Lysa Rodriguez
- Feb 11
- 27 min read

Sunday Worship on February 11, 2024

The Holy Eucharist

Last Sunday after The Epiphany (Year B)

February 11, 2024 at 9:30 AM

Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

Deacon: 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: 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 #460: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus

1 Alleluia! sing to Jesus!

his the scepter, his the throne;

Alleluia! his the triumph,

his the victory alone;

Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion

thunder like a mighty flood;

Jesus out of every nation

hath redeemed us by his blood.

2 Alleluia! not as orphans

are we left in sorrow now;

Alleluia! he is near us,

faith believes, nor questions how:

though the cloud from sight received him,

when the forty days were o'er,

shall our hearts forget his promise,

"I am with you evermore"?

3 Alleluia! Bread of Heaven,

thou on earth our food, our stay!

Alleluia! here the sinful

flee to thee from day to day:

Intercessor, friend of sinners,

earth's Redeemer, plead for me,

where the songs of all the sinless

sweep across the crystal sea.

4 Alleluia! King eternal,

thee the Lord of lords we own:

Alleluia! born of Mary,

earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne:

thou within the veil hast entered,

robed in flesh, our great High Priest:

thou on earth both Priest and Victim

in the eucharistic feast.

5 Alleluia! sing to Jesus!

his the scepter his the throne;

Alleluia! his the triumph,

his the victory alone;

Hark! the songs of holy Zion

thunder like a mighty flood;

Jesus out of every nation

hath redeemed us by his blood.

[Words: william Chatterton Dix. Music: Hyfrydol, Rowland Hugh Prichard. Reprinted with permission from ONE LICENSE #592e04d2788e1.]

The Opening Acclamation

[EOW1, p. 50]

Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.

Glory to God forever and ever. 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.

LEV #243: Glory to God (Glory, Glory Hallelujah)

REFRAIN:

Glory, Glory, hallelujah,

Lord we praise Holy name,

Glory, Glory hallelujah,

Lord we praise your Holy name.

1. Glory to God in the highest

and peace to his people on earth.

2. Lord God, heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

3. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God [Refrain]

4. You take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us.

5. You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

6. For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord.

7. You alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. [Refrain]

The Collect of the Day

[BCP, p. 357, 234]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; 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 2 Kings (2:1-12)

When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”

Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.”

Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 50:1-6

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

1 The Lord, the God of gods, has spoken; *

he has called the earth from the

rising of the sun to its setting.

2 Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, *

God reveals himself in glory.

3 Our God will come and will not keep silence; *

before him there is a consuming flame,

and round about him a raging storm.

4 He calls the heavens and the earth from above *

to witness the judgment of his people.

5 "Gather before me my loyal followers, *

those who have made a covenant with me

and sealed it with sacrifice."

6 Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; *

for God himself is judge.

A Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the 2 Corinthians (4:3-6)

Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn #135: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (verses 1-3)

1 Songs of thankfulness and praise,

Jesus, Lord, to thee we raise,

manifested by the star

to the sages from afar;

branch of royal David's stem

in thy birth at Bethlehem:

anthems be to thee addressed,

God in man made manifest.

2 Manifest at Jordan's stream,

Prophet, Priest, and King supreme;

and at Cana wedding-guest

in thy Godhead manifest;

manifest in power divine,

changing water into wine:

anthems be to thee addressed,

God in man made manifest.

3 Manifest in making whole

palsied limbs and fainting soul;

manifest in valiant fight,

quelling all the devil's might;

manifest in gracious will,

ever bringing good from ill:

anthems be to thee addressed,

God in man made manifest.

[Words: Sts. 1-3, Christopher Wordsworth; st. 4 F. Bland Tucker. Music: Salzburg, melody Jakob Hintze; harm. Johann Sebastian Bach. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84263.]

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

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to St. Mark (9:2-9)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Hymn #135: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (verse 4)

4 Manifest on mountain height,

shining in resplendent light,

where disciples filled with awe

they transfigured glory saw.

When from there thou leddest them

steadfast to Jerusalem,

cross and Easter day

attest God in man made manifest.

[Words: Sts. 1-3, Christopher Wordsworth; st. 4 F. Bland Tucker. Music: Salzburg, melody Jakob Hintze; harm. Johann Sebastian Bach. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84263.]

