The Holy Eucharist
3rd Sunday of Lent (Year B)
March 3, 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 Great Litany & The Holy Eucharist:
Enriching Our Worship
Note: In Lent, St. Matthew's will continue to 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 #372: Praise to the Living God
1 Praise to the living God!
All praised be his Name
who was, and is, and is to be,
for ay the same.
The one eternal God
ere aught that now appears:
the first, the last, beyond all thought
his timeless years!
2 Formless, all lovely forms
declare his loveliness;
holy, no holiness of earth
can his express.
Lo, he is Lord of all.
Creation speaks his praise,
and everywhere above, below,
his will obeys.
3 His Spirit floweth free,
high surging where it will:
in prophet's word he spake of old:
he speaketh still.
Established is his law,
and changeless it shall stand,
deep writ upon the human heart,
on sea, on land.
4 Eternal life hath he
implanted in the soul;
his love shall be our strength and stay
while ages roll.
Praise to the living God!
All praised be his Name
who was, and is, and is to be,
for ay the same.
[Words: medieval Jewish Liturgy; tr. Max Landsberg and newton M. Mann. Music: Leoni, Hebrew melody; harm. Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875.]
The Opening Acclamation
[EOW1, p. 50]
Blessed be the God of our salvation:
Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins. Amen.
The Great Litany
[EOW1, p. 46]
The people kneel or stand, as they are able.
I.
Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy on us.
Holy and Mighty, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy on us.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
II.
From all evil and mischief; from pride, vanity and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred and malice; and from all evil intent, Savior deliver us.
From sloth, worldliness and love of money; from hardness of heart and contempt for your word and your laws, Savior deliver us.
From sins of body and mind; from deceits of the world, flesh and the devil, Savior deliver us.
From famine and disaster; from violence, murder, and dying unprepared, Savior deliver us.
In all times of sorrow; in all times of joy; in the hour of our death and at the day of judgment, Savior deliver us.
By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your birth, childhood and obedience; by your baptism, fasting and temptation, Savior deliver us.
By your ministry in word and work; by your mighty acts of power; by the preaching of your reign, Savior deliver us.
By your agony and trial; by your cross and passion; by your precious death and burial, Savior deliver us.
By your mighty resurrection; by your glorious ascension; and by your sending of the Holy Spirit, Savior deliver us.
III.
Hear our prayers, O Christ our God. Hear us, O Christ.
Govern and direct your holy Church; fill it with love and truth; and grant it that unity which is your will. Hear us, O Christ.
Give us boldness to preach the gospel in all the world, and to make disciples of all the nations. Hear us, O Christ.
Enlighten your bishops, priests and deacons, especially Frank, Guillermo, and Ella, with knowledge and understanding, that by their teaching and their lives they may proclaim your word. Hear us, O Christ.
Give your people grace to witness to your word and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit. Hear us, O Christ.
Bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived. Hear us, O Christ.
Strengthen those who stand; comfort and help the fainthearted; raise up the fallen; and finally beat down Satan under our feet. Hear us, O Christ.
IV.
Guide the leaders of the nations into the ways of peace and justice. Hear us, O Christ.
Give your wisdom and strength to Joseph, the President of the United States; Brian, the Governor of Georgia, and Van, the Mayor of Savannah, that in all things they may do your will, for your glory and the common good. Hear us, O Christ.
Give to the Congress of the United States, the members of the President’s Cabinet, those who serve in our state legislature, and all others in authority the grace to walk always in the ways of truth. Hear us, O Christ.
Bless the justices of the Supreme Court and all those who administer the law, that they may act with integrity and do justice for all your people. Hear us, O Christ.
Give us the will to use the resources of the earth to your glory and for the good of all. Hear us, O Christ.
Bless and keep all your people, especially those celebrating birthdays: Jaiden Jones (03/09); and to those celebrating anniversaries, Hear us, O Christ.
V.
Comfort and liberate the lonely, the bereaved and the oppressed. Hear us, O Christ.
Keep in safety those who travel and all who are in peril. Hear us, O Christ.
