The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
January 23, 2022
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, our curate, Rev. Mawethu, or our deacon, Rev. Sarah, 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: January 23, 2022
Celebrant: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy
Preacher: The Rev. Stephanie Yancy
Deacons: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard
Curate: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
First Lesson: Mary Hawkins
Epistle: Yvette Matthews
Intercessor: Diane Hundley
Altar Guild: Danita Parker, Lionell Parker
Tech Team: Yvette Matthews, Chuck Hennessee, Livio Carnera
Music Director: Ramon Holloway
The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
January 23, 2022 at 10:30 am
Welcome
Hymn: God of grace and God of glory Hymnal 1982 #594
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.
Glory to God
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 for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany
The celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Reader: A Reading from Nehemiah
All the people of Israel gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Psalm: Psalm 19
Caeli enarrant
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, *
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 One day tells its tale to another, *
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3 Although they have no words or language, *
and their voices are not heard,
4 Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
and their message to the ends of the world.
5 In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6 It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again; *
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and revives the soul; *
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8 The statutes of the Lord are just
and rejoice the heart; *
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean
and endures for ever; *
the judgments of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold, *
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
11 By them also is your servant enlightened, *
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can tell how often he offends? *
cleanse me from my secret faults.
13 Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me; *
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, *
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Reader: A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians
Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Sequence Hymn: Your Words are Spirit and Life (by B. Farrell)
Gospel Luke 4:14-21
The deacon says
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
After the Gospel the deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Reverend Stephanie Yancy
The Nicene Creed
[Please stand as you are able.]
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.
Prayers of the People
Litanist: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. Empowered by the Spirit, let us pray together saying, “We bless you, Lord our God. Amen, amen.”
Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and out redeemer.
We bless you, Lord our God,
Amen, amen.
By the spirit of the Lord, may we, your Church, carry on the work of Jesus. Open our hearts to the poor and the captives, to the blind and the oppressed.
We bless you, Lord our God,
Amen, amen.
The heavens declare your glory, Great Creator, and the firmament shows your handiwork. We praise you and we thank you for the beauty and majesty of your creation.
[You may add your own thanksgivings at this time.]
We bless you, Lord our God,
Amen, amen.
We thank you, O God, for the many members that make up our body; for the gifts, the work, and the prayers we share. We ask you to bless especially our leaders, lay and ordained. Give us wisdom and guide by your spirit.
We bless you, Lord our God,
Amen, amen.
We pray for those who are sick or sorrowful. When they suffer, we suffer with them. Revive and heal them, we pray. May your joy be their strength.
[You may add your own intercessions at this time.]
We bless you, Lord our God,
Amen, amen.
O God, you have formed an eternal bond with us in baptism. Whether living or dead, bless and keep your children forever.
We bless you, Lord our God,
Amen, amen.
The Celebrant says,
Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The deacon says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. [The people may stand or kneel.]
[Silence may be kept.]
Celebrant and People
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
[The Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.]
Welcome and Announcements
The Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharistic Prayer B)
[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.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son 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
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.
Then the celebrant continues
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son.
For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him you have bought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it , and gave it to his disciples, and said, “ Take, Eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore according to his command, O Father,
Celebrant and People
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
The celebrant continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with [__________and] all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and he author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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
[The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.]
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.
Communion Hymn The blood that Jesus shed for me AAHH #256
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
May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also, in your pilgrimage, to find the Lord. Amen.
May God, who sent the Holy Spirit to rest upon the Only-begotten at his baptism in the Jordan River, pour out that Spirit on you who have come to the waters of new birth. Amen.
May God, by the power that turned water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana, transform your lives and make glad your hearts. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Closing Hymn O Zion, haste Hymnal 1982 #217
Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.
Announcements
Congregational Town Hall Meeting Today. At 12:30 pm today wardens Althea Alton and Keith Bishop will update you on transition plans and answer any questions you may have regarding the transition. Keith will also present proposed bylaws, approved by the vestry, which will be presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. The date for the Annual Meeting has not been set.
You may follow this link to join the Town Hall Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86929853924?pwd=YkFsSFFnQkR1TlB0VzQyTE1lZlBmQT09
Help Support a Family of Afghan Refugees. St. Titus’ is partnering with St. Luke’s and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Churches here in Durham to support a family of Afghan refugees. The family moved into their apartment in Durham on Saturday, January 22nd. If you would like to help provide the family with home furnishings, this link will take you to a list of needed items: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094ea5a82baaff2-household
Currently, Mawethu and Lisa Ncaca, Hannah Bowman, and Yvette Matthews are on the committee to help settle the family.
Support St. Titus’: If you would like to support our ministries you can make an online donation 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
Curate: The Rev. 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 Comm. Sarah Woodard sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Youth Coordinator (open)