St. Paul's Episcopal Church the Fourth Sunday in Lent March 28

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church The Fourth Sunday in Lent March 28, 2021 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II

This bulletin accompanies our service on the Zoom platform. To link to the service go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/647333282?pwd=WmtlR3ppamVET1dhNHAxU0JVZUZmQT09 or call 1-646-558-8656 (Meeting ID:647 333 282; passcode 173902).

Everything you need to participate is incorporated here. We encourage you to follow, say the responses, and allow yourself to be pulled closer to God.

Welcome. We are delighted you are joining us for worship today. Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. One of the earliest accounts of the liturgies we will celebrate this week comes from The Pilgrimage of Egeria, the account of this early Christian woman’s journey to the Holy Land in the early 380s. By the end of the 4th century, many elements of this service, and others for this week, were already in regular practice. We will begin today’s service with the blessing of the palm crosses that were sent to every family on our roster. (If you didn’t receive a palm cross, more are available in the church.) Today’s service also features the reading of the Passion story, this year from the gospel of Mark.

As we gather, you are invited to center yourself and prepare for worship.

First, enjoy three deep breaths • The first one to help you fully arrive in your body, • The second one to clear your mind so you may be present to yourself and others, • The third one to open your heart and welcome the Holy Spirit to engage you

Second, select one of these three entries into worship Notice whichever one you feel drawn to… then do what you’re invited to do with it Are you hopeful today? • Pray a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the beacon of hope drawing you forward. Are you looking for light today? • Pray for the light of Christ to illumine you especially this morning, and also to illumine the world. Are you in need of joy this morning? • Pray that God would show you the simple, profound joys that surround you now.

Third, be still until worship begins Empty your hands, Close your eyes, Breathe deeply and slowly, Empty your mind. Let sounds pass by you. Find interest only in silent waiting upon God. The Celebrant says Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. People Peace in heaven and glory in the highest. Celebrant Let us pray. Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Reading from the Gospel of Mark (11:1-11) When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,“Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

The Celebrant then says The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give God thanks and praise. Celebrant It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy spirit, now and for ever. Amen. Celebrant Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. People Hosanna in the highest. Priest Let us go forth in peace. People In the name of Christ. Amen.

Collect of the Day Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

2 Homily The Rev. Samuel J. Smith

The Passion Of our Lord Jesus Christ, according To St. Mark 14:1-15:27 The congregation takes the role of Jesus (in bold). The congregation may be seated after the Passion is announced, until the verse that mentions the arrival at Golgotha, indicated in the text.