The Sermon

“Resurrection For Us and For All” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

Peter, James, and John hike with Jesus to the top of a mountain. He has been to mountaintops before, usually to pray on his own. This is the first time he has invited any of the apostles to come with him. They are excited. They are wondering why this time is different from other times. They have been with Jesus for months, if not years, by now. They have seen dozens of miracles. They have participated in some of the healings, miraculous feedings, and exorcisms. They have seen how God’s love and healing flow from Jesus’ words, actions, and touch.

But lately, he has gotten a little bit weird. Lately, he started telling them about how the Son of Man will suffer, be rejected, be killed, and then rise in three days (Mark 8:31). When Peter tried to tell Jesus to cool it with the death talk, Jesus even snapped back and called him Satan (Mark 8:32-33). Jesus has started to preach about taking up a cross and following him (Mark 8:34). These guys signed up for the Jesus Movement so they could be fishers of people, not so they could get crucified.

But today, they aren’t thinking about crosses or death. They are climbing up the mountain to be with their Teacher and pray together. They are excited to see what he has in store for them, the special ones, the top three out of the Twelve. And Jesus does not disappoint. They see him transfigure, wearing dazzling white clothes, shrouded in heavenly light, and surrounded by long-dead, saintly leaders of Israel: Moses the Liberator and Elijah the Prophet.

Peter, James, and John are astonished and frightened. They have never seen a vision like this before. Naturally, Peter is the first to speak. He says to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5). Peter wants to capture the moment, to live in this snapshot of glory. He wants to hold onto all the good times for themselves.

Peter lost sight of the mission. So what’s the thing that he and the disciples missed? They were missing resurrection. There are two big ways to go wrong when it comes to following Jesus: (1) lose hope in the resurrection; or (2) think the resurrection power is only for you and yours.

First, Peter and his friends got scared by all of Jesus’ talk about death and suffering. They didn’t want to carry a cross. They missed the key point that after death, Jesus promised to rise again. They missed that in God’s eyes, death is a semicolon, not a period. It doesn’t have final power. We fall into that trap when we get so caught up in the tragic things in our lives or in the world around us, that we lose hope in God’s power to save. When we despair or give up or run away, we are missing that God’s resurrecting love is bigger than any earthly power we can face.

Second, on the flip side, when the disciples see Jesus’ heavenly glory, they think that is all there is and that it’s all for them. Jesus’ message is not just for the frozen chosen. He preaches to all who will listen, “The time has come! … The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). His light, his love, his liberation, his healing power is for all. Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for all (Mark 10:45). When we get too comfortable in church or with our Christian life and ignore the physical or spiritual needs of others, we are missing the boat. We are trying to build tents on the mountain instead of building a ski lift so others can join us. We are trying to hoard God’s love and mercy for ourselves instead of giving as freely as we have received.

Well then, this story ends in a strange way. Jesus tells Peter, James, and John not to tell anybody about their experience “until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead” (Mark 9:9). Why is that? Well the answer is still resurrection. They needed the power of the resurrection to help them appreciate the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. They needed the light of the resurrection to allow them to see the world around them clearly. They, like us, need to keep the hope and joy of resurrection at the forefront in their ministry.

As we enter the season of Lent, reflecting together on the brevity of life, repenting of our sins, and meditating on the Cross of Christ, we do all of this with resurrection faith. We believe that death, even death on a cross, is not the end. We believe that God’s resurrecting power is saving us and giving us new life, love, and liberation even now. And we believe that grace and power isn’t ours to keep hidden away in these four walls. We are called to share God’s love and resurrecting power with everyone we meet, whether through thought, word, or deed.

In Lent, we might be tempted to become more rigid in our faith, to become more focused on the ways that we need to work hard at amending our spiritual lives. There is some truth in that, but it’s incomplete without the light of the resurrection. In your Lenten disciplines, your fasting of any type, be gentle with yourself because God promises to raise you from the dead just like Jesus. And be gentle with others, especially others whose Lent looks different from yours, because God’s resurrecting power is for them too.

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://www.rickmorley.com/archives/191.]

Let us pray to God, who is made manifest in Jesus Christ.

As the prophet Isaiah rang out, “Arise, shine; for your light has come”; empower your Church, O God, to ring out the Good News of the Light of your son Jesus, which pierces even the deepest darkness. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

As a star rose high into the sky to draw the nations to the Christ-child; send your blessing, O God, on this nation, and every nation, and draw the whole world to your peace and truth. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

As John the Baptist guided crowds of people to the edge of the wilderness and baptized Jesus in the River Jordan, we pray that you would guide our country and our leaders to the ways of justice and righteousness. Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

Like the Magi who traveled from afar to bring gifts and celebrate the Savior’s birth; we pray for this community, and for those who celebrate birthdays, especially Janice Newton (02/11), Janise Wright (02/11), Harriette Brinson (02/12), Evadne Roberts (02/12), Jaden Ward (02/13); and for those who celebrate anniversaries,

Hear our prayer.

