The Holy Eucharist
3rd Sunday of Advent (Year B)
December 17, 2023 at 9:30 AM
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
Deacon: The Rev. Ella Roundtree-Davis, Deacon
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The Holy Eucharist: Enriching Our Worship
Note: In Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Seasons, St. Matthew's will use prayers from Enriching Our Worship 1 (1997). Enriching Our Worship is a series of supplemental worship resources for The Episcopal Church. One of its objectives is to honor the experience of women by providing gender-neutral language for God in its prayers, expanding the Church's vocabulary of prayer from other parts of Scripture and Christian Tradition. There are changes, small and great, throughout the service, so pay attention and ask questions during our Christian Education Hour.
Hymn #65: Prepare the Way, O Zion
Refrain:
Oh, blest is Christ that came
in God's most holy name.
1 Prepare the way, O Zion;
your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley
a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory,
foretold in sacred story. [Refrain]
2 He brings God's rule, O Zion;
he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedm,
and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding. [Refrain]
3 Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your savior's rule embrace.
His tidings of salvation proclaim
in every place.
All hands will bow before him,
their voices will adore him.
[Words: Frans Mikael Franzen; tr composite; adapt. Charles P. Price. Copyright © 1982, Charles P. Price. Music: Bereden vag for Herran, melody from The Swenska Psalmboken, 1697. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #212606]
The Opening Acclamation
[EOW1, p. 50]
Blessed are you, holy and living One.
You come to your people and set them free.
Lighting the Advent Wreath
[Adapted from BCP, p. 108 and https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/advent-candle-lighting-litanies]
The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night, but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down or your moon withdraw itself, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. (Isaiah 60:19-20)
Light each candle with the following words, always beginning with the 1st Sunday’s candle.
1st Sunday of Advent:
Because injustice and despair threaten to overwhelm us,
We pray for hope.
2nd Sunday of Advent:
Because so many swords have not yet been beaten into plowshares,
We pray for peace.
3rd Sunday of Advent:
Because grief and loss weigh so heavily,
We pray for joy.
4th Sunday of Advent:
Because hatred is still so strong, and because people all over the world are suffering,
We pray for love.
The Penitential Order
[BCP, p. 352; EOW1, p. 56]
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
The Deacon (or Celebrant) says
Let us confess our sins to God.
Silence may be kept. All pray together, kneeling, as they are able,
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, stands and says:
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
LEV #237: Lord, Have Mercy
[see also BCP, p. 356]
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Have mercy, O Lord!
[Music: Avon Gillespie (Mass No. 1 in G), Copyright © 1987, G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #09956. All rights reserved.]
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 234]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Isaiah (61:1-4, 8-11)
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,and release to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,and the day of vengeance of our God;to comfort all who mourn;
to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins,they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,the devastations of many generations.
For I the Lord love justice,I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations,and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledgethat they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praiseto spring up before all the nations.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Canticle 15: The Song of Mary
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever.
Amen.
A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 5:16-24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #70: Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment (verses 1-3)
Refrain: Sound the Trumpet!
Tell the message! Christ, the Savior King, has come!
1 Herald, sound the note of judgement,
warning us of right wrong,
turning us from sin and sadness
till once more we sing the song. [Refrain]
2 Herald, sound the note of gladness;
tell the news that christ is here;
make a pathway through the desert
for one who brings God near. [Refrain]
3 Herald, sound the note of pardon,
those repenting are forgiven.
God receives his wayward children,
and for them new life is given. [Refrain]
[Words: Moir A.J Waters. alt. By permission of Margaret Waters. Music: Herald, Sound, Robert Powell. Copyright © 1983 Robert J. Powell. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #31672.]
The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to St. John (1:6-8,19-28)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn #70: Herald, Sound the Note of Judgment (verse 4)
Refrain:
Sound the Trumpet!
Tell the message! Christ, the Savior King, has come!
4 Herald, sound the note of triumph;
Christ has come to share our life,
bringing God's own love and power,
granting victory in our strife. [Refrain]
[Words: Moir A.J Waters. alt. By permission of Margaret Waters. Music: Herald, Sound, Robert Powell. Copyright © 1983 Robert J. Powell. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #31672.]
The Sermon
“St. Mary's Deeply Rooted Faith” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
When has God proven to be faithful in your life? When have you been able to rely on God’s goodness and mercy? As you look back at the last year, you may have a particular event in mind, or you may have a general sense of God’s protection, or maybe you aren’t so sure at all. Maybe you feel like life has gotten very hard and God has gotten very quiet. Maybe you doubt that God is real or that God is strong enough to handle the problems that confront you.
If any of that sounds familiar, you are in good company. You might relate to St. Mary, Jesus’ mother.
