The Holy Eucharist
2nd Sunday After Epiphany (Year C)
The Visitation of the Right Rev. Frank S. Logue, Bishop of Georgia &
The Holy Baptism of Blair Berksteiner
January 16, 2022
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, January 16, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
Holy Baptism & the Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Holy Baptism
LEV #114: Ev'ry Time I Feel The Spirit
[Verses 1-2]
REFRAIN:
Ev’ry time I feel the spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray,
Ev'ry time I feel the spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray.
1 Upon the mountain my Lord spoke,
out of his mouth came fire and smoke.
All around me looked so fine,
asked my Lord if all was mine. [REFRAIN]
2 Jordan river chilly and cold,
chills the body but not the soul.
There ain’t but one train runs this track,
runs to heaven and runs right back. [REFRAIN]
Words: Traditional, Public Domain.
Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #95026. All rights reserved.
The Opening Sentences
[BCP, p. 299]
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
And blessed be God's kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
There is one Body and one Spirit;
There is one hope in God’s call to us;
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
One God and Father of all.
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. 300, 215]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (62:1-5)
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married;
for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 36:5-10
[BCP, p. 632]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
5 Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, * and your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep; * you save both man and beast, O Lord.
7 How priceless is your love, O God! * your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast upon the abundance of your house; * you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the well of life, * and in your light we see light.
10 Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, * and your favor to those who are true of heart.
A Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (12:1-11)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says "Let Jesus be cursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
The People stand for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. John (2:1-11)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
by The Right Rev. Frank S. Logue
LEV #115: Spirit of the Living God
[Repeat as desired]
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Words and Music: Daniel Iverson © 1935, 1963 Birdwing Music (a Division of the Sparrow Corp.) and BMG Songs, Inc.
Reprinted with permission under ONELICENSE #198554. All rights reserved.
The Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
[BCP, p. 301]
Celebrant:
The Candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.
Parents and Godparents:
I present Blair to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
Celebrant to the Parents and Godparents:
Q: Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
A: I will, with God’s help.
Q: Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?
A: I will, with God’s help.
Q: Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
A: I renounce them.
Q: Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
A: I renounce them.
Q: Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
A: I renounce them.
Q: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
A: I do.
Q: Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
A: I do.
Q: Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
A: I do.
The Celebrant addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support this person in his life in Christ?
We will.
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and let us renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant
[BCP, p. 304]
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God's help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God's help.
The Prayers for the Candidate
[BCP, p. 305]
Celebrant:
Let us now pray for this person who is to receive the Sacrament of new birth.
The Appointed Cantor of the Prayers:
Deliver Blair, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Open her heart to your grace and truth.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Fill her with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Keep her in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Teach her to love others in the power of the Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Send him into the world in witness to your love.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Bring her to the fullness of your peace and glory.
Lord, hear our prayer.
The Priest sings:
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.
AAHH #675: Take Me To The Water
[Verse 1, 4, 6; see also LEV #134]
1 Take me to the water,
take me to the water,
take me to the water
to be baptized.
4 In the name of Jesus,
In the name of Jesus,
In the name of Jesus
we shall be saved.
6 Glory, hallelujah,
Glory, hallelujah,
Glory, hallelujah,
to be baptized.
Words: Traditional
Music: Negro Spiritual; arr. Valeria A. Foster © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc.
Reprinted with permission under ONELICENSE #95146. All rights reserved.
Thanksgiving Over the Water
[BCP, p. 306]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.
We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
At the following words, the Celebrant touches the water.
Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
The Baptism & Anointing
[BCP, p. 307]
Blair, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Blair, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever. Amen.
Receive the light of Christ as a sign that you have passed from darkness into light. Shine as his light in the world to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant the forgiveness of sin and have raised her to the new life of grace. Sustain her, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give her an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
The Celebrant will now sprinkle the people with Holy Water as a reminder of their shared baptism.
Let us welcome the newly baptized.
We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.
The Peace
[BCP, p. 360]
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
A. Congratulations to Blair Berksteiner: Today we celebrated the Holy Baptism of Blair Arden Berksteiner alongside her parents -- Paul and Shaina Berksteiner -- her brother -- Paul Berksteiner, Jr. -- and her godparents -- uncle Brandon Berksteiner and Charis Melba Brown!
B. Epiphany Chalk Blessings: Following an ancient tradition, we are providing a way to bless all of the homes in our parish in the new year and the Epiphany Season. We will provide blessed chalk for you to bring home and mark the front door to your home. Traditionally, the chalking is done above the lintel and takes this form: 20+C+M+B+22 - 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 20-22 is the year.
Blessed chalk will be available at church until the end of Epiphany Season on Shrove Tuesday (March 1, 2022). If you would like us to mail or drop off chalk to your home, please contact Fr. Arboleda or another member of the church.
C. MLK Day Parade & Eucharist on 1/17/22 POSTPONED: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Day Association, Inc., has postponed the Savannah Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade indefinitely due to rising COVID-19 cases. When and if the public health indicators improve and the parade is rescheduled, St. Matthew's and the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia intend to participate. We will keep you updated as this situation develops.
Tune into Morning Prayer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day tomorrow at 9:30 AM on www.facebook.com/StMattSav.
D. Annual Meeting on 1/23/22: The 2022 Annual Parish Meeting with Presentation of 2021 Reports will take place on Sunday, January 23, 2022. We will begin the meeting at 10:45 AM in the nave, shortly after worship ends. We will hold the meeting both in person and over Zoom, so that even if you cannot attend in person, you can participate. We will provide the Zoom details via the e-Newsletter.
If you or your organization have a report to provide for the Annual Parish Report, please send it to Office@StMattSav.org by Tuesday, January 18.
If you would like to stand for election to the Vestry, or nominate another church member to do so, please contact Fr. Arboleda at FrGAA@StMattSav.org by Tuesday, January 18.
E. CORR on 1/23 at St. Thomas’ Church: Conversations on Relationships and Race (CORR) is a joint Christian Education course with St. Matthew’s, St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, and Asbury United Methodist Church. In January, we will begin to read a new book called How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. This is a great opportunity to join the group if you are interested but could not make the meetings in the fall.
Our next CORR meeting will be on Sunday, January 23, 2022, from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church (2 St Thomas Ave, Savannah, GA 31406). Please read the Introduction and Chapters 1-2 of Kendi’s book before the meeting. You may purchase it from any major bookstore (such as Amazon).
F. 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
G. Revised COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for In-Person Worship: On June 21, the Vestry authorized revised COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for in-person worship at St. Matthew's. At the October Vestry meeting, they reaffirmed the use of these guidelines and the maintenance of this temporary Sunday worship schedule.
All people in attendance are still required to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth at all times and maintain social distancing in their assigned seating areas. Click here to read the Vestry's June 2021 COVID-19 Safety Guidelines in their entirety.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, where he lived for 6 years, Frank Logue grew up in Marietta, Georgia. A 1984 graduate of Georgia Southern University, he worked as a photographer for two small daily newspapers in Georgia— the Warner Robins Daily Sun and the Rome News-Tribune. Frank married Victoria Steele in 1985. The Logues hiked the entire 2,150-mile Appalachian Trail in a single six-month long hike in 1988. Three years later, after he worked as an Art Director for a non-profit, Frank and Victoria went full-time as freelance writer-photographers, writing books, and magazine articles. Their daughter, Mary Griffin Logue, born in 1991 added great joy and wonder to their lives.
In 1995, Frank responded to a long-felt call to ordained ministry. He entered Virginia Theological Seminary in the fall of 1997. While there, he worked as a seminarian at two area churches, including assisting with the creation of a new Episcopal church—Church of the Spirit in Alexandria, Virginia. He also took part in summer internships with the Anglican Church in Tanzania and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, a large mental hospital in Washington, D.C. In 2000, Victoria, Griffin, and Frank moved to Camden County, GA, spending 10 years starting King of Peace Episcopal Church and its preschool. From 2010 until becoming Bishop of Georgia in 2020, he assisted Bishop Scott Benhase in overseeing the clergy and congregations of the Diocese of Georgia as Canon to the Ordinary.
The Logues have been actively involved in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. Victoria served two 3-year terms on Diocesan Council and as a Deputy to the 2012 General Convention. Victoria and Frank have led spirituality retreats in the Diocese of Georgia since 2007. Griffin served on the Diocesan Youth Commission and was involved in many diocesan youth programs and campus ministry at Armstrong State University. Griffin now lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she is in a four-year program toward a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Midwestern University. Victoria continues to work as a writer and author. Frank and Victoria co-authored a Lent devotional, A Spring in the Desert, for Lent 2020.
Logue was ordained and consecrated as Bishop of Georgia at Christ Church, Savannah, on May 30, 2020.
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.
Giving to the Bishop’s Fund: Cash gifts offered today will be directed toward the Bishop’s Fund, which supports people in need throughout the Diocese of Georgia. If you would like to designate a gift to the Bishop’s Fund, please include “Bishop’s Fund” in the memo line of your check or on the memo line of your online gift.
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.
From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering: for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. [Malachi 1:11]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
LEV #5: Great Day
[Verses 1-4]
REFRAIN:
Great day! Great day, the righteous marching.
Great day. God’s going to build up Zion’s walls.
1 Chariot rode on the mountaintop,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
My God spoke and the chariot did stop,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [REFRAIN]
2 This is the day of jubilee,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
The Lord has set His people free,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [REFRAIN]
3 We want no cowards in our band,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
We call for valiant hearted men,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [REFRAIN]
4 Going to take my breast plate, sword, and shield,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls!
And march out boldly in the field,
God’s going to build up Zion’s walls! [REFRAIN]
Words: Traditional, Public Domain.
Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain; harm. J. Jefferson Cleveland © 1981 Abingdon.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #72591. All rights reserved.
AAHH #651: Doxology
[See also Hymn #380, v. 3]
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 B
[BCP, p. 367]
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. …
Preface of the Epiphany [BCP, p. 378]:
Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your son Jesus Christ our Lord.
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 #254:
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.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Carl Maultsby, The Saint Mary Mass, © 1989 Malted Milk Music. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00004C1989. 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;
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory!
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Hezekiah Brinson, Jr. © 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 our Patron, Blessed Mary the Mother of Jesus, 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 Anthem
[BCP, p. 364, 407]
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
This Far By Faith (1999) #36:
O Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy and grant us peace,
we pray, O Lamb of God.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Grayson Warren Brown, arr. Larry Adams © 1979 Grayson Warren Brown, admin. by OCP Publications. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #81590. All rights reserved.]
This 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
[Verses 1-4]
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
[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.
Hymn #533: How Wondrous and Great
[Verses 1-2]
1 How wondrous and great thy works, God of praise!
How just, King of saints, and true are thy ways!
O who shall not fear thee, and honor thy Name?
Thou only art holy, thou only supreme.
2 To nations of earth thy light shall be shown; their worship and vows shall come to thy throne: thy truth and thy judgments shall spread all abroad, till earth's every people confess thee their God.
Words: Henry Stick Onderdonk, alt., para. The Song of the Redeemed, Public Domain.
Music: Lyons, att. Johann Michel Haydn, Public Domain.
All rights reserved.
Note: The altar party will process out of the church during the above hymn and lead the congregation outside for the blessing of the new marquee sign. Due to technological limitations, the worship live stream video will conclude at this point. Look for photos of the sign blessing and more on Instagram and Facebook.
The Blessing of the New Church Sign
[Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services 2018, p. 208]
Let us pray.
O God, whose blessed Son has sanctified and transfigured the use of material things: Receive this sign which we offer, and grant that it may proclaim your love, benefit your Church, and minister grace and joy to those who see and use it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
Prayer List: Martha Avery, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Annie Bell Greer, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Craig Maxwell, and Helen Scroggins
Birthdays: Aaron Duplechien Sr. (1/16), Virginia Farley (1/16), Kathleen Carrington (1/20), and Jackie Newton (1/21)
Wedding Anniversaries: Daniel & Marva Harris (1/20)
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), 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 Credit: This image of the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus) was painted by the Right Rev. Frank S. Logue in December 2021 (spray paint on plywood). It is on loan to St. Matthew’s for the Christmas and Epiphany Seasons of 2021-2022.