The Twenty-Sixth Sunday After Pentecost, November 17, 2024

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 PrayerBCP 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 HymnGod of grace and God of gloryH-595
The Opening AcclamationEOW, p.50

Celebrant     Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.

People         Glory to God for ever and ever.

The Celebrant continuesBCP, 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 at 8:30 a.m.]                               [Sung at 10:30 a.m.]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

Celebrant         God be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant         Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day                                                              

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lessons

The First Lesson1 Samuel 1:4-20

Reader A reading from the First Book of Samuel.

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly. She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.”

As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.

They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I have asked him of the Lord.”

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

People Thanks be to God.

The Psalm       1 Samuel 2:1-10

Hannah prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in my God.

My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in my victory.

“There is no Holy One like the Lord, no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.

Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;

for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength.

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.

The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.

The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low, he also exalts.

He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap,

to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.


“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
for not by might does one prevail.

The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;
the Most High will thunder in heaven.

The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king,
and exalt the power of his anointed.”

The Second LessonHebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25

Reader A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews.                       

Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. [And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

“This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds,”

he also adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.]

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

People Thanks be to God.

The Sequence HymnHelp us, O LordH-628
The GospelMark 13:1-8

Please stand as you are able.

Gospeller         The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Mark.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birthpangs.”

Gospeller         The Gospel of our Savior.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon                                                                   Chinwe Edeani

                                                         Seminarian, Duke Divinity School

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

Leader

Walk before and beside us into your future, loving and gracious God. Make us agents of healing, teachers of love, bearers of good news. Make us a blessing to those around us in your name.

Lord of love,

            Hear our prayer.

We praise you for the examples of faithfulness throughout history and for surrounding us on every side with encouragement. Make us an example of faithfulness to those around us in your name.

Lord of love,

            Hear our prayer.

We ask that your church be infused with a renewed sense of your mission, with a greater devotion to you and affection for each other. Send us into the world where we are most needed, with the good news for which your world is desperate. Keep us from distraction, and spare us, O Lord, from numbing inertia.

Lord of love,

            Hear our prayer.

We ask that those in governing positions around the globe be honest and seek the best for those they govern. We pray for legislators and judges, for the electorate. We pray for encouragement for those who are intent on doing the right thing in the face of difficult odds. We pray for our president Joe Biden, our vice-president Kamala Harris, and all those who serve in local governments.

Lord of love,

            Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for medical personnel and those providing background support of medical teams. Bless those who give comfort to the sick and dying. We lift before you those who are ill and hopeful for your healing. We pray for:

Lauriette, O. Ray, Lafayette, Margaret, 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, Murphy, Derek, Walter, Vivian, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Beverly, Harmon, Allen, Damon, and Pam.

We pray for those who have died, that they may be welcomed into the new life you have prepared for them in eternity.

Lord of love,

            Hear our prayer.

For whom or what else shall we pray today?

            [The congregation may offer their petitions in the silence of their hearts or aloud.]

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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

God of abundance, who has planted us in this congregation and sustains us day by day, grow us in your grace, that we may become more fully the people you have called us to be; that we may flourish by your faith in us; and that we may accomplish your will with the gifts you have given us through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

The ConfessionEOW, 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 AbsolutionEOW, 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 PeaceEOW, 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 WelcomeSt. Titus’Vestry Member
The Holy Communion             EOW, pp.60-62

The Offertory

The Offertory Sentence                  Hebrews 4:16

Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Offertory HymnWe Have Come Into His House      LEVAS II #245

The Great Thanksgiving (standing)                                EOW 1, Eucharistic Prayer 2


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

We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing. You made us in your image, and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away; and yet, as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love.

And so this day we join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing (say):

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]   LEVAS II #255  

The Celebrant continues

Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God. To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God.

Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to himself yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you.

On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice.

Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.

In the fullness of time bring us, with [___________ and] all your saints, from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer[Spoken at 8:30 a.m.]                     [Sung at 10:30 a.m.]LEVAS II #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 BreadEOW, p.69

Celebrant       We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.

People We who are many are one body; for we all share in the one bread.

The Fraction AnthemLamb of God LEVAS II #270

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 HymnCome, Thy Fount of Every BlessingLEVAS II #111
The Post-Communion PrayerEOW, p. 70

Celebrant               Let us pray.

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Community Announcements

The Corporate BlessingEOW, p.70

Celebrant

God’s Blessing be with you, Christ’s peace be with you, the Spirit’s outpouring be with you, now and always. Amen.                                                             (Source: Celtic)

The Recessional Hymn Ev’ry Time I Feel the SpiritLEVAS II #114

The Dismissal                                                          

Celebrant       Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

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