HOLY EUCHARIST for the TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

October 23, 2022

8:30AM (In Person) and 10:30AM (In Person and Live Streamed)

Celebrant	The Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis
Preacher	The Rev. Dr. Althea Alton
Deacon	The Rev. Sarah Woodard

Prelude

Processional Hymn               How firm a foundation #146 AAHH

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   

(Spoken without refrain at 8:30 am; sung at 10:30 am)             #243 LEVAS

Refrain:

Glory, Glory, hallelujah,

Lord we praise your Holy name,

Glory, Glory hallelujah,

Lord we praise your Holy name

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 Celebrant says to the people

The Lord be with you.

People                        And also with you.

Celebrant                     Let us pray.

Collect for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Reading   Sirach 35:12-17

Reader              A reading from the Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach

Give to the Most High as he has given to you,
and as generously as you can afford.

For the Lord is the one who repays,
and he will repay you sevenfold.

Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it
and do not rely on a dishonest sacrifice;

for the Lord is the judge,
and with him there is no partiality.

He will not show partiality to the poor;
but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged.

He will not ignore the supplication of the orphan,
or the widow when she pours out her complaint.

Reader                        The Word of the Lord

People                        Thanks be to God

Psalm 84:1-6              Quam dilecta!

Reader                       A reading from the Book Psalms

1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

2 The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.

3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.

4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.

6 They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, *
because they are done in truth and equity.

9 He sent redemption to his people;
he commanded his covenant for ever; *
holy and awesome is his Name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; *
those who act accordingly have a good understanding;
his praise endures for ever.

Second Reading    2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

Reader                        A reading from the second letter to Timothy

I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Reader                         The Word of the Lord

People              Thanks be to God

Sequence Hymn        Your Word is spirit and life by Bernadette Ferrell

Refrain:  “Your words are spirit and life, O Lord: richer than gold, stronger than death.  Your words are spirit and life, O Lord; life everlasting.”                        Janice Williams, Cantor

Gospel                      Luke 18:9-14

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, `God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

People                        Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon                     The Rev. Dr. Althea Alton

The Nicene Creed

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

Happy are the people whose strength is in the Lord! Let us come humbly before the Most High, praying, “God be merciful, and hear our prayer.”

Lord, be merciful to your Church. Forgive us our pride and the times we obscure your mercy. Give us humility that we may generously give to you as you have given to us.

Silence

God be merciful.

And hear our prayer.

Lord, be merciful to our nation. Forgive us our pride and the times we have gloried in our own accomplishments. Give us humility that we may generously care for the orphans, the widows, and all those in need.

Silence

God be merciful

And hear our prayers.

Lord, be merciful to the residents of our community. Forgive us our pride and times we fail to trust that you stand by us and give us the strength we need. Give us humility that we may generously address the challenges that face us.

Silence

God be merciful,

And hear our prayer.

Lord, be merciful to all those with broken hearts, bodies, and souls. Forgive us our pride and the times we have exalted ourselves above your suffering servants. Give us humility that we may generously love all your people.

I ask your prayers for:

Toby, Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Rose, Ann, Murphy, Karen, Derek, Walter, Mary, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Beverly

 [You may add your own petitions and thanksgiving here] 

Silence

God be merciful,

And hear our prayer.

Lord, be merciful to all who have died. Accept them into the glorious company of the communion of saints. Make for them a home in your dwelling forever.

Silence

[You may add your own petitions here]

God be merciful,

And hear our prayer.

A Prayer for a Rector Search

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect

Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

The Deacon says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Minister 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 Peace Hymn      Koinonia         #579 (AAHH)

The Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Welcome and Announcements

The Holy Communion

Offertory Sentence

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.                                                                                                      Ephesians 5:2

Offertory Hymn         Guide my feet Lord      #131 (AAHH)

The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharistic Prayer B)

Celebrant        The Lord be with you.

People             And also with you.

Celebrant        Lift up your hearts.

People             We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant        Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People             It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Celebrant

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever 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.

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 brought 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 St. Titus 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 the author of our salvation.

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer [Spoken at 8:30, sung at 10:30]

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.

The Priest 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   This Day          #443 (AAHH)

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.

The Blessing

The Celebrant says

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you now and forever. Amen.

Recessional Hymn                Siyahamba (We are marching) #164 (AAHH)

Choral Benediction               The Lord Bless you/ Sevenfold Amen #636 (AAHH)

Deacon                                  Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

People                                    Thanks be to God

Postlude