The Holy Eucharist
The 19th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 24C)
October 16, 2022 at 9:30 AM
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
The Holy Eucharist: Rite II
Hymn #530: Spread, O Spread, Thou Mighty Word
1 Spread, O spread, thou mighty word,
spread the kingdom of the Lord,
that to earth’s remotest bound
all may heed the joyful sound;
2 word of how the Father’s will
made the world, and keeps it, still;
how his only Son he gave,
earth from sin and death to save;
3 word of how the Savior’s love
earth’s sore burden doth remove;
how forever, in its need,
through his death the world is freed;
4 word of how the Spirit came
bringing peace in Jesus’ name;
how his never-failing love
guides us on to heaven above.
5 Word of life, most pure and strong,
word for which the nations long,
spread abroad, until from night
all the world awakes to light.
[Words: Jonathan Rederick Bahnmaier; tr. Arthur William Farlander and Charles Winfred Douglas, alt. St. 4, F. Bland Tucker, Public Domain. Music: Gott sei Dank, melody from Geistreiches Gesangbuch; adapt. and harm. William Henry Havergal, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #85583. All rights reserved.]
The Opening Acclamation
[BCP, p. 355]
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
And blessed be God's kingdom, now and forever! Amen!
A Collect for Purity
[BCP, p. 355]
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn S-280: Glory to God
[See also BCP, p. 356]
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Robert Powell © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28331. All rights reserved.]
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 235]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of Genesis 32:22-31
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
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 Second Letter of Paul to Timothy 3:14-4:5
As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn #709: O God of Bethel (Verses 1-4)
1 O God of Bethel, by whose hand
thy people still are fed;
who through this earthly pilgrimage
hast all our fathers led:
2 Our vows, our prayers, we now present
before thy throne of grace:
O God of Israel, be the God
of this succeeding race.
3 Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us each day our daily bread,
and raiment fit provide.
4 O spread thy covering wings around,
till all our wanderings cease,
and at our Father's loved abode
our souls arrive in peace!
[Words: Philip Doddridge, alt. Music: Dundee, melody from The CL Psalmes of David, Public Domain. All rights reserved.]
The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke 18:1-8
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn #709: O God of Bethel (Verses 5)
5 Such blessings from thy gracious hand
our humble prayers implore;
and thou shalt be our covenant God
and portion evermore.
[Words: Philip Doddridge, alt. Music: Dundee, melody from The CL Psalmes of David, Public Domain. All rights reserved.]
The Sermon
“Be Persistent, Whether the Time is Favorable or Unfavorable” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector
“I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching” (2 Tim 4:1b-2).
Like most churches in 2022, St. Matthew’s is at a bit of a crossroads. We have survived the first two and a half years of this pandemic, praying that the worst is behind us. But the COVID-19 pandemic has changed us irreversibly. We are not the same as we were in February 2020, both for better and for poorer.
We learned a lot about 21st century technology, adding video cameras, improving our microphones, and dramatically increasing our online presence on our website, Facebook, and Instagram. Through those means we are able to connect with people from a lot farther away, especially with people who might have grown up in this church and moved away. The inclusion of more people who are unable or unwilling to attend church in person has overall been a major blessing for St. Matthew’s.
But, at the same time, technology is made for people, but people aren’t made for technology. What I mean is that we are social creatures. We need each other. We benefit the most from seeing each other live and in the flesh. There is something about human interactions that phone calls, livestream videos, Facebook comments, and Zoom calls just cannot reproduce. And there are some of our members who we see in person less frequently or have not seen in public worship at all since 2020. That doesn’t make them any less members or any less important to us. It just means we miss you and all that you bring to the community. It’s harder for us to feel the pulse of this community when we all gather together in person less often.
I’m spending time reflecting on the last couple of years because today is the launch of our 2023 Pledge Campaign. You should have received letters in the mail this week about the Pledge Campaign, and there are 2023 Pledge forms in your bulletins, if you’re with us in person. I’ll touch on that more in a few minutes. Whenever we make an appeal to our people to give and contribute to the mission and ministry of this church, it’s an opportunity to reflect on what that mission and ministry is. Why are we here? What are we doing? And where are we going? How do we continue to be a faithful church when the definition of “church” seems to be changing around us all the time?
That’s where Paul’s words to Timothy come in. He writes, “proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching” (2 Tim 4:2). From a certain point of view, in 2022 and 2023, the time is “unfavorable” for church growth. Maybe there are too many cultural forces weighing people down into apathy. Maybe people have given up on the church as their source for spiritual nourishment. Maybe the pandemic has accelerated the decades-long trend of churches declining and shrinking. But even if that’s the case, we’re still supposed to “proclaim the message” of Jesus, who gives life, love, and liberation to all. We’re still called to “be persistent,” to be hopeful and not discouraged.
