Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
- Mar 5, 2023
- 22 min read

Sunday Worship on March 5, 2023

Updated: Mar 8, 2023

The Holy Eucharist

The Second Sunday in Lent (Year A)

March 5, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda

Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/

The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Hymn # 636: How Firm A Foundation

1 How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?

2 "Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

3 "When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;

for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

4 "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

5 "The soul that to Jesus hath fled for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to its foes;

that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."

The Penitential Order

[BCP, p. 351]

Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

His mercy endures for ever.

The Decalogue (Ten Commandments)

[BCP, p. 350]

Hear the commandments of God to his people:

I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage. You shall have no other gods but me. Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not make for yourself any idol. Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not invoke with malice the Name of the Lord your God. Amen. Lord have mercy.

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Amen. Lord have mercy.

Honor your father and your mother. Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not commit murder. Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not commit adultery. Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not steal. Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not be a false witness. Amen. Lord have mercy.

You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. Amen. Lord have mercy.

The Comfortable Words

[BCP, p. 351]

The Celebrant reads one of the following sentences.

Jesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

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

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14,16

Confession of Sin

[BCP, p. 352]

The Deacon says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Deacon and People

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Bishop, when present, or the Priest, stands and says

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

LEV #235: Lord, Have Mercy

[See also BCP, p. 356]

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy,

Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy,

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy,

The Collect of the Day

[BCP, p. 357, 218]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Book of Genesis 12:1-4a

The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 121

[BCP, p. 779]

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

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, * the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved * and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5 The Lord himself watches over you; * the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, * nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; * it is he who shall keep you safe.

8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.

For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn #691: My Faith Looks Up To Thee (Verses 1-2)

1 My faith looks up to thee,

thou Lamb of Calvary,

Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

take all my guilt away;

O let me from this day

be wholly thine.

2 May thy rich grace impart

strength to my fainting heart,

my zeal inspire;

as thou hast died for me,

O may my love to thee

pure, warm, and changeless be,

a living fire.

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

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to John 3:1-17

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Hymn #691: My Faith Looks Up To Thee (Verse 3)

3 While life's dark maze I tread,

and griefs around me spread,

be thou my guide;

bid darkness turn to day;

wipe sorrow's tears away,

nor let me ever stray

from thee aside.

The Sermon

"So That You Will Be A Blessing" by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

Last week, we were blessed to have the Rev. Bill Cruse as our guest preacher. He also facilitated the first of three congregational meetings we will have this spring, so you will have a chance to see him again on March 29 and on April 29.

Fr. Cruse preached an excellent sermon, and something he said really stuck with me. Lent is a journey through the wilderness. For forty days, we imitate Jesus by fasting, praying, and/or taking on other disciplines to prepare ourselves for the joys of Easter. But (here’s the insight) the church’s mission is to become an oasis in the wilderness. Life is hard out there, like a deserted, dry, and weary land. And our calling is to become a community where people can receive rest and refreshment. The church must be a place where people can be restored, where we find wellness.

We do that through worship, prayer groups, and Bible studies. We do that through service to neighbors in need. We do that through standing up for the rights of others (working for social justice). We do that through flowing all six of the holy currencies in our various ministries. In all these ways, we must follow the biblical example of Abram (who we know better by his second name, Abraham).

In Genesis 12:2, God said to Abram, “I will bless you … so that you will be a blessing.” Abram receives blessings from God, but they aren’t just to make Abram happy, to satisfy him. They have a greater purpose. Abram receives those blessings so that he can be a blessing to other people. If Abram received God’s blessing and kept it, he would have done wrong. Because God’s blessings are made to flow. They are supposed to move in and through creatures. We have to pass them along and pay them forward. Blessings cannot be stagnant.

But here is the tricky part: Abram’s blessing required him to leave his comfort zone. God called Abram to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s house (Gen 12:1). The blessing meant that he had to do something different than what he was doing before, in a place that was different from before, with people different from before. He had to break from his old ways in order to follow God’s call. He had to enter into a new way of being in order to be blessed. And he had to go into the unknown in order to receive grace and become a blessing to others.

