The Holy Eucharist
The 12th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 17C)
August 28, 2022
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, August 28, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The Word of God
Hymn #598: Lord Christ, When First Thou Cam'st To Earth
1. Lord Christ, when first thou cam'st to earth
upon a cross they bound thee
and mocked thy saving kingship then
by thorns with which they crowned thee
and still our wrongs may weave thee now
new thorns to pierce that steady brow
and robe of sorrow round thee
2. O aweful Love, which found no room
in life where sin denied thee
and doomed to death must bring to doom
the powers which crucified thee
till not a stone was left on stone
and all those nations' pride o'erthrown
went down to dust beside thee
3. New advent of the love of Christ
shall we again refuse thee
till in the night of hate and war
we perish as we lose thee?
From old unfaith our souls release
to seek the kingdom of thy peace
by which alone we choose thee
4. O wounded hands of Jesus, build
in us thy new creation
our pride is dust, our vaunt is stilled
we wait thy revelation
O love that triumphs over loss
we bring our hearts before thy cross
to finish thy salvation
Words: Walter Russell Bowie, alt., © 1966 Abingdon Press. Music: Mit Freuden zart, melody from "Une pastourelle gentille" (1529); adapt. Pseaumes cinquante de David (1547) and Kirchengeseng darinnen die Heubtartickel des Christlichen Glaubens gefasset (1566), Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #47737. 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!
A Collect for Purity
[BCP, p. 355]
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn S-280: Glory to God
[See also BCP, p. 356]
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.
Words: Public Domain. Music: Robert Powell © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28331. All rights reserved.
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 233]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, the Wisdom of Sirach (10:12-18)
The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker.
For the beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours out abominations.
Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of calamities, and destroys them completely.
The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers, and enthrones the lowly in their place.
The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations, and plants the humble in their place.
The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations, and destroys them to the foundations of the earth.
He removes some of them and destroys them, and erases the memory of them from the earth.
Pride was not created for human beings, or violent anger for those born of women.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 112
[BCP, p. 755]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Hallelujah! Happy are they who fear the Lord * and have great delight in his commandments!
2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; * the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, * and their righteousness will last for ever.
4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; * the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
5 It is good for them to be generous in lending * and to manage their affairs with justice.
6 For they will never be shaken; * the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
7 They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; * their heart is right; they put their trust in the Lord.
8 Their heart is established and will not shrink, * until they see their desire upon their enemies.
9 They have given freely to the poor, * and their righteousness stands fast for ever; they will hold up their head with honor.
10 The wicked will see it and be angry; they will gnash their teeth and pine away; * the desires of the wicked will perish.
A Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (13:1-8, 15-16)
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." So we can say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?"
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #423: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Verses 1-3)
1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.
2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
3. To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish, like leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish; but nought changeth thee.
Words: Walter Chalmers Smith, alt., Public Domain. Music: St. Denio, Welsh hymn, from Caniadau y Cyssegr (1839); adapt. John Roberts; harm. The English Hymnal (1906), alt., Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00448, #13268. 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. Luke (14:1, 7-14)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, `Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, `Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn #423: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Verse 4)
4. Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render: O help us to see
'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
Words: Walter Chalmers Smith, alt., Public Domain. Music: St. Denio, Welsh hymn, from Caniadau y Cyssegr (1839); adapt. John Roberts; harm. The English Hymnal (1906), alt., Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00448, #13268. All rights reserved.
The Sermon
"Humility and Hospitality" by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus uses an occasion for hospitality (a dinner party) to teach us a lesson about humility. When we are invited into someone else’s home or to a party thrown by someone else, Jesus invites us not to make assumptions about how important we are. He invites us to assume as little as possible about ourselves and allow the host to move us up to a more honored seat, rather than take one for ourselves. “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14:11). In this way Jesus is teaching us that humility is a key Christian virtue.
Humility is knowing that I’m not better than anybody I encounter, regardless of how they look, dress, smell, or act. Humility is receiving hospitality without assuming I deserve anything special. Humility is choosing not to flaunt or demand attention. And according to Jesus, humility comes from an inner confidence. It comes from a belief that God loves us just as we are. It comes from a belief that God honors those who love their neighbors as themselves. Humility comes from security in the identity that God has placed on our lives. When someone is baptized, we declare, “you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever. Amen” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 308). When we know and believe that God loves us, that we have nothing to prove to anyone, humility should flow naturally.
And yet, humility is really hard, even and especially for Christians. It’s very easy for us to lose sight of God’s love and acceptance at our core. It’s easy to forget that God gives us our true identity and we don’t need to front in order to be accepted or feel loved. And it’s especially easy to lose this humility when there is power at stake.