Because from another point of view, this is a “favorable” and opportune time. The ground is fertile for us to grow and change. As church people, we have probably never been more flexible, adaptable, and open to change than we are right now. In 2020, we had no choice but to adapt. But in 2023, we do have a choice. We can try to go back to all the familiar ways things were, back to that trajectory of slow decline, or we can learn, adapt, and build a new normal together. We can chart a new course for St. Matthew’s that draws on the best of our traditions without getting stuck in the mud.
That’s why in 2022-2023, the Vestry and I are not going to lead passively and just see what happens. We’re going to take active steps to address this challenge head on. As I mentioned on Anniversary Sunday, we are going to take this opportunity to build a new strategic vision for St. Matthew’s Church. Unlike a lot of strategic plans in the business world, this is not going to be a top-down decree about what we should do. The wardens and I are not going to decide everything behind closed doors.
Instead, the vision for St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church will come from the people of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. With the help of a diverse church consulting firm, we will form a strategic visioning team that will research, plan, and organize all the major events throughout our process. In the winter and spring, we will hold three congregational engagement meetings where we ask all of you to participate. At these meetings we will look back at our church’s past, look around at our church’s present, and look ahead to our church’s future. What you say in our conversations at those meetings will form the core of our strategic vision. The more you participate, the more you will be invited into the plan moving forward. We’re going to get out of this what we put in.
Right now, we are still in the early planning phases for this visioning process. The Vestry and I are still finalizing the covenant with Kaleidoscope Institute to shepherd us through the process. So you will hear more in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, we’re sharing all of this with you because we want you to have confidence in our church’s leadership moving forward. We want you to know, as you pledge, that you’re “buying into” a church that is heading in the right direction. Our leaders are ready to set a bold new vision for St. Matthew’s future, and we want you to be a part of it.
Our choice to give to the church each year is a way of investing in the future of this community. Money is only one piece of the puzzle -- an important piece, but just a piece. Your time and energy devoted to worship, learning, serving in the community, and serving on committees in the parish matter just as much, if not more. Our church will grow and thrive because all of us are pitching in together to achieve our goals. So on the front side of the 2023 Pledge Form, we ask you to tell us which ministries you want to be a part of in the coming year. We’ll do our best to help connect you with other people interested in the same things, and build those ministries up.
Only after that, on the back side, do we ask you about money. We changed the format of the pledge a little bit, so please read it carefully. If you do decide to pledge monetary giving, let us know whether the amounts you list are yearly, monthly, or weekly, so we can calculate our totals for the budgeting process. (Fill out the pledge online). We are also providing new Giving Brochures explaining what the various funds do and why giving to our church is important. Those are available online in the Pledge Campaign blog post and here in the church in both the narthex and Toomer-Walker Hall.
So we hope everyone will give some money, but we really hope everyone will give of their time and their talents. Each of you has valuable skills and experiences that can shape the direction of our church’s life, especially as we enter a year of discernment and strategic visioning. In the 2023 Pledge Campaign, we’re asking you to jump all in. I’m not going to ask you to do anything that I won’t do, so I’m going to start with my pledge right here! I know the last few years have been hard and a lot has changed. But let us “be persistent” as we follow Jesus and listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance about what St. Matthew’s Church is called into next. Amen.
LEVAS #90: No, Not One!
1 There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! no, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! no, not one!
REFRAIN:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! no, not one!
2 No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! no, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! no, not one! [Refrain]
3 There’s not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! no, not one!
No night so dark but His Love can cheer us,
No, not one! no, not one! [Refrain]
4 Did ever saint find this Friend forsake Him?
No, not one! no, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! no, not one! [Refrain]
5 Was e’er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! no, not one!
Will He refuse us a home in heaven?
No, not one! no, not one! [Refrain]
[Words and Music: Johnson Oatman, Jr., Public Domain. Music: George C. Hugg, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #94914. All rights reserved.]
The Nicene Creed
[BCP, p. 358]
All standing as they are able, the People pray:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
[Adapted from Form VI, BCP, p. 392]
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
[Silence]
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For Joseph, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; Chester, the chair of our County Commission; and all other civic officials; For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble, especially the victims of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For all the churches in Savannah, that we may be one as you are one with the Son, and the Holy Spirit; For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Frank, our Bishop; Guillermo our Priest; Ella our Deacon; and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially for our Day Care’s staff, students, and families, and for those on our Parish Prayer List: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Tiffany Smith Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Tom Iredale, Allen Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Jr. Beverly Williams Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Bette Milledge, John "Butch" Mitchell, Jeanette Outing, Rev. Hershey Mallette Stephens, and Jewel Wheeler; and those we remember now…
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially for all visitors, those celebrating birthdays: Dana Jenkins (10/17) and Martha Avery (10/19); those celebrating wedding anniversaries; Frank & Juray Brown (10/19) and Leonard & Dot Law (10/19) and any other thanksgivings we offer now...