Heal the sick in body, mind or spirit especially the people of our Parish Prayer List: Teresa Blue Clemons, Lazola Cope, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Donald Jones, Sheila Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Jessica Mathis, Sada Maxwell, John “Butch” Mitchell, Russell Nails, Jabbar Newton, Jeannette Outing, and Jewel Wheeler; and provide for the homeless, the hungry and the destitute. Hear us, O Christ.
Guard and protect all children who are in danger. Hear us, O Christ.
Shower your compassion on prisoners, hostages and refugees, and all who are in trouble. Hear us, O Christ.
Forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and turn their hearts. Hear us, O Christ.
Hear us as we remember those who have died, especially Jacqueline Bryant and Kobie Jones (nephew of Donald Jones), and grant us with them a share in your eternal glory. Hear us, O Christ.
VI.
Give us true repentance; forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance and our deliberate sins; and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your word.
Hymn S-102: Holy God (Trisagion)
Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One,
Have mercy upon us
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 234]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; 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 Exodus (20:1-17)
Then God spoke all these words:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 19
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the Lord are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
A Reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1:18-25)
The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #409: The Spacious Firmament on High (verses 1-2)
1 The spacious firmament on high,
with all the blue ethereal sky,
and spangled heavens, a shining frame,
their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun from day to day
does his Creator's power display;
and publishes to every land
the work of an almighty hand.
2 Soon as the evening shades prevail,
the moon takes up the wondrous tale,
and nightly to the listening earth
repeats the story of her birth:
whilst all the stars that round her burn,
and all the planets in their turn,
confirm the tidings, as they roll
and spread the truth from pole to pole.
[Words: Joseph Addison; para. of Psalm 19: 1-6. Music: Creation, Franz Joseph Haydn; adapt. Dulcimer, or New York Collection of Sacred Music, 1850, alt. Reprinted with permission from ONE LICENSE #1034681.]
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 (2:13-22)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn #409: The Spacious Firmament on High (verse 3)
3 What though in solemn silence all
move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
amid their radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
and utter forth a glorious voice;
for ever singing as they shine,
"The hand that made us is divine."
[Words: Joseph Addison; para. of Psalm 19: 1-6. Music: Creation, Franz Joseph Haydn; adapt. Dulcimer, or New York Collection of Sacred Music, 1850, alt. Reprinted with permission from ONE LICENSE #1034681.]
The Sermon
“Creation, Fall, and Restoration” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem on a solemn occasion, the week of the Passover festival. He and his disciples are there to worship, as they do every year, along with thousands of other faithful Jewish people at the time. They gather in Jerusalem to sacrifice lambs for Passover and to spread the blood of these lambs over their doors as a sign of God’s protection from the angel of death and God’s liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. And Jesus has been doing this his whole life, since he was a child. So he knows the drill.
Everyone has to buy their sacrificial lambs, cattle, and doves in the Temple to ensure that these animals are “without blemish”. They have to exchange their Roman money for special Temple coins, without the idolatry or blasphemy of Caesar’s face printed on it. That’s just the way the Temple works and how it had worked for centuries before Jesus’ birth. But Jesus does a very unusual thing this year. He uses a whip to drive the people and animals out of the Temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables, dumping their coins all over the ground. He shouts at them to “stop making my Father’s house into a marketplace!” He tells those who ask that if they destroy the Temple, he will raise it in three days. And everyone is perplexed, including me and you.
What does this dramatic scene mean? John tells us that in hindsight, the disciples recognized that he was talking about his own death and resurrection. The temple of Jesus’ Body was hung on a Cross, and he raised that Temple up on the third day. But what else does it mean? Why are we still telling this story 2000 years later, in addition to the actual story of Jesus’ death and resurrection?
A little bit more context will help us. The Gospel of John was written a few decades after Jesus died and rose again, probably in the 80s or 90s AD. I don’t often throw dates around in sermons, but there was a really important event that happened between Jesus’ crucifixion/resurrection (in about 30 AD) and the 80s. In 70 AD, some Jewish people led a rebellion against the Roman Empire in Judea, specifically in Jerusalem. The enormous and powerful Roman army quashed the rebellion rather quickly. They decided to teach the locals a lesson by burning down the city of Jerusalem and destroying the Temple of the Lord.
