The Holy Eucharist
The 4th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 9C)
July 3, 2022
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday, July 3, at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The Word of God
Hymn #528: Lord, You Give The Great Commission
1 Lord, you give the great commission:
“Heal the sick and preach the word.”
Lest the church neglect its mission,
and the gospel go unheard,
help us witness to your purpose
with renewed integrity:
REFRAIN:
With the Spirit’s gifts empow’r us
for the work of ministry.
2 Lord, you call us to your service:
“In my name, baptize and teach.”
That the world may trust your promise,
life abundant meant for each,
give us all new fervor, draw us
closer in community: [Refrain]
3 Lord, you make the common holy:
“This my body, this my blood.”
Let us all, for earth’s true glory,
daily lift life heavenward,
asking that the world around us
share your children’s liberty: [Refrain]
4 Lord, you show us love’s true measure:
“Father, what they do, forgive.”
Yet we hoard as private treasure
all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us
to a just society: [Refrain]
5 Lord, you bless with words assuring: “I am with you to the end.” Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend and, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity: [Refrain]
Words: Jeffery Rowthorn © 1985 Hope Publishing Company. Music: Rowthorn, Alec Wyton © 1985 Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #33342. 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, 230]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; 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 the Prophet Isaiah (66:10-14)
Thus says the Lord:
"Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her--
that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom.
For thus says the Lord:
I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bodies shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants, and his indignation is against his enemies."
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 66:1-8
[BCP, p. 673]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Be joyful in God, all you lands; *
sing the glory of his Name;
sing the glory of his praise.
2 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! *
because of your great strength your enemies cringe before you.
3 All the earth bows down before you, *
sings to you, sings out your Name."
4 Come now and see the works of God, *
how wonderful he is in his doing toward all people.
5 He turned the sea into dry land,
so that they went through the water on foot, *
and there we rejoiced in him.
6 In his might he rules for ever;
his eyes keep watch over the nations; *
let no rebel rise up against him.
7 Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8 Who holds our souls in life, * and will not allow our feet to slip.
A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians (6:1-16)
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised-- only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule-- peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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 (10:1-11, 16-20)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.'
"Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."
The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
"Lean On Me" by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda
A little more than 50 years ago, legendary soul singer and songwriter Bill Withers sat down in front of his Wurlitzer electric piano and composed what has been called one of the greatest songs of the 20th century: “Lean On Me.” That song was a major hit in his original 1972 record and in various cover versions. And despite its age, it has lots of cultural staying power. It’s still a popular song that appears in television and movies. And it continues to be an inspiration to people of all ages, faiths, and walks of life. It’s still one of the songs that our kids in the Diocese of Georgia regularly sing at Honey Creek summer camps (even if they don’t know who Withers is).
At its core, “Lean On Me” is a song about the power of friendship and community. The chorus famously says, “Lean on me when you’re not strong / And I’ll be your friend / I’ll help you carry on / For it won’t be long / ‘Til I’m gonna need somebody to lean on.” It’s an invitation to support people in times of need. And it’s a request for the rest of the community to do the same for us when hard times hit us. Because “we all need somebody to lean on.”
At this point, you might be wondering why I’m talking about Bill Withers -- especially if you’re old enough to remember 1972, and you know that I’m not! As much as I love listening to brilliant music and diving into its history and meaning, we’re not talking about pop music just because it’s fun. This song has a direct connection (whether intentional or not) to this morning’s reading from Galatians: “Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (6:2). Withers’ third verse puts it this way: “If there is a load you have to bear / That you can't carry / I'm right up the road / I'll share your load / If you just call me.”
It’s a simple message from St. Paul, just like it’s a simple message from Bill Withers. We’re all going to go through hard times. We will all stumble and fall. And when that happens, we don’t just need “God’s help” in the abstract. We need God’s help from each other. We need to be the hands and feet of Christ to one another. I need to be humble enough to know that I’ll need your help one day just as much as you need mine today.
That community mindset can heal divisions and conflicts. Remember, like I’ve shared for a couple weeks in a row now, that the church in Galatia was pretty conflicted. They were not getting along with one another. Their arguments seemed to center around whether or not to follow the Law of Moses (the rules laid out in the first five books of the Old Testament). That’s why Paul keeps coming back to the subject of circumcision. That was the symbol or sign of being a Law-following Jewish man. But Paul is trying to teach them that through Christ, all people are equal before God. Jew and Gentile alike are God’s beloved children. Paul sums it up by saying, “For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything” (Gal 6:15).
But people are stubborn. We don’t easily get convinced to change our lives through talking about it. We can’t think our way into Christianity. But it’s a lot easier to change attitudes by changing behaviors first. So Paul gives them all the reasons they should work together and love one another. But the key to healing the wounds in the church community is the practice of loving one another. If you’re mad at your sibling but they’re there for you when you’re going through it, it’s hard to stay mad. And if you offer help to a friend in need, even though you’re estranged from them, your heart can soften. Acts of generosity and kindness, of bearing one another’s burdens, carrying their loads, can change us for the better.
No matter what you think or what you say, Christ invites you to love your neighbor as yourself. Be the person who others can lean on in their time of need, and don’t be too proud to lean on others when you need them. That’s how we walk in love, as Christ loved us, together. Amen.
Bibliography
Hall, Crystal. “Commentary on Galatians 6:[1-6]7-16.” Working Preacher. Accessed 30 June 2022. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-14-3/commentary-on-galatians-61-6-7-16.
Sharp, Ken. “Q&A: Bill Withers on the immortality of ‘Lean On Me’ and more.” Goldmine: The Music Collector’s Magazine. Published 21 April 2010. Accessed 3 July 2022. https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/qa-bill-withers-on-the-immortality-of-lean-on-me-and-more.
Withers, Bill. “Lean On Me.” Track #5 on Still Bill. Sussex Records. 1972, Vinyl (digital).
Hymn #539: O Zion, Haste
1 O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is Light;
that he who made all nations is not willing
one soul should fail to know his love and might.
REFRAIN:
Publish glad tidings: tidings of peace,
tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.
2 Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation
that God, in whom they live and move, is Love;
tell how he stooped to save his lost creation,
and died on earth that all might live above. (Refrain)
3 Send heralds forth to bear the message glorious;
give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious
till God shall bring his kingdom's joyful day. (Refrain)
4 He comes again! O Zion, ere thou meet him,
make known to every heart his saving grace;
let none whom he hath ransomed fail to greet him,
through thy neglect, unfit to see his face. (Refrain)
Words: Mary Ann Thomson, alt., Public Domain. Music: Tidings, James Walch, Public Domain. 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; 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, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, and Bette Milledge; 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, all those celebrating birthdays: Daniel Harris (7/3), Rachael Blue-Jones (7/4), Cheryl Rhett (7/7), Willie Mae Robinson (7/7), Whitney Kennedy (7/8), and Amanda Greene (7/9); and any other thanksgivings we offer now...
Silence. 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 Aniyah Hayes, Helen Scroggins, and those we remember now...
Silence. 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.
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: [On Independence Day] give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Confession of Sin
[BCP, p. 360]
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Minister 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
A. The Rev. Deacon Ella Roundtree-Davis Assigned to St. Matthew's: The Diocese of Georgia’s newest deacon is the Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, who Bishop Logue has assigned to St. Matthew’s in Savannah. She and her husband, Enrique Davis, recently moved to the area from the Diocese of New York, where she was ordained as a deacon in 2013.
Deacon Davis was born in North Carolina. She moved, with her family, to New York City as a teenager. She attended City College of New York and majored in Physical Education. Deacon Davis also received a Master of Science Degree in Health Education from City College of New York, and a Master of Science in Administration and Supervision from the College of New Rochelle. She taught and coached sports in high schools for many years in Dutchess County and for the New York City Board of Education. She was the first college cheerleaders' coach to make Sports Illustrated Magazine with her team, and she won a national high school championship with her four-person shell in crew. Deacon Davis has also worked as a School Administrator, and a Director of a Substance Abuse Prevention Intervention Program in New York City School Districts. She retired after working thirty-two years in education.
Since her ordination in the Diocese of New York, she served Trinity St. Paul's Church in New Rochelle, Christ Church in Bronxville, and Christ Church, Riverdale from 2015-2022.
Deacon Davis is married to Dr. Enrique Davis, and they have a blended family of four children: two boys and two girls, all adults. Deacon Davis has found joy and deep soul satisfaction in being a Deacon and serving God's people. She is looking forward to getting to know and work with the people of the Diocese of Georgia.
Deacon Davis will officially join St. Matthew's staff beginning Sunday, July 10, 2022. You can contact Deacon Davis by email at Deacon@StMattSav.org.
B. Pray for the General Convention 7/8-11/2022: The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church will meet in Baltimore, MD, on July 8-11, 2022. General Convention sets churchwide policies about things such as worship practices, budgets, church governance and discipline, funding new ministries and missions, and more.
The Diocese of Georgia will send our Bishop, the Right Rev. Frank S. Logue, to represent us in the House of Bishops. Our Diocese will also send several clergy and lay people to represent us in the House of Deputies. Our deputation includes Rev. Kelly Steele (Senior Clergy Deputy), the Rev. Ted Clarkson, the Rev. David Rose, the Rev. Tom Purdy, the Rev. Leeann Culbreath, Ms. Cissy Bowden (Senior Lay Deputy), Mr. Dade Brantley, Ms. Molly Stevenson, Mr. Jody Grant, Ms. Liz Williams, Canon Katie Easterlin, and Ms. Sarah Riggle. Please pray for the Georgia deputation and for the entire Convention!
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel at the General Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~Book of Common Prayer, p. 818~
C. Choir Rehearsals on Thursdays at 6:30 PM: Ms. Dandy and I invite you to join the choir at their new weekly rehearsal time: Thursdays at 6:30 PM. Please help contribute to our music ministry, regardless of your musical skill levels!
D. Coffee Hour Sign Up & New COVID Guidelines: St. Matthew’s Vestry agreed to update its In-Person COVID-19 Safety Guidelines on March 31, 2022. To summarize, when the CDC indicates that Chatham County has a Low or Medium “COVID-19 Community Level,” the Vestry will allow light refreshments to be served at public indoor events, provided that people continue to wear masks whenever they are not eating or drinking. When Chatham County has a High COVID-19 level, food and drink will not be allowed. Chatham County currently has a Medium COVID-19 level. You can read the guidance in all its detail here: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/new-covid-19-safety-guidelines-spring-2022.
The Vestry invites individuals and families to serve light refreshments after worship on Sundays in-person. Please sign up for upcoming dates using the poster near the kitchen in Toomer-Walker Hall.
E. 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
LEV #158: Make Me A Blessing
1 Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
REFRAIN:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
2 Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,
Tell of His power to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
True, every moment you live, [Refrain]
3 Give as ’twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true. [Refrain]
Words: Ira B. Wilson © 1924 Lorenz Publishing Company (admin. by Music Services). Music: George Schuler © 1924 George S. Schuler; renewed 1952 The Rodeheaver Co. (a division of WORD, Inc.). Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #OLOFOB450. All rights reserved.
AAHH #651: Doxology
[See also Hymn # 380, v. 3]
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Words: Thomas Ken, Public Domain. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84260. All rights reserved.
Eucharistic Prayer 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-130:
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 Deutsche Messe, Franz Peter Schubert, Public Domain; arr. Richard Proulx © 1985 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #93653. 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.
Hymn #321: My God, Thy Table Now Is Spread
1 My God, thy table now is spread,
thy cup with love doth overflow;
be all thy children thither led,
and let them thy sweet mercies know.
2 O let thy table honored be,
and furnished well with joyful guests:
and may each soul salvation see,
that here its sacred pledges tastes.
3 Drawn by thy quickening grace, O Lord,
in countless numbers let them come
and gather from their Father's board
the Bread that lives beyond the tomb.
4 Nor let thy spreading Gospel rest
till through the world thy truth has run,
till with this Bread all men be blest
who see the light or feel the sun.
Words: Sts. 1-3, Philip Doddridge, alt., Public Domain; St. 4, Isaac Watts, alt., Public Domain. Music: Rockingham, melody from Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature (ca. 1780); harm. Edward Miller; adapt. Samuel Webbe, Jr., Public Domain. 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, Christine Brown, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, and Bette Milledge
BIRTHDAYS: Daniel Harris (7/3), Rachael Blue-Jones (7/4), Cheryl Rhett (7/7), Willie Mae Robinson (7/7), Whitney Kennedy (7/8), and Amanda Greene (7/9)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A
RECENT DEATHS: Aniyah Hayes (6/16/2022); Helen Scroggins (6/23/2022)
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.