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Ordinary Time
2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist: Rite II
June 11, 2023 - 10am
Prelude: “Spirit of God” ~L. Smith
Ringing of the Bell
Opening Hymn: "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" ~Hymnal 686
Opening Sentences ~BCP 355
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant: 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
The Gloria: 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. ~J. Hylton
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
The Collect for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost: ~BCP 229
Celebrant: O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
The Word of God
The First Lesson: Genesis 12:1-9
Lector: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.
Lector: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: 33 (sung)
Cantor: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
Cantor: Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous;
praise is fitting for the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make music for God with a ten-stringed harp.
Sing for the Lord a new song;
play your instrument skillfully with joyful sounds.
For your word, O Lord, is right,
and faithful are all your words.
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
Cantor: You love righteousness and justice;
your steadfast love fills the whole earth.
By your word were the heavens made,
by the breath of your mouth all the hosts of heaven.
You gather up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin
and store up the depths of the sea.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe.
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
Cantor: For God spoke, and it came to pass;
God commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord brings the will of the nations to nothing
and thwarts the designs of the peoples.
Your will, O Lord, stands fast forever,
and the designs of your heart from age to age.
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!
Happy the people chosen to be God’s heritage!
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
The Second Lesson: Romans 4:13-25
Lector: The promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
Lector: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn: “Praise Our Great and Gracious Lord” ~Hymn 393
The Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Celebrant: As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon: Father Mike Floyd
Prayer for the Sermon: Lord, you have promised that when two or three gather in your name you will be present with them. We depend on that promise today and pray that you will move among us. Lord, we pray that you have inspired Mike's preparation, that you will enliven his presentation and that you will empower our application. Amen
(a period of silence)
The Nicene Creed: ~BCP 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
The Prayers of the People: Form IV (with additions) ~BCP 388
Lector: Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Lector: Grant Almighty God that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, especially Joseph our President, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. Especially our Bishop Mark, our Bishop Coadjutor Anne, and our Priest Mike. We pray also for Huron United Methodist Church and Pastor Pamela Sayre. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer today we pray for The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Let us pray for our world and the needs of our neighbors in other communities.
I invite your intercessions and petitions, aloud or silently…
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray for the needs and concerns of this congregation. Let us turn our hearts to those in need in our Parish and pray for those who need our prayer.
I invite your intercessions and petitions, aloud or silently…
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: For this congregation for those who are present, and for those who are absent, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all we do, we pray to you, O Lord. Let us turn our hearts to the blessings which we have received as a Parish and thank the Lord for all His blessings.
I invite your thanksgivings, aloud or silently…
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Celebrant: Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen
A Confession of Sin:
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
(Silence may be kept.)
Together: 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
Celebrant: 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:
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
Offertory Anthem: “As We Gather at Your Table” ~C. Callahan
The Doxology: (sung) ~Hymnal 380: Verse 3
Praise God, from whom all blessing flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Celebrant: All things come of thee oh lord
Response: And of thine own have we given thee.
In the Episcopal Church, all baptized persons, that Christ draws to his table, regardless of denomination, are welcome to receive communion.
Holy Eucharist Rite II
The Great Thanksgiving: ~BCP 372
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
For you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
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.
Sanctus: (sung) 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. ~R. Proulx
Celebrant: Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: (sung)
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again ~R. Proulx
Celebrant: We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
The Great Amen: (sung)
Together: Amen, Amen, Amen ~R. Proulx
Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, (sung)
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, thine is the power,
thine is the glory, for ever and ever. ~Fr. R. Bethancourt
The Breaking of the Bread
(A period of silence is kept.) ~BCP 364
Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Lamb of God: (sung)
Together: 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. ~J. Vermulst
Celebrant: We will take a moment of silence to pray for our brothers and sisters watching online inviting the Holy Spirit to engage with and for them.
