In Celebration of and in Thanksgiving for the Life of

Colin Luther Powell

April 5, 1937–October 18, 2021

November 5, 2021
12:00 pm

The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter & Saint Paul

2
 United States Secretary of State
2001–2005

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

1989–1993

1
2
 In Celebration of and In Thanksgiving for the Life of

Colin Luther Powell

April 5, 1937–October 18, 2021
The people’s responses are in bold.

Preludes
carillon prelude
Dr. Edward M. Nassor, Carillonneur, Washington National Cathedral
America the Beautiful Materna; arr. Milford Myhre (b.1931)
Laudate Dominum, K. 339, No. 5 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791);
arr. Bernard Winsemius (b. 1945)
Almighty Father, Strong to Save Melita; arr. Sally Slade Warner (1932–2009)
Memorial Chime Edward Elgar (1857–1934)
God of Our Fathers National Hymn; arr. Edward M. Nassor (b. 1957)
Take My Hand, Precious Lord Precious Lord; arr. John Courter (1941–2010)

organ & brass prelude

Thomas M. Sheehan, Organist and Associate Director of Music, Washington National Cathedral
The United States Army Brass Quintet
Prelude in E-flat major, BWV 552/I Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Gratitude, Op. 1383 Carson Cooman (b. 1982)
Simple Gifts Aaron Copland (1900–1990); arr. Jari Villanueva
Going Home Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904); arr. SGM(r) Matt Niess
Band of Brothers Michael Kamen (1948–2003); arr. MSG James Kazik
Elegy William Grant Still (1895–1978)
Meditation on “Peace Like a River” Brenda Portman (b. 1980)
American Tune Paul Simon (b. 1941); arr. MSG J. Kazik
Three Little Birds Bob Marley (1945–1981); arr. MSG J. Kazik
Dancing Queen Benny Andersson (b. 1946), Björn Ulvaeus (b. 1945), and
Stig Anderson (1931–1997); arr. SSG Greg Hammond
Amazing Grace Traditional; arr. SGM(r) Denny Edelbrock
America the Beautiful Samuel A. Ward (1848–1903); arr. SGM(r) D. Edelbrock

3
The people remain seated as the family enters.

the seating of the family

The United States Army Brass Quintet
Mansions of the Lord Nick Glennie-Smith (b. 1951); arr. MSG J. Kazik

The Burial of the Dead

The bishops meet the body at the Great West Doors of the Cathedral.

The people stand as able.

the reception of the body

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Bp. Curry With faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the body of our brother Colin Luther Powell for burial. Let us
pray with confidence to God, the Giver of life, that he will raise him to perfection in the company of the
saints.
Silence is kept.
Bp. Curry Deliver your servant, Colin, Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil and set him free from every bond; that
he may rest with all your saints in the eternal habitations, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you
live and reign, one God, for ever and ever.
People Amen.
Bp. Budde Let us also pray for all who mourn, that they may cast their care on God, and know the consolation of his
love.
Silence is kept.
Bp. Budde Almighty God, look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom we pray. Remember them,
Lord, in mercy; nourish them in patience; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; lift up your
countenance upon them and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Amen.
The people are seated.

introit
The Cathedral Choir
“Set Me As a Seal” from a new Creation René Clausen (b. 1953)
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death.
Many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it.
(Song of Solomon 8:6a, 7a)
The people stand as able as the bourdon bell tolls.

4
the anthems in procession
The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
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 liveth 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 mine eyes shall behold,
and not as a stranger.
For none of us liveth 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.

welcome
The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral

hymn
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Hymn to Joy

The people are seated.

5
tributes
The Honorable Richard L. Armitage
The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright

anthem
The Cathedral Choir
And I Saw a New Heaven Edgar Bainton (1880–1956)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no
more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for
her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,
and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
(Revelation 21:1-4, King James Version)

tribute
The Honorable Michael K. Powell
The people stand as able.

the collect for burial

The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
Bp. Budde The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Bp. Budde Let us pray.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant Colin, 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
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
People Amen.

the collect for those who mourn

Almighty God, giver of all comfort: Deal graciously with Colin’s family and friends in their grief. Surround them with
thy love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in thy goodness, and strength to meet
the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Amen.
The people are seated.

6
the first lesson Micah 6:6-8
Annemarie Powell Lyons
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt
offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of
oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O
mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk
humbly with your God?
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

psalm 121 Read responsively by whole verse.

Marybel Batjer
I lift up my eyes to the hills;
from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved,
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord himself watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
So that the sun shall not strike you by day,
neither the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
it is he who shall keep you safe.
The Lord shall watch over your going out, and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore.

7
the second lesson Revelation 7:9-17
Samuel Ebbeson
I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and
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 who is 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 and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are
these, robed in white, and where have 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, 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.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

hymn
SFC Adiza Jibril, The United States Army Chorus
Precious Lord Thomas A. Dorsey (1899–1993); arr. Michael McCarthy (b. 1966)
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone;
Hear my cry, heed my call,
Hold my hand, lest I fall,
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on.
The people stand as able and join on the final stanza.

