The Holy Eucharist
PRELUDE
THE PROCESSIONAL: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY! LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
THE OPENING ACCLAMATION
Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
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 IN EXCELSIS
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
THE FIRST LESSON: Isaiah 6:1-8
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”
The word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!
PSALM 29
Afferte Domino
1 Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, * ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name; * worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; * the LORD is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; * the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; * the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, * and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; * the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe * and strips the forests bare.
9 And in the temple of the LORD * all are crying, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; * the LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.
11 The LORD shall give strength to his people; *
the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.
THE SECOND LESSON: ROMANS 8:12-17
So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SEQUENCE HYMN: ROUND THE LORD IN GLORY SEATED
THE GOSPEL: JOHN 3:1-17
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone
who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
THE SERMON: The Rev’d. Kirstin Swanson
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.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us pray for God's people throughout the world, for this gathering and for all who minister in Christ's name.
For the people of the Church of Christ, that the Spirit may inspire us with new gifts of wisdom, understanding, and fortitude, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the leaders of the Church, especially our Bishops Matthew, Allen and Mary and our priest Hank, that they may recognize the Spirit’s work, and protect and foster it, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those in power in the nations of the world, especially Joe our President, Kathy our Governor, and Eric our Mayor, that they may not resist the Spirit’s call for justice and peace, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those in any trouble, for those who are sick, for those who have lost their faith, and all for whom our prayers are asked, especially Dr. John, Generosa, Jim, Bernard, Nancy, Darrin, Rodney, Harold, Lauren, Matthew, Gweneth, Trevor, Juli, Ondeene, Carole, George, Paul, Michael, Francine, Arthur, Anthony, Robert, Barbara, Dillon, Henrietta, Dice, Christopher, Suzanne, Patricia, Dan, Teresa, Chris, and all those on our prayer list, that the Spirit will guide and comfort them in all their afflictions, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For our partners in mission, especially the Richmond Inter-Parish Council, The Episcopal Diocese of New York, and Project Hospitality, that the Spirit will move us and them into unity of faith and action, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who have died, that the Spirit will unite us with them in the communion and fellowship of God, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
CONCLUDING COLLECT
Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
THE CONFESSION
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
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.
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
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE OFFERTORY HYMN: I BIND UNTO MYSELF TODAY
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING - B
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to
you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with
all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of
your Name:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord
God of power and might.
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is He who come in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest,.
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:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
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 forever.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore, let us keep the feast, Alleluia!
THE FRACTION ANTHEM S-165
THE COMMUNION
COMMUNION HYMN: OH LET THE SON OF GOD ENFOLD YOU
THE POST COMMUNION PRAYER
Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual
food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the
Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send
us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as
faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be
honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
THE BLESSING
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, through the
power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you now, and remain with you always.
Amen.
THE RECESSIONAL: I, THE LORD OF SEA AND SKY
THE DISMISSAL
The Mass is ended. Our service now begins! Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!
Thanks be to God.
THE POSTLUDE
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