Home Worship on Sunday, March 22, 2020
4th Sunday in Lent (Year A)
Watch this morning's Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav
Preface
I am posting this worship service online because we at St. Matthew's Church in Savannah are unable to gather together in person this week. The Governor of Georgia and President of the U.S.A. have declared states of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak. Public health officials recommend avoiding large gatherings of people to avoid spreading the illness to more vulnerable people.
At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, Ms. Beryl Dandy, our church musician, and I will broadcast the following worship service using Facebook Live at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav. After the service concludes, you can re-watch it at any time.
Today’s service is a “Liturgy of the Word,” also known as the first part of the Holy Eucharist from The Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer. Holy Communion is an incarnational sacrament, meaning it requires us to be together “in the flesh” as Jesus the Word of God became flesh among us. Because we are physically separated from one another, we will not celebrate communion today, but we will praise and worship God together.
You may read these prayers together in church or at home, as individuals or in small groups. You do not need a clergy person present to say these prayers. Page numbers from The Book of Common Prayer are listed in parentheses after each section heading using the abbreviation “BCP." The written text of my sermon is included below.
May God protect you from this virus and protect the most vulnerable among us. May we be God’s hands and feet of compassion and service to all in need during this time. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
The Penitential Order of the Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Processional: Hymn #567 - Thine Arm, O Lord, in Days of Old
1 Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old was strong to heal and save; it triumphed o'er disease and death, o'er darkness and the grave. To thee they went, the blind, the deaf, the palsied, and the lame, the leper set apart and shunned, the sick with fevered frame. 2 And lo! thy touch brought life and health, gave hearing, strength, and sight; and youth renewed and frenzy calmed owned thee, the Lord of light: and now, O Lord, be near to bless, almighty as of yore, in crowded street, by restless couch, as by Gennesaret's shore. 3 Be thou our great deliverer still, thou Lord of life and death; restore and quicken, soothe and bless, with thine almighty breath: to hands that work and eyes that see, give wisdom's heavenly lore, that whole and sick, and weak and strong, may praise thee evermore.
Opening Sentence (BCP, p. 351)
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
His mercy endures forever.
The Decalogue / Ten Commandments (BCP, p. 350)
Hear the commandments of God to his people:
I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage. You shall have no other gods but me. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not make for yourself any idol. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not invoke with malice the Name of the Lord your God. Amen. Lord have mercy.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Amen. Lord have mercy.
Honor your father and your mother. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not commit murder. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not commit adultery. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not steal. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not be a false witness. Amen. Lord have mercy.
You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. Amen. Lord have mercy.
The Confession of Sin (BCP, p. 351)
Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14, 16).
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
[Silence may be kept.]
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Lord, Have Mercy: LEV #236
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy on us.
The Collect of the Day (BCP, pp. 357, 219)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A Reading from the First Book of Samuel (16:1-13)
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 23 (BCP, p. 612)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures * and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul * and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; * for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
A Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians (5:8-14)
Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sequence: Hymn #664 – My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
1 My Shepherd will supply my need: Jehovah is His Name; in pastures fresh he makes me feed, beside the living stream. He brings my wandering spirit back when I forsake his ways, and leads me, for his mercy's sake, in paths of truth and grace.
2 When I walk through the shades of death, thy presence is my stay; one word of thy supporting breath drives all my fears away. Thy hand, in sight of all my foes, doth still my table spread; my cup with blessings overflows, thy oil anoints my head.
3 The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; O may thy house be mine abode, and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come; no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John (9:1-41)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”
The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.
Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
"Was Blind, But Now I See" by Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
For the last two years, I have had the privilege of joining St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Savannah for its annual Gift of Sight Mission Trip to San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. This trip is a long-standing collaboration between St. Peter’s in Savannah and St. Stephen’s (San Esteban) parish in San Pedro de Macorís. San Esteban is a remarkable parish overlooking the Caribbean Sea: they have the church, but also a fully-functional medical clinic and a Day School. They provide an enormous amount of services to their community, but they don’t have any eye doctors on staff. So, each year, St. Peter’s and its partners send optometrists and ophthalmologists for a week to provide very low-cost eye care to the community in San Esteban’s clinic.
During our week of work, we see hundreds and hundreds of patients. Most of them are just there for a regular, annual eye exam and check-up. And most patients get some kind of prescription eyeglasses for reading and/or distance. The Dominican Republic has plenty of eye doctors, but it also has rampant poverty and income inequality and a dysfunctional health care system. For many residents of San Pedro de Macorís, seeing a doctor and getting glasses is prohibitively expensive, but the church’s Clinic makes this affordable.