God’s blessing was challenging and different, but it was also good. It was worthwhile. Because God’s blessing led to new relationships. It led to new gifts of grace. It led to new truths. It led to more wellness for Abram and his loved ones. Abram’s blessing led to the formation of the people of Israel. Abram’s descendants would eventually include Mary, Joseph, and their baby boy Jesus. That Jesus became the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. That Jesus became the Savior and Ruler of all creation. When Abram answered “yes” to God’s gracious invitation, God’s blessings flowed in ways that Abram could never have asked for or imagined.

The same is true for us, both as individuals and as a church. We are in a holy moment this Lent. God has led this church’s leaders to begin a comprehensive, parish-wide strategic planning process. God is inviting us into self-reflection, and that is a blessing. God is inviting us to ask each other new questions, and that is a blessing. God is inviting us to share new truths with each other, and that is a blessing. God is inviting us to meet new people in the wider community, and that is a blessing. But those blessings are not for us to just hold onto tightly. They are meant to flow. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to the world around us.

The church is called to be an oasis in the wilderness. We are supposed to be a place of refreshment and nourishment for the people who call themselves members and worshippers. But we’re also called to be a blessing to people who have never walked through those red doors (and maybe never will). Love and blessings are not transactions. We don’t love and serve and advocate for people only to recruit them into the church. We bless others because God blesses us. People may join us but only because they see that love in action.

The Strategic Planning Team and I are in the process of compiling and analyzing all the things we talked about at last Sunday’s meeting. We’re going to do the same with all the things we discuss on Wednesday, March 29, and on Saturday, April 29. That means that we are still figuring out how God wants us to be a blessing. And we need each of you to share your truth so that we can hear God’s truth together. We don’t have the answers yet because we’re still listening, still pondering, still receiving God’s blessing in the form of this community. And if you come to these meetings, you’ll be a part of that reflection and planning. You’ll help set the direction for the future of St. Matthew’s. You’ll help us to be a blessing to others here and now and in the next generation.

Are we willing to go boldly wherever God calls us? Are we willing to leave our comfort zones together and enter into God’s new blessings? I pray that we will. Pray with me for the blessing of grace and courage, so that we can be blessings to others. Amen.

The Nicene Creed

[BCP, p. 358]

All standing as they are able, the People pray:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Hymn S106: The Prayers of the People, Form I

[See also BCP, p. 383]

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying "Lord, have mercy."

For the peace from above, for the loving-kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the Holy Church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For our Frank our Bishop, and for all the clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For Joseph our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the City of Savannah, for every city and community, and for those who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the good earth which God has given us, and for the wisdom and will to conserve it, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel on land, on water, in the air, or through outer space, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, and Jewel Wheeler; for Jaiden Jones (3/9), Sophia Maiorano (3/10), and Jonas McAllister (3/11) on their birthdays; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, especially Loretta Harmond, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppression, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

That we may end our lives in faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Defend us, deliver us, and in your compassion protect us, O Lord, by your grace. Lord, have mercy.

In the communion of Blessed Matthew and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God. To you, O Lord our God.

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

The Peace

[BCP, p. 360]

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Parish Announcements

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

Confirmation & Episcopal Refresher Class #3 on 3/5: This spring, Fr. Arboleda will teach an eight-session course to prepare people for Confirmation, Reception, or Renewal of Baptismal Vows. This course is also open to anyone in the church who wants a "refresher" on fundamental Episcopal beliefs and practices. This is a space for learning and growth. In these classes, we will listen carefully to one another and honor each other as siblings, even if we disagree. We will not shame anyone for asking questions, not knowing something, or sharing their honest beliefs.

Confirmations and Renewals of Baptismal Vows will take place on Sunday, May 28, 2023, the Day of Pentecost, when Bishop Frank Logue will conduct his annual visitation to St. Matthew's. Each session of the class will take place after Sunday worship from about 11:15-12:15.