8
the holy gospel John 14:1-6
The Reverend Joshua D. Walters, Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church, McLean, Virginia
Rev. Walters The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
Jesus told his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house
there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if
I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be
also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you
are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through me.”
Rev. Walters The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The people are seated at the invitation of the homilist.

the homily
The Reverend Canon Stuart A. Kenworthy, Canon, Episcopal Diocese of Washington (Hon.)

anthem
Wintley Phipps
How Great Thou Art Traditional Swedish melody; adapt. Stuart K. Hine (1899–1989)
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the world thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout 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 through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
Refrain
And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
(S. K. Hine; after Carl Boberg, 1859–1940)
9
The people stand as able.

the apostles’ creed

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
Bp. Curry In the assurance of eternal life given at Baptism, let us proclaim our faith and say,
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.

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 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.

10
the prayers
The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
Dean In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Almighty God, who hast 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.
People Amen.
Dean 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.
People Amen.
Dean 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.
People Amen.
Dean Grant to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve thee
with a quiet mind.
People Amen.
Dean 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.
People Amen.
Dean Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.
People Amen.
Dean Grant us grace to entrust Colin 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.
People Amen.
Dean 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.
People Amen.
Dean Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss
in thy eternal and everlasting glory, and, with all thy saints, to receive the crown of life which thou dost
promise to all who share in the victory of thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
All Amen.

11
anthem
The Cathedral Choir
Gaelic Blessing John Rutter (b. 1945)
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
The ministers move to the body.

the commendation
The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
The Reverend Joshua D. Walters, Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church, McLean, Virginia
Rev. Walters Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints,
People where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Dean
Thou only art immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth and
unto earth shall we return. For so thou didst ordain when thou createdst me, saying, “Dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return.” All we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
People Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Silence is kept.
Bp. Budde
Into thy hands, O merciful Savior, we commend thy servant Colin. 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.
People
Amen.

the blessing
The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
Bishop Curry blesses the people and the people respond, Amen.

12
the dismissal
The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
Dean Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.

hymn
Eternal Father, Strong to Save Melita

postlude
Carillon-Sortie Henri Mulet (1878–1967)

The people are asked to be seated until the entire family departs and the people are directed to depart by an usher.

13
 service participants
Officiants
The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith
Dean, Washington National Cathedral
The Reverend Joshua D. Walters
Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church, McLean, Virginia

Homilist
The Reverend Canon Stuart A. Kenworthy
Canon, Episcopal Diocese of Washington (Hon.)

Minister of Ceremonies
The Reverend Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan
Canon for Worship, Washington National Cathedral

Chaplain to the Presiding Bishop

The Reverend Canon C. K. Robertson
Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry Beyond The Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Church

Tributes
The Honorable Richard L. Armitage
The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright
The Honorable Michael K. Powell

Readers
Annemarie Powell Lyons
Marybel Batjer
LTG Samuel Ebbeson, USA (Retired)

14
 Musicians
Washington National Cathedral
The Cathedral Choir
Canon Michael McCarthy
Canon for Music
Thomas M. Sheehan
Organist and Associate Director of Music
George H. Fergus
Associate Director of Music and Chorister Program Director
Dr. Edward M. Nassor
Carillonneur
The United States Army Brass Quintet
SGM Terry Bingham
MSG Rick Lee
MSG Jon Voth
SFC Kristopher Keeton
SSG Greg Hammond
SSG Andrew Boyland
The United States Army Chorus
SFC Adiza Jibril
Guest Vocalist
Wintley Phipps
Cathedral Vergers
Dr. Torrence N. Thomas
Head Cathedral Verger
G. Scott Sanders
Cathedral Verger
Gary Abrecht
Erin Ennis
Josie Jordan
Cathedral Ushers
Kristen LaCherra
House Manager
Joseph Morris
Assistant House Manager
Cathedral Acolytes
Christopher Florance, Head Acolyte
Joseph A. Laroski III, Head Acolyte
Alyssa T. A. Bui
15
16
permissions Bible texts of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel taken from the New Revised Standard
Version Bible, Copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in
the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Anthems in procession, collects, psalm, creed, prayers, commendation,
and dismissal taken from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. Public domain. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. Text: Henry
Van Dyke (1852–1933). Music: Hymn to Joy. Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827); adapt. Edward Hodges (1796–1867),
alt. Public domain. Take My Hand, Precious Lord. Text and music: Thomas A. Dorsey. Copyright 1966, Hal Leonard
Corporation. Reprinted under One License #A-709283. How Great Thou Art. Stuart K. Hine, Copyright 1953, Stuart
K. Hine Trust (admin. by Hope Publishing Company). Reprinted under One License #A-709283. Eternal Father,
Strong to Save. Text: stanzas 1 and 4, William Whiting (1825–1878), alt. Public domain. Stanzas 2 and 3, Robert Nelson
Spencer (1877–1961), alt. Copyright 1985, Church Publishing Incorporated. Reprinted under One License #A-709283.

17