As someone who has worn glasses since I was eight years old, I can’t imagine what it would be like to just be unable to get glasses. How different would my life have been if I could never see the board at school or read signs out on the street or see clearly enough to drive a car. For those of you with 20/20 vision, understand that if I take off my glasses, I can’t read the papers in front of me on the podium from just this far away.
And I don’t have it the worst. My vision is bad, but I know plenty of people with worse vision than I have. In a world or a society where I couldn’t get glasses, I might not have been able to go to graduate school and become a priest, but I’d probably be able to find some job I could do. I could have functioned as a citizen. But people like my wife and my dad have much poorer eyesight. They need much stronger corrective lenses and I don’t know what their lives would be like without that eyecare. In a place without eyeglasses, we might call them and me blind.
In our Gospel lesson today, Jesus meets a man who has been blind from birth. Maybe this man has never seen anything for a day in his life; maybe he is someone who could have used glasses and been fine if he were born today with access to the right doctors. Either way, he has walked about in darkness. He may not know what it is like to see the beauty of a loving face or a flower or the ocean or even the Temple of the LORD where he begs. He doesn’t seem to know that Jesus approaches because he cannot see. He doesn’t seem to ask him for any healing. Jesus just spots him in his blindness and declares, “I am the light of the world.”
This man may live in darkness but the True Light can extinguish the dark. This light is brighter than any darkness whether natural or spiritual, physical or moral. Jesus can brighten our darkest nights.
There are some cases we face at the Clinic in San Pedro de Macorís that no pair of eyeglasses can help. Some patients had significant eye injuries; others have degenerative eye conditions; some were just born blind and not even our expert doctors can correct their vision.
I don’t know what condition the man in John’s Gospel had. But I do know that Jesus is our Great Physician; Jesus is the true healer of all our infirmities. No matter what illness or challenge we might face -- whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or anything else -- Jesus is able to heal. Jesus can overcome all evil because Jesus already has. He has walked with us on earth and remained without sin; he has been through death and risen again to life. Nothing that human beings, human society, the natural world, or even the devil did ever defeated Jesus. He is the true light that lights up the world.
The man whose eyes were healed gets questioned multiple times by religious leaders who opposed Jesus. They didn’t believe his testimony about his healing because Jesus didn’t play by their rules. He didn’t conform to their narrow vision of how God operated. In conversation with the Pharisees the man whose eyes were healed speaks a line that has been immortalized in the hymn “Amazing Grace:” “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). He doesn’t try to explain Jesus’ theology or ethics or get into a philosophical debate about how and why God works this way or that way. He just tells the Good News of what Jesus did for him. He one was blind, but now he sees.
Even for those of us with 20/20 vision, lately, the world feels a little blind. The uncertainty surrounding coronavirus can make us feel as if we cannot see the road ahead. Social anxiety seems to grow every day and it can disrupt our sense of equilibrium. We felt like we had things under control, with a sense of what was coming next, and then it was all stripped away from us. We lost our sense of what is normal and we feel rudderless. We feel unmoored. In a sense, we feel blind.
The challenges we face today are unprecedented. Hardly anyone alive has seen anything like this pandemic before. And, due to testing shortages and delays, there is not enough information available about who has the virus for us to go back to normal yet. We have to continue to hold fast where we are, working to slow the spread of this disease even at the expense of our normal habits and routines.
But even when we feel lost or blind to the way things are changing, Jesus remains our light. God will show us what the next step is, even if we can’t see the final destination yet. Jesus can heal all our illnesses, whether we’re talking about eye disease or the coronavirus. And Jesus can heal our fears and frustrations with the power of Love and Grace that has conquered even sin and death.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
- The Hymnal 1982, #671
Amen.