In Jesus’ day (and in our own day), most of the people invited to dinner parties and banquets were people of equal or greater status than the host. The parties were about cozying up to people with power and influence and trying to gain something. They were not really about being hospitable. They weren’t given freely. There were strings attached to those invitations. “Hospitality” became another tool to try to climb the social ladder.
I recently met a young person who grew up Episcopalian in another part of the country. When she moved here and tried attending churches (not St. Matthew’s), she was turned off by what felt like false hospitality. She said the people acted nice on the surface but she could tell she was being judged, that she was being evaluated for what she could bring to the church, not loved and appreciated as she was. That person told me she is not interested in visiting any more churches because of how hurt she felt in those interactions. I share that not to put down any of the churches in town, but to make the point that people can read our intentions. Hospitality that doesn’t come from humility feels icky and doesn’t make people feel welcome.
So Jesus invites his followers to a different kind of hospitality. “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14). Share with people who can’t pay you back. Befriend people who won’t impress anybody. Give to the people who society oppresses and ignores. In other words, release the outcome. Don’t turn hospitality into a tit-for-tat exchange. As Jesus says elsewhere, “Lend [or give] without expecting anything in return” (Luke 6:35).
But that kind of hospitality only makes sense if you’ve really absorbed that first lesson about humility. Because the people at the bottom rungs of society, the marginalized, disabled, and poor, are still God’s beloved children. Jesus saw people at the dinner party for who they truly were, as fully and radically equal with one another. Some were busy trying to assert their superiority over others, but Jesus saw through that. In fact, in Jesus’ eyes, “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” have God’s special favor because they are marginalized. In a reversal of most human expectations, God will exalt them because they have been humbled by the world. Humility includes giving hospitality to all without judgment.
Most human societies, including our own, are built on judging people into categories. We are all really well trained in judging and separating people. In an instant, when we see someone, without even thinking about it, we place them in boxes based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, class, religion, and many more. These snap judgments are so deeply ingrained that we can’t fully unlearn them. In some ways, they can even be necessary for survival in this culture.
The problem for us isn’t that we see the differences between groups of people. The problem is that we’ve been taught to see some groups as better than others. And Jesus teaches us over and over again that nobody is better than anybody else. We are all different; those differences are real and they ought to be honored; but they should never be used to rank our worth. The first step toward sin is looking down on somebody else. The biggest lie we tell ourselves is that anyone we meet is less human or less worthy of dignity than anybody else. Humility is seeing the equal worth of all humankind.
So we heed the words of the Letter to the Hebrews: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. … Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for [God] has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:1-3, 5-6). God has placed messengers (angels) in our midst, and angels often come in surprising forms. Some of them may even be imprisoned. God loves all of us and will never abandon us, so there is nothing to fear from being generous, hospitable, and loving toward all. Amen.
Bibliography
Sharp, Carolyn J. “Commentary on Luke 14:1, 7-14.” Working Preacher. Published August 2022. Accessed 25 August 2022. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-22-3/commentary-on-luke-141-7-14-5.
LEV #65: Bless the Lord, O My Soul
[Repeat as desired]
Bless the Lord, O my soul:
and all that is within me,
Bless His holy name!
He has done great things,
he has done great things,
He has done great things,
Bless His holy name!
Words: Psalm 103:1, Public Domain. Music: Andraé Crouch © 1973 Bud JohnSongs, Inc. / ASCAP. All rights reserved.
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 Form VI, BCP, p. 92]
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
[Silence]
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For Joseph, 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 Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Frank, our Bishop; Guillermo our Priest; Ella our Deacon; 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: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Altheria Maynard, Bette Milledge, 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: Charles Tennerson (8/28), Shaina Berksteiner (8/28), Margo Jackson (8/30), Jason Carrington (8/31), Caroline Banks (9/3), and Leonard Law (9/3); those celebrating anniversaries: Dr. Enrique Davis & Deacon Ella Roundtree-Davis (8/28) and Fr. DeWayne & Keshia Cope (9/2); and any other thanksgivings we offer now...
The People may add their own thanksgivings.
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, especially for those we remember now...
The People may add their own petitions.
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
The Celebrant concludes with a suitable Collect...
Confession of Sin
[BCP, p. 360]
The Deacon says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Deacon and People
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.
The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
[BCP, p. 360]
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
Updated COVID-19 Safety Guidelines: On August 24, the Vestry adopted new, simplified COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Masks will still be required for all who attend in-person worship services and events. In summary, the changes include the following:
Removal of 100-person attendance cap
Removal of 6-foot spacing and pew spacing
Remove Restroom Limit of 1 at a time
Allowing Communion to be served at the rail
Allowing Communion to be served in one or both kinds
Clarifying Indoor vs. Outdoor Eating
To read the new guidelines in full, click here: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/new-covid-19-safety-guidelines-august-2022.
