A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance
for the life of
Theodore “Ted” Goetzinger
January 29, 1937 – July 14, 2026
[Image: Portrait of Theodore "Ted" Goetzinger smiling in a yellow tropical shirt at the beach]
July 25, 2026
Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
Time: 11 a.m.
A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance
for the Life of Ted Goetzinger
| The Prelude | Craig Everett |
| Choral Introit | “I’ll Fly Away” Spiritual |
Deacon Robin Smith, soloist
Ted asked that we sing this selection at today’s service.
Please join the choir in singing along when the text turns red.
Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away.
To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away.
When the shadows of this life have grown, I’ll fly away.
Like a bird from prison bars have flown, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away.
Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away.
To a land where joys shall never end, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away.
The Opening Anthem “I Am Resurrection, I Am Life”
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.
Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
The Processional Hymn WLP 751 “Ev’ry time I feel the spirit”
WLP 751 — Ev’ry time I feel the spirit — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
The Collect
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
O GOD of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother Ted. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Please be seated.
| Remarks | Peter Goetzinger |
The Liturgy of the Word
The Old Testament Reading
Captain Eric Tellefsen, lector
1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
| The Psalm | Choral Anthem “The Lord is My Shepherd” |
Psalm 23 Allen Pote |
The Lord is my shepherd, nothing shall I want.
My shepherd makes me lie in the fields of green, leads me beside still waters.
The Lord is my shepherd, who restores my life,
Leads me in the path of righteousness for the sake of the Lord’s name.
And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and staff will comfort me.
The Lord is my shepherd, nothing shall I want.
My shepherd makes me lie in the fields of green, leads me beside still waters.
The Lord is my shepherd, who restores my life,
Leads me in the path of righteousness for the sake of the Lord’s name.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy, shall follow me all the days of my life,
and in the house of God, I will live forever.
I will live forever.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The New Testament Reading
Captain Eric Tellefson, lector
14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.
34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
| A Poem | “Death is Nothing At All” Chief Jerry Bowden, reader |
by Henry Scott-Holland |
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was,
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly
together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other,
that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used to.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at little jokes
that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort,
without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost,
one brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting
when we meet again!
The Holy Gospel
all stand, if able.
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
1Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In 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? 3And 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. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going." 5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
| The Homily | The Reverend Mary Kay Brown |
The Apostles’ Creed
Officiant: In the assurance of eternal life 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 Prayers of the People
Deacon: FOR OUR BROTHER THEODORE, 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 Ted, and dry the tears of those who weep.
People: Hear us, Lord.
YOU WEPT at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow.
People: Hear us, Lord.
YOU RAISED the dead to life; give to our brother eternal life.
People: Hear us, Lord.
YOU PROMISED paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother to the joys of heaven.
People: Hear us, Lord.
OUR BROTHER was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him fellowship with all your saints.
People: Hear us, Lord.
HE WAS NOURISHED with your Body and Blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
People: Hear us, Lord.
WE GIVE THANKS, Merciful Lord, for the benefits of Your grace bestowed upon so many through your servant Ted, in his selfless love for others. We honor him and ask for Your mercies, O LORD, for all who suffer, for those who are in need, or are searching for solace and salvation.
People: Hear us, Lord.
COMFORT US in our sorrows at the death of our brother; let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope. Silence.
Officiant: FATHER OF ALL, we pray to you for Ted, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The Peace
Rector: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
A Hymn LEVAS 143 “Wade in the water”
Please sing verses 1 and 3.
LEVAS 143 — Wade in the water — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
The Holy Communion
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God 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 through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope of everlasting life. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
The Sanctus “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord”
The Sanctus — Holy, Holy, Holy Lord — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
Music: From A Community Mass; Richard Proulx (b. 1937). Copyright © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc.
WE GIVE THANKS to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,
Celebrant and People:
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, GRACIOUS GOD, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with St. Francis, St. Clare, all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
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 for ever. Amen.
Celebrant continues: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
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 forever and ever.
Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant: ALLELUIA; Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. ALLELUIA.
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
The Prayer of St. Francis “Make me a channel of your peace”
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred; let me bring your love,
where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope,
where there is darkness only light,
and where there’s sadness ever joy.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love, with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Post Communion Prayer
After Communion, the Celebrant says: Let us pray.