The Nicene Creed (BCP, p. 358)
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 Form V on BCP, p. 389)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord, saying, "Lord, have mercy"
For the holy Church of God, that it may be filled with truth and love, and be found without fault at the day of your coming, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Scott, our own Bishop; Frank, our Bishop-Elect; Guillermo, our Priest; for all bishops and other ministers, and for all the holy people of God, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who fear God and believe in you, Lord Christ, especially for all the churches in Savannah, that our divisions may cease, and that all may be one as you and the Father and the Holy Spirit are one, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the mission of the Church, that in faithful witness it may preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who do not yet believe, and for those who have lost their faith, that they may receive the light of the Gospel, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the world, that a spirit of respect and forbearance may grow among nations and peoples, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those in positions of public trust, especially for Donald, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; Al, the Chair of our County Commission; and Ann, the Superintendent of our Public Schools; that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For a blessing upon all human labor, and for the right use of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from poverty, famine, and disaster, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the poor, the persecuted, the sick, and all who suffer; for refugees, prisoners, and all who are in danger; that they may be relieved and protected, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this congregation for those who are present, and for those who are absent, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all that we do, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For our enemies and those who wish us harm, and for all whom we have injured or offended, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who have commended themselves to our prayers; especially for those on our parish prayer list: Martha Avery, Zavier Bradley, Raleigh Bryant, Christine Brown, Mark Case, Genella Chamberlain, Annie Colbert, Lazola Cope, Alice Dailey, Brittany Dawson, Carmen Diaz, Ruby Fernandez, Harry Frazier, Earl Golden, Gary Gordon, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Enoch Henderson, Charles E. Hines, Kenneth Howard, Terri Howard, Dale Hundley, Jared Hundley, Tracy Hundley, Milinda James, Alvin Jenkins, Dana Jenkins, Frances T. Jones, Lori Jones, Robert L. Jones, Sr., Ronald Jones, Whitney Kennedy, Leonard Law, Jr., Ryan Lovett, Tammie Lovett, Craig Maxwell, Sada Maxwell, Carmelita Maynard, Viola Maynard, Bette Milledge, Hollie Moultrie, Patricia Murry, Russell Nails, Dorothy Neal, Glenzy Payne, Robert Payne, James Small, Gwendolyn Smith, Willie Stephens, Gisele Walton, Lori Ward, Gertrude Washington, Noel Wheeler, Dean Williams; that being freed from anxiety, they may live in joy, peace, and health… We pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other important occasions, especially: Prentiss McMullen and Jameel Newton (3/15); Sandra Mitchell (3/17); Paul Berksteiner (3/19); Frank Brown and Edwin Nails (3/22); Esther McAlpine and Nathaniel Nails (3/23); Whitney Robinson (3/24); Michael Canada (3/25); Craig Maxwell (3/27), and anyone we remember now… we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For all who have died † in the communion of your Church, and those whose faith is known to you alone, especially Mary Hunter, and those we remember now…, that, with all the saints, they may have rest in that place where there is no pain or grief, but life eternal, … we pray to you, O Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Rejoicing in the fellowship of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, blessed Matthew, and all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.
To you, O Lord our God.
For yours is the majesty, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
Announcements
The Church will remain closed on March 29. The Bishop has determined that our parishes should be closed until at least the end of March, at which time we will make a decision about Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter (April 5 – 12).
Mrs. Mary Hunter passed away on Friday, March 20, 2020. She will be buried at Hillcrest Abbey East on Friday morning. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will hold a small graveside service for family only in order to avoid assembling a large group. Please keep her and her loved ones in your prayers. Her arrangements are with Adams Funeral Services (https://www.adamsfuneralservicesinc.com/obituary/MrsMary-Hunter) and sympathies may be addressed to Cecelia Hunter (1615A Hunting Creek Dr., Alexandria, VA 22314) and/or to Dr. Harry Hunter, Jr. (2562 John R Street, Detroit, MI 48201).
Many people are already feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, including the church. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. If you pledged a donation in 2020, please continue making those contributions. If you have not pledged, please consider donating to St. Matthew’s now and in the future. There are several ways to give, but the simplest are these: (1) Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR (2) Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR (3) Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
The Offertory (BCP, p. 376)
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)
Offertory: LEV #73 – Is There Anybody Here Who Loves My Jesus?
Refrain:
Is there anybody here who loves my Jesus?
Anybody here who loves my Lord?
I want to know if you love my Jesus;
I want to know if you love my Lord.
1. This world’s a wilderness of woe,
So let us all to glory go.
2. Religion is a blooming rose,
And none but them who feel it know.
3. When I was blind and could not see,
King Jesus brought the light to me.
4. When ev’ry star refuses to shine,
I know King Jesus will be mine.
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 Dismissal (BCP, p. 366)
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all evermore. (2 Corinthians 3:14).
Note: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and the Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.