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Hymn: "Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord" ~Hymnal 328
Post Communion Thanksgiving: ~BCP 337
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Together: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen
Closing Hymn: "The God of Abraham Praise" ~Hymnal 401
* * * * *
Announcements
First Announcement every week:
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (recited together)
(take the opportunity to look at someone else and bless them with these words)
* * * * *
Benediction: (sung)
"Now Unto Him" ~Jude 24-25; O. Wood
Now unto Him who is able to keep,
able to keep you from falling,
And present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy;
To the only wise God our Savior,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power
both now and forever. Amen
Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen
~2 Corinthians 13:14
Postlude
The Flowers on the Altar this morning are donated by Mike and Fiona Floyd, in honor of the birthday of Emma Floyd.
* * * * *
We use the Revised Common Lectionary for reading selections, Track 1. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
* * * * *
Serving at Christ Church this morning:
CELEBRANT – The Rev Michael Floyd
ORGANIST / CHOIR DIRECTOR – G. James Petersen Jr.
ALTAR GUILD – Lucy Bille / Kay Dunbar
POWERPOINT – Cliff Hayes
GREETER / USHER – Steve Terry
BELL RINGER – Chuck Bille
LECTOR – Paul Bauman
CANTOR – Fiona Floyd
ACOLYTES – Lucy Bille / Xavier Haney
CHALICE BEARER – Lucy Bille / Xavier Haney
Ringing of the Bell
Opening Hymn: "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" ~Hymnal 686
Opening Sentences ~BCP 355
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant: 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
The Gloria: 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. ~J. Hylton
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
The Collect for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost: ~BCP 229
Celebrant: O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
The Word of God
The First Lesson: Genesis 12:1-9
Lector: Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the possessions that they had gathered, and the persons whom they had acquired in Haran; and they set forth to go to the land of Canaan. When they had come to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed on by stages toward the Negeb.
Lector: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm: 33 (sung)
Cantor: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
Cantor: Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous;
praise is fitting for the upright.
Praise the Lord with the lyre;
make music for God with a ten-stringed harp.
Sing for the Lord a new song;
play your instrument skillfully with joyful sounds.
For your word, O Lord, is right,
and faithful are all your words.
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
Cantor: You love righteousness and justice;
your steadfast love fills the whole earth.
By your word were the heavens made,
by the breath of your mouth all the hosts of heaven.
You gather up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin
and store up the depths of the sea.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all who dwell in the world stand in awe.
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
Cantor: For God spoke, and it came to pass;
God commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord brings the will of the nations to nothing
and thwarts the designs of the peoples.
Your will, O Lord, stands fast forever,
and the designs of your heart from age to age.
Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!
Happy the people chosen to be God’s heritage!
People: "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord!"
The Second Lesson: Romans 4:13-25
Lector: The promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
Lector: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn: “Praise Our Great and Gracious Lord” ~Hymn 393
The Gospel: Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Celebrant: As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him. And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. And the report of this spread throughout that district.
Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon: Father Mike Floyd
Prayer for the Sermon: Lord, you have promised that when two or three gather in your name you will be present with them. We depend on that promise today and pray that you will move among us. Lord, we pray that you have inspired Mike's preparation, that you will enliven his presentation and that you will empower our application. Amen
(a period of silence)
The Nicene Creed: ~BCP 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
The Prayers of the People: Form IV (with additions) ~BCP 388
Lector: Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Lector: Grant Almighty God that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, especially Joseph our President, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. Especially our Bishop Mark, our Bishop Coadjutor Anne, and our Priest Mike. We pray also for Huron United Methodist Church and Pastor Pamela Sayre. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer today we pray for The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Let us pray for our world and the needs of our neighbors in other communities.
I invite your intercessions and petitions, aloud or silently…
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray for the needs and concerns of this congregation. Let us turn our hearts to those in need in our Parish and pray for those who need our prayer.
I invite your intercessions and petitions, aloud or silently…
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: For this congregation for those who are present, and for those who are absent, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and show forth your glory in all we do, we pray to you, O Lord. Let us turn our hearts to the blessings which we have received as a Parish and thank the Lord for all His blessings.
I invite your thanksgivings, aloud or silently…
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Lector: We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
(Silence)
Lector: Lord, in your mercy
Response: Hear our prayer.
Celebrant: Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen
A Confession of Sin:
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
(Silence may be kept.)
Together: 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
Celebrant: 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:
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
Offertory Anthem: “As We Gather at Your Table” ~C. Callahan
The Doxology: (sung) ~Hymnal 380: Verse 3
Praise God, from whom all blessing flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host:
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Celebrant: All things come of thee oh lord
Response: And of thine own have we given thee.