We just prayed the words of her famous song, called Magnificat or simply the Song of Mary. She said these words of prophecy in the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, before Jesus was born. These are considered some of the greatest words of prophecy ever spoken. We recite this canticle regularly in Evening Prayer services and we read it at least one Sunday per year on the Third Sunday in Advent. It is a crowning testimony to God’s love, justice, goodness, and faithfulness. It captures so much about the Good News of God in Christ. But we must remember that this great faithfulness comes from a person, St. Mary, who was experiencing real turmoil, whose life was just flipped upside down.
You might remember that Mary was a young woman, a virgin, who was engaged to Joseph. God sent the Archangel Gabriel to Mary to tell her that she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary would become pregnant through the Holy Spirit, not through any man, and specifically not through her soon-to-be-husband Joseph. Mary accepted this annunciation with the words, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38, NIV).
While Mary displayed exceptional faithfulness in this moment, think about the situation she was in. She was a young woman in a very patriarchal society who was pregnant before marriage and her fiancé knows that he is not the father. At best, this is going to get awkward for her. At worst, this could get dangerous for her. Women have been harmed for just the suspicion of infidelity, let alone “evidence” in the form of a pregnancy. Who would believe a story about a virgin birth, announced by an angel? We don’t hear a lot about Mary’s emotional state. But in our sanctified imagination, it’s easy to picture Mary feeling discouraged and scared and depressed and even angry about this pregnancy that she accepted but never asked for. Why would God place this enormous burden on her shoulders? Would God come through or would she fall flat on her face?
Mary does not sing her famous song of prophecy right after hearing this news from the angel St. Gabriel. There is a time jump in the story. The next thing Luke tells us she does is go to visit her cousin Elizabeth. This is brilliant. If you’re in trouble or you’re in a tight spot or you’re scared, go to someone you love and trust and who makes you feel safe. Obviously, St. Elizabeth was that person for Mary. The older Elizabeth welcomed Mary into her home. We learned a few verses earlier that Elizabeth was considered too old to get pregnant but Gabriel the archangel told her husband that she would bear a son named John (the Baptist) who would prepare the way for the Lord, in order to fulfill Isaiah’s ancient prophecy.
So Elizabeth had an encouraging testimony to share. Mary wasn’t alone. She wasn’t crazy. She didn’t make up this story about the angel, because Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah had seen him too. Miraculous pregnancies were happening all over Judea. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth was overcome with joy and filled with the Holy Spirit. She testified to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:42-45, NIV).
Pay attention to Elizabeth’s words here. She says, Blessed are you, Mary, among all women and blessed is the fruit of your womb (Jesus). As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. She is talking directly to Mary, blessing her and her child, calling Mary “the mother of my Lord,” and explaining baby John’s reaction. But then, she shifts from the 2nd person to the 3rd person. “And blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.” Mary is already blessed and highly favored, Mary is already the mother of my Lord, but at this point, we’re not so sure that she has believed all of God’s promises. She came to Elizabeth at a low point, experiencing real doubt and fear. But Elizabeth’s words are also an invitation. If you believe that God will fulfill these promises, you can be the “she” who is blessed. You can receive another blessing if you trust that God will be faithful and true and never abandon you no matter how hard things get.
Mary’s song, Magnificat, is then her response to Elizabeth. In response to the invitation to believe in God’s promises, Mary proclaims her faith. She pours out her heart and soul in these words that have been memorialized for centuries: “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior; For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden; For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name” (Canticle 3, BCP, p. 50). Or in the Rite II translation, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant (Canticle 15, BCP, pp. 91-92). Mary understands that even though her path will be difficult, God is by her side. God has blessed her. God is holy and mighty and God will be merciful to her forever.
How does Mary know that God will be faithful to her? Just because Elizabeth said so? That helped, but that wasn’t the only reason. Mary points to the history of God’s goodness and mercy for all creation, especially the children of Israel. God “has mercy on those who fear [God] in every generation … [God] has come to the help of [her] servant Israel, for [God] has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise [God] made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” God promised to be faithful to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God came through. God promised to be faithful to Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and Joshua, and God came through. God promised to be faithful to Debroah, Barak, Gideon, and Samson, and God came through. God promised to be faithful to David, Solomon, and their descendants, and God came through. God promised to be faithful to the exiles in Babylon and bring them back to their homeland, and God came through. God promised to give a child who will prepare the way of the Lord to an old barren couple, and God came through. God promised to give Mary a son who would be the Son of the Most High God, who would save God’s people from their sins, who would make all things new and heal all creation, and God came through.
Advent is about how God has been faithful to humanity for generations and generations, as long as we have existed. It is a time to remember the witness of the prophets, who called us to repentance, and whose words were fulfilled in the person of Jesus, the Messiah, Savior, and Word of God become flesh. St. Mary sang this wonderful song out of her deeply rooted, resilient faith that was bent, but never broken. You don’t get remembered for being a saint because your life was smooth and easy; we remember Mary and others as saints because they trusted in God’s faithfulness when it was hard.
So if God has done all of these things for Abraham all the way down to Mary, if God can do all of these things, what can God do for you? How can you trust God to be faithful to you in the face of your day-to-day challenges? How can you recognize that God’s promises are true and that “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37)? How can you receive the blessing that comes from believing that God will fulfill God’s promises to us?
Let us pray…
The Nicene Creed
[EOW1, p. 53]
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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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 http://theadventproject.org/Documents/adventpop.pdf, based on the "Great O Antiphons" of Advent, which inspired the lyrics to Hymn #56 - "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"]
Sisters and Brothers, as we joyfully await the full manifestation of God’s Reign in Christ, let us pray for the needs of the church and the world, saying, “Come, Lord Jesus.”
O Wisdom, you come forth from the mouth of the Most High and reach from beginning to end, mightily and sweetly ordering all things. Behold and bless your church, remembering especially Michael our presiding bishop, Frank our Bishop, Guillermo our priest, Ella our Deacon, Joenelle and Rachael our wardens, our vestry and delegates, and all leaders in this parish. Be present in ordering the life of this and every congregation.
Come, Lord Jesus!
O Adonai, God of the Covenant, ruler of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave your law. Forgive us when we stray from your guidance and will.
Come, Lord Jesus!
O Root of Jesse, you stand as an emblem to humankind; before you rulers will shut their mouths, and nations bow in worship: We pray for your peace and justice in every nation and throughout the world; be present to all whose lives are ravaged by war and strife; especially we hold before you those from among us who serve their country abroad. Guide the leaders of this and every land into the paths of peace and goodwill.
Come, Lord Jesus!
O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel, you open and no one can shut, you shut and no one can open: Guide us in opening the doors of opportunity for the unemployed, for the homeless, for prisoners, and for all who are oppressed; and lead us in closing the doors that lead to poverty, bigotry, and injustice.
Come, Lord Jesus!
O King and Desire of the Nations, you are the cornerstone that makes us one: We lift up all who are suffering and in need, especially Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Beryl Dandy, Aaron, Natalie, and Olivia Duplechien, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Russell Nails, Jeannette Outing, Jewel Wheeler: Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous and help us minister to them in your love.
Come, Lord Jesus!
O Dayspring, radiance of the Light Eternal and Sun of Righteousness: Shine your light on those who have died; bring comfort to all those who mourn.
Come, Lord Jesus!
O Emmanuel, God with us, Expected One and Savior, We give thanks for all the blessings of this life; for all who celebrate birthdays and anniversaries; and for the other blessings we now name silently or aloud… . Make each of us ready to receive you into our hearts, to serve you in all whom we meet, and to greet you in the fullness of your glory in the day of your appearing.
Come, Lord Jesus!
The Celebrant concludes with the following or another suitable Collect...
Quicken, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
The Peace
[EOW1, p. 56]
The peace of the Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
Poinsettias for Christmas: Today is the final day for order forms.
Christmas Season Worship Schedule:
Sunday, December 24, 2023
9:30 AM 4th Sunday in Advent - Advent Lessons & Carols
6:00 PM Christmas Eve - Candlelight Holy Communion
Sunday, December 31, 2023
9:30 AM 1st Sunday After Christmas - Holy Communion
6:00 PM Eve of the Holy Name - Ecumenical New Year’s Eve & Watch Night Vigil (in partnership with Holy Spirit Lutheran, Butler Memorial Presbyterian, and First Congregational Churches; the Rev. J. Jacob Sanders of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church preaching; collection for JUST)
Sunday, January 7, 2024
1st Sunday After the Epiphany - Holy Communion
Angel Tree Donations: Deacon Davis and others organized an “Angel Tree” to collect donations for partner ministries and charitable causes relevant to our community, such as Emmaus House, St. Mary’s Community Center, ALD research, JUST, and more.
Enriching Our Worship Liturgies: In Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Seasons, St. Matthew's will use prayers from Enriching Our Worship 1 (1997). Enriching Our Worship is a series of supplemental worship resources for The Episcopal Church. One of its objectives is to honor the experience of women by providing gender-neutral language for God in its prayers, expanding the Church's vocabulary of prayer from other parts of Scripture and Christian Tradition. There are changes, small and great, throughout the service, so pay attention and ask questions during our Christian Education Hour.
2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer for the Peace in the Holy Land: The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church have released the Churches Beyond Borders 2023 Advent Cycle of Prayer. The prayer resource calls for justice and peace, especially for churches impacted by the war in the Holy Land, and for lifting up Palestinian Christian communities and ministries and the congregations and institutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Printed copies will be available at church on Sunday for you to take home, or else download it here: https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/2023_CBB_Advent_Cycle_of_Prayer.pdf
Savannah MLK Jr. Day Parade on Jan. 15: The Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and Day Care invite you to join us for the annual Savannah Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM. The parade route begins at East Broad Street and Liberty Street and ends in front of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1401 M. L. King Jr. Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415. We will have a walking group and a trolley-riding group. Marchers and riders may park cars at St. Matthew's beginning at 8:45 AM (enter the parking lot behind the church from Burroughs Street and W Anderson Street) and get dropped off at the parade starting point. The last shuttle will leave at 9:45. After the parade, St. Matthew's will host a brief worship service and a lunch reception.
Grow and Glow in Grace Gear!: St. Matthew's is producing branded clothes and other merchandise with our new Grow and Glow in Grace mission logo! Order T-shirts for $25, embroidered Polo shirts for $40, Mugs for $15, Pens for $2 each, and more! All proceeds will go to the Building Capital Campaign (for remodeling the kitchen, preserving the stained glass windows, replacing the roof, and more)! Order forms are available in church now.
***Mugs, pens, shirts, and more have arrived!***
T/W/Th Evening Prayer on Zoom/Facebook: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer with us over Zoom at 5:00 PM. If you want to be in the Zoom call, please join by 4:55 PM using the link 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.
Through Christ let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge the Holy Name. But do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. [Hebrews 13:15-16]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
Hymn #437: Tell Out My Soul the Greatness of the Lord
1 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his Word;
in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.
2 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.
3 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
4 Tell out, my soul, the glories of his Word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children's children and forevermore!
[Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith; based on The Song of Mary. Copyright © 1990 by Hope Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission. Music: Birmingham, from Repository of Sacred Music, Part II 1813; harm. Songs of Praise, 1925. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #01409]
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 1
[EOW1, p. 57]
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 our thanks and praise.
It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:
Hymn S-130:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full, full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest! 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: Franz Peter Schubert from Deutsche Messe; arr. Richard Proulx, Copyright © 1985, 1989 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00210. All rights reserved.]
The people stand or kneel.
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.
But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.
Through Abraham and Sarah, you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.
On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all 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.
[Music: Hezekiah Brinson, Jr., Copyright © 1990 Hezekiah Brinson, Jr. All Rights Reserved.]
Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit, may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with Blessed Mary the Mother of God, Blessed Matthew our Patron, and all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer
[Compare 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.
[Music: Albert Hay Malotte; arr. Fred Bock, Copyright © 1934 (renewed) G. Schirmer, Inc. All Rights Reserved.]
The Breaking of the Bread
Silence may be kept.
The Fraction Anthems
[EOW1, p. 69]
We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.
We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.
Hymn S-164:
Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us
Jesus, Bearer of our Sins: have mercy on us
Jesus, Redeemer, Redeemer of the World:
Give us your peace, give us your peace!
[Words: Traditional. Music: Franz Peter Schubert from Deutsche Messe; arr. Richard Proulx, Copyright © 1985, 1989 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00614. All rights reserved.]
Look! Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Gifts of God for the people of God.
The Distribution of Holy Communion
All baptized Christians of any denomination are invited to come forward to participate fully in Communion. Baptized children may receive at the discretion of their parents.
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 raise your hand when you are at the altar rail.
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 #11: Prepare Ye the Way
Refrain:
Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
1 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [Refrain]
2 Fill ev’ry valley, bring all mountains low. [Refrain]
3 Go up to a mountain and shout with a loud voice. [Refrain]
4 Say to all people, here is your God. [Refrain]
[Words: Isaiah 40:3-4, 9. Music: James E. Moore. Jr. Music Copyright © 1992 G.I.A Publications, Inc., Chicago, IL. All Righs Reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #94872]
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]
[Words: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt. Public Domain. Music: Emily Divine Wilson. Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #97977]
The Post-Communion Prayer
[EOW1, p. 69; Enriching our Worship 2 (2000), pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of 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
[BOS, p. 10]
May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free from all sin. Amen.
May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. Amen.
May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second Advent be rewarded with unending life. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Hymn #537: O Zion, Haste, Thy Mission High Fulfilling
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: Samuel Wolcott. Public Domain. Music: Moscow, melody Felice de Giardini; harm. The New Hymnal, 1916, based on Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875, and Lowell Mason. ]
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Let us go forth in the name of Christ!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Beryl Dandy, Aaron, Natalie, and Olivia Duplechien, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Russell Nails, Jeannette Outing, Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: N/A
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 Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), 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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