The Second Sunday in Lent
March 13, 2022
St. Titus’ Episcopal Church
400 Moline St., Durham, NC 27707
(919) 682-5504
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 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: March 13: 8:30
Celebrant: The Rev. David Stanford
Preacher: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
Deacon: The Rev. Sarah Woodard
Curate: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
Eucharistic Minister: Mary Hawkins
First Lesson: Althea Alton
Epistle:
Intercessor: Lew Myers
Serving Today: March 13 8:30 10:30
Celebrant: The Rev. David Stanford
Preacher: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
Deacon: The Rev. Sarah Woodard
Curate: The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
First Lesson: Gloria Drew
Epistle: Donna Smith
Intercessor: Keith Bishop
The Second Sunday in Lent
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
March 13, 2022 at 8:30 AM (no music) and 10:30 AM
Prelude
Hymn
A Penitential Order
Celebrant: Blessed the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People: His mercy endures for ever.
The people may stand or kneel
The Celebrant then says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Litany of Penitence
The Celebrant and People together, all kneeling
Most holy and merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
The Celebrant continues
We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Have mercy on us, Lord.
We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us, Lord.
We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives
We confess to you Lord.
Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,
We confess to you, Lord.
Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept our repentance, Lord.
For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.
For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.
Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.
Absolution
Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn from their wickedness and live, has given power and commandment to his ministers to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. He pardons and absolves all those who truly repent, and with sincere hearts believe his holy Gospel.
Therefore we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do on this day, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
8:30 am
Celebrant: Lord, have mercy
People: Christ, have mercy
Celebrant: Lord, have mercy
10:30 am Kyrie LEVAS II #239
Kyrie Eleison (2x)
Christie Eleison (2x)
Kyrie Eleison (2x)
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 glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Psalm Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who
stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4 And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in him.
5 One thing have I asked of the Lord;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;
6 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *
and to seek him in his temple.
7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe
in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
8 Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11 You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
12 Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13 You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14 Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the Lord will sustain me.
15 Show me your way, O Lord; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
17 What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the Lord *
in the land of the living!
18 O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure;
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the Lord.
Second Reading Philippians 3:17-4:1
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Sequence Hymn
Then, all standing, the Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Gospel Luke 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'”
After the Gospel the deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Rev. Mawethu Ncaca
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
I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for our Bishops Sam and Anne; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.
Silence
I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.
Silence
I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.
Silence
I ask your prayers for the departed. Pray for those who have died.
Silence
I ask your prayers for those on the St. Titus’ prayer list.
(Additional petitions and thanksgivings may be included here.)
Silence
Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
In the communion of blessed Titus and of all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our God.
To thee, O Lord our God.
The celebrant adds a concluding collect.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. 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
Offertory
As a COVID precaution we are not passing the plate for monetary offerings at this time. You may place your offering in the basket at the entrance to the worship space, or you may donate online at sttitusdurham.org.
See the announcement section of this bulletin for other ways you can support St. Titus’ ministries.
The Great Thanksgiving
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 right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again.
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 (spoken at 8:30 a.m.)
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.
LEVAS II #255 (sung at 10:30 a.m.)
Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord, of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
The people stand or kneel.
Then the celebrant continues
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.
The Celebrant continues
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. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer [Spoken at 8:30 am; sung at 10:30 am]
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: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast.
Agnus Dei (spoken at 8:30, sung at 10:30) LEVAS II #270
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.
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.
Please come to the altar to receive the consecrated bread. 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.
Communion Hymn
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 people stand as they are able.]
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 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
Deacon: Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.
Announcements
Lenten Book Discussion: Join in a virtual discussion of After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging by Willie James Jennings, Wednesdays from 6:30 – 7:30 on March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 2022. The Zoom link is found on the St. Titus’ homepage (sttitusdurham.org) and in the weekly announcements.
Creation Care and Outdoor Learning: An Invitation to Partnership: St. Philip’s and St. Titus’ announce our partnership with the Fayetteville Street Elementary School as we explore nature and recognize environmental concerns in our neighborhoods. Both parishes are committed to their surrounding communities and the City of Durham and promoting racial equity and care of the environment.
Opportunities to help:
• Expertise: Parishioners with experience or love for outdoor learning, gardening and development of outdoor learning spaces. Some physical labor might be required.
• Financial support: A limited amount of funds and an opportunity to seek grants
• Time Commitment – This ministry will begin mid-March. Details are forthcoming.
All volunteers are required to complete the Durham Public Schools Volunteer form if you are interested.
https://ec.samaritan.com/recruiter/index.php?class=VolunteerRegistration&recruiterID=1343
Questions/Contacts:
• Rev. Jill Bullard, St. Philip’s — jill@stphilipsdurham.org
• Rev. Sarah Woodard, St. Titus’ — sarah.woodard@duke.edu
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 .
Calendar of Events
For more information on these events, please see the St. Titus’ weekly E-news or go to sttitusdurham.org/weeklyannouncements.
Sundays in Lent : March 6, 13, 20, 27 & April 3: 8:30 a.m. (in-person) & 10:30 a.m. (hybrid) Holy Eucharist
Wednesdays in Lent: March 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 6
6 p.m. – Evening Prayer (Hybrid event)
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – St. Titus’ Virtual Book Discussion:
Discussion of After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging by Willie J. Jennings
6 p.m. – Curious Conversations at St. Philip’s
Discussion of Seek and You Will Find by The Rev. Rhonda Mawhood Lee
Palm Sunday: April 10: 9:30 a.m. (one service): Process outside from the lower parking lot.
Holy Week Altar swapping services with St. Philip’s
April 11: Monday, noon at St. Philip’s: Mawethu presiding and Maryann preaching
April 12: Tuesday, noon at St. Titus’: Maryann presiding and Mawethu preaching
April 13: Wednesday, noon at St. Philip’s: Mawethu presiding and Gabe preaching
7pm Tenebrae service at St. Philip’s
April 14: Maundy Thursday Agape Meal at 6:30
Holy Eucharist with hand washing at 7 p.m. at St. Titus’
April 15: Good Friday Stations of the Cross liturgy at noon at St. Titus’
April 16: Holy Saturday hosted by St. Titus’ at 9 am on Zoom
Easter Vigil at St. Philip’s at 8pm
April 17: Easter Day Holy Eucharist at 8:30 & 10:30 am
March
6: 3-4 p.m. – Invite.Welcome.Connect Virtual Gathering
19: 9 a.m.- 2 p.m – C.C. Spaulding Beautification Day
April
2 – NCCU First Lady’s Tea Fundraiser
June
22: 7 p.m. Pauli Murray Service
25: Pauli Murray Pilgrimage