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Newark, New Jersey (CNN) -- Songs praise and words of encouragement filled a New Jersey sanctuary where those closest to her bid farewell Saturday to legendary pop singer Whitney Houston.
Houston's casket, covered with a large spray of flowers, rested in front of the altar at New Hope Baptist Church. At 11, Houston got her start in the junior gospel choir at the Newark church.
"We're here today with hearts broken, but with God's strength we celebrate the life of Whitney Houston," said Pastor Joe Carter.
Clapping and swaying mass choirs opened the midday homegoing service, performing rousing versions of gospel standards.
Speakers, including Bishop T.D. Jakes and director-producer Tyler Perry, spoke of Houston's faith and the promise of tomorrow.
Jakes delivered, to applause, a message of victory over death.
"Death has not won. Your tears may flow. The flowers might wither," he said. "You will find people you love may leave you outwardly, but (they) will not leave you inwardly."
Houston's cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, introduced performers and speakers, including Perry.
"I am completely thankful to God for all he has done her life," Perry said. "There is a grace that kept on carrying her. ... Whitney Houston loved the Lord."
Oprah Winfrey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Spike Lee, Kevin Costner and Houston's former husband, Bobby Brown, were among those on hand. Brown walked by Houston's casket with his head down.
Guests held in their hands an invitation with a cover featuring a photo of a smiling Houston. The six-page funeral program contained color family photos and a letter from Cissy Houston, the singer's mother.
The letter included the message, "God said 'It's time, Nippy (Whitney's childhood nickname). Your work is done.'" It was signed, "Thanks for being such a wonderful daughter. Love, Mommie."
"Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin, who was scheduled to sing "The Greatest Love of All" at the service, has leg spasms and could not perform or attend the service, a statement released by her publicist said. Franklin performed a tribute to Houston Friday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
The service featured performances by Stevie Wonder -- singing one of his hits, "Ribbon in the Sky" -- R&B star R. Kelly, Alicia Keys and gospel greats Kim Burrell and BeBe Winans.
Pastor Marvin Winans will deliver the eulogy. Remarks are expected by Costner, Houston's co-star in the movie "The Bodyguard;" and her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis.
Patricia Houston, the singer's sister-in-law and former manager, will speak at the end of the service, followed by Houston's cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, according to the program.
Never-seen photos of teenage Whitney Houston
Under bright sunshine, a golden hearse with a black-and-white picture of Houston carried the singer's body to the red-brick church Saturday morning. She will be laid to rest Sunday at the Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, just south of Newark.
Balloons left in front of the church by adoring fans bobbed in a soft breeze.
A cake in the fellowship hall, given by fans, read, "The Greatest Love of All," the title of one of Houston's many hits. The heart-shaped cake was adorned with red roses and lilies.
Guests at the service arrived on a black carpet, went to the church fellowship hall and were escorted to their seats by ushers dressed in black suits and purple ties.
"There is a sense of sadness," the Rev. Jesse Jackson told HLN, CNN's sister network. "We lost a lot."
Some 1,500 people were expected at the service.
A perimeter was set up around the church by police, for four blocks in two directions and two blocks in the other directions. The closest the public was able to get is a staging area two blocks away.
Police said the best way for fans to share the experience was through television and the Internet.
Houston, the six-time Grammy Award winner and the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 hits, died a week ago in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 48.
Saturday, the story wasn't about Houston's reported drinking in the days before she died or about the prescription pills being tested as investigators seek a cause of her still-unexplained death at the Beverly Hilton.
In Newark, 2,700 miles away from Los Angeles, they were remembering the 11-year-old girl who followed in the footsteps of her mother by singing in the junior gospel choir. They were remembering Houston the Chisora vs Klitschko Live Stream returning for Easter Sunday services, never losing her roots after making it big.
They were remembering, through tears and joy, that incredible voice.
A belief in God and tradition permeated the funeral. In the words of Marvin Winans, "Faith plays a great part in how we cope with uncertainties in life. It is not something that we run from in difficulty, it is something we run to."
The Houston family opted to forgo a public memorial service.
They didn't "want to have a parade," Winans told CNN's Anderson Cooper. Their message, he said: "We want to do this with dignity."
Houston leaves behind an 18-year-Chisora vs Klitschko Live daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown; her mother; brothers; a cousin; and a host of relatives and friends.