NARRATOR: It was two days before the Passover NARRATOR: On the first day of Unleavened Bread, and the festival of Unleavened Bread. when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, The chief priests and the scribes were his disciples said to him, looking for a way to arrest Jesus by DISCIPLES: “Where do you want us to go and stealth and kill him; for they said, make the preparations for you to eat CHIEF PRIESTS: “Not during the festival, or there may the Passover?” be a riot among the people.” NARRATOR: So he sent two of his disciples, saying NARRATOR: While he was at Bethany in the house to them, of Simon the leper, as he sat at the JESUS: “Go into the city, and a man carrying table, a woman came with an a jar of water will meet you; follow alabaster jar of very costly ointment him, and wherever he enters, say to of nard, and she broke open the jar the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher and poured the ointment on his asks, Where is my guest room where head. But some were there who said I may eat the Passover with my to one another in anger, disciples?’ He will show you a large DISCIPLES: “Why was the ointment wasted in room upstairs, furnished and ready. this way? For this ointment could Make preparations for us there.” have been sold for more than three NARRATOR: So the disciples set out and went to hundred denarii, and the money the city, and found everything as he given to the poor.” had told them; and they prepared the NARRATOR: And they scolded her. But Jesus said, Passover meal. When it was evening, he came JESUS: “Let her alone; why do you trouble with the twelve. And when they had her? She has performed a good taken their places and were eating, service for me. For you always have Jesus said, the poor with you, and you can show JESUS: “Truly I tell you, one of you will kindness to them whenever you betray me, one who is eating with wish; but you will not always have me.” me. She has done what she could; NARRATOR: They began to be distressed and to she has anointed my body say to him one after another, beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell DISCIPLES: “Surely, not I?” you, wherever the good news is NARRATOR: He said to them, proclaimed in the whole world, what JESUS: “It is one of the twelve, one who is she has done will be told in dipping bread into the bowl with me. remembrance of her.” For the Son of Man goes as it is NARRATOR: Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of written of him, but woe to that one the twelve, went to the chief priests by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! in order to betray him to them. When It would have been better for that they heard it, they were greatly one not to have been born.” pleased, and promised to give him NARRATOR: While they were eating, he took a money. So he began to look for an loaf of bread, and after blessing it he opportunity to betray him. broke it, gave it to them, and said, JESUS: “Take; this is my body.” 3 NARRATOR: Then he took a cup, and after giving JESUS: “Simon, are you asleep? Could you thanks he gave it to them, and all of not keep awake one hour? Keep them drank from it. He said to them, awake and pray that you may not JESUS: “This is my blood of the covenant, come into the time of trial; the spirit which is poured out for many. Truly I indeed is willing, but the flesh is tell you, I will never again drink of the weak.” fruit of the vine until that day when I NARRATOR: And again he went away and prayed, drink it new in the kingdom of God.” saying the same words. And once NARRATOR: When they had sung the hymn, they more he came and found them went out to the Mount of Olives. And sleeping, for their eyes were very Jesus said to them, heavy; and they did not know what JESUS: “You will all become deserters; for it to say to him. He came a third time is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and said to them, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But JESUS: “Are you still sleeping and taking your after I am raised up, I will go before rest? Enough! The hour has come; you to Galilee.” the Son of Man is betrayed into the NARRATOR: Peter said to him, hands of sinners. Get up, let us be PETER: “Even though all become deserters, I going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” will not.” NARRATOR: Immediately, while he was still NARRATOR: Jesus said to him, speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, JESUS: “Truly I tell you, this day, this very arrived; and with him there was a night, before the cock crows twice, crowd with swords and clubs, from you will deny me three times.” the chief priests, the scribes, and the NARRATOR: But he said vehemently, elders. Now the betrayer had given PETER: “Even though I must die with you, I them a sign, saying, will not deny you.” JUDAS: “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest NARRATOR: And all of them said the same. him and lead him away under guard.” They went to a place called NARRATOR: So when he came, he went up to him Gethsemane; and he said to his at once and said, disciples, JUDAS: “Rabbi!” JESUS: “Sit here while I pray.” NARRATOR: and kissed him. Then they laid hands NARRATOR: He took with him Peter and James on him and arrested him. But one of and John, and began to be distressed those who stood near drew his sword and agitated. And said to them, and struck the slave of the high JESUS: “I am deeply grieved, even to death; priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus remain here, and keep awake.” said to them, NARRATOR: And going a little farther, he threw JESUS: “Have you come out with swords and himself on the ground and prayed clubs to arrest me as though I were a that, if it were possible, the hour bandit? Day after day I was with you might pass from him. He said, in the temple teaching, and you did JESUS: “Abba, Father, for you all things are not arrest me. But let the scriptures possible; remove this cup from me; be fulfilled.” yet, not what I want, but what you NARRATOR: All of them deserted him and fled. want.” A certain young man was following NARRATOR: He came and found them sleeping; him, wearing nothing but a linen and he said to Peter, cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

