Melvin Sharp, Edgar Sharp, Alvin Sharp, and James Sharp, all of Fort Worth, Texas; three sisters, Gertrude Roberts and Virgie Miller of Fort Worth, and Sarah Barbour of Maryland; nine grandchildren, Ronald (JoJo), Adrienne, Leslie and Timothy Hudson, Justin and Danea Sharp, and Avanti, Thomas, Jr., and Nigel Fantroy; and numerous other relatives and friends.

"May the Work I've Done Speak for Me"
by Sullivan S. Pugh (Added Lyrics John Fromer; Vanessa D. Sharp)
Recorded by The Consolers
May the work I've done speak for me. May the work I've done speak for me. When I'm resting in my grave. There is nothing that can be said. May the work I've done speak for me.
May the life I've lived speak for me. May the life I've lived speak for me. When I'm resting in my grave, There is nothing else that can be said. May the life I've lived speak for me.
The family in my life Speaks for me. The family in my life Speaks for me. They will share God's victory, They're all in ministry, The family in my life Speaks for me.
Songs that I have sung, Speaks for me. Songs that I have sung, Speaks for me. I have sung them with delight, Testimonies of God's light. Songs that I have sung Speaks for me.
Friends that I have made, Speak for me. Friends that I have made, Speak for me. I have traveled all around , Helping others to be heaven bound. Friends that I have made, Speak for me.
Love that I have shared, Speak for me. Love that I have shared, Speak for me. Jesus loves us this I know, For the Bible tells us so. Love that I have shared, Speak for me.
May the work I've done speak for me. May the work I've done speak for me. If I fell short of my goal, Someone else will take a hold May the work I've done speak for me.

HOW GREAT THOU ART
0 Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy pow'r thru-out the universe displayed!
Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

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PRELUDE ...................................................................... Dr. Nathan Grisby

PROCESSIONAL HYMN ............................................. ~ ..... .................. "How Great Thou Art" PRAYER OF COMFORT .............................. The Reverend Marinda Harris

SCRIPTURES ......................... The Reverend Dr. Charles C. Heyward, Sr. The Old Testament, Isaiah 40:28-31 The New Testament, II Corinthians 4: 16; 5:1
MUSIC .......................... "Because of You" ..................... Vanessa D. Sharp

REFLECTIONS: THE LEGACY OF JOHN DELL SHARP His Ministry Through The Years The Reverend Dr. Timothy McDonald Elder Robert Dixon, Sr.
MUSIC ... "May the Work I've Done Speak for Me" ..... Mr. Raymond Barbour Composer - Sullivan S. Pugh
NURTURING THE YOUNG SEMINARY ASPIRANTS: The Reverend Charles Heyward Pastor, St. James Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Charleston, South Carolina
SILENT READING OF OBiTUARY: Instrumental Music ............................. The Reverend Thomas Fantroy "Jesus Loves Me"
SPECIAL TRIBUTE .................................................. "The Sharp Relatives" "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"
EULOGY .............................................. .... . The Reverend Dr. Elias Hardge

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FROM THE FAM ILY .............. .. .... ...... .. ...... .Murray Brothers Funeral Home

BENE DICTION RECESSIONAL POSTLUDE

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Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 2275 Simpson Road, Northwest
Atlanta, Georgia

'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word, Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Chorus Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! 0 for grace to trust Him more!
I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.

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The Reverend Dr. David Preston Sharp
My father lived the faith into his being so much so that his personality exuded power and authority beyond what earthly and worldly position and status could accord.
He was a bright, shining light on earth, revealing God's presence in his own being, transforming other lives with his own.
As you remember him, know that he will always be alive, safe, protected, honored, happy; and living the best life one can live...
Because he will be forever in the presence ofthe Almighty.

"BECAUSE OF YOU"
By Vanessa D. Sharp
- Given to me by God July 3, 2004
Honoring the Life of My Father The Reverend John D. Sharp
Because of you, I've learned to have a "Song of Praise" Because of you, God's made me who I am today. Because of you and the life you lived, Dad you showed me the way, Because of you, I trust God everyday.
Because of you, I've learned to trust God's perfect way. Because of you, I thank the Lord for you today. Because of you, and the life you lived, I know God's tender care, Because of you, I know just how to share.
Because of you, I've learned to walk a "Faithful Walk". Because of you, I've learned to walk the life I talk. Because of you, and the life you lived, I say, "Yes" to God 's will, Because of you, I'm on God's battlefield.
Because of you, I try to treat my neighbor right. Because of you, I pray to God both day and night. Because of you and the life you lived, I know God cares for me, Because of you, I love unconditionally.
Because of you, I love the Lord with all my heart. Because of you, God's love gave me a brand new start. Because of you and the life you lived, I've learned how to forgive, Because of you, because of you, because of you, I know our Savior lives.

Raymond Barbour Melvin Craft Julius U. Dixon Andrews Eke

Ronald W. Hudson, Jr. Toure Moody David P. Sharp Heath Turner

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Men of Westhills Presbyterian Church Reverend William Hammond Reverend 0. T. Lewis Mr. John Wieland
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Women of Westhills Presbyterian Church Women of Rice Memorial Presbyterian Church
Women of Trinity Presbyterian Church Mission Society of lTC
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The Family of The Reverend John D. Sharp acknowledges with sincere appreciation and profound thanks the many acts of kindness shown during the illness and passing of our loved one. We shall be eternally grateful. Your presence, gifts and memories shared made it a joyous celebration. May God continue to bless and sustain each of you.
The Family

MURRAY BROTIIERS FUNERAL HOME, INC.
404-349-3000 1199 Utoy Springs Road, Southwest
(comer of Cascade Rd, near 1-285)
Atlanta, Georgia 30331

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