A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance
for the life of
Timothy Sheldon Bradford
October 27, 1940 – May 23, 2026
June 27, 2026, at 3 pm
Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church
3:00 pm.
A Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance
for the Life of Tim Bradford
| The Prelude | Craig Everett |
| The Choral Introit | “I Believe” Mark A. Miller |
An anonymous Jewish poem.
I Believe in the sun, I believe in the sun, even when, even when it’s not shining.
I Believe in the sun, I believe in the sun, even when, even when it’s not shining.
I Believe in love, I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.
I Believe in love, I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.
I Believe in God. I believe in God, even when, even when God is silent.
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 525 “The Church’s one foundation”
Sing verses 1, 2, and 5.
Hymn 525 — "The Church's one foundation" (Aurelia) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
1. The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation by water and the word:
from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died.
2. Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy Name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
5. Yet she on earth hath union with God, the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we,
like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.
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 Timothy Sheldon Bradford. 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.
The Liturgy of the Word
Please be seated.
The Old Testament Reading
Erin Felling, niece and lector
1But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. 2In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, 3and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. 4For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. 5Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; 9Those 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm
The Reverend Chris Carlin
Please read responsively.
1O LORD, you have searched me and known me. 2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; *
you discern my thoughts from far away.
3You search out my path and my lying down, *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before a word is on my tongue, *
O LORD, you know it completely.
5You hem me in, behind and before, *
and lay your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
7Where can I go from your spirit? *
Or where can I flee from your presence?
8If I ascend to heaven, you are there; *
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
9If I take the wings of the morning *
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
10even there your hand shall lead me, *
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
11If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, *
and the light around me become night,"
12even the darkness is not dark to you; *
the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.
The New Testament Reading
Stefanie Gates, niece and lector
16So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, 18because 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.
1For 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. 2For in this tent we groan, longing to be further clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3for surely when we have been clothed in it we will not be found naked. 4For while we are 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. 5The one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a down payment.
6So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— 7for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Choral Anthem
Elaine Hagenberg
O Love, O Love, O Love that will not let me go,
O Love, I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thy ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
O Joy, O Joy, O Joy that seeks me through the pain,
O Joy, I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.
O Love, O Love, O Love that will not let me go,
O Love, I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
that in thy ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
Shall richer, fuller be…
that morn shall tearless be…
O Love, O Love, O Love…
O Love, that will not let me go.
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.
37Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; 38for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day."
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 Lord’s Prayer
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 Prayers of the People
Deacon: FOR OUR BROTHER TIM, 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 Tim, 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 Tim, 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 Tim, 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.
The Prayer of St. Francis “Make me a channel of your peace”
Please remain standing and sing.
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 Prayer:
O LORD, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
The Commendation
Officiant: Give rest, O Christ, to your servant, Timothy, 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, Tim. 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 92 “A mighty fortress is our God”
Sing verses 1 and 2 only.
Hymn 92 — "A mighty fortress is our God" (Ein feste Burg) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
for still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing:
dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his Name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
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 “St. Anne” | Gordon Young |
Reprint/podcast/streamed with permission under One License #A-730274 and RitePlanning.
All rights reserved.
The Bradford family will receive guests downstairs in the Bradford Art Gallery, during the reception immediately following today’s service, where Tim’s original artwork will be exhibited. Please allow the family to exit the sanctuary first.
The Bradford family appreciates all of the kind acts of love shown to them over these past few weeks and also appreciates your attendance today.
[Image: Abstract colorful acrylic painting with red, orange, and dark blue tones by Tim Bradford]
Tim Bradford, artist
Timothy “Tim” Sheldon Bradford
TIMOTHY “TIM” SHELDON BRADFORD, 86, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at ECU Health Medical Center following a brief illness.
Tim was born on March 27, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Frank and Anne Bradford. He honorably served in the United States Army before earning his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University.
Tim and his wife, Margaret “Meg” Bradford, made Carteret County their home for the past 28 years after moving from Columbus, Ohio, to be closer to family and enjoy the coast, where he began a successful real estate career.
After retiring from real estate, Tim focused on his love of the visual arts. He began painting with acrylics at BluSail Gallery and later established and curated an art gallery, beginning in 2008, featuring rotating artists at his church. In March of 2022, the art gallery was officially named the Bradford Art Gallery at Saint Francis by the Sea in his honor.
Tim was an active member of Saint Francis by the Sea, the Episcopal Church that he loved so much. He served the church in a variety of positions including as Verger, sang in the Choir of St. Francis and was elected to the Vestry. Here, Tim and Meg formed a community they considered family.
During his time in Carteret County, Tim served on several local nonprofit boards, including the Board of Realtors, the Carteret Community Foundation, the Carteret Arts Forum, the Arts Council of Carteret County, and served as president of the Brandywine Owner’s association.
Tim is survived by his loving wife, Meg; his sister-in-law, Kathy Collins, and her husband, Tim. He was a beloved uncle to his nieces, Erin Felling and her husband, Tom, and Stefanie Gates and her husband, Nathan, and a cherished “Grunkle” to his great-nephews, Jamie (12), Jackson (10), Ben (9), and Wesley (5).
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Saint Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, 920 Salter Path Road, Salter Path, NC 28575.
Tim Bradford was a true people-person who had the unique ability to light up any room. He will be missed by all who knew him and his legacy will live on.
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 |
| Lectors: | Erin Felling, Stefanie Gates |
| Prayers: | Libba Shelton |
| Crucifer: | Tim Owens |
| Torchbearers: | Sarah Criddle, George Grigg |
| Altar Guild: | Jean Smith |
| Verger: | Marion Morris |
| Audio: | Stover Morris |
| Videographer: | John Clarke |
| Vestry of the Day: | Pam Ball |
[Image: Episcopal Church shield logo and recycling emblem]
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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