Welcome to Morning Prayer with the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.

A few notes about today's service. Please leave your microphone on mute during the responsory portions of the service. You are welcome to unmute yourself when you are invited to offer your prayers, then remember to mute it again when you have completed your prayer.

We will always read the Gospel appointed for the day so that we can read and meditate on Jesus' words and teaching.

MORNING PRAYER FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

Wednesday April 22, 2020 Second Wednesday of Easter John Muir, Naturalist and Writer, 1914, and Hudson Stuck, Priest and Environmentalist, 1920 Opening Sentence

The Officiant says the folowing Easter On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Invitatory and Psalter BCP 80

OfficiantLord, open our lips. People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Al Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Officiant Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed: People Come let us adore him. Alleluia.

Christ our Passover Pascha nostrum 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Alleluia. Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast, Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *

!2 but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; * death no longer has dominion over him. The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; * but the life he lives, he lives to God. So also consider yourselves dead to sin, * and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead, * the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, * by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, * so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.

Officiant Alleluia. The Lord is risen indeed: People Come let us adore him. Alleluia.

Psalm or Psalms Appointed read in unison Psalm 119:1-24

Aleph Beati immaculati

1 Happy are they whose way is blameless, * who walk in the law of the Lord!

!3 2 Happy are they who observe his decrees * and seek him with all their hearts!

3 Who never do any wrong, * but always walk in his ways.

4 You laid down your commandments, * that we should fully keep them.

5 Oh, that my ways were made so direct * that I might keep your statutes!

6 Then I should not be put to shame, * when I regard all your commandments.

7 I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, * when I have learned your righteous judgments.

8 I will keep your statutes; * do not utterly forsake me.

Beth In quo corrigit?

9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? * By keeping to your words.

10 With my whole heart I seek you; * let me not stray from your commandments.

!4 11 I treasure your promise in my heart, * that I may not sin against you.

12 Blessed are you, O Lord; * instruct me in your statutes.

13 With my lips will I recite * all the judgments of your mouth.

14 I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees * than in all manner of riches.

15 I will meditate on your commandments * and give attention to your ways.

16 My delight is in your statutes; * I will not forget your word.

Gimel Retribue servo tuo

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, * that I may live and keep your word.

18 Open my eyes, that I may see * the wonders of your law.

19 I am a stranger here on earth; * do not hide your commandments from me.

!5 20 My soul is consumed at all times * with longing for your judgments.

21 You have rebuked the insolent; * cursed are they who stray from your commandments!

22 Turn from me shame and rebuke, * for I have kept your decrees.

23 Even though rulers sit and plot against me, * I will meditate on your statutes.

24 For your decrees are my delight, * and they are my counselors.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Lessons First Reading: Reader: A reading from 1 Peter (2:1-10)

1 Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

!6 4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5 like living stones, let yourselves be built* into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in scripture: ‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him* will not be put to shame.’ 7 To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner’, 8 and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,* in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Here ends the reading.

!7 read in unison Canticle 12 A Song of Creation Benedicite, omnia opera Domini Song of the Three Young Men, 35-65

Invocation Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever. In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

III The People of God Let the people of God glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever. Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever. You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Doxology Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * praise him and highly exalt him for ever. In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *

!8 praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

The Gospel A reading from the Gospel of John (15:1-11)

1 ‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes* to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed* by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

Here ends the reading.

!9 The Apostles' Creed BCP 96 Al say together 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.

The Prayers BCP 97

Officiant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Officiant Let us pray.

!10 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Sufrages B V. Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; R. Govern and uphold them, now and always. V. Day by day we bless you; R. We praise your Name for ever. V. Lord, keep us from all sin today; R. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. V. Lord, show us your love and mercy;

!11 R. For we put our trust in you. V. In you, Lord, is our hope; R. And we shall never hope in vain.

The Collects

The Collect of the Day Second Sunday of Easter Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessed Creator of the earth and all that inhabits it: We thank you for your prophets John Muir and Hudson Stuck, who rejoiced in your beauty made known in the natural world; and we pray that, inspired by their love of your creation, we may be wise and faithful stewards of the world you have created, that generations to come may also lie down to rest among the pines and rise refreshed for their work; in the Name of the one through whom you make all things new, Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

!12 Together A Collect for Guidance Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For People Facing Uncertainty God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to us all as we wait in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make us the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. Amen. (edited excerpt From: “A New Zealand Prayer Book.”)

The Officiant says I invite your prayers of thanksgiving and intercession at this time.

(During the silence people may add their own prayers. Please unmute yourself to share your prayer aloud. When you have completed your prayer, return the microphone to mute.)

The Officiant concludes with the Colect for Mission

!13 A Collect for Mission Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The General Thanksgiving BCP 101 The Officiant and People say together Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

!14 be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Dismissal Deacon or Officiant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Concluding Sentence BCP 102

Commemoration John Muir, Naturalist and Writer, 1914, and Hudson Stuck, Priest and Environmentalist, 1920 Born in Scotland in 1838, John Muir immigrated to the United States in 1849, settling in Wisconsin. Muir sought the spiritual freedom of the natural world. As a college student, Muir studied botany, of which he later said, “This fine lesson charmed me and sent me flying to the woods and meadows with wild enthusiasm.” In 1868, Muir arrived in Yosemite Valley, California, which he called “the grandest of all the special temples of nature.” During a hiking trip through the Sierras, Muir developed theories about the development and ecosystem of the areas. Some years later, Muir took up the cause of preservation, eventually co-founding the Sierra Club, an association of environmental preservationists. Muir, an ardent believer in the national parks as “places of rest, inspiration, and prayers,” adamantly opposed the free exploitation of natural resources for commercial use. This position put him at odds with conservationists who saw natural forests as sources of timber

!15 and who wanted to conserve them for that reason. Muir was influential in convincing President Theodore Roosevelt that federal management and control were necessary to insure the preservation of the national forests. Today, he is revered as an inspiration for preservationists and his life’s work stands as a powerful testament to the majesty and beauty of God’s creation. Hudson Stuck was an Episcopal priest and explorer. Born in England in 1863, he came to the United States in 1885. He graduated from The University of the South in 1892. From 1894 to 1904, Stuck was Dean of the Episcopal Cathedral in Dallas, Texas. In 1905 he moved to Fort Yukon, Alaska, where he spent the rest of his life, serving as archdeacon of the Diocese of Alaska. With a group of fellow explorers, Stuck was the first to completely ascend Denali (Mt. McKinley). He later wrote of the experience as a “privileged communion” to be received in awe and wonder. Upon reaching the pinnacle of Denali, Stuck led the climbers in prayer and thanksgiving.

— A Great Cloud of Witnesses by Church Publishing

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