The Holy Eucharist
Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ
January 6, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda
Deacon: The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Hymn #135: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
1 Songs of thankfulness and praise, Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise; Manifested by the star To the sages from afar, Branch of royal David's stem In thy birth at Bethlehem: Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest. 2 Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest, and King supreme; And at Cana wedding guest In thy Godhead manifest; Manifest in pow'r divine, Changing water into wine; Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest.
3 Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul; Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil's might; Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill; Anthems be to thee addressed, God in flesh made manifest. 4 Manifest on mountain height, Shining in resplendent light Where disciples filled with awe Thy transfigured glory saw When from there thou leddest them Steadfast to Jerusalem Cross and Easter Day attest God in man made manifest
[Words: Sts. 1-3 by Christopher Wordsworth, Public Domain; st. 4 by F. Bland Tucker, Copyright © 1985 Church Publishing, Inc. Music: Salzburg, melody Jakob Hintze, harm. Johann Sebastian Bach, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE # 85585. All rights reserved.]
The Opening Acclamation
[BCP, p. 355]
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
And blessed be God's kingdom, now and forever! Amen!
The Lighting of the Candles
[adapted from http://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/advent-candle-lighting-litanies and Joel Raney, Come, Lord Jesus, Come: A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent (2017)]
Pray the following litany as the Advent Wreath Candles are lit.
Tonight, we celebrate hope fulfilled in the birth of Christ.
Joy to the world! The Lord has come.
Tonight, we celebrate the promise of peace on earth.
Let earth receive her King.
Tonight, we celebrate the joy of knowing a savior has come.
Let every heart prepare Him room.
Tonight, we celebrate the love of God, through Jesus Christ.
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Tonight, we light all five candles on this advent wreath. As the flames gleam we are reminded that Christ is the true light of the world, and with the Christ candle in the center, the flames of hope, peace, joy and love burn even brighter. So it is with Christ in our hearts, we can rest in the hope of eternal life, and look forward to the promised peace on earth.
Hymn #96: Angels We Have Heard on High (Verses 1 and 3)
1 Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
REFRAIN:
Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
3 Come to Bethlehem, and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [REFRAIN]
Words: French carol; tr. James Chadwick; Public Domain. Music: Gloria, French carol; arr. Edward Shippen Barnes; Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #150646. All rights reserved.
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 214]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
[BCP, p. 725]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Give the King your justice, O God, * and your righteousness to the King's Son;
2 That he may rule your people righteously * and the poor with justice;
3 That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, * and the little hills bring righteousness.
4 He shall defend the needy among the people; * he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5 He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, * from one generation to another.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, * like showers that water the earth.
7 In his time shall the righteous flourish; * there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, * and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11 All kings shall bow down before him, * and all the nations do him service.
12 For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, * and the oppressed who has no helper.
13 He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; * he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, * and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
A Reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians 3:1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #128: We Three Kings of Orient Are (Verses 1-4)
1. We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. REFRAIN: O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light! 2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, ceasing never over us all to reign. [Refrain] 3. Frankincense to offer have I: incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, gladly raising, worship him, God Most High. [Refrain] 4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]
[Words: John Henry Hopkins, Jr., alt., Public Domain. Music: Three Kings of Orient, John Henry Hopkins, Jr., Public Domain. Printed with permission under ONE LICENSE #84053. All rights reserved.]
The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. Matthew (2:1-12)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn #128: We Three Kings of Orient Are (Verse 5)
5. Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; heaven sings Alleluia, Alleluia the earth replies.
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!
[Words: John Henry Hopkins, Jr., alt., Public Domain. Music: Three Kings of Orient, John Henry Hopkins, Jr., Public Domain. Printed with permission under ONE LICENSE #84053. All rights reserved.]
The Sermon
"A Season of Blessings" by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
Epiphany is a season of blessings! Epiphany is full of blessings because the Magi offered gifts to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The “wise men from the East” brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:1, 11). These three gifts pointed to Jesus’ true mission and purpose. The gold represents that Jesus is the King of the Jews and King of the Universe (Christ the King). The frankincense represents his divine nature because frankincense is used to worship God. If you’re in church with us, you are smelling frankincense right now! Finally, myrrh is a sweet-smelling perfume that was used to prepare bodies for burial, so it represents his death on the Cross and resurrection on Easter morning. These Magi bless us by helping us see the story of salvation.
Epiphany is also full of blessings God blessed the Magi. God set up the star in the sky to lead them to Jesus’ doors. God helped them see the great significance of Jesus’ birth. God showed the Magi the great “mystery of Christ,” that God welcomes people of every color, creed, kin, and kind into the Church (Ephesians 3:4-6). God revealed to the Magi that the young Jesus was the Son of God and Savior.
So for centuries, Christians have celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany with blessings, especially home blessings. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph welcomed the Magi into their home on Epiphany and received these special gifts. The Magi received the blessing of hospitality, and the Holy Family received the blessing of their prophetic presents.
In a few minutes, we are going to bless chalk to send out to the homes of our church members so their homes can be blessed. The traditional blessing takes the form of writing symbols on the front door of your home. It includes the year (2023), little crosses, and the letters CMB. CMB is a Latin abbreviation for the phrase, “May Christ bless this home,” and it points to the traditional names of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.
I only learned about this tradition a few years ago, and honestly, I was confused the first time I saw it. But when I learned more about it, I saw the beauty of blessing our homes with a physical sign. Chalking the doors is a sign of hospitality. It means that God blesses everyone who enters our homes, just like the Holy Family blessed the Magi by welcoming them. And the chalk is also a reminder to whoever lives there to be a blessing to others as you leave, just like the Magi were by carrying the Good News of Jesus as they left his home. Some people even write the sign on the outside and inside of the door, so they see it on the way in and the way out.
At the end of the service, I will bless the chalk and pass them out to everyone here. Each piece of chalk is in a small bag together with instructions on what to write on your door to bless the home. We’re even going to practice here at the church by writing the blessing on the main doors of the church building. Epiphany is an opportunity to give blessings to guests, to receive blessings from guests, and to live peacefully in your homes, all by the grace and power of God. Amen.
Bibliography
Schjonberg, Mary Frances. “For an Epiphany blessing, chalk the door with ‘holy graffiti.’” Episcopal News Service. Published 6 January 2020. Accessed 5 January 2023. https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/01/06/for-an-epiphany-blessing-chalk-the-door-with-holy-graffiti/.
The Nicene Creed
[BCP, p. 358]
All standing as they are able, the People pray:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
[Adapted from http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/191]
Let us pray to God, who came among us in the birth of Jesus:
Gracious God, as a star rose, and drew people from great distances to Bethlehem that they might greet the Christ-child; Draw us, your Church, and all of your people to you, that we might be the Church and the People who you call us to be. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As you gave Mary your Holy Spirit, filling her with the delight of your Presence; Fill us with your Spirit, and renew our lives. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As Gentiles streamed to Jesus’ Light, and Kings to the brightness of his rising; Draw our nation, our President, and all in authority, to His brightness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As angels sang glory to you and proclaimed peace on earth, and goodwill among all peoples; Bring us your peace and bring an end to all terror and strife. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As shepherds were drawn away from their flocks by night; Draw those who do not know you yet to the knowledge and love of you. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As Jesus was born in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn; Be especially present with those who have nowhere to lay their head, those who are vulnerable, and those who are hungry. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As the Holy Family gathered together in Bethlehem and traveled together to far off lands; Bless all families, especially the families of our parish, and protect those who travel. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
As your son came to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of Life Eternal; Give to the departed eternal rest and let Light perpetual shine on them. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others, especially for those suffering from COVID-19, those on our Parish Prayer List, and those we remember now...