Zoom Bible Study Launching 9/7: Starting on Wednesday, September 7, Deacon Davis and Fr. Arboleda will launch a weekly Zoom Bible Study. The group will gather on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM using the same Zoom link as Evening Prayer. The first meeting will be an introduction and overview; the assembled group will help select the first Bible book to focus on.
Lay Ministers' Conference at Honey Creek 9/9-10: “Baptized for Life: A Lay Ministers’ Conference” will take place September 9-10 at Honey Creek Camp and Retreat Center in Waverly, GA! This conference is intended for any lay person in the Diocese who is in any active ministry in their congregation. Examples of such lay ministries include those who assist or lead worship, serve on the Vestry, serve on committees, teach Sunday School or lead youth activities, serve on the Altar Guild, care for the buildings and grounds, lead outreach activities, and more. This conference will be led by Dr. Lisa Kimball, the Vice President for Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary.
This conference will focus on the ministry of the laity, including its joys and challenges especially over the past two years. It will frame our various calls in the context of our Baptismal identity and the vows we make at Baptism, and will give participants an opportunity to think toward the future in their own specific contexts. There will also be time to rest, relax, worship together, and enjoy simply being together at Honey Creek!
The event begins with Evening Prayer at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9, and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10. Please register by clicking here (URL below) or by calling Honey Creek at (912) 265-9218. Registration prices range from $90 - $144 depending on whether you select a double or single occupancy lodge room. If you would like to go, but the registration fee is a problem, please talk with Fr. Guillermo.
September is Church Anniversary Month!: Every year we celebrate the anniversary of the founding of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church on the Sunday nearest to September 21, the Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist. This year, we will expand the celebration to include a series of events throughout September:
Sunday, September 11: Lemonade on the Lawn - Outdoor repast after worship on the lawn on the corner of MLK Jr. Blvd and W Anderson St. Invite friends and neighbors to join us!
Sunday, September 18: Gospel Brunch at Good Times Jazz Bar & Restaurant - After worship, church members are invited to eat brunch and listen to live Gospel music at Good Times Jazz Bar & Restaurant, 107 W Broughton St, Savannah, GA 31401, at 11:00 AM. Individuals and families are encouraged to make reservations by calling 912-236-2226 or visiting https://goodtimesjazzbar.com. Note: Attendees will be responsible for their own meals at this optional indoor event.
Tuesday - Thursday, September 20-22: Evening Prayer with Guest Preachers: On these days, Evening Prayer will be held in-person at St. Matthew's with guest homilists from neighboring churches. These services will still be live-streamed to Facebook for virtual participants.
Sunday, September 25: St. Matthew's Day, 167th Church Anniversary, & Church Picnic: Celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew and our Parish's 167th Anniversary during Sunday worship at 9:30 AM! Church members are encouraged to make an Anniversary donation at or around $167.00. Afterward, we will hold a church picnic on the grounds for people to eat and fellowship with one another.
CORR Black Panther Discussion 9/11: Conversations on Relationships and Race (CORR) will begin meeting again on Sunday, September 11 from 4-5:30PM in the Parish Hall at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. We will be discussing the cultural and societal impact of the film, Black Panther (2018). All are welcome to be part of this group made up of sister churches in Savannah (Isle of Hope UMC, St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, and St. Matthew's) that meets monthly throughout the academic year.
If you are interested in participating in the group, please fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/PW9x7SJaX15RXJgv8.
Please also watch or re-watch Black Panther (2018), directed by Ryan Coogler, before the meeting. The film is available on Disney Plus (subscription required) and is available for streaming rental on many other platforms. You can read some helpful background on the film here: https://auburnseminary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Black-Panther-Study-Guide-FINAL.pdf.
Women's Ministries Retreat 9/16-17: Make plans to attend "Now is an Acceptable Time," the Celebration of Women's Ministries and the Daughters of the King Annual Meeting at Honey Creek! This will be the first diocesan-wide ECW (Episcopal Church Women) meeting since 2019 and will be a great opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. The keynote speaker on Saturday morning will be the Rev. June Johnson from All Saints' on Tybee Island.
There will be lots of time for catching up, lots of time to walk the labyrinth, Bible study, reflection, and sharing sessions. All are welcome to bring knitting, needlepoint, etc for peaceful aids while listening and sharing.
The price of attending includes all meals and lodging from 3:00pm on Friday through 1:00pm on Saturday. Prices vary based on room type and range from $85.00 to $136.00 per person. New officers will be installed during the Eucharist at noon on Saturday.
