The First Sunday in Lent
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
February 26, 2023 at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Prelude
Welcome
Processional Hymn A mighty fortress is our God The Hymnal 1982 #688
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.
10:30 am Kyrie LEVAS II #239
Kyrie Eleison (2x)
Christie Eleison (2x)
Kyrie Eleison (2x)
The Celebrant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Reading (please sit) Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’“ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God
Psalm Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the LORD imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6 I said,” I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8 You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.”
11 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the LORD.
12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the LORD; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
Second Reading Romans 5:12-19
As sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned– sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God
Sequence Hymn Forty days and forty nights Hymnal 1982 #150
Gospel Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
After the Gospel the deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Rev. Sarah Woodard
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
The intercessor and people pray responsively.
We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Let us pray to the source of our sustenance, saying,
“God, our hiding place,
Preserve us from trouble.”
Great God, you have called your people to worship and serve you alone. Instill in us such a singleness of heart that we might perfectly trust you to meet our needs.
The congregation is invited to add their thanksgivings.
Silence
“God, our hiding place,
Preserve us from trouble.”
Great God, we live among many temptations. Free the people of this nation, and this world, from all sinful desires that draw us from the love of God.
Silence
“God, our hiding place,
Preserve us from trouble.”
Great Creator, you have surrounded us with blessings; you provide enough to meet our needs. And yet, we strive and scheme for more, always more. Have mercy on us.
Silence
“God, our hiding place,
Preserve us from trouble.”
O Lord, we pray for those bound by addiction, those for whom temptation is a constant threat. Set the captive free. Satisfy their cravings with abundant grace.
Silence
“God, our hiding place,
Preserve us from trouble.”
Be with the sick and suffering, Great Healer. Be for them a hiding place; preserve them from trouble; surround them with shouts of deliverance.
We pray for:
Toby, Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Ann, Murphy, Karen, Derek, Walter, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Barton, Beverly, Cedric, Allen, Damon, Alicia, and Chuck
Silence
“God, our hiding place,
Preserve us from trouble.”
Through the righteousness of Jesus our Christ, give new and abundant life to all. Justify the dying and the dead. Keep them in your strong hands for ever.
Silence
“God, our hiding place,
Preserve us from trouble.”
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, who hast promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in thy Son’s Name: We beseech thee mercifully to incline thine ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto thee; and grant that those things which we have asked faithfully according to thy will, may be obtained effectually, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Romans 12:1
Offertory Hymn Yield not to temptation LEVAS #170
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:
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 sing
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,
or 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 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 Come ye disconsolate LEVAS II #147
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
Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the holy food of the Body and Blood of your Son, and for uniting us through him in the fellowship of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for raising up among us faithful servants of your Word and Sacraments. Grant that we may serve you in the days ahead, and always rejoice in your glory, and come at length into your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus 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 Lord, who throughout these forty days The Hymnal 1982 #142
Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Announcements
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
Clergy & Staff
Interim Rector: The Rev. Dr. Alicia Alexis (336) 541-3161 st.titusrevalexis@gmail.com
Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Sarah Woodard (919) 599-5227 sarah.woodard@duke.edu
Administrator: Vacant st.titussecretary@gmail.com
Choir Director: Ramon Holloway (919) 886-5325 sainttitusmusic@yahoo.com
Vestry Roster
Senior Warden Cheryl Myers 2024 cheryl.myers@netzero.com
Junior Warden Lionell Parker 2024 lparker3141@gmail.com
Clerk of Vestry Chuck Hennessee 2023 wllmhennessee@aol.com
Assisting Clerk Robyn Furges 2024 robynfurges@gmail.com
Keith Bishop 2023 KeithBishop@keithbishoplaw.com
Vickie Miller 2024 leontyne1968@gmail.com
Kenneth Valentine 2024 patvalentine@nc.rr.com
Paula Drew-Estes 2024 pjdestes5@hotmail.com
Gloria Drew 2023 gdrew41@att.net
Treasurer Mary Hawkins st.titustreasurer@gmail.com
Church Organizational Leaders
Altar Guild Hazel Brown hazelyb24@gmail.com
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)