The Holy Eucharist
2nd Sunday of Easter (Year B)
April 7, 2024 at 9:30 AM
Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon
St. Matthew's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/stmattsav
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Hymn #178: Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks
REFRAIN:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Give thanks to the risen Lord,
Alleluia, Alleluia, give praise to His Name.
1 Jesus is Lord of all the earth
He is the King of creation. [Refrain]
2 Spread the good news o'er all the earth.
Jesus has died and has risen. [Refrain]
3 We have been crucified with Christ.
Now we shall live forever. [Refrain]
4 Come let us praise the living God,
Joyfully sing to our Savior. [Refrain]
[Words: Donald Fishel, Copyright © 1973 The Word of God. Music: Alleluia No. 1, Donald Fishel, Copyright © 1973 The Word of God; arr. Betty Pulkingham, Charles Mallory, and George Mims, Copyright © 1979 Celebration. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #71342, #39164. All rights reserved.]
The Opening Acclamation
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The Confession of Sin
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14, 16)
The Deacon or Lay Celebrant says:
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept. All pray together, kneeling, as they are able,
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 Deacon or Lay Celebrant says:
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Hymn S-280: Glory to God
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
[Music: Robert Powell © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28331. All rights reserved.]
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; 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 Acts of the Apostles (4:32-35)
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 133
1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!
2 It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,
3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
4 It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.
5 For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.
A Reading from the First Letter of St. John (1:1-2:2)
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #208: Alleluia! The Strife is O'er
ANTIPHON:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1. The strife is o'er, the battle done,
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!
2. The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed:
let shout of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!
3. The three sad days are quickly sped,
he rises glorious from the dead:
all glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!
4. He closed the yawning gates of hell,
the bars from heaven's high portals fell;
let hymns of praise his triumphs tell!
Alleluia!
ANTIPHON:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
[Words: Latin (1695), tr. Francis Pott, alt., Public Domain. Music: Victory, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina; adapt. and arr. William Henry Monk. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84528. All rights reserved.]
The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to St. John (20:19-31)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn #208: Alleluia! The Strife is O'er
ANTIPHON:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
5. Lord! by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!
ANTIPHON:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
[See above.]
The Sermon
by the Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon
The Nicene Creed
The People stand, as they are able, to recite the Creed.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People (Form VI)
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For Joseph, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; and all other civic officials; For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For all the churches in Savannah, that we may be one as you are one with the Son, and the Holy Spirit; For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Frank, our Bishop; Guillermo, our Priest; Ella, our Deacon; and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially for our Day Care’s staff, students, and families, for those on our Parish Prayer List: Glenda Allen, Lazola Cope, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Donald Jones, Sheila Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Leonard Law Jr., Jessica Mathis, Sada Maxwell, John “Butch” Mitchell, Sandra Mitchell, Russell Nails, Jabbar Newton, Jeannette Outing, Lee Grant Pearson, Lysa Rodriguez, Frieda McDew Shorter, Edward Vaughn, and Jewel Wheeler; and those we remember now… [Silence. The People may add their own petitions.] Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially for all visitors to this parish, for Duane Johnson (4/7) and Renitra Baker (4/9) on their birthdays; for Charles & Joenelle Gordon (4/12) on their anniversaries; and for anything else we remember 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 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 the following or some other suitable collect:
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
T/W/Th Evening Prayer on Zoom Only: As of April 2, St. Matthew’s continues to gather for Evening Prayer services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5:00 PM, but we no longer post these videos to our Facebook page. You can pray with us on Zoom using the same link as before, as found in the e-Newsletter or in the St. Matthew’s Linktree.
Dr. Bertice Berry to be Ordained on Apr. 13: The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia has approved Dr. Bertice Berry for ordination to the diaconate. Bishop Frank Logue will ordain her to the Sacred Order of Deacons at Christ Church Episcopal, Savannah, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
Fr. A’s Farewell Party on Apr. 14: Fr. Guillermo has accepted a call as Program Manager for New Church Starts at the ELCA’s Lutheran Denominational Center. April 14 is his final Sunday with St. Matthew’s, and at 3:00 that afternoon, you and others in the Savannah community are invited to attend a Farewell Party.
JUST Nehemiah Action on Apr. 15: JUST (Justice Unites Savannah Together) will hold its Annual Nehemiah Action on Monday, April 15, 2024 at St. Paul CME Church, 214 W 33rd Street, Savannah, GA 31401. All church members are invited to support JUST's efforts to add Affordable Housing to Savannah and Chatham County and improve Literacy rates in the Savannah-Chatham Public School System. See Della Jones for more information.
Canon Lasch to Discuss Interim Period on Apr. 21: The Rev. Canon Loren Lasch, Canon to the Ordinary of the Diocese of Georgia, will preside and preach at our worship service on Sunday, April 21. After worship, she will lead a discussion about the interim period and search for a new rector.
Mrs. Dandy to Retire on April 28; Caroline Banks to be Interim: Mrs. Beryl C. Dandy, who has served St. Matthew’s as Music Director for nearly ten years in two separate stints, will retire from her position at the end of April. Join us in celebrating and congratulating her on April 28, 2024, her final Sunday with us. Caroline Banks will become our Interim Music Director on May 1.
