Holy Eucharist for the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost, November 7, 2021, 8:30 & 10:30 AM Services

The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
November 7, 2021
St. Titus’ Episcopal Church
400 Moline St., Durham, NC 27707

Welcome to St. Titus’ Episcopal Church

Whether you are here for the first time or your family has been part of St. Titus’ for generations, whether you’re here in person or watching online, the Holy Spirit has brought you to this place. We’re glad you’re here! Our Mission and Vision Statements are printed below. You can learn more about this faith community on our website, sttitusdurham.org. Our rector, Rev. Stephanie, or our deacons, Rev. Sarah and Rev. Mawethu, would be happy to talk with you about who we are and what we do at St. Titus’. We invite you to join us on our journey of faith.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

St. Titus’ is a diverse and growing community committed to walking with Christ by serving others, pursuing justice and welcoming all.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

God dreams for St. Titus’ to be sacred ground where all of God’s children experience the unconditional love of Jesus. In faithful response, we will offer Spirit-filled worship where people from diverse backgrounds encounter God. As an intergenerational community, we will deepen our faith through sharing scripture, Christian tradition and our own experience. We will be open and authentic with one another, and respond to the needs of our neighbors with compassion and creativity. Our passion for God’s justice and peace will compel us to become agents for social, political, and economic transformation. St. Titus’ will be Beloved Community.

Serving Today: November 7, 2021

8:30 AM
Celebrant: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy
Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Harmon L. Smith
Deacons: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard, The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca
First Lesson: Lew Myers
Epistle: Carolyn White
Intercessor: Kendall Vanderslice
Altar Guild: Hazel Brown, Kendall Vanderslice

10:30 AM
Celebrant: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy
Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Harmon L. Smith
Deacons: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard, The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca
First Lesson: Donna Smith
Epistle: Pam Howard
Intercessor: Yvette Matthews
Altar Guild: Hazel Brown, Kendall Vanderslice
Tech Team: Yvette Matthews, Chuck Hennessee, Livio Carnera

All Saints’ Sunday
The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
November 7. 2021 at 8:30 am (without music) and 10:30 am

Prelude

Hymn: For all the saints, vv. 1 – 4, HYMNAL 1982 #287

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

The celebrant says
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.

Gloria (spoken)

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.

Collect of the Day

The celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.

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.

First Reading Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17

Naomi her mother-in-law said to Ruth, “My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.” She said to her, “All that you tell me I will do.”

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When they came together, the Lord made her conceive, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without next-of-kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her bosom, and became his nurse. The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed; he became the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Psalm 146

Lauda, anima mea

1 Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord, O my soul! *
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.

3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.

4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the Lord their God;

5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;

6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.

7 The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

8 The Lord loves the righteous;
the Lord cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.

9 The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!

Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28

Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Sequence Hymn: Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, HYMNAL 1982 #690

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

The deacon says
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

As Jesus taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

After the Gospel the deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon The Rev. Dr. Harmon L. Smith

Renewal of Baptismal Vows

Celebrant: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and
renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People: I do

Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father?
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People: I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Celebrant: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the
prayers?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people,
and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God’s help.

The Celebrant concludes the Renewal of Vows as follows
May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Celebrant: Almighty and Holy One, you have manifest yourself in Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end: Grant us faith to see your glory, bringing life out of death, as we pray saying: You will dwell with us as our God, and we will be your people.

Litanist: The hope of your Church is full of immortality, O Holy One: Let your people trust in you and abide with you in love.

You will dwell with us as our God,

and we will be your people.

Almighty and Immortal One, the earth is yours and all that is in it: Let your power go forth throughout the earth to make all things new, guiding the rulers and authorities in this world to forsake falsehood and to live with clean hands and a pure heart.

You will dwell with us as our God,

and we will be your people.

Your home, O God, is among mortals, and you watch over your elect: Look upon all who suffer throughout the world, and wipe away every tear from their eyes.

You will dwell with us as our God,

and we will be your people.

Grant us faith to see your glory in this community, O God, that we may be people of compassion and new life.

You will dwell with us as our God,

and we will be your people.

We pray to you O Gracious One on behalf of all for whom we intercede, especially _____.

[You may add your own intercessions at this time.]

We lift up our heads to thank you, O God, for all your blessings and grace, especially for _____.

[You may add your own thanksgivings at this time.]

The departed are in your hand, O God, where no torment will ever touch them for they are at peace: Bring into the heavenly Jerusalem all who have died, especially ____.

Celebrant: O God of resurrection and new life, take away the stones that entomb us and darken our lives, and fill us with the power and peace of your eternal life, that we may see your glory and live in your light, through Jesus Christ the Risen One, in the power of the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Peace

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.

Please greet one another briefly in the name of the Lord and then take your seat.

Welcome and Announcements

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer D

The people remain standing.

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 truly right to glorify you, Father, and to give you thanks; for you alone are God, living and true, dwelling in light inaccessible from before time and for ever. Fountain of life and source of all goodness, you made all things and fill them with your blessing; you created them to rejoice in the splendor of your radiance. Countless throngs of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we acclaim you, and glorify your Name, as we say,:

Sanctus

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.

The people stand or kneel. Then the Celebrant continues
We acclaim you, holy Lord, glorious in power. Your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care, so that, in obedience to you, our Creator, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation.

Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.

And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.

When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you, his heavenly Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end; at supper with them he 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.”

Father, we now celebrate this memorial of our redemption. Recalling Christ’s death and his descent among the dead, proclaiming his resurrection and ascension to your right hand, awaiting his coming in glory; and offering to you, from the gifts you have given us, this bread and this cup, we praise you and we bless you.

Celebrant and People
We praise you, we bless you, we give thanks to you, and we pray to you, Lord our God.

The Celebrant continues
Lord, we pray that in your goodness and mercy your Holy Spirit may descend upon us, and upon these gifts, sanctifying them and showing them to be holy gifts for your holy people, the bread of life and the cup of salvation, the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ.

Grant that all who share this bread and cup may become one body and one spirit, a living sacrifice in Christ, to the praise of your Name. Remember, Lord, your one holy catholic and apostolic Church, redeemed by the blood of your Christ. Reveal its unity, guard its faith, and preserve it in peace.

[Remember (NN. and) all who minister in your Church.]

[Remember all your people, and those who seek your truth.]

[Remember _____.]

[Remember all who have died in the peace of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone; bring them into the place of eternal joy and light.]

And grant that we may find our inheritance with [the Blessed Virgin Mary, with patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, (with____________) and] all the saints who have found favor with you in ages past. We praise you in union with them and give you glory through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, all honor and glory are yours, Almighty God and Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Lord’s Prayer

The celebrant says: 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

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The celebrant invites the people to Communion
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.

You may remove your mask briefly to consume the consecrated bread.

Due to COVID precautions, we are not sharing the cup at this time. The consecrated wine will be returned to the earth.

For those of you who are participating in this celebration of Holy Eucharist from a different location, we invite you to pray with these words during the distribution of the holy sacrament:

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Post-communion Prayer

The celebrant says
Let us pray.

The celebrant and people say 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.

Blessing

The celebrant says
The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of God’s son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.

Closing Hymn: Lead me, guide me, LEVAS #194

Postlude

What is All Saints’ Day?

All Saints’ Day is a principal feast of the church, celebrated on November 1 each year. Churches which do not have a service on November 1 are permitted to celebrate The Feast of All Saints on the Sunday following November 1, as we are doing today. During today’s service we remember those saints recognized by the church, as well as those dear to us who may not appear on an official calendar of saints. In the paragraph below The Rev. Sam Portaro explains the connection between Halloween (All Hallow’s Eve), All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day, October 31, November 1, and November 2 respectively.

