ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Piney Parish

The Fifth Sunday of

Liturgy of The Word and Prayers 10, 2020

CALL TO WORSHIP Officiant Out of a world of cut-throat competition, of winners-and-losers, and too many left behind we come together. All The world’s ways are not our ways. The world’s ways are not Christ’s ways.

Officiant Out of a world of hatred, violence, individualism, and life-taking power we gather as Koinonia, as God’s people. All God’s ways are inclusive, expansive, and life-giving for all peoples.

Officiant Come and worship the One whose love knows no limits! Swim and splash in the cleansing waters of divine community! Resurrect your spirits and souls in worship of the One! Alleluia! Christ is risen! All The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY Officiant The Lord be with you. All And also with you. Officiant Let us pray. All Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden: 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.

HYMN Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Charlie Gaumond, violin

Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home, Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see Sometimes I'm up, and sometimes I'm down, Coming for to carry me home? (Coming for to carry me home) A band of angels coming after me, But still my soul feels heavenly bound. Coming for to carry me home. (Coming for to carry me home)

Swing low, sweet chariot Swing low, sweet chariot Coming for to carry me home, Coming for to carry me home, Swing low, sweet chariot, Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home Coming for to carry me home

2 THE COLLECT (PRAYER) OF THE DAY [The collect is the prayer appointed for each Sunday that “collects” or captures the theme of the day or season of the Church year. It summarizes the attributes of God as revealed in the scriptures for the day.]

Officiant The Lord be with you. All And also with you. Officiant Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE FIRST READING 1 Peter 2:2-10 Cami Caudill This reading presents a series of images from the Old Testament, describing Christians as a chosen people called by God to God’s service. It is possible that the passage was once used during an Easter season baptismal liturgy

Instead, like a newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the word. Nourished by it, you will grow into salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good. Now you are coming to him as to a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. You yourselves are being built like living stones into a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Thus it is written in scripture, Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable. The person who believes in him will never be shamed. So God honors you who believe. For those who refuse to believe, though, the stone the builders tossed aside has become the capstone. This is a stone that makes people stumble and a rock that makes them fall. Because they refuse to believe in the word, they stumble. Indeed, this is the end to which they were appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

YOUNG DISCIPLES’ MOMENT The Rev. Dr. Maria A. Kane

THE PSALM Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; * deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Incline your ear to me; * make haste to deliver me. 3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; * for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

3 4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, * for you are my tower of strength. 5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, * for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth. 15 My times are in your hand; * rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. 16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, * and in your loving-kindness save me."

SERMON The Rev. Amanda Bourne

EASTER AFFIRMATION OF FAITH from The Officiant Let us affirm our resurrection faith: All We believe in God the Father: from whom everyone in heaven and on earth has life and being. We believe in God the Son: Who has been raised through transforming love and lives now in our hearts through faith, and calls us to this same loving transformation in our own lives. We believe in God the Holy Spirit: who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Officiant Let us call upon God to hear our prayers and to grant us those things that are in accord with the divine will, responding, “Hear us, O risen Christ.”

Intercessor For Christians who are imprisoned and persecuted for their faith that, like Stephen, they may follow the light that casts out all fear; let us pray. Hear us, O risen Christ.

That we may do the works that Jesus revealed in his ministry, the healing of the sick, the raising up of the lowly, the giving of sight to the bind, and the blessing of the poor and the grieving. In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for St. Barnabas' Church of the Deaf; St. Barnabas' Church, Leeland; and St. Barnabas' Church, Temple Hills; let us pray. Hear us, O risen Christ.

4 For those who are spiritually lost, or who question their faith, or whose souls are wrapped in the shadows of doubt, that they may share their misgivings with Jesus, who gently unfolds the truth and reveals a way; let us pray. Hear us, O risen Christ.

That the Church, the community of the baptized, may vigorously proclaim the alleluias of Easter, revealing the light of Christ, whose victory over death breaks the chains of darkness and despair; let us pray. Hear us, O risen Christ.

In thanksgiving for the beauty that is set before our eyes, and for the mysteries yet unseen, that we may honor the expansiveness of creation and be guardians of its splendor; let us pray. Hear us, O risen Christ.

In thanksgiving for missionaries throughout the world, who reveal God’s Word in challenging times and places; let us pray. Hear us, O risen Christ.

That the Lord may comfort those in the waning days of life, and bring to life eternal those who have died, including Fred Bokary, in the hope of the resurrection; let us pray to the Lord. Hear us, O risen Christ.

