Martin John Quante Jr. Service --March 27, 2024 | Martin John Quante Jr. Service --March 27, 2024 | By St Paul's Episcopal Church | Please stand. I am the resurrection and the life, saith the lord. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever live it and believeth in me shall never die. I know that my redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though his body be destroyed, yet shall I see God. Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger. For none of us live it to himself. And no man dieth to himself For if we live, we live unto the lord and if we die, we die unto the lord. Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the lord's. Blessed are the dead who die in the lord. Even so, saith the spirit. For they rest from their labors. Turning to your hymnals. Let us sing together hymn four hundred and ninety. The lord be with you. Let us pray. Oh god, whose mercies cannot be numbered. Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant John, and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy. In the fellowship of thy saints. Through Jesus Christ, thy son, our lord, who live it and reign it with thee and the Holy Spirit, one god now and forever. Amen. Please be seated. Right. I am reading from a short excerpt from the prophet Isaiah. On this mountain, the lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain, the shroud that is cast over all peoples. The sheep that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces and the disgrace of his people. He will take away from the earth. For the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day low that this is our god. We have waited for him so that he might save us. This is the lord for whom we have waited. Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. This is the word of god. The word of the lord. A reading from a portion of Psalm ninety. Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another, before the mountains were brought forth. Where the land and the earth were born From age to age, you are god. You turn us back to the dust and say, go back, oh child of the earth. For a thousand years in your sight, like, or like yesterday, when it has passed. And like a watch in the night, you sweep us away like a tree. We fade away suddenly like the grass. In the morning, it is green and flourishes. And the evening it is dried up and withered. For we consume away in your displeasure, we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation. Our inequity was set before you and our secret sons, sins, and the light of your continents. When you are angry, all our days are gone. We bring our ears, our years to an end like a sigh. The span of our life is 70 years perhaps in strength, even 80. Yet, the sum of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone. Who regards the power of your wrath? Who rightly fears your indignation? So, teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. A reading from the Revelation to John. I looked. And And there was a great multitude that noone could count. From every nation, from all tribes, and peoples, in languages, standing before the throne, and before the lamb. Robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice saying, salvation belongs to our god. He was seated on the throne and to the lamb. And all the angels stood around the throne, and around the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne, and worshiped God singing, amen. Blessing and glory, and wisdom, in Thanksgiving, in honor, in power, and might. Be to our God, forever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders addressed me saying, who are these robed in white? And where they come from? I said to him, sir, you are the one that knows. Then he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great ordeal. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of god and worship him day and night within his temple and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more. The thirst and thirst no more. The sun will not strike them nor any scorching heat. For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. And he will guide them and he will guide them to springs of the water of love. And God every tear from their eyes. The word of the Lord. Psalm twenty-three. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness. For his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence my enemies. You anoint my head with oil and my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Please stand and sing six hymns six hundred and eighty-six. The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now, I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him. Jesus said to her, your brother will rise again. Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die will live. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, yes, lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the son of God. the one coming into the world. The Gospel of the Lord. Please be seated. Good afternoon. On behalf of our mom and our entire family, thank you for coming today. Daddy and I talked to Christmas where I told him that I wanted to speak at his service He told me two things. Don't talk too long and not to cry. I told him I didn't think that was going to work out so well. He had a lot to say that Saturday afternoon before Christmas. Mom and Ryan had just left the house to do an errand and he was wrapping up the plants for what we all needed to do. And he had plans. Most especially what he wanted for mom to do. And he had lots of plans for mom. Our mom and dad taught us what marriage looks like. They were married in 1963 in Savannah, Georgia and while honeymoon in Dallas, they called home and said, hey, we're going to stay. Our parents, thus, we became at that time true Dallas Cowboy fans. Our parents had a loyal, honest, respectful, affectionate, and fun marriage together. Dad always said that mom was the CEO of our family and bragged about how great she was and even last week, how great she is. One of my earliest memories and fondest memories was my dad always kissing, hugging my mom in the kitchen as she cooked dinner. They were truly each other's best friends. Taught us that day that the day was not the dad taught us that the day was not