All God’s Children said . . . Amen!
A Service of Death and Resurrection
Celebrating the Life of
Kenneth Julius Jackson
January 12, 1951 – March 10, 2014
March 22, 2014
11:00 am
St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church
A Service of Death and Resurrection – Celebrating the Life of
Kenneth Julius Jackson
January 12, 1951 – March 10, 2014
March 22, 2014
11:00 am
PRELUDE
Selected Hymns
WORDS OF GRACE AND GREETING
*HYMN OF PRAISE
For All the Saints
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
PRAYER
OLD TESTAMENT READING Psalm 121, Isaiah 40 :1-5, 28-31 Rev. Charles Fischer
SOLO
NEW TESTAMENT READING
Morning Has Broken
Eleanor Farjeon
Mary Kate Langan, soloist
John 14, I Corinthians 15 – selected verses
Rev. Charles Tillapaugh
WITNESS
Reggie Jackson, Ken’s brother
Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer
*HYMN
Because He Lives
God sent his Son, they called him Jesus;
He came to love, heal, and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Refrain:
Because he lives, I can face tomorrow;
Because he lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives.
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because he lives.
Refrain
And then one day I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know he reigns.
Refrain
WITNESS
SOLO
HOMILY
HOLY COMMUNION
Prayer of Confession
Rev. Linda H. Monroe
Rev. Theodore Smith
I Hope You Dance
Mark Sanders
Mary Kate Langan, soloist
Bishop Young Jin Cho
Merciful God,
We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will,
we have broken your law,
we have rebelled against your love,
we have not loved our neighbors,
and we have not heard the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving Responses (please sing)
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.
Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
Amen.
Communion of the People – please follow the directions of the ushers
During the Distribution:
Dance choreographed by Kara Jackson Gentile and Genie O’Hara
“You Raise Me Up”
Communion Hymns sung by all
PRAYERS OF COMMENDATION AND THANKSGIVING
*HYMN
Here I Am, Lord
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
Rev. Larry Davies
I who make the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame
I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
*BENEDICTION
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
And All God’s Children Said . . . AMEN!
POSTLUDE
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St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is honored to invite all of you to a
reception in our Social Hall following worship. We hope that you will enjoy both
food and fellowship as we remember together our brother Ken. The family will
greet you in the Social Hall.
At the request of the Jackson family, financial donations honoring Ken’s life and
ministry can be sent to St. Matthew’s Joy Fund (financial assistance) and/or the
Food Basket Ministry, 8617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003. Please
include Ken’s name on your donation.
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Clergy Participants in Worship Leadership:
Bishop Young Jin Cho, resident Bishop, Virginia Conference
Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer, retired
Rev. Herbert Brynildsen, Jr., Alexandria District Program Coordinator
Rev. Charles Fischer, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA
Rev. Theodore Smith, District Superintendent, Fredericksburg District
Rev. Larry Davies, Dean of Virginia Conference Cabinet
Rev. Linda H. Monroe, Pastor, Buckhall United Methodist Church
Rev. Charles E. Tillapaugh, Pastor, Wrights Chapel United Methodist Church
Rev. Jay M. Hanke, Pastor, St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church
Musicians: St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, Sanctuary Choir
Nancy Cappel, Director of Music
Carol Workman, Organist
Mary Kate Langan, guest soloist, friend of the Jackson family
Dancers in video “You Raise Me Up”:
Amanda Gaffney
Anna O'Hara
Lily O'Hara
Emma Hartzler
Rachel Hartzler
Madison Bach Hansen
Lexie McEntire
Katie Atkins
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LIFE AND MINISTRY OF KENNETH J. JACKSON
Kenneth Julius Jackson was born January 12, 1951 in Greenville, South Carolina.
Ken was the second of five children born to James and Phyllis Jackson. During his
early years he lived with his parents and four siblings, his aunt and uncle and their
six children, and his maternal grandparents. He attended St Anthony’s Catholic
School and Joseph E. Beck High School. He was a member of John Wesley United
Methodist Church in Greenville.
After graduating from high school, Ken attended South Carolina State University
where he played the tuba in the marching band, even traveling to California to
play in the Tournament of Roses Parade one year. He also played in the Jazz
Band and travelled to Mexico. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
He graduated from college and moved to Roanoke, Virginia to work as the
District Executive for the Boys Scouts of America in Roanoke. In 1976 he
transferred to Northern Virginia to become the District Scout Executive for the
Alexandria District. It was through the Boy Scouts that he met Gail Bell who was
in charge of youth programs for Hopkins House.
Ken was fond of telling how he met Gail on Monday, and asked her to marry him
on Thursday of the same week. They were married in July of 1977. Their first
child, Elizabeth, was born in September of 1978. During the next year Ken
decided to answer his call to the ministry and enrolled in Wesley Seminary in
Washington, DC. During seminary Ken served two student pastor appointments
working with the youth at Washington Plaza Baptist Church and Herndon United
Methodist Church. After graduating from seminary, Ken was appointed to serve
Asbury United Methodist Church in Newport News, Virginia. Christopher and
Kara were born during his tenure in Newport News. In 1987 the family moved to
Highland Park Church in Richmond, Virginia.
In 1990 Ken was appointed to Franconia United Methodist Church and then in
1994 Ken became the District Superintendent of the Lynchburg District. In 2001
the family moved back to Northern Virginia where he served as senior pastor of
St Matthew’s United Methodist Church. In 2010 Ken was appointed as the
District Superintendent of the Alexandria District.
During his ministry Ken served on the following Virginia Annual Conference
committees:
Virginia United Methodist Pensions, Inc.; Joint Committee on Review;
Chair, Commission on Religion and Race; Board of Ordained Ministry; Conference
Council on Finance and Administration.
In addition, Ken was a General Conference Delegate in 1996, 2000, 2004;
a Southeastern Conference Jurisdictional Delegate in 1996, 2000, 2004; and
an alternate Southeastern Conference Jurisdictional Delegate in 1992, 2008,
and 2012.
Ken was preceded in death by his mother Phyllis Turman Jackson, his father
James Jackson and his brother Phil Jackson. He
leaves to mourn him his wife Gail, his children
Elizabeth, Christopher and Kara all from Fairfax
County, Virginia, his son-in-law Christopher Gentile;
grandchildren Donavin and Serenity; his siblings,
Reginald (Linda) Jackson; Harriett Williams and
Karen Denise Phoenix of Greenville, South Carolina;
nephews Anthony Jackson (Atiba and children
Alyssa, Elias and Claire), Kyle Jackson (Melanie) and
Kendall Williams (daughter Saniya), Reverend
Charles Fischer (Rhonda and son Charles IV) of
Atlanta, Georgia and Marc (Megann and son Colin)
Fischer of Bucks County, PA, and nieces Farrow
Benay Fludd (Dewain) of Lexington, SC, Joya
Jackson (son Jordan) of Greenville,
SC and Dr.
Nicole Fischer of Arlington, VA, sister-in-law Marilyn
(Charles) Fischer of Fuqua Varina, NC, and a great
nephew Charles Fischer IV; his cousins Turman
(Winston Salem, NC), Carl (Atlanta, Georgia),
Ronald, Jerry, Gregory, and Darlene Clinkscales
(Greenville, SC), the children and grandchildren.