Confirmation & Episcopal Refresher Class Schedule

March 5: Christian Beliefs and Creeds
March 19: The Bible and You
April 2: Other Sacraments (Marriage, Confession, Anointing, & Burial)
April 23: Using The Book of Common Prayer
May 7: Faith Outside the Church
May 21: Faith Inside The Episcopal Church

Wellness Wednesdays in Lent: Every Wednesday in Lent, beginning on March 1, will be Wellness Wednesday! We will gather for worship, food, and discussion about finding wellness in our community. Using tools from Kaleidoscope Institute, such as Holy Currencies, we will reflect on Bible passages relating Wellness to Time & Place, Relationships, Gracious Leadership, Truth, and Money. March 29 will be our second Strategic Planning Congregational Meeting in place of the usual programming. Below is the weekly schedule. Even if you miss worship, you can still come!

5:00 - 5:30 Evening Prayer
5:30 - 6:00 Dinner
6:00 - 7:00 Wellness Bible Reflections

There is a sign-up sheet in the parish hall for individuals or groups who want to prepare a simple meal for each of the Wednesdays.

"Vegan Madness" Supper Club on 3/12: St. Matthew's newest renter is A.M. Diverse Cooking L.L.C. Their "Diverse Supper Club" provide's excellent service, delicious made-from-scratch vegan/plant-based food, and an ambiance that'll have every guest leave with a smile. The next supper, called "Vegan Madness," and will be held on Sunday, March 12, at 6:00 PM at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church's Toomer-Walker Hall. Tickets cost $55 per person and must be purchased in advance at: https://amdiversecooking.com/events%2Fdates.

St. Matthew's will also host A.M. Diverse Cooking L.L.C.'s food truck in its parking lot on Friday, March 17, from ___ to ___. AMDC will donate 5% of their proceeds to Emmaus House, which serves our unhoused neighbors in downtown Savannah.

Strategic Planning Congregational Meeting #2 on 3/29: St. Matthew's Strategic Planning Team invites YOU to attend the second Strategic Planning Congregational Meeting, called "St. Matthew's Present: Understanding Who We Are Now." This meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 29 in Toomer-Walker Hall from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM. It will begin with a catered meal and feature engaging presentations and activities led by our Strategic Planning Team and Fr. Bill Cruse from the Kaleidoscope Institute.

Mark your calendars for the 3rd meeting on Saturday, 4/29/23, from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (with a barbecue to follow).

Pastoral Installation of Reverend Stephen Robertson 3/19: You are invited to attend the installation of Reverend Stephen Robertson on Sunday, 3/19 at 3:00 P.M. at Butler Memorial Presbyterian Church, 603 W. Victory Dr. Savannah. There will be a reception immediately following the service.

Sermon Book Committee Meeting on 3/19: The committee compiling a book of Rev. Guillermo Arboleda's sermons is looking for additional members to read the sermons from 2019-2023. If you are interested, please see Karsten Tyson or Idella Jones. The Committee's next meeting is on Sunday, March 19 at 11:00 AM.

New Doxology for Strategic Planning: At the end of the offertory, we will begin singing different lyrics to the “Doxology” hymn. This is the hymn we sing while the people’s offerings are brought forward to the altar. These lyrics were written by the Rev. Dr. Eric Hung Fat Law, the founder of Kaleidoscope Institute, with whom we are consulting for our strategic planning process.

T/W/Th Evening Prayer: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, St. Matthew's invites you to pray Evening Prayer over Zoom. The video will continue to stream to Facebook Live at 5:00 PM. Please join the Zoom call by 4:55 PM. Otherwise, watch the prayer service as you have been on Facebook Live.

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.

“I appeal to you, sisters and brothers, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” [Romans 12:1]

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

LEV #208: We've Comer This Far By Faith

REFREAIN:

We’ve come this far by faith, Leaning on the Lord. Trusting in His Holy Word. He’s never failed us yet. Oh, can’t turn around, We’ve come this far by faith.