The People may add their own thanksgivings.
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, especially for those we remember now...
The People may add their own petitions.
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
The Celebrant concludes with a suitable Collect...
Confession of Sin
[BCP, p. 360]
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.
The Peace
[BCP, p. 360]
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
2023 Pledge Campaign 10/16 - 11/13: On October 16, we will launch our 2023 Pledge Campaign, inviting members of our church to plan for giving of their time, talent, and treasure in the coming year. Completing a pledge helps our church leadership plan for the parish budget and set ministry priorities for 2023 and beyond.
This week we mailed the 2023 Pledge Letter, paper copies of the 2023 Pledge Form, and 2022 3rd Quarter Giving Statements (January 1 - September 30) to every member’s address we have on file. Click here to read the 2023 Pledge Letter. Click here to read the 2023 Giving Brochure.
You may submit paper copies of the 2023 Pledge form in the ballot box in Toomer-Walker Hall or you can complete your pledge online.
Faithful Voter Seminar & Listening Session on 10/16: Today at 11:00 AM (after worship), Georgia Faith in Public Life (FPL) will sponsor a Listening Session at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church to encourage our community to Get Out The Vote as part of its Faithful Voter Pledge Campaign. Minister Shavonne Williams, FPL's Georgia Organizing Ambassador from Hephzibah, GA, will offer a presentation about recent changes to voting access in Georgia and lead a discussion about the issues that we care the most about. Faith in Public Life is a nonpartisan interreligious nonprofit organization committed to the democratic pursuit of justice, equality, and the common good.
There is also a lot of literature available in the parish hall about voter registration, voting deadlines, and statewide candidates on the ballot courtesy of FPL and Georgia Interfaith Power and Light. Please take some home and share them with your friends and family!
Read about Faith in Public Life's Democracy Campaign: https://www.faithinpubliclife.org/issues/democracy/
Pledge to be a Faithful Voter: https://www.faithinpubliclife.org/georgia-faithful-voter/
Diocesan Convention Evening Prayer and Convocational Choir: St. Matthew's Church is hosting the Opening Evening Prayer service for this year's Diocese of Georgia Convention on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 5:30 PM! We are inviting singers and choir members from around the Savannah Convocation to join with St. Matthew's Choir in leading the musical worship at this service.
If anyone is interested in participating, our Music Director, Mrs. Dandy, will hold two special Convocational Choir Rehearsals at St. Matthew's Church on Sunday, October 23, and Sunday, November 6, both at 4:00 PM. There is no need to RSVP, but singers must attend at least one of these rehearsals (ideally both) in order to sing with the choir on November 10. Thank you for helping us to make a joyful noise to God together for the Convention!
Gospel of Luke Bible Study on Wednesdays: Deacon Davis and Fr. Arboleda currently host a weekly Zoom Bible Study at 5:30 PM on Wednesdays after Evening Prayer. The group uses the same Zoom link as Evening Prayer (see e-Newsletter). This fall, the Bible Study will focus on the Gospel of Luke.
The Bible Study group is considering changing the time and format of the meeting. We are conducting a survey to find out if there is a day and time that works better for more people to meet for Bible Study and whether people prefer to continue meeting on Zoom or start to gather in person. Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/TQhWPsBZVrLDzrXB7
Updated COVID-19 Safety Guidelines: On August 24, the Vestry adopted new, simplified COVID-19 Safety Guidelines. Masks will still be required for all who attend in-person worship services and events. In summary, the changes include the following:
Removal of 100-person attendance cap
Removal of 6-foot spacing and pew spacing
Remove Attendance Sheets upon entry
Remove Temperature Checks upon entry
Remove Restroom Limit of 1 at a time
Allowing Communion to be served at the rail
Allowing Communion to be served in one or both kinds
Clarifying Indoor vs. Outdoor Eating
To read the new guidelines in full, click here: https://www.stmattsav.org/post/new-covid-19-safety-guidelines-august-2022.
Save the Date - Silver Tea on 11/5: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will once again sponsor the Silver Tea Fundraiser on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Money raised will go toward Episcopal Children and Youth Services (EYCS) college scholarships. The ECW seeks sixteen hostesses, each of whom is responsible to invite three friends and provide cups, saucers, salad and/or dessert for four. Contact Evalena Hoskins, ECW President, to register as a hostess.
