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Please join the worship by following the liturgy (program) in this bulletin. We encourage you to use the time before worship to pray and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit to keep you centered and focused on what God may be saying to you. After worship, we invite you to pray for God’s strength to help you face and meet the demands of the world from this moment and in the days to come.
Prelude
| The Bidding Prayer | BCP p.833 |
Almighty God, who poursout on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship youin spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
| The Processional Hymn | Rejoice, ye pure in heart | H-556 |
| The Opening Acclamation | EOW, p.50 |
Celebrant Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
People Glory to God for ever and ever.
| The Celebrant continues | BCP, p.355 |
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.
| The Gloria | Spoken without refrain at 8:30 am; sung at 10:30 am | L-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
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
The Collect of the Day
Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lessons
| The First Lesson | Song of Solomon 2:8-13 |
Reader A reading from the Song of Solomon
The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes,
leaping upon the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Look, there he stands
behind our wall,
gazing in at the windows,
looking through the lattice.
My beloved speaks and says to me:
“Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away;
for now the winter is past,
the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove
is heard in our land.
The fig tree puts forth its figs,
and the vines are in blossom;
they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away.”
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People Thanks be to God.
| The Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10 | Eructavit cor meum | BCP, p.647 |
1 My heart is stirring with a noble song;
let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; *
my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2 You are the fairest of men; *
grace flows from your lips,
because God has blessed you for ever.
7 Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, *
a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom;
you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
8 Therefore God, your God, has anointed you *
with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
9 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, *
and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
10 Kings’ daughters stand among the ladies of the court; *
on your right hand is the queen,
adorned with the gold of Ophir.
| The Second Lesson | James 1:17-27 |
Reader A reading from the Epistle of James.
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act-they will be blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People Thanks be to God.
| The Sequence Hymn | O Master, let me walk with thee | H-660 |
| The Gospel | Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 |
Please stand as you are able.
Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Mark.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”
Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Gospeller The Gospel of our Savior.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
| The Sermon | The Reverend Valerie J. Mayo |
We will maintain a brief silence to allow for reflection.
| The Nicene Creed | [Please stand as you are able] | EOW, p.53 |
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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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.
The Prayers of the People
Celebrant
Let us pray for the Church and the world, saying “Lord, hear our prayer.”
Leader
We pray for all those who follow Christ. We pray for Michael, our Presiding Bishop, for our own bishops Sam and Jennifer, for our parish rector Valerie, and all who are ministers at St. Titus’ through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Make us humble and obedient servants like your Son Jesus Christ.
Lord, hear our prayers.
We thank you, O God, for your love for us and for your presence with us always. May your light shine through us and bring your love to all people.
Lord, hear our prayers.
We pray for the nations of the world torn apart by strife. Help us know how to be channels of peace in your kingdom on earth.
Lord, hear our prayers.
Lead us to be doers of your Word and not hearers only, that we may do your will, in large and small ways, especially within our own communities.
Lord, hear our prayers.
We give thanks for the gift of labor and pray for full and just employment for all. Give us compassionate hearts and a willingness to stand with those who suffer or are in any trouble.
Lord, hear our prayers.
We pray for all those who carry burdens of illness, pain, anxiety, or grief, especially:
Alicia, Karen, Julius, Lauriette, O. Ray, Lafayette, Margaret, Annie, Darryl, Dennis, Jr., William, The St. Augustine’s University Community, Elijah, Marissa, Margo, Charles, Ethel, Brian, Terrence, Bill, Carolyn, Tyna, Dennis, Marjorie, Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Ann, Murphy, Derek, Walter, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Beverly, Harmon, Allen, Damon, and Pam.
Lord, hear our prayers.
Have mercy on those who are no longer with us, praying especially for long-time and faithful St. Titus’ member Mr. Richard Carew. Grant that, following the example of all your saints, we may truly believe and share our relationship with you with others.
Lord, hear our prayers.
© Church Publishing Incorporated
For whom or what else shall we pray today?
[The congregation may offer their petitions in the silence of their hearts or aloud.]