As chosen people who share the royal priesthood of Christ, let us add to these petitions. (Please add your thanksgivings, intercessions, silently, aloud (Unmute your mic), or by typing in the chat box) The officiant will add a concluding prayer.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Officiant Gathering our prayers and praise into one, let us pray as our Savior taught us: All 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.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION Officiant During this time in which we cannot gather to celebrate the great sacrament of Holy Communion, let us unite our hearts and voices in this prayer for spiritual communion. All In union, O Lord, with the faithful at every altar of your church where your blessed Body and Blood are being offered, I desire to offer you praise and thanksgiving for creation and all the blessings of this life. I present to you my soul and body, with the earnest wish that I may ever be united to you.

I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, I ask you to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to you, and embrace you with all the affections of my soul. Let nothing ever separate you from me. May I live in you, and may you live in me, both in this life, and in the life to come. Amen.

5 LITANY OF DEPARTURE

Officiant God of our beginnings and endings, we celebrate all we have shared with Amanda, and ask your blessing as she continues on her journey. May the love that is in our hearts be a bond that unites us forever, wherever we may be. May the power of your presence bless this moment of our leave-taking; this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven; A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to pluck up what has been planted, A time to weep and a time to laugh, A time to mourn and a time to dance; A time to keep silence and a time to speak, A time to hate and a time to love, A time for war and a time for peace.

So too there is a time for movement, a new adventure, fields of service not yet touched. With love we send you forth and in the Spirit of Christ. May the world be your parish.

We now extend our hands to you as a sign and symbol that the Holy Spirit calls you forth from us to share the good news and to spread the kingdom of love among new friends in new places.

We send you forth with God’s blessing and with our gratitude for the love we have shared together in this place. May the Lord strengthen you with the might of the Spirit. May Christ dwell in your heart by faith, that you may be filled with the presence and power of God. Amen.

Go into the world and respond to the love of God in all that you do. May God’s mercy, grace and peace be with you. And may you be a channel for God’s love to the world wherever you may be. Amen.

THE PEACE Officiant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.

BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS

CLOSING PRAYER Elijah Jones

THE BLESSING

6 PRAYERS FOR THE WEEK

Parishioners: Emily Dorosz, Mandy Edwards, Wayne Hamilton, Russ Lancaster, Jackson Levy, Casey (Hurd) Rice, George Thompson, Sewell Truitte

Homebound: Sally Barley, Donna Boswell, Diane Coon, Jack & Joyce Ferguson, Rodgers Johnson, Lois Keech, Margaret Leman, Jennie Purrington, Jan Spotz

Family and Friends: Colleen, Jean B., Madison C., Mary C., Eric D., Joanna F., Ashley F., Kirk H., Yaowapa K., Shawn K., Maryann L., Karen T.

Armed Forces: Bebe Frierson, Zach Kettner, Megan Laurine, Casey Mills, Nate Ochsner, Garrett Roberson, Jr., Connor Runser

First Responders: Matt Backman, Liz Caswell, Chris Cox, Jimmy Cox, James Laurine, Kenny Levy, Jason Lyon, Pat Lyon, Luke Smith

Community and the World: For our country, especially the healthcare professionals, the unemployed, grocery store and transportation employees, and those suffering from the Covid-19 virus

Dearly departed: Fred Bokary, friend of Siad Norman

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DAILY PRAYERS

1. When have you forgiven someone whom others would have wished harm or vengeance? (Acts 7:55-60)

2. When was a time you were desperate to be rescued, saved or freed from a situation? (Psa 31)

HOUSEHOLD MORNING PRAYER Lord Jesus, as I serve you this day, let not my heart be troubled. Help me to believe with conviction that you are with me, and I am in you, and you are in God. Amen.

HOUSEHOLD EVENING PRAYER Faithful God, my rock and my fortress, into your hands I commit my spirit. As darkness falls, let your face shine upon your servant, and keep me in your steadfast love. Amen.

7 THIS WEEK

The , May 10 Liturgy of Word & Prayers, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, May 13 Making Sense of the Bible & Compline, 8:00 p.m. (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther)

Thursday, May 14 Kids’ Time, 12:00 p.m.

Friday, May 15 Morning Prayer, 8:00 a.m.

The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17 Liturgy of Word & Prayers, 9:30 a.m.

PERMISSIONS Cover Art: Nestorian Stone Cross from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57423 Easter Affirmation of Faith: New Patterns for Worship, © 2002, The Archbishops’ Council Collect of the Day: The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (public domain) Scripture Lessons: The Common English Bible (CEB), Nashville: The Common English Bible, 2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Prayers of the People: Planning for Rites and Rituals: A Resource for Episocpal Worship, Year A, 2019-2020 (New York: Church Publishing, 2019) Prayer for Spiritual Communion: St. Augustine’s Prayer Book, © 2004, Forward Movement. Used by permission. Music reprinted and streamed with One License #A-734675

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