In the Episcopal Church, all baptized persons, that Christ draws to his table, regardless of denomination, are welcome to receive communion.
Holy Eucharist Rite II
The Great Thanksgiving: ~BCP 372
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
For you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
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.
Sanctus: (sung) 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. ~R. Proulx
Celebrant: Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: (sung)
Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again ~R. Proulx
Celebrant: We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
The Great Amen: (sung)
Together: Amen, Amen, Amen ~R. Proulx
Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, (sung)
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, thine is the power,
thine is the glory, for ever and ever. ~Fr. R. Bethancourt
The Breaking of the Bread
(A period of silence is kept.) ~BCP 364
Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Lamb of God: (sung)
Together: 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. ~J. Vermulst
Celebrant: We will take a moment of silence to pray for our brothers and sisters watching online inviting the Holy Spirit to engage with and for them.
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Hymn: "Draw Nigh and Take the Body of the Lord" ~Hymnal 328
Post Communion Thanksgiving: ~BCP 337
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Together: Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen
Closing Hymn: "The God of Abraham Praise" ~Hymnal 401
* * * * *
Announcements
First Announcement every week:
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (recited together)
(take the opportunity to look at someone else and bless them with these words)
* * * * *
Benediction: (sung)
"Now Unto Him" ~Jude 24-25; O. Wood
Now unto Him who is able to keep,
able to keep you from falling,
And present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy;
To the only wise God our Savior,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power
both now and forever. Amen
Celebrant: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen
~2 Corinthians 13:14
Postlude
The Flowers on the Altar this morning are donated by Mike and Fiona Floyd, in honor of the birthday of Emma Floyd.
* * * * *
We use the Revised Common Lectionary for reading selections, Track 1. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
* * * * *
Serving at Christ Church this morning:
CELEBRANT – The Rev Michael Floyd
ORGANIST / CHOIR DIRECTOR – G. James Petersen Jr.
ALTAR GUILD – Lucy Bille / Kay Dunbar
POWERPOINT – Cliff Hayes
GREETER / USHER – Steve Terry
BELL RINGER – Chuck Bille
LECTOR – Paul Bauman
CANTOR – Fiona Floyd
ACOLYTES – Lucy Bille / Xavier Haney
CHALICE BEARER – Lucy Bille / Xavier Haney
Sundays@Five
Summer Session
Every Sunday from May 28 to Sept 3
Prelude:
A Song:
Opening Responses:
Officiant: In light and in darkness,
in peace and in confusion,
Jesus Christ wants to make his home
and meet his friends.
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD
Officiant: In him there is neither Jew nor Gentile,
neither insider nor outsider;
All: ALL ARE ONE IN JESUS CHRIST.
Officiant: He is the Light of Life:
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD.
Officiant: In him there is neither rich nor poor,
neither black nor white;
All: ALL ARE ONE IN JESUS CHRIST.
Officiant: He is the Light of Life:
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD.
Officiant: In him there is neither male nor female,
neither master nor servant;
All: ALL ARE ONE IN JESUS CHRIST.
Officiant: He is the Light of Life:
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD
A Song:
Officiant: Let us pray.
In the mystery of your presence,
no words are needed.
In the depth of your silence,
no sound is necessary.
In the face of your Word,
no voice need respond.
'Be still,' you say,
'and know that I am God.'
So, we will be still and listen ...
to the beating of our hearts,
to the racing of our minds,
to the pondering of our souls,
knowing that your Spirit, your Holy Spirit,
is beating moving, provoking
within us and among us.
(Pause)
And we will be still and listen ...
for the cry of the voiceless,
for the groaning of the weary,
for the pain of the wounded,
for the sigh of the victim,
for the laughter of children,
for the song of gladness,
knowing that your Spirit, your Holy Spirit,
enables crying, groaning, sighing,
and also brings song and laughter.
(Pause)
We will be still,
and if we do not take off our shoes,
we will yet remember that this is Holy Ground
because you have promised to be
where your people meet in Jesus' name.
So we will wait;
patiently or impatiently
we will wait for Jesus.
