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May 14, 2023 at 10:30 am
Opening Hymn: All creatures of our God and King Hymnal 1982 #400
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Celebrant then continues
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 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 of the Day
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading Acts 17:22-31
Reader A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,
‘For we too are his offspring.’
Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 66:7-18 Jubilate Deo
7 Bless our God, you peoples; *
make the voice of his praise to be heard;
8 Who holds our souls in life, *
and will not allow our feet to slip.
9 For you, O God, have proved us; *
you have tried us just as silver is tried.
10 You brought us into the snare; *
you laid heavy burdens upon our backs.
11 You let enemies ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water; *
but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.
12 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings
and will pay you my vows, *
which I promised with my lips
and spoke with my mouth when I was in trouble.
13 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts
with the smoke of rams; *
I will give you oxen and goats.
14 Come and listen, all you who fear God, *
and I will tell you what he has done for me.
15 I called out to him with my mouth, *
and his praise was on my tongue.
16 If I had found evil in my heart, *
the Lord would not have heard me;
17 But in truth God has heard me; *
he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
18 Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer, *
nor withheld his love from me.
Second Reading 1 Peter 3:13-22
Reader A reading from the first letter of Peter
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you– not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Be thou my vision Hymnal 1982 #488
Then, all standing as able, the Deacon reads the Gospel, first saying
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Gospel John 14:15-21
Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.
“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
After the Gospel the deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The 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 says,
Bless our God, you peoples; make the voice of God’s praise to be heard, saying,
“We call out to you with our mouths;
your praise is on our tongues.”
Lord Christ, you have not left us orphaned, but have given your Church an Advocate. May that same Holy Spirit teach us to keep your commandments and comfort us with divine love.
Silence
“We call out to you with our mouths;
your praise is on our tongues.”
Loving God, bless the suffering. May those who suffer for doing good find a friend in Christ Jesus. May those who suffer from disasters beyond their control find you attentive to the voice of their prayers.
Silence
“We call out to you with our mouths;
your praise is on our tongues.”
Lord of heaven and earth, you made the world and everything in it. You give to all mortals life and breath and all things. May we be faithful stewards of all you have created.
You are invited to add your thanksgivings, followed by silence.
“We call out to you with our mouths;
your praise is on our tongues.”
Merciful Lord, bless the people of this city with a spirit of gentleness and reverence. May we be set free from fear to live, instead, in hope.
Silence
“We call out to you with our mouths;
your praise is on our tongues.”
God, you are not far from each one of us. You love us as your children. Reveal your love, especially this day, to the sick and sorrowful.
We pray especially for: Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Ann, Murphy, Karen, Derek, Walter, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Barton, Beverly, Harmon, Cedric, Allen and Damon, Chuck, Pam, and Denise.
You are invited to add your petitions, followed by silence.
“We call out to you with our mouths;
your praise is on our tongues.”
Silence
Heavenly Father, you hold our souls in life. You have saved us in baptism. Because your Son Jesus lives so do we rejoice in the hope of unending life in you.
Silence
“We call out to you with our mouths;
your praise is on our tongues.”
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 Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you;
People And also with you.
The Minister 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 serve a risen Savior LEVAS #42
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. Through Jesus Christ our Lord;
But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
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. | 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. |
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 Blessed 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
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 Taste and see LEVAS #154
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
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; 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 The spacious firmament on high Hymnal 1982 #409
Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
| Join Us Memorial Sunday Weekend, May 28, at Chestnut ChapelMark your calendars! Rev. Alicia Alexis (to preach), Deacon Sarah (to serve), and the good people of St. Titus’ are invited to come to Chestnut Chapel at Topsail Island for Memorial Sunday Weekend Service, May 28, 2023. The service will begin at 11:00 am. All are welcome to attend! It has been St.Titus’ custom for the rector and parishioners to be a part of these annual services, with opportunities for beach events. The Wade H. Chestnut Memorial Chapel is an Episcopal Chapel in North Topsail Beach, NC of the Diocese of East North Carolina. The Chapel was built in 1957 in the historic Ocean City Community which dates back to 1949. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the signup sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex. You may also contact Rev. Alicia, or email Marguerite Peebles at: peeblesmarguerit@bellsouth.net. (Note that there is no “e” on the end of Marguerite’s name in her email address.) The address of Chestnut Chapel is 2649 Island Dr, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460. |
Announcements
Rector Search Update: the Rector Search Committee met with Canon Massey and agreed to extend the end date for the St. Titus’ profile to May 15th. All applicants will be sent by the diocese to the committee for review on May 16th. While we are waiting, the committee will begin to compile a list of interview questions for our upcoming Zoom and in-person interviews. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide our group and lead us to a new priest for St. Titus’.
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.
Have you been to St. Titus’ website lately?
Come visit at sttitusdurham.org. You’ll find information about worship, our history, ministries, and opportunities to serve. St. Titus’ website parish calendar, viewable on the site, is being regularly updated now and includes St. Titus’ services and other happenings. If you have an event or meeting to schedule on the calendar, or an announcement you would like to post on the St. Titus’ website, please contact the parish administrator at st.titussecretary@gmail.com. And don’t forget to visit our Facebook page too! (You do not have to have a Facebook account to stop by.)
A Request from St. Titus’ Communications Committee: As we prepare for the coming of a new rector, we would like to have an updated database of St. Titus’ parishioners that contains current, accurate information. We need your participation to make this happen. Please provide the following information for each person in your household or family: name, address, phone number(s), email, birthday, anniversary if applicable. At this stage, the information will be for St. Titus’ internal use only so will be kept confidential.
There are several ways you can submit your information :
1. Send it in an email to the parish administrator at st.titussecretary@gmail.com.
2. Mail it to the church office at 400 Moline St., Durham, NC 27707.
3. Fill out the information when you come to church on Sunday (forms will be available).
4. Go to the announcement on our website sttitusdurham.org, fill out the information and submit it to us online.
Thank you for your help in this important project.
Stay in Touch: To sign up to receive weekly email announcements from St. Titus’, email the parish administrator at st.titussecretary@gmail.com.
Sign up for The Titusian, St. Titus’ monthly newsletter, on the St. Titus’ homepage: sttitusdurham.org, or by emailing the parish administrator.
The Diocese has moved into Stage 4 of COVID precautions, but transmission rates are still high, and many in our community are vulnerable.
St. Titus' Episcopal Church 