Register by calling Honey Creek at (912) 265-9218 or register online at http://ecw.georgiaepiscopal.org/?page_id=707. If you would like to go, but the registration fee is a problem, please talk with Fr. Guillermo.
SJC Mobile Mammography Unit in Savannah on 9/8: Mammograms help detect breast cancer at the earliest stages, when it’s most treatable. St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Mobile Mammography van will be at the African-American Health Information & Resource Center on Thursday, September 8, 2022 to provide early breast cancer detection services for women in the area. This van is staffed with certified technologists with experience in performing mammograms.
Appointments are required. Please call 912-819-6140 to schedule an on-the-go mammogram that is convenient and safe.
Fundraiser for Duplechien Family Medical Bills: Aaron Duplechien Jr. has been battling a rare cerebral disease called Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). He and his family are trying to get him the best treatment possible and that has been expensive. Please consider making a direct donation to the Duplechien family to help them with Aaron Jr.'s medical expenses. Either way, click below to read an update about Aaron's health. Above all else, please continue praying for them! https://www.facebook.com/donate/2199694463523280/7764425680297217/
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child Aaron, and hear our yearning that he may be restored to health; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Note: Gifts made at the link above will go directly to the Duplechien family (via Facebook’s fundraising platform), not to St. Matthew’s Church, so they are not tax deductible.
Save the Date - Silver Tea on 11/5: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will once again sponsor the Silver Tea Fundraiser on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Money raised will go toward Episcopal Children and Youth Services (EYCS) college scholarships. The ECW seeks sixteen hostesses, each of whom is responsible to invite three friends and provide cups, saucers, salad and/or dessert for four. Contact Evalena Hoskins, ECW President, to register as a hostess.
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 as you have been on Facebook Live.
For security purposes, below is the Meeting ID only; please check your St. Matthew's e-Newsletter for the password (or email FrGAA@StMattSav.org to request it).
Topic: Zoom Evening Prayer
Time: 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: See e-Newsletter
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 377]
Giving to St. Matthew's: We know that many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The church is feeling it too. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. There are several ways to give, but the simplest are these:
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.
“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High." [Psalm 50:14]
OR
"Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God." [Ephesians 5:2]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
AAHH #404: Hold To God's Unchanging Hand
1. Time is filled with swift transition.
Naught of earth unmoved can stand.
Build your hopes on things eternal.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
REFRAIN:
Hold to His hand, God's unchanging hand.
Hold to His hand, God's unchanging hand.
Build your hopes on things eternal.
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.
2. Trust in Him who will not leave you.
Whatsoever years may bring.
If by earthly friends forsaken,
Still more closely to Him cling. [Refrain]
3. Covet not this world’s vain riches
That so rapidly decay.
Seek to gain the heav’nly treasures.
They will never pass away. [Refrain]
4. When your journey is completed,
If to God you have been true,
Fair and bright the home in Glory
Your enraptured soul will view. [Refrain]
Words: Jennie Wilson, Public Domain. Music: F. L. Eiland, Public Domain; arr. Stephen Key © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #12829. All rights reserved.
AAHH #668: All Things Come Of Thee
All things come of Thee, O Lord, And of Thine own have we given Thee.
Amen.
Words: 1 Chronicles 29:14, Public Domain. Music: Attributed to Ludwig van Beethoven, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #OLOFOB668. All rights reserved.
Eucharistic Prayer B
[BCP, p. 367]
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. …
The Celebrant sings or says a Proper Preface
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
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 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.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Hezekiah Brinson © 1990 Hezekiah Brinson, Jr. All rights reserved.]
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 Blessed Matthew, Blessed Stephen, Blessed Augustine, 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 for 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 © 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 © 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.
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 a-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 a-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 a-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 a-going to wade cross Jordan’s river, some of these days.
Words: Traditional, Public Domain. Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain; arr. Carl Diton © 1930 (Renewed) G. Schirmer, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #202568. All rights reserved.
The Post-Communion Prayer
[Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
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.
We thank you for feeding us with this bread.
May it strengthen us
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. 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 the People
[Adapted from Enriching Our Worship 1, p. 71]
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road 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 into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Altheria Maynard, Bette Milledge, Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: Charles Tennerson (8/28), Shaina Berksteiner (8/28), Margo Jackson (8/30), Jason Carrington (8/31), Caroline Banks (9/3), and Leonard Law (9/3)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Dr. Enrique Davis & Deacon Ella Roundtree-Davis (8/28) and Fr. DeWayne & Keshia Cope (9/2)
RECENT DEATHS: N/A
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
Note: 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), African American Heritage Hymnal (AAHH), Wonder Love and Praise (WLP), and other sources cited. The Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
Image Credits: https://www.thedinnerparty.org