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.
For security purposes, below is the Meeting ID only; please check your St. Matthew's e-Newsletter for the password (or email FrGAA@StMattSav.org to request it).
Topic: Zoom Evening Prayer
Time: 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Join Zoom Meeting: See e-Newsletter
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
Dial by your location: +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
Meeting ID: 991 8577 8541
Passcode: See e-Newsletter
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 377]
Giving to St. Matthew's: We know that many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The church is feeling it too. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. There are several ways to give, but the simplest are these:
Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.
"Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God." [Ephesians 5:2]
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
Pledge online at: https://tinyurl.com/StMattSav2023
LEV #177: Standin' in the Need of Prayer
REFRAIN:
It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer;
It’s me, it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer.
1 Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer,
Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer. [Refrain]
2 Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer,
Not the preacher, not the deacon, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer. [Refrain]
3 Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer,
Not my father, not my mother, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer. [Refrain]
4 Not the stranger, not my neighbor, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer,
Not the stranger, not my neighbor, but it’s me, O Lord,
Standin’ in the need of prayer. [Refrain]
[Words: Traditional, Public Domain. Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain; arr. Carl Haywood, from The Haywood Collection of Negro Spirituals, © 1992. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #95021. All rights reserved.]
AAHH #651: Doxology
[See also Hymn # 380, v. 3]
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
[Words: Thomas Ken, Public Domain. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #84260. All rights reserved.]
Eucharistic Prayer B
[BCP, p. 367]
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. …
The Celebrant sings or says a Proper Preface
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Hymn S-130:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
[Word: Public Domain. Music: From A Community Mass, Richard Proulx © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00216. All rights reserved.]
The people stand or kneel.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,
LEV #260:
We remember his death. We proclaim his resurrection. We await his coming in glory.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Hezekiah Brinson © 1990 Hezekiah Brinson, Jr. All rights reserved.]
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Blessed Matthew, Blessed Stephen, Blessed Augustine, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
[BCP, p. 364]
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Fraction Anthems
[BCP, p. 364, 407]
Hymn S-152:
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!
Therefore let us keep the feast! Alleluia!
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Ambrosian chant; adapt. Mason Martens © 1971 Mason Martens.]
LEV #269:
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.
[Words: Public Domain. Music: Lena McLin, Eucharist of the Soul © 1972 General Words and Music Co. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #57436. All rights reserved.]
Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
The Gifts of God for the people of God.
This Far By Faith #125: Eat This Bread
REFRAIN:
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup,
trust in me and you will not thirst.
1 I am the bread of life,
the true bread sent from the Father. [Refrain]
2 Your ancestors ate manna in the desert,
but this is the bread come down from heaven. [Refrain]
3 Eat my flesh and drink my blood,
and I will raise you up on the last day. [Refrain]
4 Anyone who eats this bread,
will live for ever. [Refrain]
5 If you believe and eat this bread,
you will have eternal life. [Refrain]
[Text: John 6; adapt. by Robert J. Batastini, and the Taizé Community. Music: BERTHER, Jacques Berthier © 1984, Les Presses de Taizé, admin. GIA Publications, Inc., agent. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #00891. All Rights Reserved.]
The Post-Communion Prayer
[Enriching our Worship 2 [2000], pp. 56-57]
Let us pray.
For In-Person Worshippers:
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.
We thank you for feeding us with this bread.
May it strengthen us
that by the power of the Holy Spirit
we may embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
For Online Worshippers and Those Receiving Spiritual Communion:
Faithful God,
in the wonder of your wisdom and love
you fed your people in the wilderness with the bread of angels,
and you sent Jesus to be the bread of life.
Though we cannot consume now these gifts of bread [and wine],
we thank you that we have received the sacrament of Christ’s presence,
the forgiveness of sins, and all other benefits of Christ’s passion.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
may we embody your desire
and be renewed for your service
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing of the People
[Adapted from Enriching Our Worship 1, p. 71]
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Martha Avery, Mary Bonaparte, Jacqueline Bryant, Tiffany Smith Bryant, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Tom Iredale, Allen Johnson, Jacob Johnson, Jr. Beverly Williams Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Bette Milledge, John "Butch" Mitchell, Jeanette Outing, Rev. Hershey Mallette Stephens, and Jewel Wheeler.
BIRTHDAYS: Dana Jenkins (10/17) and Martha Avery (10/19)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Frank & Juray Brown (10/19) and Leonard & Dot Law (10/19)
RECENT DEATHS: N/A
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
Permissions and Credits: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), African American Heritage Hymnal (AAHH), Wonder Love and Praise (WLP), and other sources cited. The Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
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