The Holy Eucharist
11th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 14A)
August 13, 2023 at 9:30 AM
Guest Celebrant & Preacher: The Very Rev. William Willoughby, III
Deacon: The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Hymn #636 – How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord
1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled? 2 "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed! For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 3 "When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 4 "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply; the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine. 5 "The soul that to Jesus hath fled for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake, I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."
[Words: k. in John Rippo’s Selection, alt. Words: Foundatio, melody from The Sacred Harp. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #6062. 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.
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.
[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, 231]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; 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 Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.
Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron.
He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him.
They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him” —that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 105, 1-6, 16-22, 45b
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; * make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, * and speak of all his marvelous works.
3 Glory in his holy Name; * let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Search for the Lord and his strength; * continually seek his face.
5 Remember the marvels he has done, * his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,
6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, * O children of Jacob his chosen.
16 Then he called for a famine in the land * and destroyed the supply of bread.
17 He sent a man before them, * Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They bruised his feet in fetters; * his neck they put in an iron collar.
19 Until his prediction came to pass, * the word of the Lord tested him.
20 The king sent and released him; * the ruler of the peoples set him free.
21 He set him as a master over his household, as a ruler over all his possessions,
22 To instruct his princes according to his will and to teach his elders wisdom.
45 Hallelujah!
A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 10:5-15
Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say?
“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #388 – O Worship the King, All Glorious Above
1 O worship the King, all glorious above! O gratefully sing his power and his love! Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise. 2 O tell of his might! O sing of his grace! Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space, His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is his path on the wings of the storm. 3 The earth, with its store of wonders untold, Almighty, thy power hath founded of old, hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree, and round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea. 4 Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air; it shines in the light; it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain. 4 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail; thy mercies how tender! how firm to the end! Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
[Words: Robert Grant. Music: Hanover, att. William Croft. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #5762. 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 Matthew 14:22-33
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn #390 – Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,
The King of creation; O my soul, praise Him,
For He is thy health and salvation;
Join the great throng, psaltery, organ, and song,
Sounding in glad adoration.
2 Praise to the Lord;
Over all things he gloriously reigneth
Borne as on eagle wings, safely his saints he sustaineth.
Hast thou not seen how all thou neediest hath been
Granted in what he ordaineth.
3 Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper
Thy way and defend thee;
Surely his goodness and mercy shall ever attend thee;
Ponder a new what the Almighty can do,
Who with His love doth befriend thee.
4 Praise to the Lord!
O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him.
[Words: Joachim Neander; tr. Hymnal 1940, alt. Music: Lobe den Herres, melody from Emeuerten Gasangbuch; harm. The Choral Book for England; desc. Craig Selller Lang. Copyright 1953, Novelo and Company Ltd. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #50039. All rights reserved.]
The Sermon
by the Rev. William Willoughby, III
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, Form VI
[Adapted from BCP, p. 392]
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 Michael our Presiding Bishop, Frank our Bishop, Guillermo our Priest, Ella our Deacon, William our Guest Celebrant; 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: Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Marva Harris, David Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, 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, all those celebrating birthdays especially Claudine Lee (8/17) and Quentin Scott (8/19); for those celebrating anniversaries, and those thanksgivings we offer now… [Silence. The People may add their own petitions.]
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.
Confession of Sin
The Deacon 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 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
Locking of Toomer Walker Hall at 9:45 am, Sundays
Due to safety concerns expressed to the Vestry by numerous congregation members, the Vestry unanimously voted that beginning Sunday, August 6, 2023, the parking lot door into Toomer Walker Hall will be locked at 9:45 am. Worshippers coming after that time are asked to use the front entrance to the Church.
We ask for everyone's support and cooperation for the safety of us all.
Iconography Workshop to be Offered at St. Augustine of Canterbury: St. Augustine of Canterbury in Augusta is offering an iconography workshop August 17-19 with renowned iconographer Peter Pearson.
Reception for Fr. Arboleda's return on Aug.28: The ECW is organizing a St. Matthew's celebration to welcome Fr. Arboleda back from his sabbatical. We ask the congregation to contribute to his reception by bringing finger food: hot or cold dips, fruit trays, veggie trays, chips, crackers, cookies, etc. These can be homemade or store-bought. Please contact ECW President Evalena Hoskins by Aug. 26th to inform her what you will bring.
Registration open for Cursillo #127: Registration for both team and participants for Cursillo #127 is now open! Cursillo (pronounced ‘kur-see-yo’) is a Spanish word meaning ‘little’ or ‘short course’. This is the name given to the Short Course in Christianity which first developed after World War II with Roman Catholic men. The short course has now been given to men and women around the world and, in the process has assisted generations of Christians to more faithfully follow Jesus in their daily lives. There is no real secret here, just the basics of the faith with an emphasis on how would you like to live it out in your life.
Cursillo begins on a Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday evening. During those three days the participants engage in listening to talks given by priests and lay people, and small table discussions, while worshiping and playing together.
The next Cursillo weekend will be held at Honey Creek September 7-10, 2023.
St. Matthew's Anniversary Dinner Cruise: Celebrate St. Matthew's anniversary aboard the Savannah Riverboat Cruise on Friday, September 22, 2023. This evening dinner cruise will be set to sail at 6:00 pm from River Street in Downtown Savannah. Attire is casual. Contact Paulette Sanders or Evadne Roberts to purchase tickets. The cost per ticket is $120, and you have the option to begin paying for your ticket(s) now.
Be sure to invite family and friends to enjoy this glorious evening!
Note from the Anniversary Committee: The deadline to purchase tickets for the dinner cruise is August 20th.
St. Anna Alexander Pilgrimage September 22-24: Racial Justice Georgia, the diocesan racial justice and healing ministry, invites you to attend this year’s St. Anna Alexander pilgrimage on the weekend of September 22-24. The lone Black deaconess in the Episcopal Church, the only person from the diocese recognized as a saint, St. Anna selflessly pursued a ministry of teaching, preaching, and community work for decades in the early 20th century, despite the confinements of Jim Crow. Centered in the Brunswick area, the pilgrimage immerses you in her world and concludes with a special service at Good Shepherd, Pennick, the church she established and faithfully served. This year we’re excited to have St. Timothy’s choristers from the Diocese of Atlanta performing music they have created for the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage begins Friday evening and concludes Sunday afternoon.
To register or for more information, please contact RacialJusticeGA@gaepiscopal.org
T/W/Th Evening Prayer on Zoom Only: During Fr. Guillermo's sabbatical, weekday Evening Prayer services will be available on Zoom only (no Facebook live-stream) and entirely lay-led. You can access the Zoom call using the same link we normally use in the e-Newsletter.
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.
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself to us, an offering and sacrifice to God. [Ephesians 5:2]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
LEV #20 – When We All Get To Heaven
1 Sing the wondrous love of Jesus, Sing His mercy and His grace; In the mansion bright and blessed, He’ll prepare for us a place. Refrain: When we all get to heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We’ll sing and shout the victory. 2 While we walk the pilgrim pathway, Clouds will overspread the sky; But when trav’ling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh. [Refrain] 3 Let us then be true and faithful, Trusting, serving ev’ry day; Just one glimpse of Him in glory Will the toils of life repay; [Refrain] 4 Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold; Soon the pearly gates will open; We shall tread the streets of gold. [Refrain]
[Public Domain. Words: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt. Music: Emily Devine Wilson. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #97977. All rights reserved.]
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.
[Words: Eric H. F. Law, Copyright © 2015 Eric H. F. Law. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission from Kaleidoscope Institute. 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 God 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. ...
The Celebrant prays 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:
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.
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,
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
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 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 Breaking of the Bread
Silence may be kept.
The Fraction Anthems
[BCP, p. 364]
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!
Therefore let us keep the feast! Alleluia!
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.
[Words: Traditional. Music: Grayson Warren Brown; arr. Larry Adams, Copyright © 1979 Grayson Warren Brown. All rights reserved.]
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.
[Words: Mary A. Lathbury. Music: William F. Sherwin. Copyright 1989 Lorenz Publishing Company. Reprinted with permission under One License #996182. All rights reserved.]
LEV #153 – Lord, I Have Seen Thy Salvation
1 Lord I have seen thy salvation,
Lord I have seen thy salvation,
Drank of the blood, Held the body,
Lord I have seen, seen with my eyes
Seen with my heart.
Refrain
Fell on my knees down at the altar,
Bowed down my head, whispered a prayer.
Have mercy Lord,
I’m not worthy, I believe,
Yes, I believe, now I am sure
2 Lord I have heard of they kingdom,
Lord I have heard of thy promise,
Looked on thy birth, cried at Calvary,
Lord I have heard, Lord I have heard,
Lord I have heard. {Refrain]
[Words: John D. Cooper. Music: John D. Cooper. Copyright 1980 Dangerfield Music Co. All rights Reserved.]
The Post-Communion Prayer
[BCP, p. 366; Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. 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
Hymn #709 -O God of Bethel, By Whose Hand
1 O God of Bethel, by whose hand thy people still are fed; who through this earthly pilgrimage hast all our fathers led: 2 Our vows, our prayers, we now present before thy throne of grace: O God of Israel, be the God of this succeeding race. 3 Through each perplexing path of life our wandering footsteps guide; give us each day our daily bread, and raiment fit provide. 4 O spread thy covering wings around, till all our wanderings cease, and at our Father's loved abode our souls arrive in peace! 5 Such blessings from thy gracious hand our humble prayers implore; and thou shalt be our covenant God and portion evermore.
[Words: Philip Doddridge, alt. Music: Dundee, melody from the C.I. Psalmes of David. Fauxbourdon The Psalmes of David in Prose and Meeter. All rights reserved.]
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Marva Harris, David Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, and Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: Claudine Lee (8/17) and Quentin Scott (8/19)
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.
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