St. Thomas Episcopal Church

The Order of Worship for The Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 21, 2021 † 9:15 AM

Window: The Temptation of Christ

Piano Prelude Reflections on Faith arr., David L. Danner (1952-1993)

Welcome

A Penitential Order BCP 351

Officiant Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. People His mercy endures for ever. Amen.

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14, 16

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.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

The Collect of the Day BCP 219

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lessons

A Reading from the Book of Jeremiah: Jeremiah 31:31-34 RCL 249 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Psalm 51:1-13 BCP 656 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; * in your great compassion blot out my offenses. 2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness * and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, * and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you only have I sinned * and done what is evil in your sight. 5 And so you are justified when you speak * and upright in your judgment. 6 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, * a sinner from my mother’s womb. 7 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, * and will make me understand wisdom secretly. 8 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; * wash me, and I shall be clean indeed. 9 make me hear of joy and gladness, * that the body you have broken may rejoice. 10 Hide your face from my sins * and blot out all my iniquities. 11 Create in me a clean heart, I God, * and renew a right spirit within me. 12 Cast me not away from your presence * and take not your holy Spirit from me. 13 Give me the joy of your saving help again * and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 12:20-33 RCL 250

Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say— ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. Sermon

The Nicene Creed BCP 358 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.

Prayers of the People In penitence and faith let us make our prayer and ask for God’s mercy and grace, saying Lord, have mercy.

For the Church throughout the world and for all the holy people of God, especially this congregation and our diocese, that we may triumph over evil and grow in grace, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all the baptized, and for those preparing for baptism, that we may live by every word that proceeds from your mouth, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For leaders in our civic life, especially Joe, our President, Kamala, our Vice-President, Brian and Kay, our Governors, and Skip and Eddie, our mayors; for members of , state legislatures, and courts, that you will guide them in the ways of mercy and truth, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who are in need in this land of abundance, and for all who perpetuate violence and division, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who are sick in body, mind and spirit, and for all who care for them, that we may know your power to heal, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who are weary or discouraged, that we may be refreshed by your Spirit, we pray to you, O Lord: Lord, have mercy.

With confidence in God’s goodness, let us commend the world, for which Christ suffered, to the mercy and protection of God.

Celebrant: O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. The Peace Stay where you are and wave or bow as an offering of peace to your neighbors

Eucharistic Prayer B BCP 367

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.

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; who was tempted in every way as we are, yet did not sin. By his grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer for ourselves alone, but for him who died for us and rose again. 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:

Celebrant and People 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.

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."

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 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.

The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364

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.

Please remain standing or seated at your seat as reserved Sacrament is distributed. After all has been distributed, the Celebrant will say before we consume together:

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.

Postcommunion prayer unison BCP 365

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.

The Blessing

Look with compassion, O Lord, upon this your people; that, rightly observing this holy season, they may learn to know you more fully, and to serve you with a more perfect will; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Piano This is my Father’s world arr., Ron Boud (b. 1941)

In our prayers

St. Thomas parishioners: Charlotte DuPriest, Joe Russell, William South, Henry Morrill, Maeve Morrill, Norma & Lowell Jergens, Joe Mills, Jack Tice, Gerald Boyd, Esther Thomas, Darius Slusher

Homebound members: Marianne Baxter, Carolyn Billings, Murray Craig, Charlotte DuPriest, Judy Harding, Jan Pittman, Bill Thomas.

Those working in healthcare: Maddie Hanley, Stephen Van Roper (Charlie & Betty Roper), Rob Hosey (Mary Jane Thomas), Mona Thomas (Mary Jane Thomas), Maggie Krawczyk (Carlene Pawlowicz), Alex Erickson, Lizzie Venable- Lyashevskiy, Hayley Walker, Nora Ngo, Henry Ngo, Elizabeth McCann Rickerson, Hannah Davenport, Maryann Rahm, Laura Perkins, Michael Dempsey, Monica Fortson, Tom Fortson, April Jacobs, Deborah Scribner, Ellen Richter (Marianne Richter), Andrea Fletcher (Jennifer Fletcher), James Fletcher (Jennifer Fletcher), LeighEllen Johnson (Meg Olive-Allison), Mary Jane Burton (Grace Burton-Edwards), Michael Chamberlain (Patty Chamberlain), Jordan (Patty Chamberlain), Colette Daniel (Mike Edmondson), Laura Stoltz, Doug Venable (Lisa Herring)

Friends of the parish: Mallory McRae (Marquette McKnight), Tommy Satterwhite (Raymond Campbell), Carolyn Billings

Those with continuing concerns: Bill Pauli, Mandy Ochoa, April Jacobs, Jana Speer, Amy Nurnberg, Carlene Pawlowicz, Sandra Wood, Gene Wells, Debbie & Max Anderson, Art France, Lexy McRae (Jennifer Fletcher), Mark Jones (Tanya Edwards-Jones), Greg & Bonnie Feagle (Pam Feagle), Mike & Jill Venable (Marquette McKnight), Angela Tulloh (Louise Tulloh), Andrew Meyers (Carole Hill), Alex Watford ( Robert)

Those celebrating birthdays: Michael Ankerich 3/21, Sandy McCann 3/22, Becca Nicolson 3/22, Chris Barbee 3/23, William Sealy 3/24, Thomas Olukolade 3/26, Grace Burton-Edwards 3/27, Ian Dooley 3/27, Lily Perez 3/27

Those celebrating anniversaries: Jack & Nicole Ceccato 3/25

Those who have died: Marge Henly 5/28/20, Connie McEwen 8/21/20, Jack Blalock 8/31/20, Harvey Hisaw 11/5/20, Chuck Bentfeld 1/27/21, Mike Edmondson 2/10/21

Announcements

Holy Week Schedule – Inside, Outside, Online. Choose the options that work for you! Sign up for all in- person options at www.stthomascolumbus.org/holy-week-2021

Palm Sunday, March 28 8 am online from the Chapel 9:15 outside at the labyrinth 10:30 am online and inside the Nave

Maundy Thursday, April 1 6 pm outside at the labyrinth 7:30 pm online and inside the Nave

Good Friday, April 2 All Day - Stations of the Cross - Outside at the labyrinth Noon - The Seven Last Words - An online service offered by the convocation 2 pm - Liturgy of the Day - Online and inside the Chapel 6 pm - Stations of the Cross - Online and inside the Nave

Holy Saturday, April 3 9:15 am - Liturgy of the Day, with Blessing the Paschal Candle and remembering those who died in the last year - Online and Outside at the Columbarium

Easter Vigil, April 3 8 pm - Online and Outside at the Columbarium

Easter Day, April 4 8 am - Our online Easter service goes live. Worship online at any time. Or join us inside the parish hall to worship together and share communion. 9:15 am - Outside at the Labyrinth, with Eucharist. Bring flowers to flower the cross as you arrive. 10:30 am - Inside the Nave, with Eucharist. Bring flowers to flower the cross as you arrive. 4 pm - Communion Under Special Circumstances by Car

CVEM Striving for Justice March Conversation: Please join CVEM as we discuss the next film in our Striving for Justice Series on Sunday, March 28 from 6:30-8 p.m. on Zoom. This month, we will be talking about the film 'Briars in the Cotton Patch.' Briars in the Cotton Patch tells the nearly forgotten story of Koinonia Farm, a small Christian community in Southwest Georgia where whites and blacks chose to live and work together as equals despite the brutal and frightening consequences. Possibly the most daring social experiment in the South during the last century, Koinonia faced years of terror, boycotts and intimidation in the years leading up to the tumultuous Civil Rights era. Narrated by former Atlanta Mayor and Civil Rights veteran Andrew Young, this award winning documentary examines the remarkable events that tested the moral boundaries of a community and planted the seeds for the global work of Habitat for Humanity, The Fuller Center for Housing and Partners."" All are welcome! Just watch the film sometime before March 28. You can do so for FREE right here: https://tubitv.com/.../569087/briars-in-the-cotton-patch... Register for free for the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZcuceuoqT0sG90dn0NUR2DeEwPhm..., and we'll send you a link to Zoom. Hope to see you there!

New In-Person Worship Options: 9:15 am at the Labyrinth, 10:30 am in the Nave (beginning next Sunday); 1st Sundays at 4:00 pm - Communion under Special Circumstances (by car); 2nd Sundays at 4:00 pm - Eucharist and Labyrinth Walk; 3rd Sundays at 4:00 pm - Family Eucharist on the Lawn (a brief service aimed at children); Thursdays at noon on the lawn. The 8 am and 10:30 am Sunday services will continue to be available online.

Sunday mornings in Lent: This Lenten season we will be joined by our Bishop on a weekly basis for our Adult Education series (sort of)! Bishop Wright will be preparing and sending out weekly meditations about Christian life and the call of Christ during these times. Come join us on Sunday mornings as we watch the Bishop's meditation together and reflect on his words, the readings of the week, and the Gospel of Christ. This series will take place on Sunday mornings at 9:30am via Zoom. Email [email protected] for more information and the Zoom link.

Welcome Classes: March 21, April 18 & 25, after the 9:15 am service. For all who are new to St. Thomas and those who would like to learn more. Join us at the labyrinth the 9:15 service for about 30 minutes of learning and discussion. Bring a prayer book and lawn chair if you have one, or use one of ours if you don't. March 14 with Fr. Edward: The Beginning and End of the Prayer Book (Daily Offices and Historical Documents); March 21 with Rev. Grace: The Middle of the Prayer Book (Marriage, Burials, Confession, etc.); April 18 with Fr. Edward: The Liturgy for Eucharist; April 25 with Rev. Grace: Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception into the Episcopal Church. If you can't join us on Sundays, an online option will be offered on Tuesdays at noon following each class.

Coffee Hour Stories: Each Sunday at coffee hour, we will invite one person to share their faith story - how they came to be a follower of Jesus and a member of St. Thomas and how they are receiving and sharing Christ's light today. This Sunday we hear from Ron Wirt. Join us at 11:30 on Zoom.

Pastoral Care 101: Today at 11:15 am on Zoom. As a part of our St. Thomas Shepherds program and with the intent of supporting lay leaders in the practice of pastoral care, Fr. Edward will be leading a 5-session class on the basics of pastoral care. We'll discuss the goals of pastoral care, what pastoral care is not, and how each and every one of us can confidently practice our baptismal vows by providing pastoral care and support to others in our community. The texts that will guide the class, but are not required reading, are Deborah Hunsinger's Pray without Ceasing and Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication. All are welcome to join in as we explore pastoral care and pastoral ministry as a community of pastoral care practitioners! Please email Fr. Edward ([email protected]) for further information about this class.

Send us your pictures! We would like to include pictures from the congregation in our Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday online worship this year. For Maundy Thursday, please send pictures of yourself or someone in the congregation engaged in an act of service. For Easter, please send a picture of yourself with some flowers or a picture of your garden. Send to [email protected] by March 28.

Make Palm Crosses: March 22 at 6 pm. Palm Sunday is coming soon. We need help with making palm crosses to mail with our Holy Week mailing. Join us at St. Thomas on Monday, March 22 at 6 pm (the day we expect the palms to arrive). We will sit outside in masks 6 feet apart. Email [email protected] to get let us know you are coming so we can contact you if we have to cancel. We need to make about 300, so extra hands will be helpful!

Read the Gospel of Mark this Lent: We invite you to read the Gospel of Mark in this Lenten season. We divided the gospel into short readings for each weekday, plus Holy Week. Our Lenten devotional book features these readings plus reflection questions for adults and for kids, so that families can read together. We will highlight the readings in Daily Spiritual Adventures and read them together at Evening Prayer. Or, consider ordering A Journey with Mark from Forward Movement, with readings from the gospel over 50 days and meditations from many Episcopal Church leaders.

Lent Picture Prayers: We've chosen a word from each day's reading of the Gospel of Mark. As a meditative practice, we invite you to take or share a picture each day to accompany the reading. If you'd like to share on Facebook or Instagram use the hashtag #LentPhoto2021. You'll find the list of words in our Lenten devotional book, on the website, and Facebook page.

Mark’s Gospel - Let’s Discuss: Join Rev. Grace on Zoom on Wednesdays in Lent to discuss Mark's gospel. March 24: Mark's Passion Narrative. Write to [email protected] for a link.

St. Thomas Day School Enrollment: St. Thomas Day School is now enrolling for early registration for the 2021- 2022 school year. Ages range from 6 weeks to 5 years old. We currently have 1 infant room, two toddler rooms, two 2 year old rooms and 1 three year old class and 1 Pre-K class. Church and Military Discounts are given. For more information, please call Kym Futch in the school office at 706-324-1268.