to be wasted. There was a lot to do and not enough time to do it. He was a busy man in constant motion but never too busy to share his love of life with those around him. Every Sunday, mom and dad, on time, made sure that we were in the fourth queue to the left at the front of Saint Peter's Church in Washington, North Carolina. Dad was a modest, humble, kind, and kind, and god-loving man. He'd be humble today to see all of you. His optimism guided us and made us each believe that anything was possible. He always wanted the best for us. Dad was an outdoor enthusiast, often found hunting in his early years with our mom, his good friends like building, and other family members. He may or may not have been found at the Pungo River with Bill Dean and maybe Sonny Taylor. At the Pongo with a bag of corn on certain days of the week during hunting season. Mom and dad like to travel as well. Amy and I were so lucky. We got to see the USA from the back of a Chevrolet literally. I know that our family has memorized I-95 South to Savannah and Florida by now. Dad even knew the exact exit number so we could stop and get Crystal hamburgers. Later in life, fishing became his favorite pastime with mom and us girls always by his side. Fishing with Lynn and Martin and Sarah and Jordan. Being a lover of boats, mom and dad could be found on the North Carolina waters of either the Pamlico River, the Pongo River. Cape Lookout later in life, Shackerford Banks. On our boats, which were either Slick Ham or Sunchaser. After a great day at the Cape, we would often be floating around in the late afternoon and he would say, I wonder what those rallyites are doing today because he felt lucky to be at the cape. He instilled his love with the water, fishing, and the outdoors and both of his grandchildren, Ryan and Martin Maine as well. Now, some of y'all all know that dad had rules and most of y'all know these. Very first one, your mom is my wife first. Leave it cleaner than you found it. Put your cellphone away. Put everything in the garage exactly where you found it. After being on the water all day, we had to pull the boat out, washed the entire boat with soap and water, rinsed the engine out no matter how tired and sunburned we were. Always be on time. He was famous for saying it's time to go girls. Ken a lot. Let's go. Help your mother in that kitchen. No bananas on the boat at all. Don't even think of one. Hiding one. The beach bag. We also learned that there's a difference from my parents between fishing and catching. His words fish on will forever live in our memory. What is sat on that porch at Harker's Island stays on that porch. And for all of the Meredith girls and all of the young women that knew him, you know the number one rule. No boys allowed. Dad was not afraid of dying. He just wanted to live longer with mom and us. He wanted to have a sixtieth wedding anniversary last summer which he did. Make it through the birthday last fall which he did. Attend our family reunion of 50 plus years called shoots and vests where he could tell stories last Thanksgiving. He anticipated Christmas one more, once more. A week ago last Saturday, mom did exactly what she promised. She rented an RV and Ken, my brother-in-law, with Amy following, drove them home. Lionel Ryan and I opened up the house and waited for them here in Moorhead City. On Sunday, he spent time with all of us, including Mark May, saying his goodbyes. This past week visited one more time with his great friends including Bill and Sandra and Andy and Melinda and Jackie and Susan. It was a surreal experience to watch last Tuesday afternoon as dad and mom and Jackie and Susan reminisce about Supper Club trips to their outer banks. Fun times with Jackie and Bill and Bragg and Susan and Sunny and Anne. We heard story after story again and again and quite a few stories that we didn't know. When we learned of this diagnosis in April of twenty twenty-three, he would say, it is what it is. Death is part of living. Earlier last we told them each day how pretty it was outside in his yard. We talked about how much prettier heaven must be. Colors that we cannot possibly imagine here. I have no doubt that at twelve noon last Friday, dad saw glory. He was reunited with his parents, Bubba and granddaddy, Graham and Pappy, his uncles Al and John. Linds Martin, Bill Dean, Sonny, Dave, and all of his other friends and family that were there before him to greet him. He was definitely fishing and telling lots of tales by them. Read and prayed a lot with daddy especially these last few weeks. Last week, especially, besides reading Psalm twenty-three, we read Isaiah forty-three two through four, where god is talking to all of his people and god says, I've summoned you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. Later in John fourteenone through two, Jesus says to us, do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in god, believe in me. My father's house has many rooms. If that were not what I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you. After these past 11 months, daddy knew that he had a room in heaven beyond anything that we could possibly imagine. On the last day, about 11forty5 in the morning last Friday, I played the song, I Can Only Imagine. I know that daddy was not imagining at that point but making that transition to heaven to be home with Jesus. A friend of mine said recently, that your dad is not taking a turn for the worst but taking a turn for the best. When I share with daddy last Wednesday. He looked past my shoulder and said, yes, Chris, this is true. He knew. Dad would be honored to know that all of you were here today. Your words of comfort and kindness and prayers are much appreciated by my mom and our family. John, Johnny, dad, mister Quanie, mister John, left an indelible mark on each of our lives. He was a selfless, loving, and devoted husband and family man. Always putting our needs before his own. And closing, I leave you with a verse, which is the first verse that Ryan learned as a small child. John three 16 says, for god so loved the world, he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. Our dad now has eternal life in heaven. These are the ones that have come out of the great ordeal. They will hunger no more