Thanksgiving for the Life and Ministry
of
Canon John Charles Chapman
23 July 1930 – 16 November 2012
St Andrew’s Cathedral
24th November 2012
Hymn: Crown him with many crowns
Sentences of Scripture:
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. 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, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-3
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Welcome: Peter Jensen Archbishop of Sydney
Remembering Chappo – Praising God
A General Thanksgiving (said by all):
Almighty God and Heavenly Father,
we praise you for the gospel of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
On this day, we give humble and heartfelt thanks for your faithful servant, John Chapman.
We thank you for saving him by your grace,
and enabling him to boldly proclaim your loving truth to the lost,
challenging and changing the lives of men, women and children.
With grateful hearts, we celebrate our warm memories of your evangelist.
We acknowledge the profound impact of our brother’s ministry.
As your people, we thank you that we do not grieve as those who have no hope.
By the power of your Holy Spirit, and inspired by John’s example,
enable us to declare your saving message with love and perseverance,
while we await our Saviour’s return.
We pray these things in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Amen.
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 John Woodhouse Moore Theological College
At the conclusion of the reading: This is the word of the Lord.
Congregational response: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 116 (said by all)
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:11 Emma Thornett Matthias Media
At the conclusion of the reading: This is the word of the Lord.
Congregational response: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: When peace like a river
Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 David Cook Sydney Missionary and Bible College, Katoomba Christian Convention
At the conclusion of the reading: This is the word of the Lord.
Congregational response: Thanks be to God.
Hymn: Jesus! the name high over all
Sermon: Phillip Jensen Dean of Sydney
Hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross
Prayer:
For those who mourn especially the family Shirley Smith Friend
For the spread of the gospel Rick Lewers Diocese of Armidale
For the continued impact on his ministry Archie Poulos John Chapman Foundation
For the gift of more evangelists Richard Chin Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students
The Lord’s Prayer (said by all):
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
The Grace (said by all):
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Hymn: And can it be that I should gain
(Your gifts for the John Chapman Foundation will be received during the hymn)
Farewell
John Charles Chapman – “Chappo”
Family: Parents: Albury and Muriel Chapman (Deceased)
Brother: Jim Chapman (Deceased)
Nephews: Alan and Bruce Chapman
Educated at: Oatley Primary, Sutherland Intermediate High & Sydney Technical Boys High School
Home Church: St Paul’s Oatley
1946 Born Again
1948-1951 Sydney Technical College
1952-1956 Manual Arts Teacher at Manilla, Tamworth, Werris Creek, Gunnedah and East Hills
1957 Moore College
Ordained: Deacon; Sydney (1957). Priest; Armidale (1958)
1958-1959 Assistant Curate at Moree
1960-1965 Youth Director Diocese of Armidale
1966-1968 Director Christian Education, Diocese of Armidale
1968-1995 Department of Evangelism, Diocese of Sydney (Director 1969-1993)
1969-1992 Moore College Council
1973-1993 General Synod
1975-1993 Standing Committee
1985-2011 Lecturing at Moore College and SMBC
1975-2012 Canon St Andrew’s Cathedral (Emeritus from 1995)
Home Churches: St Aidan’s Hurstville Grove, St George’s Engadine & St John’s Sutherland
While preaching and evangelising, John wrote the following books: “A Fresh Start”, “Know and Tell the Gospel”, “Setting Hearts on Fire”, “A Sinner’s Guide to Holiness”, “Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life”, and “Making the Most of the Bible.”
A Tribute to John Chapman (from Dick Lucas)
Many at this time will wish to pay tribute to John Chapman, alias the unique and unforgettable ‘Chappo’. Allow me, as one such, to write very personally of a dear friend, a marvellously stimulating brother in Christ, a shrewd fellow worker and, of course, a superbly gifted evangelist and teacher. John knew his special calling, and, to his final days, was energetically gospelling and offering to all the possibility of a Fresh Start. This made his U.K. visits highly desired and valued.
Looking back, I recall another characteristic of Chappo – he was a great encourager of the brethren. I saw this in Australia at ministers’ meetings where John would always be present putting new heart and humour into everyone there. On one such occasion, when I was speaking, it was initially unsettling to have him lurking in the back row, making pungent and priceless comments sotto voce, causing a ripple of amusement to spread through the assembled company. With Chappo in attendance you had to be ready for anything at any time.
As for his visits to this part of the world, when it was reported that Chapman was on the horizon, morale soared, and requests for his services poured in – this man was a tonic to have around.
When in London Chappo often stayed with me. The day would begin with my calling him for breakfast, and delighting in the sound of his tread on the stairs, as he descended from his room on the top floor, humming, whistling, or otherwise making his happy noise, finally arriving, larger than life, full of cheerful talk, ready for the fray.
We commonly say of a person of note that we shall not see their like again. In John Chapman’s case I see this to be no less than the simple truth. As for his many friends in Britain, we join with you in Sydney in blessing the Lord, who has now taken John away to be with Christ in glory, for giving him to us for so long, and for such grand purposes of grace.
Dick Lucas (19 November 2012)
Rector Emeritus of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, London
