St. Matthew's Day: 170th Parish Anniversary

The Patronal feast of St. Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist

Processional - Hymn #537: Christ For The World We Sing

 1 Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with loving zeal;

the poor and them that mourn,

the faint and overborne,

sin-sick and sorrow-worn,

whom Christ doth heal.

2 Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with fervent prayer;

the wayward and the lost,

by restless passions tossed,

redeemed at countless cost,

from dark despair.

3 Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with one accord;

with us the work to share,

with us reproach to dare,

with us the cross to bear,

for Christ our Lord.

4 Christ for the world we sing!

The world to Christ we bring

with joyful song;

the newborn souls, whose days,

reclaimed from error's ways,

inspired with hope and praise,

to Christ belong.

The Opening Acclamation

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

A Litany of Thanksgiving for a Church

Let us thank God whom we worship here in the beauty of holiness.

Eternal God, the heaven of heavens cannot contain you, much less the walls of temples made with hands. Graciously receive our thanks for this place, and accept the work of our hands, offered to your honor and glory.

For the Church universal, of which these visible buildings are the symbol,  We thank you, Lord. 

For your presence whenever two or three have gathered together in your Name, We thank you, Lord.

For this place where we may be still and know that you are God, 

We thank you, Lord.

For making us your children by adoption and grace, and for refreshing us day by day with the bread of life. We thank you, Lord.

For the knowledge of your will and the grace to perform it, 

We thank you, Lord. 

For the fulfilling of our desires and petitions as you see best for us, 

We thank you, Lord. 

For the pardon of our sins, which restores us to the company of your faithful people, We thank you, Lord.

For the blessing of our vows and the crowning of our years with your goodness, We thank you, Lord.

For the faith of those who have gone before us and for our encouragement by their perseverance, We thank you, Lord.

For the fellowship of Blessed Matthew, our patron, Blessed Stephen and Blessed Augustine, our former patrons, and of all your Saints, 

We thank you, Lord. 

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; For everything in heaven and on earth is yours. 

Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom;  And you are exalted as head over all. Amen.

Let us pray: 

Almighty God, to whose glory we celebrate the founding of this house of prayer: We give you thanks for the fellowship of those who have worshiped in this place, and we pray that all who seek you here may find you, and be filled with your joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Hymn S-280: Glory to God

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 

The Collect of the Day  

The Lord be with you. 

And also with you. 

Let us pray. 

We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; 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 Proverbs (3:1-6) 

My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 119:33-40

Read responsively by half-verse (after the asterisk)

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, * 

and I shall keep it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; * 

I shall keep it with all my heart.

35 Make me go in the path of your commandments,* 

for that is my desire.

36 Incline my heart to your decrees* 

and not to unjust gain.

37 Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; * 

give me life in your ways.

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, * 

which you make to those who fear you.

39 Turn away the reproach which I dread, * 

because your judgments are good.

40 Behold, I long for your commandments; * 

in your righteousness preserve my life.

A Reading from the Second Letter to Timothy (3:14-17) 

As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

LEV #196: Leaning On The Everlasting Arm

1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:

Leaning, leaning, 

Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning

Leaning on the everlasting arms. 

2 O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,

Leaning on the everlasting arms

O how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the everlasting arms. (Refrain)

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 (9:9-13)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

LEV #196: Leaning On The Everlasting Arm

3 What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms. (Refrain)

The Sermon                   Rev. Phillips

The Nicene Creed

The People stand as they are able to recite the Creed.

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, Form VI

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

For all people in their daily life and work;

For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For Donald, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; Chester, the chair of our County Commission; and all other civic officials; For this community, the nation, and the world;

For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;

For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For all the churches in Savannah, that we may be one as you are one with the Son, and the Holy Spirit; For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For Sean, our Presiding Bishop; Frank, our Bishop; and for all bishops and other ministers;

For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially for our Day Care’s staff, students, and families, and for those on our Parish Prayer List: Jackie Beasley, Lazola Cope, David Jones, Milburn Lewis, Jessica Mathis, Marion Mathis, Rene James Nails, and Jewel Wheeler, and those we remember now… Hear us, Lord;

For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially for all visitors, those celebrating birthdays: Donald Jones and Alex Jenkins; those celebrating anniversaries: Donald & Marilyn Jones; and any other thanksgivings we offer now... We will exalt you, O God our King;

And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, and those we remember now... Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

The Celebrant says:

Heavenly Father, Shepherd of your people, we thank you for your servant, Saint Matthew, who was faithful in the care and nurture of your flock; and we pray that, following his example and the teaching of his holy life, we may by your grace grow into the stature of the fullness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us pray the St. Matthew’s Prayer together.

