The Holy Eucharist: The Liturgy of the Word
15th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 19, Year A) September 13, 2020
Watch the Livestream at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav/Live/
Sunday at 9:30 a.m. (or anytime afterward)
Preface
I am posting this worship service online because we at St. Matthew's Church in Savannah are unable to gather together in person this week. Due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak, public health officials recommend avoiding large gatherings of people to avoid spreading the illness to more vulnerable people. Therefore, under the guidance of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, the Vestry has decided to keep our church building closed to all in-person gatherings.
At 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, I will broadcast the following worship service using Facebook Live at www.Facebook.com/StMattSav. After the service concludes, you can re-watch it at any time.
Today's service is the Liturgy of the Word (or the first part of the Holy Eucharist service we use on normal Sundays). This is for use at home while watching the live stream or reading the prayers when you cannot physically attend worship. Lay people may read the entirety of this service as printed.
May God protect you from this virus and protect the most vulnerable among us. May we be God’s hands and feet of compassion and service to all in need during this time. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Guillermo A. Arboleda
The Word of God
AAHH #154: Oh, What He's Done For Me
1 Oh, what He's done for me
Oh, what He's done for me
Oh, what He's done for me
I never shall forget what He's done for me.
2 He took my feet out the miry clay, that's what He's done for me
He took my feet out the miry clay, that's what He's done for me
He took my feet out the miry clay, that's what He's done for me
I never shall forget what He's done for me.
3 He feeds me when I'm hungry, that's what He's done for me
He feeds me when I'm hungry, that's what He's done for me
He feeds me when I'm hungry, that's what He's done for me
I never shall forget what He's done for me.
4 He picked me up and turned me around, that's what He's done for me
He picked me up and turned me around, that's what He's done for me
He picked me up and turned me around, that's what He's done for me
I never shall forget what He's done for me.
5 He gave me a home in glory, that's what He's done for me
He gave me a home in glory, that's what He's done for me
He gave me a home in glory, that's what He's done for me
I never shall forget what He's done for me.
Words: Congregational Praise Song, Public Domain.
Music: Congregational Praise Song, Public Domain; arr. James Abbington, © 2000, GIA Publications, Inc.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #95016. All rights reserved.
Opening Sentences
[BCP, p. 355]
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity
[BCP, p. 355]
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn S 280: Glory to God in the Highest
[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 #77081. All rights reserved.
The Collect of the Day
[BCP, p. 357, 233]
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
OGod, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; 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 Genesis (50:15-21)
Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 103:1-13
[BCP, p. 733]
Read responsively by half-verse (at the asterisk).
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits.
3 He forgives all your sins * and heals all your infirmities;
4 He redeems your life from the grave * and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 He satisfies you with good things, * and your youth is renewed like an eagle's.
6 The Lord executes righteousness * and judgment for all who are oppressed.
7 He made his ways known to Moses * and his works to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, * slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 He will not always accuse us, * nor will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, * nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, * so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, * so far has he removed our sins from us.
13 As a father cares for his children, * so does the Lord care for those who fear him.
A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (14:1-12)
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God."
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
REFRAIN:
Every time I feel the Spirit
Moving in my heart, I will pray
Every time I feel the Spirit
Moving in my heart, I will pray
1 Upon the mountain, my Lord spoke
Out of His mouth came fire and smoke
Looked all around me, looked so fine
Asked my Lord if all was mine.
2 Jordan River chilly and cold Chills the body but not the soul There ain't but one train runs this track Runs to heaven, and runs right back.
Words: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain
Music: Negro Spiritual, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #95026. All rights reserved.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ According to St. Matthew (18:21-35)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
“Conflict and Unity” by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda
In Romans 14, St. Paul is speaking to a church in conflict, a church that is “quarreling over opinions.”
They have legitimate theological disagreements about how to practice their faith. They disagree about fasting from different foods and about celebrating certain holidays. These are significant disagreements for a church community. If we can’t agree on what kinds of food are acceptable to eat, how do we share common meals? If we can’t agree about which holidays are important to celebrate, then how do we have church community parties and festivities?
Can you imagine church people getting into arguments and squabbles? Of course, you can! Churches have dealt with inner quarreling and conflict for 2000 years. That’s why St. Paul writes to churches about it and why we kept his letters in the Bible. These letters are timeless because every generation of people sins, no matter their culture, time, or place.
The 1st-century Roman church had fights, the 1st-century Corinthian church had fights, the Eastern and Western churches disagreed strongly enough to split up in the 1000s, Protestants broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the 1500s, and many groups of people have left The Episcopal Church in recent years. Even healthy and unified parishes, like St. Matthew’s, have to deal with arguments big and small to this day. What St. Paul is trying to do is avoid the outcome we have so often seen: schism, breaking apart into factions or denominations. He wants us to be able to disagree and maintain unity whenever possible.
Paul is not saying that all disagreements need to go away. He is not saying that they need to change all their opinions and conform to some top-down, superimposed, universal standard. In fact, St. Paul says that in these matters, disagreement is acceptable. Disagreement is okay. You don’t all have to be of the same mind about every little thing.
It is worth noting that not all disagreements in the Church are treated equally. We’re allowed to disagree and stay together about many things, but there are limits and boundaries to what Christians should accept. These limits often have to do with protecting the vulnerable and enforcing justice and fairness in the community. For examples of where you need to draw the line, check out 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and 11:17-34.
But on non-essential issues, things that are not central to the Gospel, Paul implores us to avoid judging each other. We need to avoid digging in our heels and assuming that my opinion is the only right answer to the question at hand. We need to avoid deeply entrenched conflicts and polarization in the Body of Christ. We need to remember that we’re all on the same team here. We’re all just trying to love God and follow Jesus Christ with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Paul frames all of this within God’s coming judgment and God’s love and acceptance of both parties within the church: “Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them” (Romans 14:3). And if God has welcomed them, who are we to shun them or turn them away from the church.
But what is the path to becoming less judgmental? How do we practically avoid "quarreling over opinions"? Because if they are fighting enough that Paul has heard about it from some other city (without the benefits of the internet, TV, or telephones), then the conflict must be pretty significant.
If you’re dealing with small children, when two siblings are fighting, it’s usually not enough to just tell them to get along; they often need to talk about what happened, exchange apologies, and forgive each other in order to move on.
Similarly, this church needs to find ways to come together and talk about their disagreement. They need to find ways to listen to the people who disagree with them. They need facilitated dialogue about these hot topics that will allow them to love and respect one another, even if they still don’t agree at the end of the day. They need to recognize that the way they were treating each other was wrong, and where appropriate, they need to apologize.
That’s where Jesus’ teaching comes into play: “Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times’” (Matthew 18:21-22).
In order to arrive at that forgiveness, the hottest heads in the room need to cool down, quiet up, and listen. They need to hear that the people on the other side of the debate aren’t their real enemies.
In the Romans’ case, eating meat sacrificed to idols may have offended those who were strict vegetarians on these religious grounds. Whereas the meat-eaters may have seen the vegetarians as overly pious or immature because the meat-eaters know the idols aren’t real gods (see 1 Corinthians 8:1-13).
The particulars of their argument aren’t the point. The point is that these factions need to listen to one another and begin to understand their opposing viewpoints. Only when we humanize our enemies and dignify their speech and opinions, can we move toward forgiveness and reconciliation. Insofar as the apologies are genuine and any past wrongs are acknowledged and righted, forgiveness and unity is possible.
This requires respectful listening processes such as those offered by the Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law and the Kaleidoscope Institute. Like we mentioned last week, the process of Mutual Invitation allows for the over-talkers and over-sharers to listen and for the quieter people to speak (Law, p. 96). It dignifies everyone with the opportunity to invite a participant to the discussion. It requires us to treat one another like siblings in Christ, even if we’re upset or disagree with the “others.”
As we follow Jesus together, we will surely have differing opinions about matters great and small. Sometimes we will even disagree about what direction to go together and how to get there. That’s all okay. But if we listen to one another and “respect the dignity of every human being,” we can maintain unity (BCP, p. 305). We can forgive each other for our mistakes along the way. And we can share the love of Christ together, here and now. Amen.
Bibliography
Law, Eric H. F. Holy Currencies: 6 Blessings for Sustainable Missional Ministries. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2013.
The Episcopal Church. The Book of Common Prayer [BCP]. New York: Church Publishing Inc., 1979, 2007.
The Nicene Creed
[BCP, p. 358]
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 & Confession of Sin
[Adapted from Form VI, BCP, p. 392]
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence, about 5 seconds.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For Donald, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; Al, the chair of our County Commission; Ann, the Superintendent of our Public Schools, 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;
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; 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, Zavier Bradley, Raleigh Bryant, Christine Brown, Mark Case, Genella Chamberlain, Annie Colbert, Lazola Cope, Alice Dailey, Beryl Dandy, Mark Dashiell, Brittany Dawson, Imani Ferguson, Ruby Fernandez, Harry Frazier, Gary Gordon, Loretta Harmond, Marva Harris, Enoch Henderson, Charles E. Hines, Kenneth Howard, Terri Howard, Dale Hundley, Jared Hundley, Tracy Hundley, Milinda James, Alvin Jenkins, Dana Jenkins, Frances T. Jones, Lori Jones, Robert L. Jones, Sr., Ronald Jones, Tonya Jones, Whitney Kennedy, Leonard Law, Jr., Ryan Lovett, Tammie Lovett, Joan Maty, Craig Maxwell, Sada Maxwell, Carmelita Maynard, Viola Maynard, Bette Milledge, Hollie Moultrie, Patricia Murry, Russell Nails, Dorothy Neal, Glenzy Payne, Robert Payne, Dison Washington Slaughter, James Small, Gwendolyn Smith, Willie Stephens, Gisele Walton, Lori Ward, Gertrude Washington, Noel Wheeler, and Dean Williams; and those we remember now…
Silence. The People may add their own petitions.
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially for Fr. Charles Hoskins (9/14) and Lavinea Kennedy (9/14) on their birthdays; for Marquez and Teresa Clemons (9/14) on their wedding anniversary; and other blessings we remember now.
Silence. 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 James Boston (Donald Jones' father-in-law)] and those we remember now.
Silence. The People may add their own petitions.
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Leader and People:
Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect.
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.
Announcements
A. Fall 2020 Virtual Christian Education Survey: Help Fr. Arboleda plan for the Fall 2020 Virtual Christian Education offerings! Take the survey here!
These meetings will take place over video or phone conferencing (Google Meet or Zoom), not in-person, in order to protect the health and safety of all participants. They will last no longer than one hour. If you need help using video conferencing technology from home, we are happy to coach you through it!
Please answer as honestly as you can about your interest and availability to attend Christian Education this fall.
B. 9/20 - St. Matthew's Day & 165th Parish Anniversary: Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 20, 2020. We will celebrate St. Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist, our patron saint, and the 165th Parish Anniversary of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church! Join us on Facebook Live at 9:30 AM for a special worship service to honor the occasion.
Our church is named after Saint Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist. He is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is the former tax collector who left his post when Jesus called, "Follow me" (Matthew 9:9). St. Matthew is also remembered as the author of the Gospel According to St. Matthew. The Episcopal Church celebrates St. Matthew with a “Major Feast” (a holiday) every year on September 21.
Our church was founded on September 24, 1943 through the merger of St. Stephen’s Church (founded 1855) and St. Augustine’s Church (founded 1872), both in Savannah. Because the merger was completed so close to St. Matthew's Day, the Vestries adopted him as their new patron. We celebrate our anniversary, dating to the founding of St. Stephen’s in 1855. every year on the Sunday closest to St. Matthew’s Day.
C. Children’s Godly Play @ 11 AM: This Sunday the Diocese will begin a series of virtual Godly Play offerings. Godly Play is a Montessori-based curriculum that focuses on telling stories using physical materials and allowing participants to play and work with the stories at their own level.
This coming Sunday, September 13, Canon Joshua Varner will tell the Creation Story on the Diocesan Facebook Page at 11:00 a.m. On the following Sunday, September 20, Canon Varner will host a Zoom call during which children (and their associated adults) can gather to hear the story again and reflect on it together, sharing their ideas and wonderings. These sessions are appropriate for young people of all ages, and many adults find that the Godly Play method allows them to think about stories they have known for a long time in new and different ways.
The link to the Zoom Call will be available next week, both from the Diocese of Georgia FB Page and through From the Field (the Diocesan Newsletter). Please contact Canon Varner at jvarner@gaepiscopal.org with your questions.
D. Census Information Webinars 9/15 English & 9/16 Español: The Savannah Tribune is sponsoring two informational webinars about the importance of participating in the 2020 US Census. The Zoom webinar will be offered in English on Tuesday, September 15 at 8:00 PM, featuring the Rev. Thurmond Tillman of First African Baptist Church, and Shirley James, the Tribune’s Publisher. Fr. Arboleda will be a panelist for the Spanish-language webinar on Wednesday, September 16 at 8:00 PM. For more information, check out The Savannah Tribune Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSavannahTribune.
E. Bookkeeper to Resign: Mrs. Donna Garrison, who has served as our Parish Bookkeeper for over two years, will resign from her post effective in mid-September (Date TBD). Her husband, the Rev. Jeff Garrison, has accepted a new call to two yoked Presbyterian churches in southwestern Virginia. (He has been the pastor of Skidaway Presbyterian for several years.) The Garrisons will move in mid-September.
The Rector and Vestry will release a job description for a replacement bookkeeper soon. If you know someone (who is not a member of St. Matthew's) who you think will be a good fit for this part-time job, please share her/his name with Fr. Arboleda.
In the meantime, you may send a note of thanks to Mrs. Garrison by email (since they are moving homes over the next few weeks).
F. (Re-)Watch The Voter Education Seminar: On Wednesday, September 2, St. Matthew's held a voter education seminar with Sharyl Sutton, Voter Education Coordinator for the Georgia Office of the Secretary of State. Feel free to watch or re-watch it any time to learn critical information about the upcoming General Election! https://www.facebook.com/stmattsav/videos/354012282670839
G. Virtual Coffee Hour 9/13: We will hold a virtual "Coffee Hour" over Zoom today (August 30), and again on every other Sunday at 10:30 AM. (Thank you to Mrs. Rachael Blue-Jones who is donating a professional Zoom login to the church for our use.)
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: St. Matthew's Coffee Hour
Time: Sep 13, 2020 10:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 825 7251 1175
Passcode: SEE e-NEWSLETTER
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 825 7251 1175
Passcode: SEE e-NEWSLETTER
H. Weekly Worship Schedule: St. Matthew's Church building remains closed to in-person worship and all non-essential activities due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Vestry will monitor the public health data to determine when is the appropriate time to begin the Diocesan Phase 1 Re-Gathering Plan. We will maintain online worship options for the foreseeable future on Facebook Live video and in writing on our Blog. Many other updates are available via the Facebook page.
The worship schedule is as follows:
Sundays - 9:30 Worship (You can find all of the upcoming Sunday and Holiday readings at http://www.lectionarypage.net.)
Tuesdays - 5:00 Evening Prayer
Wednesdays - 5:00 Evening Prayer
Thursdays - 5:00 Evening Prayer
I. New Parish e-Newsletter: Check your email and read it if you haven't yet. If you did not receive it, then please go to our homepage (www.stmattsav.org) and scroll to the bottom of the page, where you can enter your email to sign up. The e-Newsletter includes our preliminary financial reports for the first two quarters of 2020 (January 1 - June 30). They are available via our new e-Newsletter.
J. Become a Video Reader or Singer: St. Matthew's is pre-recording Sunday services to ensure higher quality video and audio for our worshippers at home. This provides a new opportunity for church members to be a part of the service! Mrs. Pearson and I will reach out to parishioners about recording themselves reading Scripture lessons and/or the Prayers of the People for use in these Sunday videos. If you want to get involved, please email me about your interest at FrGAA@StMattSav.org.
K. Giving to St. Matthew's: Many people are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, including the church. We still need your support to pay our staff, pay our bills, and provide for these online live streams. If you pledged a donation in 2020 and are able, please continue making those contributions. If you have not pledged, please consider donating to St. Matthew’s now and in the future. 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.
The Offertory
[BCP, p. 377]
“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
Hymn #344: Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing
1. Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing;
Fill our hearts with joy and peace.
Let us each, thy love possessing,
Triumph in redeeming grace.
Oh, refresh us, oh, refresh us,
Traveling through this wilderness.
2. Thanks we give and adoration
For thy Gospel’s joyful sound.
May the fruits of thy salvation
In our hearts and lives abound.
Ever faithful, ever faithful
To thy truth may we be found.
3 So that when thy love shall call us,
Savior, from the world away
Fear of death shall not appall us,
Glad thy summons to obey.
May we ever, may we ever
Reign with thee in endless day.
Words: Attributed to John Fawcett, Public Domain
Music: Sicilian melody, Public Domain.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #98002. All rights reserved.
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 Blessing & Dismissal
[Enriching Our Worship 1, p. 71; BCP, p 366]
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 may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord!
Thanks be to God!
Permissions: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), African American Heritage Hymnal (AAHH) and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, the Scripture readings and quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible