The service conducted by Rev. Thruston was unlike any I have ever attended. Here, just one week after Easter, when we celebrated the Resurrection of our Savior, he chose to remind us of “Our Christian Duty.” The Old and New Testament readings weren’t about forgiveness or turning the other cheek. This was both a funeral service for my brother and a call to arms against those who killed him.

For the Old Testament reading, Rev. Thruston chose chapter 1, verses 6–9, from the book of Joshua, my brother’s namesake:

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Then, as Rev. Thruston requested, my father read Psalm 23:

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 forever.

Somehow, Father made it through the reading without his voice cracking until he got to the final verse about dwelling “in the house of the Lord forever.” I must acknowledge shedding tears as soon as he began to speak.

For the Gospel reading, Rev. Thruston chose Luke 22, verses 35 and 36. He began saying, “These are the words of Jesus Christ our Lord:”

And he said unto them, “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?” And they said, “Nothing.”

Then said he unto them, “But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

He concluded with: “These are the words of our Lord,” to which the congregation replied. “Amen.”