Almighty God, My Church is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with these qualities. Therefore, with the help of God I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my Church to be. Bless my journey Lord God that I might do my part to build the church through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Parish Announcements

Holy Communion

The Offertory

Choir Selection: Surely The Presence Of The Lord Is In This Place

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Law)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow! 

Praise him all creatures here below!

Praise him above ye heavenly hosts!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer B

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.                                                                                                           

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give him 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 the great shepherd of your flock, Jesus Christ our Lord; who after his resurrection sent forth his apostles to preach the Gospel and to teach all nations; and promised to be with them always, even to the end of the ages.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

LEV #255:

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts

Heaven and earth are filled with your glory

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

The people stand or kneel.

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,

LEV #260

We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory!

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 the Blessed Virgin Mary, Blessed Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, Blessed Stephen the Deacon and Martyr, Blessed Augustine of Hippo, and 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 forever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 Breaking of the Bread

A period of silence is kept.

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Behold! This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Gifts of God for the people of God.

LEV #146: Break Thou The Bread Of Life

1 Break thou the bread of life, Dear Lord, to me,

As thou didst break the loaves

Beside the sea;

Beyond the sacred page

I seek thee, Lord;

My spirit pants for thee,

O living word!

2 Bless thou the truth, dear Lord,

To me, to me,

As thou didst bless the bread

By Galilee;

Then shall all bondage cease,

All fetters fall,

And I shall find my peace,

My all in all.

3 Teach me to live, dear Lord,

Only for thee,

As thy disciples lived

in Galilee;

Then, all my struggles o’er,

Then, vict’ry won,

I shall behold thee, Lord,

The living one.

LEV #148: I’m A-Going To Eat At The Welcome Table

1 I’m a-going to eat at the welcome table,

I’m a-going to eat at the welcome table, some of these days.

I’m a -going to eat at the welcome table,

I’m going to eat at the welcome table, some of these days.

2 I’m a-going to feast on milk and honey,

I’m a-going to feast on milk and honey, some of these days.

I’m a-going to feast on milk and honey,

I’m going to feast on milk and honey, some of these days.

3 I’m a-going to fly all around in heaven,

I’m a-going to fly all around in heaven, some of these days.

I’m a-going to fly all around in heaven,

I’m going to fly all around in heaven, some of these days.

4 I’m a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river,

I’m a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river, some of these days.

I’m a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river,

I’m going to wade cross Jordan’s river, some of these days.

The Post-Communion Prayer

Let us pray.

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing of the People

May God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, to know the hope to which God has called you. Amen.

May God, who has given you an example of holy living and holy dying in the witness of Saint Matthew, bring you to share the glorious inheritance of the saints. Amen. 

May God, who calls you friends and fellow citizens with the saints, give you grace to walk in the way of Christ. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

LEV #12: We’re Marching To Zion

1 Come, we that love the Lord,

And let our joys be known;

Join in a song with sweet accord,

Join in a song with sweet accord,

And thus surround the throne,

And thus surround the throne.

Refrain:

We’re marching to Zion,

Beautiful, beautiful Zion;

We’re marching upward to Zion,

The beautiful city of God.

2 Let those refuse to sing

Who never knew our God;

But children of the heav’nly King,

But children of the heav’nly King,

May speak their joys abroad,

May speak their joys abroad. (refrain)

3 The hill of Zion yields

A thousand sacred sweets

Before we reach the heav’nly fields,

Before we reach the heav’nly fields,

Or walk the golden streets,

Or walk the golden streets. (refrain)

4 Then let our songs abound,  And ev’ry tear be dry;

We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,

We’re marching thro’ Immanuel’s ground,

To fairer worlds on high,

To fairer worlds on high. (refrain) 

Parish Photo

The Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! 

Thanks be to God!