4 NARRATOR: They took Jesus to the high priest; SERVANT GIRL: “You also were with Jesus, the man and all the chief priests, the elders, from Nazareth.” and the scribes were assembled. NARRATOR: But he denied it, saying, Peter had followed him at a distance, PETER: “I do not know or understand what right into the courtyard of the high you are talking about.” priest; and he was sitting with the NARRATOR: And he went out into the forecourt. guards, warming himself at the fire. Then the cock crowed. And the Now the chief priests and the whole servant-girl, on seeing him, began council were looking for testimony again to say to the bystanders, against Jesus to put him to death; but SERVANT GIRL: “This man is one of them.” they found none. For many gave false NARRATOR: But again he denied it. Then after a testimony against him, and their little while the bystanders again said testimony did not agree. Some stood to Peter, up and gave false testimony against BYSTANDERS: “Certainly you are one of them; for him, saying, you are a Galilean.” ACCUSERS: “We heard him say, `I will destroy NARRATOR: But he began to curse, and he swore this temple that is made with hands, an oath, and in three days I will build another, PETER: “I do not know this man you are not made with hands.’“ talking about.” NARRATOR: But even on this point their NARRATOR: At that moment the cock crowed for testimony did not agree. Then the the second time. Then Peter high priest stood up before them and remembered that Jesus had said to asked Jesus, him, HIGH PRIEST: “Have you no answer? What is it that JESUS: “Before the cock crows twice, you they testify against you?” will deny me three times.” NARRATOR: But he was silent and did not answer. NARRATOR: And he broke down and wept. Again the high priest asked him, NARRATOR: As soon as it was morning, the chief HIGH PRIEST: “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the priests held a consultation with the Blessed One?” elders and scribes and the whole NARRATOR: Jesus said, council. They bound Jesus, led him JESUS: “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of away, and handed him over to Pilate. Man seated at the right hand of the Pilate asked him, Power,’ and ‘coming with the clouds PILATE: “Are you the King of the Jews?” of heaven.’” NARRATOR: He answered him, NARRATOR: Then the high priest tore his clothes JESUS: “You say so.” and said, NARRATOR: Then the chief priests accused him of HIGH PRIEST: “Why do we still need witnesses? You many things. Pilate asked him again, have heard his blasphemy! What is PILATE: “Have you no answer? See how many your decision?” charges they bring against you.” NARRATOR: All of them condemned him as NARRATOR: But Jesus made no further reply, so deserving death. Some began to spit that Pilate was amazed. on him, to blindfold him, and to strike Now at the festival he used to him, saying to him, release a prisoner for them, anyone ACCUSERS: “Prophesy!” for whom they asked. Now a man NARRATOR: The guards also took him over and called Barabbas was in prison with beat him. While Peter was below in the rebels who had committed the courtyard, one of the servant- murder during the insurrection. So girls of the high priest came by. the crowd came and began to ask When she saw Peter warming Pilate to do for them according to his himself, she stared at him and said, custom. Then he answered them,

5 PILATE: “Do you want me to release for you should take. the King of the Jews?” NARRATOR: It was nine o’clock in the morning NARRATOR: For he realized that it was out of when they crucified him. The jealousy that the chief priests had inscription of the charge against him handed him over. But the chief read, “The King of the Jews.” And priests stirred up the crowd to have with him they crucified two bandits, him release Barabbas for them one on his right and one on his left. instead. Pilate spoke to them again, Those who passed by derided him, PILATE: “Then what do you wish me to do shaking their heads and saying, with the man you call the King of the BYSTANDERS: “Aha! You who would destroy the Jews?” temple and build it in three days, NARRATOR: They shouted back, save yourself, and come down from CROWD: “Crucify him!” the cross!” NARRATOR: Pilate asked them, NARRATOR: In the same way the chief priests, PILATE: “Why, what evil has he done?” along with the scribes, were also NARRATOR: But they shouted all the more, mocking him among themselves and CROWD: “Crucify him!” saying, NARRATOR: So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the CHIEF PRIESTS: “He saved others; he cannot save crowd, released Barabbas for them; himself. Let the Messiah, the King of and after flogging Jesus, he handed Israel, come down from the cross him over to be crucified. now, so that we may see and Then the soldiers led him into the believe.” courtyard of the palace (that is, the NARRATOR: Those who were crucified with him governor’s headquarters); and they also taunted him. called together the whole cohort. When it was noon, darkness came And they clothed him in a purple over the whole land until three in the cloak; and after twisting some thorns afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus into a crown, they put it on him. And cried out with a loud voice, they began saluting him, JESUS: “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” SOLDIERS: “Hail, King of the Jews!” NARRATOR: which means, NARRATOR: They struck his head with a reed, spat JESUS: “My God, my God, why have you upon him, and knelt down in homage forsaken me?” to him. After mocking him, they NARRATOR: When some of the bystanders heard stripped him of the purple cloak and it, they said, put his own clothes on him. Then BYSTANDERS: “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” they led him out to crucify him. NARRATOR: And someone ran, filled a sponge [This is the place where, traditionally, with sour wine, put it on a stick, and the congregation stands, and remains gave it to him to drink, saying, standing until the end of the reading] BYSTANDERS: “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will They compelled a passer-by, who was come to take him down.” coming in from the country, to carry NARRATOR: Then Jesus gave a loud cry and his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the breathed his last. And the curtain of father of Alexander and Rufus. Then the temple was torn in two, from top they brought Jesus to the place called to bottom. Now when the centurion, Golgotha (which means the place of a who stood facing him, saw that in skull). And they offered him wine this way he breathed his last, he said, mixed with myrrh; but he did not CENTURION: “Truly this man was God’s Son!” take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each