“All Saints’ Day is the centerpiece of an autumn triduum. In the carnival celebrations of All Hallows’ Eve our ancestors used the most powerful weapon in the human arsenal, the power of humor and ridicule, to confront the power of death. The following day, in the commemoration of All Saints, we gave witness to the victory of incarnate goodness embodied in remarkable deeds and doers triumphing over the misanthropy of darkness and devils. And in the commemoration of All Souls we proclaimed the hope of common mortality expressed in our aspirations and expectations of a shared eternity.”
– The Rev. Sam Portaro, Brightest and Best: A Companion to the Lesser Feasts and Fasts

Announcements

2022 Stewardship Campaign

Today we celebrate the end of our 2022 stewardship campaign. We are pleased to report that we have exceeded our goal of $190,000. Thank you to all who have submitted your pledges.
It’s not too late to pledge to support St. Titus’ in 2022. If you need a card, you may pick up one in the church entryway, or you may pledge online on the church website, sttitusdurham.org.

The start date of Ramon Holloway as our music director has been unexpectedly delayed. We are grateful to have Lyn Francisco as our supply organist today.

Support St. Titus’:

If you would like to support our ministries you can make an online donation here by following the QR code or by visiting our homepage: sttitusdurham.org. You can also mail or hand-deliver a check to St. Titus’ at 400 Moline St., Durham, NC, 27707. Thank you

Stay in Touch:

To receive weekly email announcements from St. Titus’, email Jack or sign up by following this link: http://eepurl.com/htIWIr .
Sign up for The Titusian, St. Titus’ monthly newsletter, on the St. Titus’ homepage: sttitusdurham.org, or by emailing Jack.
Subscribe to Please Note, a weekly update from the Diocese of North Carolina by following this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/QCPKOTo .

Clergy & Staff

Rector: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy (410) 971-8111 st.titusrector@gmail.com
Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard (919) 599-5227 sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Mawethu Ncaca (919) 717-8144 st.tituscurate@gmail.com
Administrator: Jack Peterson (919) 682-5504 st.titussecretary@gmail.com
Music Director: Ramon Holloway (919) 886-5325 sainttitusmusic@yahoo.com

Vestry Roster

Senior Warden: Althea Alton 2021 althea.alton@yahoo.com
Junior Warden: Keith Bishop 2023 KeithBishop@keithbishoplaw.com
Meisha Davis 2022 meisha.davis1@gmail.com
Diane Hundley 2022 dianehundley@bellsouth.net
Marguerite Peebles 2022 apeeblesmarguerit@bellsouth.net
Gloria Drew 2023 gdrew41@att.net
Mark Perrone 2023 mhperrone@aol.com

Treasurer: Deborah DeBourg-Brown st.titustreasurer@gmail.com

Church Organizational Leaders

Altar Guild: Hazel Brown hazelyb24@gmail.com
Altar Guild: Williette Adorker
Acolyte Warden: Vincent Quiett quiettv@msn.com
Benevolent Team Coordinator: Willette Crews willettec@legalaidnc.org
Card Ministry: Alexine Miller alexinemiller@yahoo.com
Communications Ministry: Mary Hawkins pisces0835@gmail.com
Episcopal Church Women: Valerie Quiett quiettv@msn.com
Episcopal Church Women: Vickie Miller vickiemiller746@yahoo.com
Memorial Garden Warden: James Barnes jbarnl3719@aol
Parish Outreach Coordinator: Willette Crews willettec@legalaidnc.org
Parish Outreach Coordinator: William Hennessee wllmhennessee@aol.com
St. David’s Usher Guild: Dwight Peebles dapeebles@bellsouth.net
Invite.Welcome.Connect Committee: Sarah Woodard sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Youth Coordinator (open)

COVID Precautions:

For the safety of all in attendance, we ask you to wear a mask throughout the service, with the exception of a few seconds when you put the host into your mouth. Lectors are permitted to remove their masks while reading, as is the preacher, because they are more than six feet away from the rest of the congregation.
Remember that no gathering can be completely safe. The COVID vaccine remains your best protection against contracting COVID-19. If you are able to be vaccinated, we urge you to do so.

St. Titus’ Episcopal Church
400 Moline St., Durham, NC 27707
(919) 682-5504;
st.titusepiscopal@gmail.com
sttitusdurham.org