1. Don’t be discouraged when troubles in your life. He’ll bear your burdens And move all misery and strife

That's why we've … [Refrain]

2. Just the other day I heard someone say, He didn’t believe in God's Word; But I can truly say that God had made a way. And He never failed me yet.

That's why we've … [Refrain]

[Words: Albert A. Goodson. Music: Albert A. Goodson; harm. Richard Smallwood. Words and Music Copyright © 1963. Harm. Copyright 1963 Manna Music, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #22180. All rights reserved.]

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Circling through earth so all may grow

Vanquishing fear so all may give

Widening grace so all may live

Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer A

[BCP, p. 361]

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

LEV #255:

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts

Heaven and earth are filled with your glory

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.

[Music: Grayson Warren Brown, A Mass for Soulful People, Copyright © 1979 North American Liturgy Resources, Published by OCP. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #83420. All rights reserved.]

The people stand or kneel.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

LEV #258:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer

[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 Fraction Anthems

[BCP, p. 364, 407]

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!

Therefore let us keep the feast!

LEV #270:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:

grant us peace.

Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The Gifts of God for the people of God.

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 Choral Book for England. Copyright © 1992 Lorenz Publishing Company a division of the Lorenz Corporation. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #1018159. All Rights Reserved.]

The Post-Communion Prayer

[Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]

Let us pray.

For In-Person Worshippers:

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. 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 Solemn Prayer over the People

[Adapted from The Book of Occasional Services 2018, pp. 10-11]

The Deacon says

Let us bow down before the Lord.

The Celebrant prays

Keep this your family, Lord, with your never-failing mercy, that relying solely on the help of your heavenly grace, they may be upheld by your divine protection; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn #473: Lift High The Cross

REFRAIN: Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred Name.

1. Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. [Refrain]

2. Each newborn servant of the Crucified bears on the brow the seal of him who died. [Refrain]

3 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree, as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. [Refrain]

4 So shall our song of triumph ever be: praise to the Crucified for victory. [Refrain]

[Words: George William Kitchin; alt. Michael Robert Newbolt. By permission of Hymns Ancient & Modern Ltd. Music: Crucifer, Sydney Hugo Nicholson, desc. Richard Proulx. Copyright © 1985, GIA Publications, Inc. Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #EXS00174D. All Rights Reserved.]

The Dismissal

[BCP, p. 366]

Let us bless the Lord!

Thanks be to God!

The Parish Prayer List

PRAYER LIST: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien, Jr., Marva Harris, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Jeannette Outing, and Jewel Wheeler

BIRTHDAYS: Jaiden Jones (3/9), Sophia Maiorano (3/10), and Jonas McAllister (3/11)

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A

RECENT DEATHS: Loretta Harmond (2/15)

May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

Permissions and Credits: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.

Image Credits: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/08/76/2208766a0a3586436fee854119e23ce5.jpg

Sunday Worship on March 5, 2023

The Holy Eucharist

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The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Hymn # 636: How Firm A Foundation

The Penitential Order

The Decalogue (Ten Commandments)

The Comfortable Words

Confession of Sin

LEV #235: Lord, Have Mercy

The Collect of the Day

A Reading from the Book of Genesis 12:1-4a

Psalm 121

A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Hymn #691: My Faith Looks Up To Thee (Verses 1-2)

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to John 3:1-17

Hymn #691: My Faith Looks Up To Thee (Verse 3)

The Sermon

The Nicene Creed

Hymn S106: The Prayers of the People, Form I

The Peace

Parish Announcements

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The Offertory

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

LEV #208: We've Comer This Far By Faith

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Eucharistic Prayer A

LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer

The Fraction Anthems

Hymn #313: Let Thy Blood In Mercy Poured

The Post-Communion Prayer

For In-Person Worshippers:

For Online Worshippers and Those Receiving Spiritual Communion:

The Solemn Prayer over the People

Hymn #473: Lift High The Cross

The Dismissal

The Parish Prayer List

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