St. James Episcopal Church St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
[email protected] [email protected]
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
September 17, 2023
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
Organ Prelude
Opening Prayer
O Almighty God, who pourest out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us when we draw near to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN
Processional Hymn Lutheran Book of Worship # 546
1 When morning gilds the sky,
my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall, This rings my curfew call: May Jesus Christ be praised!
2 When mirth for music longs, This is my song of songs: May Jesus Christ be praised! God’s holy house of prayer Has none that can compare with Jesus Christ be praised!
3 To him, my highest and best, I sing, when love possessed: May Jesus Christ be praised! What-e’er my hands begin, This blessing shall break in: May Jesus Christ be praised!
4 No lovelier an-tiph-on In all high heav’n is known Than “Jesus Christ be praised!” There to the eternal Word The-eternal psalm is heard: Oh, Jesus Christ be praised!
5 Let all of humankind In this their concord find: May Jesus Christ be praised! Let all the earth around Ring joyous with the sound: May Jesus Christ be praised!
6 Sing, sun and stars of space, Sing, all who see his face, Sing, “Jesus Christ be praised! God’s whole creation o’er, Today and evermore, Shall Jesus Christ be praised!
Words of Welcome
The Word of God
| Celebrant | Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit |
| People | And blessed be His kingdom, now and forever |
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 sung
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
| Celebrant | The Lord be with you. |
| People | And also with you. |
| Celebrant | Let us pray |
O God, 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.
The Lessons
The Old Testament: A Reading from the Book of Exodus [14:19-31]
The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 114 In exitu Israel
1 Hallelujah!
When Israel came out of Egypt, *
the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech,
2 Judah became God’s sanctuary *
and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea beheld it and fled; *
Jordan turned and went back.
4 The mountains skipped like rams, *
and the little hills like young sheep.
5 What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? *
O Jordan, that you turned back?
6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams? *
you little hills like young sheep?
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water *
and flint-stone into a flowing spring.
The Epistle: A Reading from the Book of 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.
Reader The Word of the Lord People Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymn Hymnal 1982, #626
- Lord, be thy word my rule,
in it may I rejoice;
thy glory be my aim,
thy holy will my choice; - Thy promises my hope,
thy providence my guard,
thine arm my strong support,
thyself my great reward.
The Holy Gospel of the Lord according to Matthew [18:21-35]
People 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.”
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon Hymn Lutheran Book of Worship #522
1 Come, thou almighty King,
Help us thy name to sing;
Help us to praise;
Father all-glorious,
O’er all victorious,
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
2 Come, thou incarnate Word,
Gird on thy mighty sword;
Our prayer attend.
Come and thy people bless,
And give thy Word success,
And let thy righteousness
On us descend.
3 Come, holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour!
Thou, who almighty art,
Now rule in ev’ry heart,
And ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of pow’r.
4 To thee, great One in Three,
Eternal praises be
Hence evermore!
Thy sov’reign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.
The Sermon Rev. John C. Martin, Jr.
The Nicene Creed all standing
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 Form VI, P. 392 BCP
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who
are alone.
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 the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Michael our Presiding Bishop, and Eugene and Carriet our Bishops; and
for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation. [We pray especially for Andi, Daniel, Darrell, Donald, Donna, Gail, John, Kathy, Melanie, Mindy, Miriam, Stacey and those known to us and to God alone.]
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.
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
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.
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.
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 All stand
| Celebrant | The peace of the Lord be always with you. |
| People | And also with you. |
The Announcements are printed at the end of the Bulletin
The Holy Communion
The Offertory
Offertory Presentation Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A
| 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 by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.
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:
Celebrant and People
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.
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:
Celebrant and People. Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in
this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death,
resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the
Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new
and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully
receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy,
and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints
into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and
with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor
and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.
| 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 Breaking of the Bread A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God.
The Eucharist is given to the communicants with these words
The Body of Christ the Bread of Heaven. The Blood of Christ the Cup of Salvation.
Communion Meditation Music
After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People 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.
The Blessing by Celebrant
The Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you, and grant you His peace, now and forever.. Amen.
Recessional Hymn Lutheran Book of Worship #501
1 He leadeth me: O, blessed thought!
Oh, words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me!
Refrain:
He leadeth me, he leadeth me,
By his own hand he leadeth me.
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by his hand he leadeth me.
2 Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters calm, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. [Refrain]
3 Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me. [Refrain]
4 And when my task on earth is done,
When by thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me. [Refrain]
Closing Prayer
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. AMEN
Dismissal by Officiant
Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord. People Thanks be to God
Organ Postlude
Ministers Rev. Garrett H. Carskadon Rev. John C. Martin, Jr.
Organist Mr. Mark Steiner
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRAYER LIST: Periodically, we update the Prayer List, containing the requested names for both parishes. If you know of a name that should be added or that can be removed, please speak to the clergy, or leave a message at the office at 301-359-9971, or send an email to either [email protected] or to [email protected].
Sunday School: Reminder that Sunday School is being held at St. James on the second Sunday of each month.
The next CLOTHING GIVEAWAY is scheduled for Friday, October 13, from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon. Participants are asked to provide their own market-sized bags.
FOOD PANTRIES: Both parishes are active participants in supporting the local food pantries. Donated food items may be left at the rear door of each church, and will be delivered periodically. If you would like to know more about the pantries, please ask Mr. John Fazenbaker at St. James, or Mr. Tom Morgan at Lonaconing Presbyterian Church.
Soup Sale and Yard Sale at St. Peters
St. Peters is holding their next soup sale and yard sale on October 21 at the Parish house. There will be two kinds of soup may items in the yard sale. Please pass the word and plan to attend.
Combined service
During one Sunday in November St. Peter’s and St. James will have a joint service and fellowship afterward. This time, the service will be held at St. Peters. The service will begin at 10:00 a.m. . The date will be listed later.
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