and thirst no more. The sun will not strike them nor any scorching heat. For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. And he will guide them to springs of the water of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. You are the one who knows When planning out John's funeral, this reading from the Revelation to John was a reading that Gail marked the quickest and as she marked it, she smiled and said, see how traditional I am? And while this is a common reading we hear at burials in the Episcopal tradition. I believe that it is also a perfect reading for today. For John and the way that he lived his life. We have heard all of the stories from Christine. And those of you who are present here today, know how much John loved God's creation. How much John loved all of you, his family, and friends, and how much John loved his God. You are the one who knows, our scripture tells us. And John was indeed a man who knew the power, grace, and love of God. John loved being present in god's creation whether he was spending his time hunting or fishing with his family and friends or watching the birds on his back porch eat away at the bird feeders he kept full. John knew that one of the best ways to be connected with or closer to god was through god's creation. CS Lewis once said, we may ignore but we can nowhere evade the presence of god. The world is crowded with him. He walks everywhere incognito. John knew god that knew this to be true and John knew god and his love for creation. In my time with John, I learned that he never met a stranger and when you were in, you were no longer a friend, you were family. John took seriously the two great commandments, to love god with your whole being, your whole heart, soul, strength, and mind. And to love your neighbor as yourself. Those of you here present today are a testament to the love that John showed others. Welcoming all those that he encountered. He loved his grandchildren and children and was so incredibly proud of them. And he loved his wonderful wife, Gail, for over 60 years. John knew god and his love for those he encountered. John was a man who knew god He never missed a Sunday of church From John and Gail's time at Saint Peter's in Washington, a short-lived stint down the road in Moorhead City that led them to finding their church home here at Saint Paul's. Even church shopping in Florida trying to find just the right fit. John was a man of deep and devout faith. When we were talking one day, he could not wait to show me the new hand cross that Jackie had given him previously that morning. Which he held very close to his heart. When we prayed together, you could see the comfort and peace that washed over him each and every time. It was something I had never witnessed before. John knew god through his deep and constant faith. Today, as we lay our beloved John to rest, we take comfort in this reading from the Revelation to John Knowing that John will hunger no more and thirst no more. The sun will not strike him nor any scorching heat. For the lamb at the center of the throne will be his shepherd. And he will guide him to the springs of water of life. And God will wipe away every tear from his eyes. Because John is a man who knows god standing and turning to page six in your bulletin. Let us continue in the words of the apostle's creed. I believe in god, the father almighty, maker of heaven that in Jesus Christ was crucified and seated on the right I believe in the Holy In peace, let us pray to the lord. Almighty god, who has knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship. In the mystical body of thy son, Christ our lord. Grant we beseech thee to thy whole church in paradise and on earth. Thy light and thy peace. Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection may die to sin, and rise to newness of life. and that through the grave and gate of death, we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection. Amen. Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that thy holy spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness, all our days. Grant to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind. Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in thy fatherly care. That casting all their grief on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love. Grant us grace to entrust John to thy never failing love. Receive him into the arms of thy mercy and remember him according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people. Grant that increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom. Grant us with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection. To have our consummation and bliss, and thy eternal and everlasting glory. And with blessed Paul and all thy saints, to receive the crown of life, which thou doest promise to all who share, and the victory of thy son, Jesus Christ. Who live it and reign it with thee and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever. Give rest, oh Christ, to thy servant, with thy saints. Where sorrow Thou only art immortal, the creator and maker of mankind, and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and onto earth shall we return. For so thou didst ordain when thou createest me, saying, thus thou art, and unto dust shall thou return. All we go down to the dust, yet even at the grave, we make our song, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah. Into thy hands, oh merciful savior, we commend thy servant, John. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed, rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light Let us sing hymn two hundred and eight. Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Thanks be to god. Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb. The sun of righteousness is gloriously risen. Giving light to those who sat in darkness, and in the shadow of death. The Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace. Having taken away the sin of the world Christ will open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in his name, saying, come, oh blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. into paradise, may the angels lead thee, and at thy coming, may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city, Jerusalem.