The Offertory
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 #206: We Walk By Faith and Not By Sight
1 We walk by faith, and not by sight;
No gracious words we hear
From Him who spoke as none e’er spoke;
But we believe Him near.
2 We may not touch His hands and side,
Nor follow where He trod;
But in His promise we rejoice,
And cry, “My Lord and God!”
3 Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
And may our faith abound,
To call on you when you are near,
And seek where you are found.
4 That, when our life of faith is done;
In realms of clearer light,
We may behold you as you are,
With full and endless sight.
[Words: Henry Alford, Public Domain. Music: Eugene W. Hancock, Copyright © 1992 Eugene W. Hancock, Selah Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28649. All rights reserved.]
The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Praise him all creatures here below!
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen.
[Words: Thomas Ken, Public Domain. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. All rights reserved.]
LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer
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.
[Music: Albert Hay Malotte; arr. Fred Bock, Copyright © 1934 (renewed) G. Schirmer, Inc. All Rights Reserved.]
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Hymn #203: O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing
ANTIPHON:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia!
1. O sons and daughters, let us sing!
The King of heaven, the glorious King,
o'er death and hell rose triumphing.
Alleluia, alleluia!
2. That Easter morn, at break of day,
the faithful women went their way
to seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia, alleluia!
3. An angel clad in white they see,
who sat, and spake unto the three,
"Your Lord doth go to Galilee."
Alleluia, alleluia!
4. That night the apostles met in fear;
amidst them came their Lord most dear,
and said, "My peace be on all here."
Alleluia, alleluia!
5. On this most holy day of days,
to God your hearts and voices raise,
in laud and jubilee and praise.
Alleluia, alleluia!
ANTIPHON:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia!
[Words: Attributed to Jean Tisserand (15th cent.); tr. John Mason Neale, Public Domain. Music: O filii et filiae, melody from Airs sur les hymnes sacrez, odes et noëls (1623); harm. Hymnal 1982. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #97931. All rights reserved.]
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Easter Memorials & Thanksgivings
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church thanks the following donors for their gifts this Easter:
Lilies Donated by:
Charlotte “Toni” Blue: In Memory of Harriet “Baby” Walker Thornton, Henry Thornton, Jr., Walker Family Loved Ones, Margaret Caution, Lucy Solomon, Angus & Willie Mae Jones
Harriet Brinson, Marva Johnson, & Gwen Smith: In Memory of Gertrude Johnson Hicks, Warren Loadholt & Lecretia Brinson Eady
General & Lazola Cope: In Memory of Loved Ones
Christine Folsome: In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Willie Kelly, Sandra Williams, Bernard Kelly, Irving Kelly, Staff Sgt. James M. Rucker, Bernard Hogans, Juanita December, Theron Rucker, Fr. and Mrs. Gustave Caution, Gertrude Sanders, Rufus Gillison, & Mary Bonaparte
Charles & Joenelle Gordon & Sons: In Memory of the Gordon Family, Brown Family, & E. Cecile Walker
Fr. Charles and Evalena Hoskins: In Memory of Loved Ones
Idella Jones: In Memory of Loved Ones
Charles McMillan: In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Armstrong McMillan, Sr., and Armstrong McMillan, Jr.
Sandra Mitchell: In Memory of Willie John and Madline Mitchell
Jeanette Outing: In Memory of Richard Outing, Walter & Carrie Butler, and Jacqueline Moultrie
Lee & Margaret Pearson: In Memory of James & Marian Roberts, Maudell Brown, Lucius & Margaret Priester, Oree Rawls, Emma Rawls, Evadne Priester Cobbs, & James M. Roberts, Jr.
Evadne Roberts: In Memory of Loved Ones
Kathy Robinson, Paulette Sanders, & Terry Newton: In Memory of Luther & Sadie Dockery, David W. Dockery, Luther G. Dockery, Carrie & Pauliene Gordon, Virginia Wynn, Thelma Newton, James W. Newton, Jr., & Mildred Seabrooks.
Frieda McDew Shorter: In Memory of Obey Shorter and Dr. & Mrs. Stephen McDew
Jessie Stevenson: In Memory of Deceased Family Members.
Yavonne D. Taylor: In Memory of Martha M. Avery, Ronnie Taylor, and Harry Martin.
Karsten Tyson: In memory of Tiffany Smith Bryant & Carlos Devon Mercer
Contributions for Pulpit Hangings by:
Jeanette Outing, Christine Folsome, Jessie Stevenson
Contributions for Stained Glass Windows Restoration by:
St. Clair Fraser, Christine Folsome
Printing Costs for this Program by:
Idella Jones
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Glenda Allen, Lazola Cope, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Donald Jones, Sheila Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Leonard Law Jr., Jessica Mathis, Sada Maxwell, John “Butch” Mitchell, Sandra Mitchell, Russell Nails, Jabbar Newton, Jeannette Outing, Lee Grant Pearson, Lysa Rodriguez, Frieda McDew Shorter, Edward Vaughn, and Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: Duane Johnson (4/7) and Renitra Baker (4/9)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Charles & Joenelle Gordon (4/12)
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), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Book of Occasional Services 2022 (BOS22), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.