The Prayer to End Gun Violence
God of Justice, help us, your church, find our voice. Turn us from the worship of power. Give us courage to confront our false gods and to protest the needless deaths caused by gun violence. Help us rise above our dread that nothing can be done and grant us the
conviction to advocate for change. For your dream of a world where children are safe
and all of us live together without fear, Loving God, make us instruments of your peace. Amen.
The Concluding Collect
Celebrant
O God, who created all peoples in your image, accept the fervent prayers of your people. In the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help. We thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
| The Confession | EOW, p.19 |
Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God.
Silence may be kept.
Celebrant and People
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
| The Absolution | EOW, p.20 |
Celebrant
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
| The Exchange of the Peace | EOW, p.56 |
Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us share the peace with one another and our guests.
The Celebrant and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
| The Words of Welcome | St. Titus’Vestry Member |
The September Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations
All worshippers whose birthdays or anniversaries occur in September please come forward to the altar at this time.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Gracious God, we thank you for all your children born in September, including Hazel Brown, Jamel Ruff, John Dalley, Chelsey Jones, Bradley Walton, Thomas Valentine, O. Ray Lipscomb, III, Ahmed Finoh Jr., David Ross, Kayla Zeigler, Pamela West, Jason Freeman, Pamela Howard, Walter McMiller, Jean Walton, Dorothy Adorkor, Victoria Quiett, James Seymour, O. Ray Lipscomb, Jr., Carrie Matthews, Fred Williams, Kollin Brown, Abdul Finoh, Kenneth Horne, Maxwell Dorsey, Marjorie Freeman, Linda Crawford, Isis Lipscomb, Kathy Nelson-Coward, Derek Crawford, Julian Freeman, Linda Dalley, and Del Ruff.
Watch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; and raise them up if they fall. Grant them a clear vision of the ministry to which you are calling them that they may be guided in the continued use of your gifts. In their hearts may your peace which surpasses understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
As we celebrate the wedding anniversaries of Valerie and Vincent Quiett, Lisa and Preston Edwards, Judy and Treadwell Davison, and Yvette and Walter McMiller, together let us pray:
Most Gracious God, we pray that you continue to strengthen the bond between your daughters and sons. May their love for each other continue to grow and may they be always there for each other in times of joy and sorrow. Help them to always communicate with love and respect, and may their marriages be a reflection of your love for them. Amen.
| The Holy Communion | (Eucharistic Prayer 3) | EOW, pp.62-65 |
The Offertory
| The Offertory Sentence | Ephesians 5:2 |
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
| The Offertory Selection | Give Me a Clean Heart Joy Morgan, Soloist | by J. Thompson and R. Scruggs |
The Great Thanksgiving (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 our thanks and praise.
Celebrant
All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind.
Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; And so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout (sing) with joy:
| The Sanctus [spoken at 8:30 am] Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. | [sung at 10:30 am] L-255 |
The Celebrant continues
Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering.
Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.
We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:
Celebrant and People
Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising, you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!
The Celebrant continues
Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ. Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love.
Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with [blessed _______, and] all your people into the joy of our true eternal home.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise. Presider and People Blessed are you now and for ever. Amen.
| The Lord’s Prayer | (spoken at 8:30 a.m., sung at 10:30 a.m.) | L-264 |
The Celebrant says
As our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to say (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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
| The Breaking of the Bread | EOW, p.69 |
Celebrant This is the true bread which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
People Whoever eats this bread will live for ever.
| The Fraction Anthem (Sung three times) | Christ our Passover | W-865 |
Celebrant
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.
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.
The 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.
The Bread and cup are given to the communicants with these words:
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen.
Celebrant All are welcome to the Lord’s table. Won’t you come?
| The Communion Hymn | My God, thy table now is spread | H-321 |
| The Post-Communion Prayer | EOW, p. 69 |
Celebrant Let us pray.
God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
Community Announcements
| The Corporate Blessing |
Celebrant
Life is short. We don’t have much time to gladden the hearts of those who journey with us along the way. So, let us be swift to love and make haste to be kind. And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with and among you always. Amen.
| The Recessional Hymn | Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing | H-344 |
| The Choral Benediction | The Lord Bless You/Sevenfold Amen | A-636 |
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
People Thanks be to God.
St. Titus' Episcopal Church 