THE HOLY EUCHARIST for the THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

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 interim rector, Rev. Alicia 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.

Celebrant The Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis
Preacher The Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis
Deacon The Rev. Sarah Woodard
Eucharistic Minister Lionell Parker
First Lesson Henry Kennelly
Epistle Keith Bishop
Intercessor Dwight Peebles
Altar Guild Danita and Lionell Parker Danita and Lionell Parker
Tech Team Livio Carnera, Yvette Matthews
Ushers Valerie Quiett, Kenneth Valentine

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
January 22, 2023 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Prelude

Welcome

Processional Hymn O zion haste The Hymnal 1982 #539

Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be God’s 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] LEVAS II #243

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, Refrain

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. Refrain Amen.

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

Collect for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany

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 Isaiah 9:1-4

Reader A Reading from the Book of Isaiah

There will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God

Psalm 27:1, 5-13

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?

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.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Reader A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians

Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God

Sequence Hymn They cast their nets in Galilee The Hymnal 1982 #661

Gospel Matthew 4:12-23

The Deacon says
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death
light has dawned.”
From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

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

Sermon The Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis

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

Friends, it is the Lord who speaks in our hearts, who says, “Seek my face.” With humble hearts let us come before the Lord saying,
“When we call, O Lord,
Hearken to our voice.”
God, help your Church. Heal her divisions. Increase her joy. Unite her members that we might have a common purpose: to proclaim the gospel.
Silence
When we call, O Lord,
Hearken to our voice.
God, help this nation and the world. Where there are heavy burdens, where oppression reigns, show the strength of your arm and set your people free. May the coming of your kingdom be ever nearer.
Silence
When we call, O Lord,
Hearken to our voice.
God, help your creation. You make glorious the way of the sea; you bring us joy at the harvest. Teach us to live in harmony with all you have made.
Silence
When we call, O Lord,
Hearken to our voice.
God, help our local community. May your great light drive away all of the shadows that darken our region. Even now lift up the heads of the downcast.
Silence
When we call, O Lord,
Hearken to our voice.
God, help the sick and suffering. Do not forsake them but show yourself to be the strength of their lives and their salvation. May Jesus be the healer of every disease and sickness among the people.
We pray especially for Toby, Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Ann, Murphy, Karen, Derek, Walter, Mary, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Barton, and Beverly
Silence
When we call, O Lord,
Hearken to our voice.
God, help the dying and the dead. Hide them in the secrecy of your dwelling. May all those being saved say with boldness, “I belong to Christ. Forever.”
Silence
When we call, O Lord,
Hearken to our voice.

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 God, to whom our needs are known before we ask: Help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

The deacon says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. [The people may stand or kneel.]
[Silence may be kept.]

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 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 I will trust in the Lord African American Heritage Hymnal #391
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.

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:

LEVAS II #255

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.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
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 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer
(Spoken at 8:30; at 10:30 The congregation is invited to raise their hands when singing “For thine is the kingdom”)

The Celebrant says
As our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to sing:

Our Father, which 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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
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.

Administration of Communion

At the time of communion, you are invited to come forward and receive the bread and wine. The priest will place a wafer in your hand. You may then receive wine either by direct consumption from a chalice (Common Cup) or you may give the wafer to the Eucharistic minister who will dip the wafer in the wine and place the wafer on your tongue. You may also still come forward to receive a blessing. Simply cross your arms over your chest before the priest for the blessing. After receiving communion or a blessing, you may return to your seat.

Communion Hymn The Blood that Jesus shed for me African American Heritage Hymnal #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.

The Blessing

The Celebrant says

May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Recessional Hymn Jesus, the light of the world African American Heritage Hymnal #217

Choral Benediction The Lord Bless you/Sevenfold Amen AAHH #636
Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.

Postlude

Announcements

Annual Parish Meeting with Vestry Election, Sunday, January 22, 2023 after the 10:30 service (one service only that day)

Come and join full parish meeting for Rector Search! Please join the Rector Search Committee, along with the NC Episcopal Diocese staff to share St Titus’ story on January 29, 2023. Whether you are a longtime or new member- All are welcome! We will use the results of the meeting to complete our Community Ministry Portfolio. This tool will be used to highlight St Titus for prospective candidates as our next priest.
There will be one service at 10:30, the meeting will begin immediately after service along with a coffee hour. Please reach out to any member of the Rector Search Committee with questions.

Zoom for any who cannot attend There will be a zoom meeting on January 31st at 7pm along with the option of completing a survey for those that cannot attend the meeting on the 29th . Please see a committee member if you would like the link to the zoom meeting or survey: Paula Estes, Robyn Furges, Chuck Hennessee, Lionell Parker, Marguerite Peebles, and Ken Valentine.

Calling young adults! We are just getting started with a new small for St. Titus young adults. This will be a quite open form chance for young adults to gather together and share about life experience, pray, and read a small bit from Scripture. Please contact Jenifer Brown (brownjen03@gmail.com) or Henry Kennelly (hbkennelly@gmail.com) if you are interested!

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 the Parish Secretary email 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 the Parish Secretary email address.

Subscribe to Please Note, a weekly update from the Diocese of North Carolina by following this link: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/QCPKOTo .

Leaders Needed for Wednesday Evening Prayer
During Covid, we began streaming Evening Prayer on Wednesdays using Facebook and Zoom. Parishioners are welcome (and needed) to lead Evening Prayer on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Deacon Sarah Woodard, and she will schedule a time to meet with you: sarah.woodard@duke.edu

Upcoming Events

Diocesan Book & Video Study: How to Fight Racism
The Diocese of North Carolina is offering a 10-part video and book study of Jemar Tisby’s second book, How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice. Tisby provides a practical framework for pursuing racial justice with hands-on suggestions bolstered by real-world examples of change. The study takes place on Tuesdays, 12-1 p.m. via Zoom. Remaining meeting dates are: January 24 and 31
This book study is for anyone who believes it is time to stop compromising with racism and courageously confront it. NO COST to attend this event; registration is required. For more information, contact Jenny Beaumont, missioner for adult and lifelong formation, at jenny.beaumont@episdionc.org. Our own Rev. Dr. Althea Alton is one of the leaders of this program.

Lector training Rev. Sarah Woodard will be conducting lector training for all those interested, please join and serve our church with your voice!

Sunday, Jan. 22 from 10-10:15 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 22 following the Annual Meeting

Sat. Jan. 28, 12 p.m.-12:30 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 30, 5-5:30 p.m.

Wed. Feb. 1, 5:30-6 p.m. (followed by Evening Prayer)