Alisa Anderson’s Memorial July 12, 2025
In Loving Memory of
Alisa Marie Anderson
October 1, 1963 – June 25, 2025
Memorial & Holy Eucharist
Saturday, July 12, 2025
Prelude
Opening Hymn Please rise in body or spirit, and sing. Morning Has Broken H8
Please remain standing, in body or spirit.
I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
Whoever has faith in me shall have life,
even though he die.
And everyone who has life,
and has committed himself to me in faith,
shall not die for ever.
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives
and that at the last he will stand upon the earth.
After my awaking, he will raise me up;
and in my body I shall see God.
I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him
who is my friend and not a stranger.
For none of us has life in himself,
and none becomes his own master when he dies.
For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord,
and if we die, we die in the Lord.
So, then, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord’s possession.
Collect
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Alisa, 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.
Old Testament Reading Please be seated. Wisdom 3:1-5, 9
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
3 and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
4 For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
6 like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
8 They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
9 Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23 Please read in unison; remain seated.
The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; *
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; *
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; *
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of
mine enemies; *
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Epistle Reading 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 5:9
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling— if indeed, when we have taken it off* we will not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Sung before and after Gospel. Lay Me Low
Gospel Please rise in body or spirit. John 11:21-27
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
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.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Homily Please be seated. The Reverend Earl Mahan
Apostles' Creed Please rise in body or spirit.
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 Standing or kneeling, in body or spirit.
For our sister Alisa, 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 Alisa, and dry the tears of those who weep.
Hear us, Lord.
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 sister Alisa eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented;
bring our sister Alisa to the joys of heaven.
Hear us, Lord.
Alisa was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit;
give her fellowship with all your saints.
Hear us, Lord.
She was nourished with your Body and Blood;
grant her a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
Hear us, Lord.
Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our sister Alisa;
let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
The Celebrant adds a concluding collect.
Exchange of the Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
Offertory Anthem Sung by choir friends of Alisa & Tim
The Road Home by Stephen Paulus
Tell me, where is the road I can call my own
That I left, that I lost so long ago?
All these years I have wandered
Oh, when will I know
There's a way, there's a road
That will lead me home.
After wind, after rain, when the dark is done
As I wake from a dream in the gold of day,
Through the air there's a calling from far away
There's a voice I can hear
That will lead me home.
Rise up, follow me, come away, is the call
With the love in your heart as the only song
There is no such beauty as where you belong
Rise up, follow me
I will lead you home.
Offertory Hymn Please rise in body or spirit, and sing.
Hold You in our Circle by Emily Roblyn
Eucharistic Prayer Please remain standing.
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. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
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.
standing or kneeling, in body or spirit
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 and 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 he was handed over to suffering and death, 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, we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, 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.
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.
Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia
Administration of the Sacrament
All are welcome!
Communion Hymns Steal Away L103
Take My Hand, Precious Lord L106
Post Communion Prayer Please stand or kneel, in body or spirit.
Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of your 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 of joy with all your saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Commendation Please remain standing or kneeling, in body or spirit.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
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.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Alisa. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
Blessing
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God.
Recessional Hymn It is Well with My Soul L188
Postlude
Alisa’s family invites you to proceed to the parish hall for refreshments, greeting, and a time to remember her.
They will join the reception after the inurnment in Holy Communion’s columbarium in the Chapel.
In Remembrance…
On the morning of June 25, 2025, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, a vibrant light was extinguished too soon when Alisa Anderson was called home to our heavenly Father. She is survived by her husband Timothy Anderson; mother Faye Westbrook; brother Gregory Barnes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, extended family, and numerous friends.
Alisa Marie (Barnes) Anderson was born October 1, 1963 to Faye I (Westbrook) and Herman Barnes, Jr in St Louis, Missouri. She attended Griffith Elementary followed by McCluer High, where she graduated in 1982 with a 4.0 GPA. While attending high school, Alisa competed in track events and was one of the top waitresses at her part time job at Walgreens.
Alisa successfully completed courses at the University of Missouri-Kansas City planning to have a career in the medical field but later found her passion to be in organization and administration. She excelled scholastically and ultimately received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Administration from Capella University.
Alisa moved to Hawaii in 1993, which ignited her love of travel. In later years, she would also travel to Paris, Hong Kong, Canada, Viet Nam, and Belize (twice). She was an avid reader who loved Stephen King and an aficionado of many music genres but especially Prince and Lady Gaga. Alisa loved wearing her stylish outfits to concerts with her friends, even traveling to Las Vegas to see a favorite performer, Lenny Kravitz.
During this time Alisa became an active member of Holy Communion Church here in University City. Her first responsibility was as an usher; she later also served as a reader of the Word, a mentor in Rite 13, and a member of the juvenile detention outreach. Among her many achievements with the church was to be one of the first members of Holy Communion’s Laundry Love program and to become a Lay Chaplain in the Community of Hope.
After working in several high-profile positions for different employers, Alisa began her 16-year career at United Healthcare, where she rose through the ranks holding several critical positions including Executive Assistant and group supervisor. She left United Healthcare in May 2025 for what she described as “semi-retirement” to pursue other life goals.
While a long-term parishioner at Holy Communion, Alisa met and was courted by another of our members, Tim Anderson. They fell in love and were married at Holy Communion on June 7th, 2025.
Alisa was a bright shining star with a caring heart and passion for life. She was loved so much and will be greatly missed.
Servers
Preacher: The Reverend Earl Mahan
Celebrant: The Reverend Julie Graham
Deacons: The Reverend Chester Hines & The Reverend Loretta Go
Organist: Earl Naylor
Singers: Choir friends of Alisa & Tim Anderson
Readers: Sara Schoenborn, Gwendolyn Hart
Greeters: Elizabeth Hines, Jean & Hal Parker
Streamer: Tyler Schwartz
Music used and reprinted with permission under
OneLicense #A-704988, WorshipCast License #13476,
and St. James Music Press License #14747
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion
7401 Delmar Blvd.
University City, Missouri 63130
314-721-7401
