WELCOME!
As you settle in, please:
• Remain muted. You are automatically muted upon entry, simply do nothing to remain muted.
• Prepare your space for worship. Light a candle, close other windows on your computer, silence devices.
• Breathe. Give thanks. Rejoice in God's undying love for you. The service will begin shortly.
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST Sunday August 16, 2020 OPENING HYMN We the Lord’s people, heart and voice uniting DECATUR PLACE OPENING ACCLAMATION
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; 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 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 67: 1-7 Cantor sings the antiphon, then all repeat. All join in singing the antiphon between verses.
Be merciful to us, O God, and bless us, show us the light of your countenance and come to us. Let your ways be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Antiphon
PSALM 67: 1-7 Continued Cantor sings the antiphon, then all repeat. All join in singing the antiphon between verses.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide all the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Antiphon
The earth has brought forth its increase; may you, our own God, give us your blessing. May you give us your blessing, and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of you. Antiphon
HYMN God of mercy, God of grace LUCERNA LANDONIAE THE GOSPEL Matthew 15: 21-28 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE The Rev. Dorota Wright-Pruski Rector
THE SERMON The Rev. Dr. Mary Thorpe Canon to the Ordinary
THE APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE The Prayer leader ends each petition with the words, “God of Love,” and the congregation responds, “Hear our prayer.”
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept. 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.
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 All are invited to unmute for the Passing of the Peace
The Peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE WAY OF LOVE: TURN
Like the disciples, we are called by Jesus to follow the Way of Love. With God’s help, we can turn from the powers of sin, hatred, fear, injustice, and oppression toward the way of truth, love, hope, justice, and freedom. In turning, we reorient our lives to Jesus Christ, falling in love again, again, and again.
For reflection and action
• This week, practice turning as Jesus did, by praying the labyrinth, an ancient form of prayer in which we follow a path that mirrors the twisting and winding journey of faith. A labyrinth is not a maze; the turns on the path lead us to the center. • Where to find a labyrinth: • Outdoor labyrinths can be found in the church yard of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church (1132 N. Ivanhoe, Arlington) or near St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (4250 N Glebe Rd., Arlington). To access the St. Peter’s labyrinth, park at the bottom of the lot near the basketball hoop; then take the sidewalk up the hill to the cul-de-sac at Stafford Street. The labyrinth is at the top of the hill, and the start is marked by a stone that is set on end. • Alternatively, pray with a finger labyrinth, such as the Labyrinth Journey app, found in the app store on your smartphone or tablet. • As you walk or trace the labyrinth’s path, consider one of these meditations: • Ask God a question as you enter the path. As you slowly navigate the turns of the labyrinth, listen for an answer. Let your movement and your silence invite God’s guidance. • Choose a word or phrase to repeat with every breath, perhaps changing the prayer with every quadrant. Examples include: Lord, have mercy, or Here I am, or Your kingdom come, or simply Peace.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 BLESSING OVER THE PEOPLE Go in peace. Remember the poor. Be kindly affectioned one to another. And remember whose you are.
And the blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer, and Giver of Life, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
THE DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
FINAL HYMN Tis a gift to be simple SIMPLE GIFTS
All are invited to stay for virtual Coffee Hour!
Photo by Jane Palash on Unsplash