Flowing with Joy, Walking with God.

Marina the June 17, 2021 Service of Healing • 6:15 pm The Reverend Sarah van Gulden Priest-in-Charge

Page 1 of 8

Opening Sentences

Presider The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. People And also with you. Presider Let us pray.

Loving God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: accept our prayers and grant the power of your grace, that the weak may be strengthened, sickness turned to health, the dying made whole, and sorrow turned into joy; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Give us grace, Lord God, to refrain from judgments about the sins of others; that, like your servant Marina the Monk, we may hold fast to the path of discipleship in the midst of unjust judgments; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Reading Susanna 34-46

A Reading from the book of .

The two elders stood up before the people and laid their hands on her head. Through her tears she looked up towards Heaven, for her heart trusted in the Lord. The elders said, "While we were walking in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, Page 2 of 8

shut the garden doors, and dismissed the maids. Then a young man, who was hiding there, came to her and lay with her. We were in a corner of the garden, and when we saw this wickedness we ran to them. Although we saw them embracing, we could not hold the man, because he was stronger than we are, and he opened the doors and got away. We did, however, seize this woman and asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us. These things we testify." Because they were elders of the people and judges, the assembly believed them and condemned her to death. Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, "O eternal God, you know what is secret and are aware of all things before they come to be; you know that these men have given false evidence against me. And now I am to die, though I have done none of the wicked things that they have charged against me!" The Lord heard her cry. Just as she was being led off to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young lad named , and he shouted with a loud voice, "I want no part in shedding this woman’s blood!" Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

Thanks be to God.

The Response Psalm 148

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; * praise him in the heights. Praise him, all you angels of his; * praise him, all his host. Praise him, sun and moon; * praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, heaven of heavens, * and you waters above the heavens. Page 3 of 8

Let them praise the Name of the LORD; * for he commanded, and they were created. He made them stand fast for ever and ever; * he gave them a law which shall not pass away. Praise the LORD from the earth, * you sea-monsters and all deeps; Fire and hail, snow and fog, * tempestuous wind, doing his will; Mountains and all hills, * fruit trees and all cedars; Wild beasts and all cattle, * creeping things and winged birds; Kings of the earth and all peoples, * princes and all rulers of the world; Young men and maidens, * old and young together. Let them praise the Name of the LORD, * for his Name only is exalted, his splendor is over earth and heaven. He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants, * the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Hallelujah!

The Gospel Luke 18:18-30

Presider The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. People Glory to you Lord Christ.

A certain ruler asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is Page 4 of 8

good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’” He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Christ.

Reflection

Litany for Healing

Loving God, we hold in your healing presence those who suffer pain and ill-health, with their families, and all who care for them. May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Loving God, we hold in your healing presence those who suffer in mind and spirit, and all who care for them. May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Page 5 of 8

Loving God, we hold in your healing presence the suffering people of our world, and all the places where people are experiencing despair and loss. May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Loving God, we hold in your healing presence those facing bereavement, and we pray for all who have died. May they know the deep peace of Christ.

Loving God, we give you thanks for health restored and prayers answered. We hold in your healing presence those whose needs are known to you alone. May they know the deep peace of Christ.

May your wisdom, God, guide nurses, doctors, first responders and those who work in every part of Health Services across the world. May your presence strengthen all who work for the benefit and well- being of all. May they be strengthened for the tasks set before them.

God of compassion and love, we offer you all our uncertainty and suffering, Give us strength to bear our weakness, healing even when there is no cure, Peace in the midst of turmoil, And love to uphold and strengthen us. Glory to God who brings healing and light into all places. May the peace of Christ bear us into new life this day and evermore. Amen. Prayers adapted from the Iona Abbey Worship Book

Page 6 of 8

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.

Closing Prayer

Generous God, we give you thanks for your beloved Jesus Christ, in whom you have shared the beauty and pain of human life. Look with compassion upon all for whom we pray, and strengthen us to be your instruments of healing in the world, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Creator, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Page 7 of 8

According to the St. Marina the Monk passed as a man so she could enter the local monastery. When a neighbor's daughter became pregnant she blamed "Father Marinus." After the child was weaned the abbot ordered Marina to leave the monastery and raise the child, as in the first picture at right. Although innocent, Marina obeyed and raised the child in dire poverty. Portraits usually have St. Marina in something like a monastic habit with a small child and a crucifix, as in the second picture at right. The third picture has her teaching the child about the crucifix in their very humble home. Her body lies in a glass case beneath that picture in the church of Santa Maria Formosa in Venice. She lived and died in Lebanon, but her body was translated to Venice in 1231. Trinity Staff The Reverend Sarah van Gulden – [email protected] Office: 978-372-4244 Cell: 508-367-4750 Dr. Janet King, Director of Music - [email protected] Dr. King, Organist- [email protected] Michelle Moulton, Parish Administrator - [email protected] Tom Walker - Sexton

Parish Ministry Leaders Rev. Cathy Estey, Senior Warden – [email protected] Jeff Moulton, Junior Warden – [email protected] Tom High, Treasurer – [email protected] Michelle Moulton, Communications/Webmaster – [email protected] Jeff Moulton, Christian Education Minister – [email protected] Bette Jacobs, RN, Parish Nurse – [email protected] Rev. Cathy Estey, Prayer Minister - [email protected] Betty Malbon, Altar Guild Director – [email protected] Church Office (978) 372-4244 – [email protected] Page 8 of 8