Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
- Oct 9, 2022
- 23 min read

Sunday Worship on October 9, 2022

The Holy Eucharist

The 18th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 23C)

October 9, 2022 at 9:30 AM

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

The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Hymn #493: O For a Thousand Tongues

1 O for a thousand tongues to sing

my dear Redeemer's praise,

the glories of my God and King,

the triumphs of his grace!

2 My gracious Master and my God,

assist me to proclaim,

and spread through all the earth abroad

the honors of thy Name.

3 Jesus! the Name that charms our fears

and bids our sorrows cease;

'tis music in the sinner's ears,

'tis life and health and peace.

4 He speaks; and, listening to his voice,

new life the dead receive,

the mournful broken hearts rejoice,

the humble poor believe.

5 Hear him, ye deaf; ye voiceless ones,

your loosened tongues employ;

ye blind, behold your Savior comes;

and leap, ye lame, for joy!

6 Glory to God and praise and love

be now and ever given

by saints below and saints above,

the church in earth and heaven.

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.

The Collect of the Day

[BCP, p. 357, 234]

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Book of 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me."

But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, `Wash, and be clean'?" So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel."

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 111

[BCP, p. 754]

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

1 Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, * in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the deeds of the Lord! * they are studied by all who delight in them.

3 His work is full of majesty and splendor, * and his righteousness endures for ever.

4 He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; * the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He gives food to those who fear him; * he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works * in giving them the lands of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; * all his commandments are sure.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, * because they are done in truth and equity.

9 He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his covenant for ever; * holy and awesome is his Name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; * those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever.

A Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy 2:8-15

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David-- that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself.

Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn #551: Rise Up, Ye Saints Of God (Verses 1-2)

1 Rise up, ye saints of God!

Have done with lesser things,

give heart and soul and mind and strength

to serve the King of kings.

2 Rise up, ye saints of God!

His kingdom tarries long:

Lord, bring the day of truth and love

and end the night of wrong.

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

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke 17:11-19

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Hymn #551: Rise Up, Ye Saints Of God (Verse 3)

3 Lift high the cross of Christ!

Tread where his feet have trod;

and quickened by the Spirit's power,

rise up, ye saints of God!

The Sermon

“Prayers for Healing” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector

Most of you already know this, but I did not grow up as an Episcopalian. I came up going to United Methodist and Baptist churches and then visited churches of lots of other denominations when I left home for college. It wasn’t until I was already a Divinity School (seminary) student that I visited an Episcopal Church for the first time in Durham, NC.

Very shortly after I got confirmed, I was visiting my family in New York during a break from school. On that Sunday morning, I googled nearby Episcopal parishes to visit and settled on the church that was closest to my parents’ church so I could attend both if I got up early enough. So I visited St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church (Farmingdale, NY) that morning at the 8:00 AM service of Holy Eucharist. It was a smaller parish, so, as you might imagine, I was one of very few visitors and the only 20-something there. I struck up a conversation with the friendly priest, Mother Christine, after worship, told her a little bit of my story, and let her know that I intended to be back the following Sunday.

It just so happened that later that week, I started to feel a little bit under the weather. At first it didn’t seem that bad. I just had a persistent stitch on the left side of my abdomen. I initially thought my abs were sore from a workout I did (which, in hindsight, didn’t make any sense). But two days later, that “soreness” didn’t go away and was actually getting worse. So I went to the local urgent care to try to find out what was wrong. The doctor asked me some questions, felt my side, and said we needed to take an x-ray. All of this felt strange and ominous. Within a few minutes, the doctor came back and explained that my appendix was infected and I needed to go to the emergency room immediately.

We went straight to the hospital and they brought me to pre-op. I had to wait several hours before the surgeon was available, but eventually, some time after midnight, I had the appendix removed. And it was a good thing I went in that day because in the hours I was waiting for the surgeon in the emergency department, the pain in my side grew way worse. The surgeon explained the next day that they expected to perform a small incision to remove the appendix with a scope (laparoscopic appendectomy). But between the x-ray and the actual operation (less than 12 hours), the appendix had burst. So they administered the traditional surgery and left me with a 4-inch scar on my belly to prove it. I ended up recovering in the hospital for about a week and had to change all of my summer internship plans to avoid any strenuous physical activity.