Celebrant and People:
The Commendation
Officiant: Give rest, O Christ, to your servant, Ted, with your saints,
People: where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Officiant: 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.
People: Give rest, O Christ, to your servant(s) with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Officiant: Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Ted. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
The Blessing
MAY THE PEACE OF GOD, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Recessional Hymn LEVAS 60 “O Lord my God”
Please omit verse 3.
LEVAS 60 — O Lord my God — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
The Dismissal
Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
People: Thanks be to God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
| The Postlude | Recessional on “Nettleton” | David Lasky |
Reprint/podcast/streamed with permission under One License #A-730274 and RitePlanning.
All rights reserved.
~~~~~~~~
Please allow the family to exit the sanctuary first.
The Goetzinger family will receive guests downstairs in the Parish Hall
during the reception immediately following today’s service,
featuring speakers: Craig Letchner, Fred Schachter, Chief Ryan Thompson.
The family appreciates all of the kind acts of love shown to
them over these past few weeks and also appreciates your attendance today.
Theodore “Ted” Goetzinger
Theodore “Ted” Goetzinger died peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at his home in Pine Knoll Shores.
Ted was born on January 29, 1937, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Leslie and Theresa Goetzinger. He enjoyed a successful business career with Aetna. He retired in 1987 and moved to Pine Knoll Shores determined to enjoy the relaxed beach life. He quickly learned that he was happiest when he was busy and helping others. He believed in serving others and quickly learned that he enjoyed giving his time and abilities to help his community as much as he loved golf and fishing.
He helped establish the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter, was a member of Life Raft 2000 to provide a building for St. Francis by the Sea where he also served on the Vestry, including one term as Senior Warden. Ted served on the Board of Directors for the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program, served on the Advisory Board of the Leon Mann Enrichment Center, worked to create the Carteret County Friends of the Aging and he enjoyed volunteering as the Race Timer for the annual Pine Knoll Shores Kayak for the Warriors for several years. Ted spent 20 years serving the Town of Pine Knoll Shores on the Board of Commissioners assigned to the Police Department and Fire/EMS Rescue.
Ted loved spending time with his family and friends, creating art with fused glass and was an avid reader and a big supporter of the Bogue Banks Public Library.
Those remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Marian Goetzinger of the home; children, Beth Christianson (Greg) of Escalante, UT, Patrick Goetzinger (Lisa) of Milwaukee, WI, Carolyn McDonald (Christian) of Austin, TX, Peter Goetzinger of Kanab, UT, Meredith Westbrook (Dr. Kenneth) of Morehead City, N.C., Amy Hahn (Roger) of Morehead City, N.C.; sister, Leslie Bisbing (Ron) of New Berlin, WI; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and his dogs, Willie Nelson and Chloe.
In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his son, Michael L. Goetzinger; brother, Tom Goetzinger and grandson, Brian A. McDonald. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the OWLS Wildlife Shelter, 100 Wildlife Way, Newport, N.C. 28570, or St. Francis by the Sea Church, 920 Salter Path Road, Salter Path, N.C. 28575.
Assisting in Today’s Service
| Rector: | The Reverend Mary Kay Brown |
| Priest in Residence: | The Reverend Chris Carlin |
| Deacon: | The Reverend Deacon Robin Smith |
| Music Director: | Craig Everett |
| Choral Music: | The Choir of St. Francis |
| Lector: | Eric Tellefsen |
| Prayers: | Jami Turner |
| Crucifer: | Jami Turner |
| Torchbearers: | Marshall Horton, Liam Mossor |
| Chalice: | Libba and Scott Shelton |
| Altar Guild: | Frances Jenkins |
| Verger: | Marion Morris |
| Audio: | Stover Morris |
| Videographer: | John Clarke |
| Vestry of the Day: | Pam Ball |
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Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
920 Salter Path Road • Salter Path, North Carolina 28512
(252) 240-2388 • www.stfrancisbythesea.org • stfrancisbts@gmail.com
A parish of the Diocese of East Carolina • The Rt. Rev. Sarah K. Fisher, Bishop
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