(Pause)
All: AMEN
(Silence)
Officiant: I waited patiently for God
and God bent down to hear me.
All: GOD LIFTED ME FROM A MURKY PIT
AND SET ME FIRMLY ON A ROCK
WHERE I CAN STAND CONFIDENTLY.
Officiant: God put a new song on my lips,
a song of praise to my Maker.
All: MANY WILL LOOK ON IN WONDER
AND PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD.
Officiant: Countless are your wonders, O God;
in goodness you have no equal.
All: WE WOULD PROCLAIM ALL YOUR WORKS
WERE THEY NOT TOO MANY TO NUMBER.
Proper 27
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN
Readings from Holy Scripture
The First Lesson: The First Song of Isaiah - Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely, it is God who saves me;
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say,
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples;
see that they remember that his Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things,
and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy,
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: THANKS BE TO GOD
The Psalm: Psalm 40 (NRSV)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them
they would be more than can be counted.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.[c]
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.
12 For evils have encompassed me
without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me
until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God.
All: GLORY TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING IS NOW, AND WILL BE FOR EVER. AMEN
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-10 (NRSV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: THANKS BE TO GOD
A Song:
The Gospel: John 3: 3-18 (NRSV)
Officiant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All: GLORY TO YOU LORD CHRIST.
Celebrant: Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Officiant: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: PRAISE TO YOU LORD CHRIST.
Homily:
The theme for this series: "what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" - Psalm 8: 4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are humans that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet, - Psalm 8: 3-6
A Song:
Prayers for Others:
Officiant: Let us now, in prayer,
remember and call out to God
for those whom the following words of scripture
bring to mind.
Remember those who tonight will cry,
'I wish to God it were morning,'
and come morning will cry,
'I wish to God it were night.'
Remember those whose pillows are soaked with tears
and whose eyes are tired and dim
with weeping.
Remember those
who, for whatever reason,
may want to say,
'Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom.'
Remember those
for whom the light that was in them
has turned to darkness,
and that darkness is doubly dark.
Remember those who in looking to tomorrow,
deeply hope that
the sick will be healed,
the stranger welcomed,
the prisoner released,
the poor hear good news.
And let us, in confidence,
share with God our own hopes and longings.
Officiant: I invite your intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings
aloud or silently.
All: GLORY TO GOD OUR MAKER
TO GOD'S SON WHO IS CHRIST OUR LORD
TO THE SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN OUR HEARTS
BOTH NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN
A Song:
Closing Responses:
Officiant: God of Abraham and Sarah,
of Moses and Miriam,
of Mary and Joseph,
All: STAY WITH US NOW.
Officiant: God of Joshua and Rahab,
of Rizpah and David,
of Dorcas and Paul,
All: STAY WITH US NOW.
Officiant: God of Simeon and Anna
of Martha and Thomas,
God of the Eunuch at the Pool
and the Woman at the Well,
All: STAY WITH US NOW.
Officiant: Stay with us and go with us,
for we leave as we gathered
in Jesus' name.
All: AMEN.
Officiant: Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: AMEN.
Benediction:
"Now Unto Him" ~O. Wood / Jude 24-25
Now unto Him who is able to keep,
able to keep you from falling,
And present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy;
To the only wise God our Savior,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power
both now and forever. Amen
Officiant: This service is over. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
A Song:
Opening Responses:
Officiant: In light and in darkness,
in peace and in confusion,
Jesus Christ wants to make his home
and meet his friends.
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD
Officiant: In him there is neither Jew nor Gentile,
neither insider nor outsider;
All: ALL ARE ONE IN JESUS CHRIST.
Officiant: He is the Light of Life:
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD.
Officiant: In him there is neither rich nor poor,
neither black nor white;
All: ALL ARE ONE IN JESUS CHRIST.
Officiant: He is the Light of Life:
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD.
Officiant: In him there is neither male nor female,
neither master nor servant;
All: ALL ARE ONE IN JESUS CHRIST.
Officiant: He is the Light of Life:
All: HE IS THE HOPE FOR THE WORLD
A Song:
Officiant: Let us pray.
In the mystery of your presence,
no words are needed.
In the depth of your silence,
no sound is necessary.
In the face of your Word,
no voice need respond.