All of this felt like a big whirlwind. It was the first time I had ever experienced any kind of medical crisis. I called several friends from college and from North Carolina to ask for prayer and let my priest in Durham know to add me to their prayer list. But finally, someone suggested that I call St. Thomas’ Church and ask Mother Christine to come visit me. And I’ll be honest with you: I never did. I got nervous about asking someone I just met to make time to see me, anoint me with oil, and pray for my recovery. I didn’t want to be a burden to her or anybody else. I felt embarrassed about needing help and chose not to ask for it.

I eventually made it back to St. Thomas’ two Sundays later and explained the whole saga to her. She told me that I should have called because she would have come. I was surprised at how dedicated she was to ministering to someone who was not from “her flock.” I wasn’t her parishioner; I didn’t tithe to St. Thomas’ Church; she didn’t “owe” me anything. But that didn’t matter to her. I was someone in need, and she was Christian and a priest. For what it’s worth, she took time then and there to anoint me and pray for my healing now that I was up and out of the hospital bed.

This story came to mind this week because I think it connects with two of today’s Bible readings. In 2 Kings and Luke, we read about people being healed of their diseases. But in both cases — Naaman and the Samaritan leper — they are “foreigners” who do not belong to the people of Israel or worship the God of Israel. Naaman was literally the commander of a foreign army (who frequently went to war with Israel). The ten people who Jesus healed of leprosy were a mixture of Jews and Samaritans. Elisha and Jesus might have chosen to ignore or deny their requests for help. They might have said these people needed to convert to Judaism, get circumcised, swear an oath, or transfer their membership to the local parish. But they didn’t. Instead they were generous with God’s healing power.

In these stories, God proves God’s love for all people, Gentiles included. Jesus and Elisha tear down the walls between insiders and outsiders. People of every ethnicity, race, color, and even creed are loved by God. All people are welcome to join God’s family. All people are invited to receive God’s healing and reconciling love.

When I had my appendix taken out, I learned a lesson that I’ve tried to carry with me into my ordained ministry. Mother Christine showed me how important it is to prioritize people in their times of need. She showed me how meaningful it can be for people to receive a call, visit, prayer, and anointing when they are sick. And is a twofold lesson for us: First, don’t hesitate to call me or Deacon Davis if something happens. We want to be there to care for you when you are ill. If we can physically get there, we’ll get there. And if one of us can’t get there, at the very least, we’ll pray with you over the phone. You’re not a burden. It’s our joy and privilege to serve you in this way.

Second, ministry to the sick isn’t just for deacons and priests. Anybody can do it. It may not take the same exact form, but it’s just as important. Anyone can pray for someone in need. Anyone can call or visit to check in. Anyone can make a meal or give someone a ride or anything else you can do to support each other. And they don’t have to be close friends or fellow parishioners for you to do it. God loves everyone and invites us to show love and kindness to anyone in need. Thanks be to God for the opportunity to give and receive this divine love. Amen.

AAHH #266: How Can You Recognize A Child Of God

How can you recognize a child of God?

He's been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Oh, oh, hallelujah, hallelujah!

I've been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Oh, oh, hallelujah, hallelujah!

A child of God I am.

How can you recognize a child of God?

I've been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

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. 92]

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, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Tom Iredale, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Bette Milledge, John "Butch" Mitchell, Jeanette Outing, 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: Kendra McAllister (10/9), Joseph Robinson (10/9), Regina Robinson (10/9), St. Clair Fraser (10/12), Jocelyn Wheeler (10/14), Tawanna Green (10/14), and Shannon Nobles (10/15); those celebrating wedding anniversaries; 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

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NAACP Gubernatorial Candidates Forum on 10/13: On Thursday, October 13, at 6:30 PM, St. Matthew's will host a Forum for Georgia's Gubernatorial Candidates, sponsored by the NAACP Savannah Branch, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's Mu Phi Chapter, and the Savannah State University Student Chapter of the NAACP. This moderated civic educational event will be an opportunity for the public to learn more about the positions of each candidate and ask questions about the issues that concern voters.

The campaigns of Gov. Brian Kemp (R), Stacey Abrams (D), and Shane Hazel (L) have all been invited to attend. This event is not an endorsement of any candidate by St. Matthew's Church or the other sponsoring organizations.

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. We will be sharing much more information starting next Sunday!

Faithful Voter Seminar & Listening Session on 10/16: On Sunday, October 16, 2022, 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!

THANK YOU for Helping Us Buy New Deacon Vestments: Earlier this year, the Bishop assigned a deacon to St. Matthew's for the first time in recent memory. There are special stoles and vestments for deacons called Dalmatics to distinguish them from priests during Communion services. Deacon Davis and Fr. Arboleda researched a variety of options and found an affordable set of four stole dalmatic sets in the four primary liturgical colors: white, green, red, and purple (see link below).

The church has received enough donations to make the purchase. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! They will be shipped from Europe and we anticipate them arriving in time for Advent.

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

This Far By Faith #292: Give Thanks

Give thanks with a grateful heart,

give thanks to the Holy One,

give thanks because he's given Jesus Christ, his Son.

And now let the weak say, "I am strong,"

let the poor say, "I am rich,"

because of what the Lord has done for us.

And now let the weak say, "I am strong,"

let the poor say, "I am rich,"

because of what the Lord has done for us.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

The Gifts of God for the people of God.

Hymn #343: Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless

1 Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless

thy chosen pilgrim flock

with manna in the wilderness,

with water from the rock.

2 We would not live by bread alone,

but by thy word of grace,

in strength of which we travel on

to our abiding place.

3 Be known to us in breaking bread,

and do not then depart;

Saviour, abide with us, and spread

thy table in our heart.

4 Lord, sup with us in love divine,

thy Body and thy Blood,

that living bread, that heavenly wine,

be our immortal food.

[Words: James Montgomery, alt., Public Domain. Music: St. Agnes, melody John Bacchus Dykes; harm. Richard Proulx after John Bacchus Dykes © 1985 GIA Publications. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #13273. 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, Lazola Cope, Aaron Duplechien Jr., Angelica Glover, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Tom Iredale, Whitney Kennedy, Sada Maxwell, Bette Milledge, John "Butch" Mitchell, Jeanette Outing, Jewel Wheeler

BIRTHDAYS: Kendra McAllister (10/9), Joseph Robinson (10/9), Regina Robinson (10/9), St. Clair Fraser (10/12), Jocelyn Wheeler (10/14), Tawanna Green (10/14), and Shannon Nobles (10/15)

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: N/A

RECENT DEATHS: N/A

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

Note: 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.

Image Credits: https://achristianpilgrim.wordpress.com/2018/11/14/jesus-heals-ten-lepers/

Sunday Worship on October 9, 2022

The Holy Eucharist

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

The Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Hymn #493: O For a Thousand Tongues

The Opening Acclamation

A Collect for Purity

Hymn S-280: Glory to God

The Collect of the Day

A Reading from the Book of 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c

Psalm 111

A Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy 2:8-15

Hymn #551: Rise Up, Ye Saints Of God (Verses 1-2)

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke 17:11-19

Hymn #551: Rise Up, Ye Saints Of God (Verse 3)

The Sermon

AAHH #266: How Can You Recognize A Child Of God

The Nicene Creed

The Prayers of the People

Confession of Sin

The Peace

Parish Announcements

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The Offertory

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

This Far By Faith #292: Give Thanks

AAHH #651: Doxology

Eucharistic Prayer B

The Lord’s Prayer

The Fraction Anthems

Hymn #343: Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless

The Post-Communion Prayer

The Blessing of the People

The Dismissal

The Parish Prayer List

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