As Jesus climbed the mountaintop, and proclaimed blessings on the people of the world; we pray for the sick and the distressed, the poor and the lame. We especially pray for the people of our Parish Prayer List: Anthony Blue Sr., Lazola Cope, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Charles McMillan, John “Butch” Mitchell, Russell Nails, Jabbar Newton, Jeannette Outing, and Jewel Wheeler; Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

As Jesus called his disciples to leave their nets and boats, and follow him; we pray for the departed whom we love and have answered your call to follow Jesus to your Heavenly Kingdom. Give them your peace. We especially pray for Donald Ray Baynes, Jacqueline Bryant, and anyone else we remember now... Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

The Presider concludes with this or another suitable Collect...

Lord Jesus, Light of the World, hear our prayers, and make us reflections of your Light, that the places of darkness in our world would be pierced by your Light, and that all nations would be drawn to you and be overwhelmed with joy. Amen.

The Confession of Sin

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.

The Peace

[EOW1, p. 56]

The peace of the Christ be always with you.

And also with you.

Parish Announcements

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, February 13, 2024: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Wednesday, February 14, 2024: Ash Wednesday

The Rev. Daudi J. Ndahana will be our Visiting Preacher on Feb. 18: St. Matthew's is blessed to welcome the Rev. Daudi Jonathan Ndahana from the Anglican Church of Tanzania as our guest preacher on Sunday, February 18. Fr. Ndahana is currently the Priest-in-Charge of St. Stephen's Church, Kalinzi, in the Diocese of Western Tanganyika. He previously served in multiple capacities on the Staff of his Diocese, the Cathedral staff, and as a college principal. He holds degrees from St. Philip's Theological College (Kongwa, Tanzania) and Nashotah House Theological Seminary (Nashotah, Wisconsin). Fr. Ndahana and his family have been friends with Bishop Frank and Mrs. Victoria Logue since they were both seminarians in 1998 and will be visiting Savannah until February 25. On February 18, Fr. Arboleda will preside at the Eucharist and Deacon Davis will serve as the Deacon of the Liturgy.

Newcomer & Episcopal Refresher Class: Fr. Arboleda will lead a class for newcomers and those who want a "refresher" on Episcopal Church basics. These will meet every other Sunday for four total meetings: February 4, February 18, March 3, and March 17. If you are interested in becoming a member and/or getting baptized, confirmed, or received soon, this class is required. See Fr. Arboleda with any scheduling concerns.

Lent Wednesday Study on Everything Happens for a Reason: St. Matthew’s will host a dinner and book study on most Wednesdays in Lent from 5:30-7:00 PM about Dr. Kate Bowler’s memoir Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved). At the age of 34, Duke Divinity School professor Kate Bowler learned she had stage IV colon cancer. An able guide through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Kate is a faithful follower of Jesus who reminds us that none of us is spared coming to terms with our mortality. Stripped of certainty, Kate discovers that life is difficult, but beautiful in a way it never has been before. Books are available for purchase for $15 in the church. Download the discussion guide here. The reading and meeting schedule is as follows:

Feb. 21: Preface - Chapter 3
Mar. 6: Chapters 4-5
Mar. 13: Chapters 6-7
Mar. 20: Chapters 8-9 and Appendices

Anne & Emmett Play at St. Matthew’s on Feb. 28: The Savannah Jewish Federation is sponsoring a performance of Janet Langhart Cohen’s critically-acclaimed play Anne & Emmett at St. Matthew’s Church on Wednesday, February 28 at 7:00 PM. This play explores the connections between Holocaust victim Anne Frank and lynching victim Emmett Till. This is a free event, but please register here; there will be an offering collected for the Savannah Jewish Federation. Learn more here.

The Philadelphia Eleven Documentary Showing on Feb. 29: On Thursday, February 29 at 5:45 PM, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (Skidaway Island) will host a showing of the documentary film The Philadelphia Eleven, which tells the story of the first eleven women ordained as priests in The Episcopal Church. This is a free event, no tickets required, and snacks will be provided. (St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 3 West Ridge Road, Savannah, GA 31411)

Jacqueline Bryant Memorial Service on Mar. 2: St. Matthew’s will honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Jacqueline Hill Bryant on Saturday, March 2, at 11:00 AM. More details to be announced here and by Adams Funeral Services.