'Be still,' you say,
'and know that I am God.'
So, we will be still and listen ...
to the beating of our hearts,
to the racing of our minds,
to the pondering of our souls,
knowing that your Spirit, your Holy Spirit,
is beating moving, provoking
within us and among us.
(Pause)
And we will be still and listen ...
for the cry of the voiceless,
for the groaning of the weary,
for the pain of the wounded,
for the sigh of the victim,
for the laughter of children,
for the song of gladness,
knowing that your Spirit, your Holy Spirit,
enables crying, groaning, sighing,
and also brings song and laughter.
(Pause)
We will be still,
and if we do not take off our shoes,
we will yet remember that this is Holy Ground
because you have promised to be
where your people meet in Jesus' name.
So we will wait;
patiently or impatiently
we will wait for Jesus.
(Pause)
All: AMEN
(Silence)
Officiant: I waited patiently for God
and God bent down to hear me.
All: GOD LIFTED ME FROM A MURKY PIT
AND SET ME FIRMLY ON A ROCK
WHERE I CAN STAND CONFIDENTLY.
Officiant: God put a new song on my lips,
a song of praise to my Maker.
All: MANY WILL LOOK ON IN WONDER
AND PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD.
Officiant: Countless are your wonders, O God;
in goodness you have no equal.
All: WE WOULD PROCLAIM ALL YOUR WORKS
WERE THEY NOT TOO MANY TO NUMBER.
Proper 27
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN
Readings from Holy Scripture
The First Lesson: The First Song of Isaiah - Isaiah 12:2-6
Surely, it is God who saves me;
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say,
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples;
see that they remember that his Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things,
and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy,
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: THANKS BE TO GOD
The Psalm: Psalm 40 (NRSV)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them
they would be more than can be counted.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.[c]
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.
12 For evils have encompassed me
without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me
until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God.
All: GLORY TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING IS NOW, AND WILL BE FOR EVER. AMEN
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-10 (NRSV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: THANKS BE TO GOD
A Song:
The Gospel: John 3: 3-18 (NRSV)
Officiant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
All: GLORY TO YOU LORD CHRIST.
Celebrant: Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Officiant: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: PRAISE TO YOU LORD CHRIST.
Homily:
The theme for this series: "what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?" - Psalm 8: 4
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are humans that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
Yet you have made them a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet, - Psalm 8: 3-6
A Song:
Prayers for Others:
Officiant: Let us now, in prayer,
remember and call out to God
for those whom the following words of scripture
bring to mind.
Remember those who tonight will cry,
'I wish to God it were morning,'
and come morning will cry,
'I wish to God it were night.'
Remember those whose pillows are soaked with tears
and whose eyes are tired and dim
with weeping.
Remember those
who, for whatever reason,
may want to say,
'Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom.'
Remember those
for whom the light that was in them
has turned to darkness,
and that darkness is doubly dark.
Remember those who in looking to tomorrow,
deeply hope that
the sick will be healed,
the stranger welcomed,
the prisoner released,
the poor hear good news.
And let us, in confidence,
share with God our own hopes and longings.
Officiant: I invite your intercessions, petitions, and thanksgivings
aloud or silently.
All: GLORY TO GOD OUR MAKER
TO GOD'S SON WHO IS CHRIST OUR LORD
TO THE SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN OUR HEARTS
BOTH NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN
A Song:
Closing Responses:
Officiant: God of Abraham and Sarah,
of Moses and Miriam,
of Mary and Joseph,
All: STAY WITH US NOW.
Officiant: God of Joshua and Rahab,
of Rizpah and David,
of Dorcas and Paul,
All: STAY WITH US NOW.
Officiant: God of Simeon and Anna
of Martha and Thomas,
God of the Eunuch at the Pool
and the Woman at the Well,
All: STAY WITH US NOW.
Officiant: Stay with us and go with us,
for we leave as we gathered
in Jesus' name.
All: AMEN.
Officiant: Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: AMEN.
Benediction:
"Now Unto Him" ~O. Wood / Jude 24-25
Now unto Him who is able to keep,
able to keep you from falling,
And present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy;
To the only wise God our Savior,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power
both now and forever. Amen
Officiant: This service is over. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