6 NARRATOR: There were also women looking on and asked for the body of Jesus. Then from a distance; among them were Pilate wondered if he were already Mary Magdalene, and Mary the dead; and summoning the centurion, mother of James the younger and of he asked him whether he had been Joses, and Salome. These used to dead for some time. When he follow him and provided for him learned from the centurion that he when he was in Galilee; and there was dead, he granted the body to were many other women who had Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen come up with him to Jerusalem. When evening had come, and cloth, and taking down the body, since it was the day of Preparation, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid that is, the day before the sabbath, it in a tomb that had been hewn out Joseph of Arimathea, a respected of the rock. He then rolled a stone member of the council, who was also against the door of the tomb. Mary himself waiting expectantly for the Magdalene and Mary the mother of kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate Joses saw where the body was laid.

Prayers of the People – Form II BCP p. 385 In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for Michael, our Presiding Bishop; for Doug, our own Bishop; for Sam, our Rector; for Jane, our Priest Associate; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church. Silence

I ask your prayers for peace; for good will among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace. Silence

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble. Silence

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of God. Pray that they may find and be found by God. Silence

I ask your prayers for the departed [especially ______]. Pray for those who have died. Silence

I ask your prayers for all who have commended themselves to our prayers, especially ______. Silence

I ask your thanksgiving for ______. Silence

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day. Silence, after which the Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

7 The Peace Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you. Then the ministers and the People greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Welcome and Announcements Holy Communion

Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B BCP p. 367

The people remain 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 God thanks and praise. Celebrant It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For our sins he was lifted high upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself; and, by his suffering and death, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

The Celebrant and the People say the Sanctus Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The Celebrant continues We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life. On the night before he died for us, 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."

8 Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;

The Celebrant continues And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Paul, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

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 for ever. AMEN

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, People and Celebrant 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.

Breaking of the Bread

A period of silence is kept, after which the Celebrant will say The gifts of God for the people of God.

After Communion, the Celebrant says Let us pray. Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

All remain in prayer for the Solemn Prayer over the People and the Sending Forth, to which the People respond, Thanks be to God.

9 Service Schedule Sundays, 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist - online via Zoom Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayers - online via Zoom For more information on connecting to worship, please visit our website: www.stpaulsstockbridge.org

Rector: The Rev. Samuel J. Smith, [email protected] Father Sam’s office hours are by appointment. Please call the rectory: 298-7001. Priest Associate: The Rev. Dr. Jane Tillman Verger: Darryl Lafferty Office Administrator: Gretchen Fairfield, [email protected] In this time of the pandemic Gretchen is not usually working in person in the office. Call the church office or email and she will get back to you promptly.

Vestry Sr. Warden: Matt Fillio, 822-3759 Jr. Warden: Jorja Marsden, 298-3945 Sebastian Bonner, Clerk; John Davies, Treasurer; Martha Bodine; Diane Dillon; Diana French; Christopher Johnson; Duncan Pollock; Tom Skakel; Carl Sprague

St. Paul’s Children’s Center: Lisa Kane, Director, 298-4639

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 29 Main Street, P.O. Box 704, Stockbridge, MA 413-298-4913 • [email protected] www.stpaulsstockbridge.org