This was a traumatic event for the surviving Jewish and Christian people. Many Jews lost hope in God or felt that God was punishing them. They didn’t know how to carry on in their worship since the Temple had been so central to major festivals. Most early Christians, like Jesus and the 12 Apostles, were Jewish, so the early Church was also dealing with this tragedy.
And so, John frames the story of Jesus overturning the tables and driving our the animals as a way of coping with this later loss. The Romans can destroy the Temple, but Jesus will raise it up. Even if the Temple is gone, we have a new Temple in the Body of Christ. We have to be especially careful not to read this as a rejection of Jewish people or Jewish religion, but the form and practice of their religion did change forever in the year 70. Most Jews no longer slaughter animals as part of their regular worship and observance of festivals because the Romans destroyed the Temple in 70. And Christians found hope in Jesus’ resurrection as a way of dealing with this traumatic incident. Holy Communion is our “continual remembrance of [Christ’s] life, death, and resurrection until his coming again” (BCP, p. 859). It is our way of uniting ourselves to the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. We’ve grown accustomed to this way of worship, but it was originally a humongous change.
God has the (sometimes frightening) ability to totally change and transform what we expect into something different. When the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, Jewish and Christian religions had to change. When Christianity became legal in the Roman Empire in the 300s, our religion had to change. When the Church of England left the Roman Catholic Church in the 1500s, the religion had to change. When the American Revolutionary War ended in the 1780s, when slavery was abolished in the 1860s, when Civil Rights became the law of the land in the 1960s, our Episcopal religion had to change. When pioneering women, gay and transgender people answered God’s call to ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church and they challenged our leaders’ theological and social assumptions, our religion had to change. Sometimes the Church has led the way in positive changes, and sometimes we followed behind. Sometimes we have created changes that in hindsight were destructive, sinful, or at least problematic. But the thing we cannot avoid is the change itself.
In the newcomer class, we are discussing this recurring biblical theme of creation, fall, and restoration. Over and over again, throughout the Bible, we see this cycle repeating itself. As we look back on 2000 years of Church history, we can also see creation, fall, and restoration. God sets us up on the right path, we mess it up, and God provides a way for us to be restored. That theme carries into our individual lives and our life together as a parish.
Depending on your perspective, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church has experienced several “falls” and “restorations” over its 168-year history. We have experienced devastating discrimination, rejection, and oppression from our brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. We have experienced welcome and a call to return to equal membership in the Diocese. We have experienced the hardship of forced moves and merger of St. Stephen’s and St. Augustine’s in the 1940s, and we have been restored to God’s good graces as one united St. Matthew’s parish. We have had our ups and our downs, but God has never left us or forsaken us. God has always called us back to something greater. God has never allowed our hardships and trauma to overtake us, but we have grown stronger and more resilient.
We do not always know what the future holds, but we do know that God has called us together to accomplish a mission. We will grow and glow in grace as we work to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. And when we stray from that mission, when we get distracted or discouraged, God will call us back and welcome us with open arms. The particulars might be totally different, but the mission remains the same. God creates, we fall, God restores, and we will participate with God in that restorative and reconciling ministry. Amen.
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 Confession of Sin
The Deacon (or Celebrant) says
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).
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
Save the Date - Dr. Bertice Berry to be Ordained on Apr. 13: Last weekend, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia formally approved Dr. Bertice Berry for ordination to the diaconate. Bishop Frank Logue will ordain her to the Sacred Order of Deacons at Christ Church Episcopal, Savannah, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
Newcomer & Episcopal Refresher Class: Fr. Arboleda will lead a class for newcomers and those who want a "refresher" on Episcopal Church basics. The next two meetings are 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.
Stations of the Cross on Fridays in Lent: St. Matthew's will hold in-person Stations of the Cross services at 12:00 noon on every Friday in Lent (February 16 - March 29). Please see Deacon Davis with any questions.
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:
Mar. 6: Chapters 4-5
Mar. 13: Chapters 6-7
Mar. 20: Chapters 8-9 and Appendices
Christ Church Lenten Lecture on Stained Glass - Mar. 10: Christ Church Episcopal member and professor of art history Gary Radke is teaching a four-part Lenten series on the positive power of darkness in Renaissance art on Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:00 PM. On March 10, the final lecture titled "Problems with Light" will address racial stereotypes in Christian art and feature a comparison of Christ Church's windows with ours at St. Matthew's.