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
The Celebrant prays:
O Lord our God, may the Light and Hope of this season, and of your Son’s Incarnation, reassure our hearts that you are among us, that you hear our prayer, and that you will be with us always, even to the end of the age. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior born in Bethlehem, we pray. Amen.
The Peace
[BCP, p. 360]
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
Thank you from Altar Guild: The Altar Guild would like to thank you for your donations to the Christmas Poinsettias. It was our pleasure to prepare the church for our Christmas celebration. We are forever thankful that we can assist in expressing appreciation for our loved ones.
- St. Matthew's Altar Guild
Daughters of the King Meeting on 1/8: The Order of the Daughters of the King® is an order for women who are communicants of The Episcopal Church and other similar churches. Our membership currently includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches.
In accordance with our Anglican Tradition, Daughters:
Recognize episcopal (bishop's) oversight.
Believe that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation.
Acknowledge the gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism, the real presence of our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, and worship according to The Book of Common Prayer
Reaffirming the promises made at Baptism and Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism. She receives support in this commitment from a worldwide community of like-minded women.
Under the leadership of Deacon Davis and Ms. Paulette Sibert, St. Matthew's is reactivating its Daughters of the King chapter. The next meeting for interested women and girls (with a parent or guardian) will be held at St. Matthew's on January 8th at 11:00 AM.
Strategic Planning Team Begins Process on 1/14/23: The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry appointed the following people to plan and organize our strategic planning process in collaboration with the Kaleidoscope Institute (KI). Their first meeting with the KI consultants will be on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 10:00-2:30 in Toomer-Walker Hall. This meeting is open to any interested member of the parish, but please RSVP by Sunday, January 8, so we can order enough food for lunch. (There is some required reading, so if you're interested in attending, let one of us know so we can give you the assignment).
MLK Day Parade 1/16/23: The Savannah Martin Luther King Jr Observance Day Parade is scheduled to make its triumphant return on Monday, January 16, 2023, after two years off due to the pandemic. St. Matthew’s has once again organized a walking and riding group in the parade for all the Savannah Episcopal parishes. We plan to hold a worship service and reception after the parade.
Annual Parish Meeting on 1/29/23: Join us on January 29, 2023, after Sunday morning worship to attend the Annual Parish Meeting. We will present reports from 2022 and share the operating budget for 2023. We will also hear from the new Strategic Planning Committee about upcoming events.
T/W/Th Evening Prayer: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer over Zoom. The video will continue to stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM. Please join the Zoom call by 4:55 PM. Otherwise, watch the prayer service on Facebook Live.
Wednesday Bible Study: Deacon Davis and Fr. Arboleda currently host a weekly Zoom Bible Study at 5:30 PM on Wednesdays after Evening Prayer. The group uses the same Zoom link as Evening Prayer.
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 376, 80]
Giving to St. Matthew's:
Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.
Alleluia! To us a child is born:
O Come, let us adore Him! Alleluia!
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
Pledge online at: https://tinyurl.com/StMattSav2023
Hymn #494: Crown Him With Many Crowns (Verses 1-4)
1 Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne;
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own;
awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.
2 Crown him the Son of God
before the worlds began,
and ye, who tread where he hath trod,
crown him the Son of man;
who every grief hath known
that wrings the human breast,
and takes and bears them for his own,
that all in him may rest.
3 Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed over the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died, and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.
4 Crown him of lords the Lord,
who over all doth reign,
who once on earth, the incarnate Word,
for ransomed sinners slain,
now lives in realms of light,
where saints with angels sing
their songs before him day and night,
their God, Redeemer, King.
[Words: Matthew Bridges, Public Domain. Music: Diademata; George Job Elvey; desc. Richard Proulx, Copyright © 1970 GIA Publications. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #29381. All rights reserved.]
AAHH #651: Doxology
[See also Hymn # 380, v. 3]
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
[Words: Thomas Ken, Public Domain. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84260. All rights reserved.]
Eucharistic Prayer D
[BCP, p. 372]
It is truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we sing,
Hymn S-125:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
[Word: Public Domain. Music: From A Community Mass, Richard Proulx © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00216. All rights reserved.]
The people stand or kneel.
We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.
Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.
And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.
When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he 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."
Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ's death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup,
Hymn S-139:
...we praise you and we bless you.
We praise you, we bless you,
We give thanks to you,
And we pray to you, Lord our God
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Plainsong, Te Deum Tone; adapt. Mason Martens, Copyright © 1983 Mason Martens. All rights reserved.]
Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name.
Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.
And grant that we may find our inheritance with the Blessed Virgin Mary and Blessed Joseph, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, with Blessed Matthew and all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
[BCP, p. 364]
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Fraction Anthems
[BCP, p. 364, 407]
Hymn S-152:
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!
Therefore let us keep the feast! Alleluia!
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Ambrosian chant; adapt. Mason Martens, Copyright © 1971 Mason Martens.]
LEV #269:
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Lena McLin, Eucharist of the Soul, Copyright © 1972 General Words and Music Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #57436. All rights reserved.]
Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The Gifts of God for the people of God.
Hymn #115: What Child Is This?
1. What child is this, who, laid to rest,
on Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
while shepherds watch are keeping?
REFRAIN:
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.
2. Why lies he in such mean estate
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading. [Refrain]
3. So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
come, peasant, king, to own him;
the King of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone him. [Refrain]
[Words: William Chatterton Dix, Public Domain. Tune: Greensleeves, English melody; harm. Christmas Carols New and Old (1871), alt., Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84055. All Rights Reserved.]
The Post-Communion Prayer
[BCP, p. 365; Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
Eternal God, heavenly Father,
you have graciously accepted us as living members
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,
and you have fed us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.
Send us now into the world in peace,
and grant us strength and courage
to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Online Worshippers and Those Receiving Spiritual Communion:
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
Though we cannot consume now these gifts of bread [and wine],
we thank you that we have received the sacrament of Christ’s presence,
the forgiveness of sins, and all other benefits of Christ’s passion.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
may we embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing of Epiphany Chalk
[The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 167]
People may mark their doorways with symbols in chalk blessed with this prayer:
Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Traditionally, the chalking is done above all doors and takes this form: 20+C+M+B+23 - The letters are the abbreviation for the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat" - "Christ bless this house" (A second meaning and mnemonic device is Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar traditional names for the Magi). The + signs represent the cross, and 20-23 is the year. [See image below for an example.]
The Epiphany Proclamation of Easter 2023
[Adapted from the Rev. Dr. Michael Marsh, https://interruptingthesilence.com/2020/01/03/epiphany-proclamation-of-easter-2020/]
Dear brothers and sisters, the glory of the Lord has shone upon us, and shall ever be manifest among us, until the day of his return.
Through the rhythms of times and seasons let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.
Let us recall the year’s culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord: his last supper, his crucifixion, his burial, and his rising celebrated between the evening of the 6th day of April, Maundy Thursday, and the 9th day of April, Easter Sunday.
Each Easter – as on each Sunday – the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the 22nd day of February.
The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on Thursday, the 18th day of May.
The Day of Pentecost, the joyful conclusion of the Easter season, will be celebrated on the 28th day of May.
And, this year the First Sunday of Advent will be on the 3rd day of December.
Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the Passover of Christ in the feasts of the holy Mother of God, in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints, and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.
To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, be endless praise, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Blessing of the People
[Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 10]
May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Let us go forth in the name of Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The Chalking of the Doors
The People are invited to help bless the doors of the Church with the newly blessed chalk.
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: PRAYER LIST: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Betty Milledge, and Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: Janice Hunter-Malafonte (1/9); Charles McMillan (1/10); and Willie Mae Tennerson (1/11)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A
RECENT DEATHS: N/A
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
Permissions and Credits: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
Image Credits: