Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
- Apr 23, 2023
- 21 min read

Sunday Worship on April 23, 2023

The Holy Eucharist

The 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year A)

April 23, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Celebrant: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

Deacon and Preacher: The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis

Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/

The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Hymn #492 – Sing, Ye Faithful, Sing With Gladness

1 Sing, ye faithful, sing with gladness, wake your noblest, sweetest strain, with the praises of your Savior let his house resound again; him let all your music honor, and your songs exalt his reign. 2 Sing how he come forth from heaven, bowed himself to Bethlehem's cave, stooped to wear the servant's vesture, bore the pain, the cross, the grave, passed within the gates of darkness, thence his banished ones to save. 3 So, he tasted death for mortals, he, of humankind the head, sinless one, among the sinful, Prince of life, among the dead; thus he wrought the full redemption, and the captor captive led. 4 Now on high, yet ever with us, from his Father's throne the Son rules and guides the world he ransomed, till the appointed work be done, till he see, renewed and perfect, all things gathered into one.

[Words: Copyright © Lorenz Publishing Company. Music: Copyright © Lorenz Publishing Company. By permission of Oxford University Press. Reprinted with permission under One License #992927. All rights reserved.]

The Opening Sentences

[BCP, p. 355]

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The 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 S280: 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.

The Collect of the Day

[BCP, p. 357, 224-225]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14a,36-41

Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “Let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17

[BCP, p. 759-760]

Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, * because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.

2 The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; * I came to grief and sorrow.

3 Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: * "O Lord, I pray you, save my life."

10 How shall I repay the Lord * for all the good things he has done for me?

11 I will lift up the cup of salvation * and call upon the Name of the Lord.

12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord * in the presence of all his people.

13 Precious in the sight of the Lord * is the death of his servants.

14 O Lord, I am your servant; * I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.

15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving * and call upon the Name of the Lord.

16 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord * in the presence of all his people,

17 In the courts of the Lord'S house, * in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

A Reading from the First Letter of St. Peter 1:17-23

If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn #180 – He Is Risen, He Is Risen (Verses 1-3)

1. He is risen, he is risen!

Tell it out with joyful voice:

he has burst his three days' prison;

let the whole wide earth rejoice:

death is conquered, we are free,

Christ has won the victory.

2. Come, ye sad and fearful-hearted,

with glad smile and radiant brow!

Death's long shadows have departed;

Jesus' woes are over now,

and the passion that he bore–

sin and pain can vex no more.

3. Come, with high and holy hymning,

hail our Lord's triumphant day;

not one darksome cloud is dimming

yonder glorious morning ray,

breaking o'er the purple east,

symbol of our Easter feast.

The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke 24:13-35

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Hymn #180 – He Is Risen, He Is Risen (Verse 4)

4. He is risen, he is risen! He hath opened heaven's gate: we are free from sin's dark prison, risen to a holier state; and a brighter Easter beam on our longing eyes shall stream.

The Sermon

by the Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon

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.

Hymn S106: The Prayers of the People, Form I

[See also BCP, p. 383]

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying "Lord, have mercy."

For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the Holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For our Frank our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Joseph our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the City of Savannah, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel on land, on water, in the air, or through outer space, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Delois Groover, Marva Harris, Tracy Outing Hundley, David Jones, Della Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Pat Lanchester, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, Clemontine Washington, Jewel Wheeler, Alfreda Wright, and Alton Wright; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Jawana Baker-Pennamon (4/25) on her birthday; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Defend us, deliver us, and in your compassion protect us, O Lord, by your grace. Lord, have mercy.

In the communion of Blessed Matthew and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God. To you, O Lord our God.

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Peace

[BCP, p. 360]

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Parish Announcements

Sign up for our e-Newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/StMattSavNews

Confirmation & Episcopal Refresher Class: This spring, Fr. Arboleda is teaching a course to prepare people for Confirmation, Reception, or Renewal of Baptismal Vows, which will take place on Sunday, May 28, 2023, the Day of Pentecost, when Bishop Frank Logue will conduct his annual visitation to St. Matthew's. These classes are also open to anyone in the church who wants a "refresher" on fundamental Episcopal beliefs and practices. Each session will take place after Sunday worship from about 11:15-12:15.

April 23: Using The Book of Common Prayer
May 7: Faith Outside the Church
May 21: Faith Inside The Episcopal Church

JUST's Nehemiah Action on Monday, 4/24 at First African Baptist Church (23 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401) from 6:15-9:00 PM. We will provide transportation from St. Matthew's to FAB to avoid downtown parking. JUST's 2023 problem areas of focus are Affordable Housing and Public Education. We will ask the city for permanent tax revenue for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and ask the public school board to commit to a proven reading curriculum.

Spirituals Hymn Festival on 4/23: First Baptist Church, in conjunction with St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Butler Presbyterian Church, and the Savannah Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, will present a Hymn Festival of Spirituals on Sunday, April 23rd at 5:00 pm at First Baptist Church (223 Bull Street - Savannah, GA 31401). The event will feature congregational singing as well as soloists and representatives from the participating churches. The guest speaker will be Dr. Eileen Guenther, Professor of Church Music at Wesley Theological Seminary and former national president of the American Guild of Organists. The hymn festival will reflect her newly published book, "In Their Own Words - Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals." This event is free and open to the public.

“Planet Earth” Supper Club on 4/23: St. Matthew's newest renter is A.M. Diverse Cooking L.L.C. Their "Diverse Supper Club" provides excellent service, delicious made-from-scratch vegan/plant-based food, and an ambiance that'll have every guest leave with a smile. The next supper, called "Planet Earth," will be held on Sunday, April 23, at 6:00 PM at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church's Toomer-Walker Hall. Tickets cost $55 per person or $80 per couple and must be purchased in advance at: https://amdiversecooking.com/events#06b5ca05-ab37-4709-ad8e-d2716ff120bc

Wednesday Bible Studies IN PERSON: Starting on April 26, we will re-launch weekly Bible studies on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 PM in-person in Toomer-Walker Hall. These will have a similar format to the Wellness Wednesday studies in Lent, but without a meal each week. We will strive to have a meal about once per month. These will continue through the end of May and break for most of the summer.

Strategic Planning Congregational Meeting #3 on 4/29: St. Matthew's Strategic Planning Team thanks those who attended our first two Strategic Planning Congregational Meetings and invites YOU to attend the third, called "St. Matthew's Future: What Is God's Invitation?" This meeting will take place on Saturday, April 29 in Toomer-Walker Hall from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, with a barbecue to follow. It will feature engaging presentations and activities led by our Strategic Planning Team and Fr. Bill Cruse from the Kaleidoscope Institute.

Vestry Meeting on 4/27: St. Matthew’s Vestry will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 27, from 5:30-7:00 in person in one of the meeting rooms attached to Toomer-Walker Hall. Reminder: All Vestry meetings are open to all members of St. Matthew’s Church; all members are entitled to seat and voice (not vote); any member can also request to see previous meeting minutes.

TEDxSavannah 2023 on 5/25: Fr. Guillermo has been selected as a speaker at this year's TEDxSavannah event on Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 12:30-5:30 PM at the Fine Arts Auditorium at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus. Fr. Guillermo cannot share publicly about the topic of his talk before the event, but this year's theme is "Connection." Tickets are available now at https://tedxsavannah.com for $50, but St. Matthew's can purchase them for a discounted rate of $40. Please sign up on the bulletin board in Toomer-Walker Hall or email the office if you would like to attend and we can order them in bulk.

Fr. Guillermo to take Sabbatical from May 29 - August 26: After seven years of ministry with St. Matthew’s, Fr. Guillermo will take a 12-week sabbatical this summer after the Day of Pentecost. Sabbaticals are increasingly common in the Episcopal Church and are now part of standard letters of agreement in the Diocese of Georgia. The vestry, deacon, and church staff have all begun planning for an active summer at St. Matthew’s in the absence of the rector. Sunday worship will continue with a few guest priests and some deacon-led services in June, July, and August. Please feel free to talk to Fr. Guillermo, Deacon Davis, or any Vestry member with questions. Fr. Guillermo plans to come back in late August refreshed and ready for several more years of ministry with St. Matthew’s!

T/W/Th Evening Prayer: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer over Zoom and Facebook. If you want to be in the Zoom call, please join by 4:55 PM using the link in the e-Newsletter. The video will continue to stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM.

The Offertory

[BCP, p. 376]

Giving to St. Matthew's:

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.

“On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [Psalm 118:24]

Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now

LEV #34 – He Will Remember Me

1 When on the cross of Calv’ry The Lord was crucified; The mob stood ’round about Him And mocked until He died. Two thieves were nailed beside Him To share the agony, But one of them cried out to Him, "O Lord, remember me.” Refrain: Will the Lord remember me, When I am called to go? When I have crossed death’s chilly sea, Will He His love there show? O yes, He heard my feeble cries, From bondage set me free. And when I reach the pearly gates He will remember me. 2 O what a shame to kill Him There on that rugged cross; But such a death was needed To rescue all the lost. His blood was made a ransom To set the captives free, I know that I’m included, and He will remember me. [Refrain] 3 At His dear feet I’m kneeling. My sins I now confess; I bow in deep repentance, My soul He’ll surely bless. My blinded eyes He opens So that the light I see, And when I reach the pearly gates, He will remember me. [Refrain]

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Circling through earth so all may grow

Vanquishing fear so all may give

Widening grace so all may live

Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer A

[BCP, p. 361]

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.

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:

LEV #255:

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

Heaven and earth are filled with your glory

Hosanna in the highest.

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

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

[Music: Grayson Warren Brown, A Mass for Soulful People, Copyright © 1979 North American Liturgy Resources, Published by OCP. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #83420. All rights reserved.]

The people stand or kneel.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

LEV #258:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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.

LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer

[BCP, p. 364]

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing,

Our Father, which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Fraction Anthems

[BCP, p. 364]

Hymn S154:

This Far By Faith #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.

Thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Gifts of God for the people of God.

The Distribution of Holy Communion

The ushers will direct people to leave their pews to receive Communion at the altar rails. You may receive Communion kneeling or standing. Please extend your hands forward to receive the Body of Christ (bread). If you would like to receive the Blood of Christ (wine), the minister will take the bread from your hand and dip (intinct) it in the wine for you, then place it in your mouth. If you would only like to receive the bread, you may consume it and return to your seat. If you need gluten-free bread for Communion, please ask the Priest when you are at the altar rail.

All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion in this church, regardless of age or denominational background. If you would not like to receive Communion for any reason, please cross your arms over your chest, and the Priest will say a blessing over you.

If you are worshipping online, you may pray to receive spiritual communion using the following prayer:

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

LEV #146 – Break Thou The Bread Of Life

1 Break thou the bread of life, Dear Lord, to me, As thou didst break the loaves Beside the sea; Beyond the sacred page I seek thee, Lord; My spirit pants for thee, O living word! 2 Bless thou the truth, dear Lord, To me, to me, As thou didst bless the bread By Galilee; Then shall all bondage cease, All fetters fall, And I shall find my peace, My all in all. 3 Teach me to live, dear Lord, Only for thee, As thy disciples lived in Galilee; Then, all my struggles o’er, Then, vict’ry won, I shall behold thee, Lord, The living one.

Hymn # 305 – Come, Risen Lord, And Deign To Be Our Guest

1 Come, Risen Lord, And Deign To Be Our Guest;

Nay, Let Us Be Thy Guests; The Feast Is Thine;

Thyself At Thine Own Board Make Manifest

In Thine Own Sacrament Of Bread And Wine.

2 We Meet, As In That Upper Room They Met;

Thou At The Table, Blessing, Yet Dost Stand:

“This Is My Body”; So Thou Givest Yet:

Faith Still Receives The Cup As From Thy Hand.

3 One Body We, One Body Who Partake,

One Church United In Communion Blest;

One Name We Bear, One Bread Of Life We Break,

With All The Saints On Earth, And Saints At Rest.

4 One With Each Other, Lord, For One In Thee,

Who Art One Saviour And One Living Head;

Then Open Thou Our Eyes, That We May See;

Be Known To Us In Breaking Of The Bread.

[Words: George Wallace Briggs, alt., by permission of Oxford University Press. Music: Rosedale, Leo Sowerby. Copyright 1969 by H.W. Gray. Reprinted with permission under One License #123538. All rights reserved.]

The Post-Communion Prayer

[BCP, p. 365; Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]

Let us pray.

For In-Person Worshippers:

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. 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 2022, pp. 15]

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do God's will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in God's sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Hymn #432 – O Praise Ye The Lord! Praise Him In The Height

1 O praise ye the Lord! Praise him in the height; rejoice in his word, ye angels of light; ye heavens, adore him by whom ye were made, and worship before him, in brightness arrayed. 2 O praise ye the Lord! Praise him upon earth, in tuneful accord, all ye of new birth; praise him who hath brought you his grace from above, praise him who hath taught you to sing of his love. 3 O praise ye the Lord! All things that give sound; each jubilant chord reecho around; loud organs, his glory forth tell in deep tone, and sweet harp, the story of what he hath done. 4 O praise ye the Lord! Thanksgiving and song to him be outpoured all ages along! For love in creation, for heaven restored, for grace of salvation, O praise ye the Lord!

The Dismissal

[BCP, p. 366]

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Parish Prayer List

PRAYER LIST: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Delois Groover, Marva Harris, Tracy Outing Hundley, David Jones, Della Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Pat Lanchester, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, Clemontine Washington, Jewel Wheeler, Alfreda Wright, and Alton Wright

BIRTHDAYS: Jawana Baker-Pennamon (4/25)

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A

RECENT DEATHS: N/A

May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

Permissions and Credits: 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), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.

Image Credits: http://wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/teachingnonviolentatonement/files/2016/01/jesus-baptism.jpg