Rev Up Georgia Voter Registration/Education Drive on Mar. 23: Join Rev Up Georgia for a day of Voter Registration and Education on Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at St. Matthew's. Come and spread word about the importance of this election year and come encourage your family and friends to vote. Light refreshments and educational materials will be provided.
New Cruets for Communion Wine and Water: A church member who wishes to remain anonymous generously donated new cruets to our Altar Guild. These are the vessels for carrying wine and water to the altar for Holy Communion. We dedicated them last Sunday and are using them in worship for the first time today.
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.
If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your sister or brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your sister or brother, and then come and offer your gift. [Matthew 5:23-24]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
LEV #28: Down at the Cross
1 Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried;
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His name.
Refrain:
Glory to His name.
Glory to His name!
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His name.
2 I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His name. [Refrain]
3 O, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His name. [Refrain]
4 Come to this fountain so rich and sweet;
Cast your poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today, and be made complete;
Glory to His name. [Refrain]
[Words: Elisha A. Hoffman. Music: John H. Stockton. Reprinted with permission from ONE LICENSE #TLC-000220.]
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 ... [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
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.
Hymn #313: Let Thy Blood in Mercy Poured
1. Let thy Blood in mercy poured,
let thy gracious Body broken,
be to me, O gracious Lord,
of thy boundless love the token.
Refrain:
Thou didst give thyself for me,
now I give myself to thee.
2. Thou didst die that I might live;
blessed Lord, thou cam'st to save me;
all that love of God could give
Jesus by his sorrows gave me. [Refrain]
3. By the thorns that crowned thy brow,
by the spear-wound and the nailing,
by the pain and death, I now
claim, O Christ, thy love unfailing. [Refrain]
4. Wilt thou own the gift I bring?
All my penitence I give thee;
thou art my exalted King,
of thy matchless love forgive me. [Refrain]
[Words: John Brownlie. Music: Jesus, meine Zuversicht, melody Johann Cruger; harm. after The Chorale Book for England.]
Hymn #318: Here, O Lord, I See Thee
1. Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
and all my weariness upon thee lean.
2. Here would I feed upon the Bread of God;
here drink with thee the royal Wine of heaven;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.
3. I have no help but thine; nor do I need
another arm save thine to lean upon;
it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.
4. Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness;
mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing Blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
thy Blood, thy righteousness, O Lord, my God!
[Words: Horatius Bonar. Music: Nyack, Warren Swenson. © 1970, Warren Swenson. Used by permission. Reprinted with permission from ONE LICENSE #88543.]
The Post-Communion Prayer
[EOW1, p. 69; Enriching our Worship 2 (2000), pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue 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.
Lenten Solemn Prayer over the People
[BOS22, pp. 12-14]
Deacon:
Let us bow down before the Lord.
Presider (Lent 3):
Look mercifully on this your family, Almighty God, that by your great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn #703: Lead Us, O Father
1 Lead us, O Father, in the paths of peace;
Without thy guiding hand we go astray,
and doubts appall, and sorrows still increase;
lead us through Christ, the true and living Way.
2 Lead us, O Father, in the paths of right;
blindly we stumble when we walk alone,
involved in shadows of a darksome night;
only with thee we journey safely on.
3 Lead us, O Father, to thy heavenly rest,
however rough and steep the path may be;
through joy or sorrow, as thou deemest best,
until our lives are perfected in thee.
[Words: Wiliam Henry Burleigh, alt. Music: Song 22e, melody and bass Orlando Gibbons. Reprinted with Permission under ONE LICENSE #1051659.]
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Let us bless the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Teresa Blue Clemons, Lazola Cope, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Donald Jones, Sheila Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Jessica Mathis, Sada Maxwell, John “Butch” Mitchell, Russell Nails, Jabbar Newton, Jeannette Outing, and Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: Jaiden Jones (03/09)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A
RECENT DEATHS: Jacqueline Bryant (1/24/24); Kobie Jones (nephew of Donald Jones) (2/26/24)
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. Cover Image: https://embracingbrokenness.org/2021/03/the-daily-memo-march-29-2021-a-passionate-demonstration/
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