Yearly Giving Statements and Pledge Statements Available Now: 2023 Year-End Giving Statements are available in paper to pick up in Toomer-Walker Hall now. Any statements that are not taken home today will be mailed to the street address we have on file. Giving and Pledge Statements have also been sent via email if we have your email in our Realm accounting system. If you would like to save paper and have the office send future pledge and giving statements by email only in the future, please contact Pat Lanchester at Bookkeeper@StMattSav.org.

Chalk for House Blessings Available until Feb. 14: Blessed chalk for Epiphany House Blessings is available to pick up at the church until the beginning of Lent, which is Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Traditionally, the chalking is done on or above all doors and takes this form: 20+C+M+B+24 - The letters are the abbreviation for the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat" - "Christ bless this house" (A second meaning and mnemonic device is Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar traditional names for the Magi). The + signs represent the cross, and 20-24 is the year.

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.

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.

Nations shall come to your light, O Lord, and kings to the brightness of your rising. [Isaiah 60:3, alt..]

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

Hymn #618: Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones

1 Ye watchers and ye holy ones,

bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,

raise the glad strain,

Alleluia!

Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,

virtues, archangels, angels' choirs,

Refrain:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! alleluia!

2 O higher than the cherubim,

more glorious than the seraphim,

lead their praises,

Alleluia!

Thou bearer of the eternal Word,

most gracious, magnify the Lord, [Refrain]

3 Respond, ye souls in endless rest,

ye patriarchs and prophets blest,

Alleluia,

alleluia!

Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,

all saints triumphant raise the song, [Refrain]

4 O friends, in gladness let us sing,

supernal anthems echoing,

Alleluia,

alleluia!

To God the Father, God the Son,

and God the Spirit, Three in One, [Refrain]

[Words: John Athelstan Laurie Riley. Music: Lasst uns erfreuen, melody from Auserlesene Catholische Geistliche Kirchengeseng, 1623; adapt. and harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams. Words and Music by permission of Oxford University Press. Reprinted with Permission from ONE LICENSE #97046.]

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Circling through earth so all may grow

Vanquishing fear so all may give

Widening grace so all may live

Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer 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 ... [The Presider inserts a proper preface] ... 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

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!

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.

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.

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.

Hymn #137: O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair

1. O wondrous type! O vision fair

of glory that the Church may share,

which Christ upon the mountain shows,

where brighter than the sun he glows!

2. With Moses and Elijah nigh

the incarnate Lord holds converse high;

and from the cloud, the Holy One

bears record to the only Son.

3. With shining face and bright array,

Christ deigns to manifest today

what glory shall be theirs above

who joy in God with perfect love.

4. And faithful hearts are raised on high

by this great vision's mystery;

for which in joyful strains we raise

the voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.

5. O Father, with the eternal Son,

and Holy Spirit, ever One,

vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace

to see thy glory face to face.

[Words: Latin, 15th cent.; tr. Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861, after John Mason Neale, alt. Music: Wareham, melody William Knapp, alt. harm. Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875, after James Turle; desc. Sydney Hugo Nicholson.]

Hymn #7: Christ whose Glory Fills the Skies

1 Christ, whose glory fills the skies,

Christ, the true, the only Light,

Sun of Righteousness, arise!

Triumph over shades of night;

Dayspring from on high, be near;

Daystar, in my heart appear!

2 Dark and cheerless is the morn

unaccompanied by thee;

joyless is the day’s return

till thy mercy’s beams I see,

as they inward light impart,

glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

3 Visit then this soul of mine!

Pierce the gloom of sin and grief!

Fill me, radiancy divine;

scatter all my unbelief;

more and more thyself display,

shining to the perfect day.

[Words: Charles Wesley. Music: Ratisbon, melody from Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, adapt. att. William Henry Havergal; harm. William Henry Havergal, alt. Reprinted with permission from ONE LICENSE #97757.]

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.

A Litany of Thanksgiving for Absalom Jones

[Adapted from Prayers written by the Rev. Jemonde Taylor and based on "A Thanksgiving Sermon" given by the Rev. Absalom Jones on January 1, 1808.]

Celebrant: O God of freedom and justice: we celebrate this day your servant, Absalom Jones, the first person of African ancestry ordained in The Episcopal Church. Empower us to build a world where righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne as we pray: Glory to God for your precious record of power and goodness; let all the nations of the earth praise you.

Deacon: Let your Church continue the ministries of reconciliation and peace. Help us grow Absalom Jones’ ministry of racial justice. Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness;