The Holy Communion | St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

GOING FORWARD IN FAITH

June 16, 2019

The First Sunday After Pentecost Trinity Sunday

10:00 AM Eucharist

with Music & Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Kwasi A. Thornell

Celebrant & Preacher

Visitors

We are a welcoming community, open to people of all races, young and old, gay and straight, those who are rich or poor of varying educational levels, suburban or urban. We are a diverse multi-racial congregation of approximately 130 members with a proud Afro-Anglican heritage and history. Our liturgy and music draw from African-American and traditional Anglican sources. Read More...

Church Groups

We invite you to participate in our Church Groups; Sunday School, The Choir, Blessing Team - Stewardship, ECW (Episcopal Church Women), Book Club * New, Saint Monnica's Guild. SASS (St. Augustine's Seniors with Spirit), Social Justice Committee, One Good Meal Food ministry (Started in 2011) Pastoral Care, Prayer Group. Read More...

Parish Calendar

Read more the Parish Notes and upcoming events! Read More...

Media

Photo Gallery, Podcast-Sermons Visit...

The Holy Eucharist

We have come into His house and gathered in His name to worship Him;

We have come into His house and gathered in His mane to worship Christ, the Lord,

Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

So forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship Him;

So forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship Christ, the Lord,

Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

Let us lift up holy hands and magnify His name and worship Him;

Let us lift up holy hands and magnify His name and worship Christ, the Lord,

Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you, no secrets are hid: 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.

Call to Worship Continues...

The Holy Eucharist

Call to Worship

"We Have Come Into His House” Levas II, #245

1 We have come into His house and gathered in His name to worship Him; x 2

We have come into His house and gathered in His mane to worship Christ, the Lord,

Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

2 So forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship Him; x 2

So forget about yourself and concentrate on Him and worship Christ, the Lord,

Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

3 Let us lift up holy hands and magnify His name and worship Him; x 2

Let us lift up holy hands and magnify His name and worship Christ, the Lord,

Worship Him, Christ the Lord.

Processional Hymn

Hymn

“Faith of Our Fathers” HYMNAL #558

The Opening Sentence (The people standing)

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

The Collect for Purity

Lord, Have Mercy

Lord, Have Mercy

The Gloria LEVAS II, #243

Glory, Glory, hallelujah,

Lord, we praise your Holy name,

Glory, Glory hallelujah,

Lord, we praise your Holy name.

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to His people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,

Almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

Glory, Glory, hallelujah,

Lord, we praise your Holy name,

Glory, Glory Hallelujah,

Lord, we praise your Holy name.

You take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

You are seated at the right hand of

the Father:

Receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you

alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most

High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father.

Glory, Glory, hallelujah,

Lord, we praise your Holy name,

Glory, Glory Hallelujah,

Lord, we praise your Holy name.

Amen.

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

A Prayer for the Calling of a Priest

O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Continue... Ministry of the word.

The Ministry of the Word

The First Reading

The Old Testament

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?

On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:

"To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.

The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of long ago.

Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

When there were no depths I was brought forth when there were no springs abounding with water.

Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth--when he had not yet made earth and fields, or the world's first bits of soil.

When he established the heavens, I was there, when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race."

The Word of the Lord

Congregation: Thanks be to God

Psalm

Psalm 8

1 O Lord our governor, •

how glorious is your name in all the world!

2 Your majesty above the heavens is praised •

out of the mouths of babes at the breast.

3 You have founded a stronghold against your foes, •

that you might still the enemy and the avenger.

4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, •

the moon and the stars that you have ordained,

5 What is man, that you should be mindful of him; •

the son of man, that you should seek him out?

6 You have made him little lower than the angels •

and crown him with glory and honour.

7 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands •

and put all things under his feet,

8 All sheep and oxen, •

even the wild beasts of the field,

9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea •

and whatsoever moves in the paths of the sea.

10 O Lord our governor, •

how glorious is your name in all the world!

The Epistle

A READING FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO THE ROMANS

Romans 5:1-5

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

The Word of the Lord

Congregation: Thanks be to God

Sequence Hymn

“Blessed Assurance” LEVAS II #184

The Gospel

The Holy Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to John.

John 16:12-15

Jesus said to the disciples, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

”The Gospel of the Lord"

Congregation: Praise to you, Lord Christ

June 2, 2019

"Keeping your eyes on the prise, hold on!"

We are faced with many challenges in life, most of all what we will stand for and believe in. We have to keep always our eyes on what is right and true. For us, "keeping our eyes on the prize" Our prize is Jesus. If we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and his calling on our lives we can face the challenges that confront us.

Listen here...

May 26, 2019

"Do You Want To Be Healed?"

John 5:1-9 A man who apparently was lame sat at the gate and pool called Bethzatha for thirty-eight years waiting to get in the holy waters to be healed. For thirty-eight years he sat there just waiting. Just waiting and perhaps begging for a few coins. Jesus appeared and asked him the question "do you want to be healed?" The implication was "do you REALLY want to be healed" Jesus saw through his response and just said to him"Stand up, take your mat and walk." The question is, do we really want to be healed from the things that block us from the fullness of life? Or do we just make excuses as the man did sitting by the pool?

Listen here...

May 19, 2019

"What's Love got to do With It?"

Two themes in today's readings from Acts and the gospel.

The first is that the church should be open fully to all who commit to receiving the Holy Spirit and following the way of Jesus. This was Peter's vision given by the Holy Spirit and affirmed by Jesus's own actions during his life.

Second, Jesus gave us a new commandment in John 13:34, "Love one another as I have loved you." This was directed at the disciples as they prepared to lead the Christian movement. They were called to live their lives as Jesus did. Sacrificing their lives for the sake of the Kingdom of God and loving one another in community.

Listen here...

May 05, 2019

How is it that the Lord wants to use me?

The Readings for this Sunday from Acts 9:1-20 and the Gospel of John, 21:1-19, talk about how God used Paul and Peter to build the new Christian movement after the Resurrection of Jesus. He took two very "human" individuals who at first looked like they would be the last persons Jesus would choose to build the church and turned them into the two top leaders in all of early Christendom. The question is, will we let God use us in any way that God needs to extend the love and grace of Jesus? God can use you. Heed His call.

Listen here...

April 21, 2019

The Question Is

Two major significant events in the Christian year, Christmas and Easter. Christmas celebrates Jesus coming into the world and God's effort to reach us. Easter celebrates God giving us the opportunity for a new life, one free of sin and with the example of the life of Jesus to live by. Some say we couldn't have Easter without Christmas and that certainly is true. The question is, would Christmas have any real meaning without Easter? With Christmas, Jesus came into the world. With Easter, Jesus changed the world!

Listen here...

April 14, 2019

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ According to Luke

No one knew the plan or the outcome. Not the disciples. Not his friends or family. Not the religious or political leadership. Only Jesus and God knew. Only Jesus and His Father knew that he would give his life for the redemption of humankind.

Listen here...

Sermon: April 7, 2019

"I'll Get To That"

John Maxwell wrote that "Today matters. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not promised. What you do today matters. It will impact your tomorrows." Mary knew that she only had Jesus a little time more and that she had to anoint him in preparation for his death. She could not say "Oh, I will get to that!" She had to act today. Today matters.

Listen here...

Sermon: March 31, 2019

Jesus wants you to come home..

We have a tendency to want to go it on our own. To say, we don't need the Father. That is the story of the Prodigal Son. He wanted to spread his wings and to live outside of the relationship with his father. It did not go well for him.

Listen here...

Sermon: March 30, 2019

A Tribute to Guy H. Williams

A son of St. Augustines for sixty-nine years. A true servant of God and the community.

Listen here...

Sermon: March 24, 2019

What does God have to do to get our attention...

Moses, one of the great patriarch of our faith was reluctant to accept God's call to lead His people out of Egypt into the Promised Land. He made five excuses as to why someone else could do a better job.

But God got his attention by saying, "I will provide all you need and will be with you to get the task done." Will you respond to God's call upon your life?

Listen here...

Sermon: March 17, 2019

Overcoming fear at a time of adversity...

Abram, the patriarch of the three great world religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, was an example of how God responds to those who trust and obey him.

If more followers would trust and obey God, a lot of the problems we face would be solved.

Listen here...

Sermon: March 4, 2019

A change is gonna come.

As Jesus was transfigured and spoke to the Elders on the mountain top, he was prepared for the most important part of his journey. His father said, "listen to him". As we move forward in the Lenten season, let us pay close attention to Jesus' words so that we know the steps we need to take to be true followers of our Lord.

Listen here...

Sermon: February 24, 2019

God has a way of interrupting us.
So it was not you who sent me here but God!

Listen here...

Sermon: February 17, 2019

What God asks of you.

Jesus calls us to live into a new attitude of being in relationship to God. A life based on hope, respect, and remembrance of that which is good.

Listen here....

Sermon: February 10, 2019

A discussion of Paul's essential statement of the Christian faith and grace from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

It would be easy to overlook the importance of Paul's message in his transitional section of 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. It is, however, the earliest written record of the core Christian belief that Christ died for our sins and that together with his resurrection, constitutes the foundation of our faith. Paul explains the humility of his own apostolic ministry by claiming that "I am what I am by grace."

Listen here...

February 3, 2019

I will thank you because I am marvelously made - Feb 2, 2019

We should not limit God and we should not let others limit God's power in us. Because God made us all, we are all marvelously made.

Click to listen to the sermon.

December 30, 2018,

Breaking Through The Darkness To Bring Us Into The Light - Dec 30, 2018

When we are separated from God, we live in darkness. Jesus coming into the world broke through that darkness so that we might see and experience once and for all what living in the light really means. The light brings hope and the power to change. It is up to us to embrace the light. Click to hear Sermon

December 25, 2018, Christmas Day:

With God, all things are possible

The season of Advent asked the question "How can this be? The Christmas response is "with God, all things are possible." Like Joseph, Mary, the Shepards, and the three Wise Men say "yes" to God. In your life say "yes" to God as God says "yes" to wanting to be with us. Click to hear Sermon

December 24, 2018, Christmas Eve

Don't be afraid, for all things are possible with God.

Fear can stop us from doing a lot of things. The Christmas story says that we should not be afraid, for God is with us.

"How can this be" "God is with you." Click to hear Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Kwasi A. Thornell

December 9, 2018, Sunday

"Where are the words of comfort that will give us peace this Christmas season?" Lay your burdens down. Click to hear Sermon

Ed Stewart

Romans 13:11—12 November 27, 2016

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is a time when we as a faith community look to the future. However, Advent always causes me to think about the Holy Land, the place where Jesus was born, and the place where he would become known as the Messiah. Last January I was in the Holy Land, as part of a group of 12 students from my seminary. We traveled through Jordan, Israel, Read more...

Letter from Fr. Thornell OCTOBER 7. 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am deeply sorry for not being able to share in the fellowship of the St. Augustine’s family this morning. Although I am not in the hospital, I am experiencing neck and back pain that has prevented me from being there. Hopefully, after my surgery tomorrow morning, I will be ok and be able to enjoy being with you again soon. Read more...

The Rev. Dr. Kwasi A. Thornell September 8, 2016

Ephesians 4:25-5:1

St. Paul is again in his letter to the Ephesians community, writing about how to create the new community as people of faith and followers of Christ. He is saying to them that they most envision a world that is created in the image of what Christ would want the Christian community to become. Read more...

Easter Message March 27, 2015

St. Augustine’s Easter

This story never ceases to amaze me. Why is it that we believe this story? Really? Why is it that thousands upon thousands of people, from one end of the earth to the other, north, south, east and west, in every country, town, city, rural village, there are countless believers of this story about the risen Lord, the Lord who got up. And, and, it has been this way for over two thousand years. This blessed event when God’s love story for humankind crescendos into a triumphant symphonic explosion of power of the Almighty! Read more...

December 12, 2015

Sisters and Brothers, Seasons Greetings!

I wanted to take this opportunity to write you a short message as we celebrate together Christmas and look forward to the New Year. As we all know, the year 2015 was a challenging year for St. Augustine’s However, Read more...

Litany of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.

We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women,

revealing the image of Christ,

We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,

We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,

We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,

We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering

and faithful in adversity,

We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,

We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,

We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and

promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;

To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the

Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Life Celebrations, Thanksgivings, and New Friends

The Peace

All stand. The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Nicene Creed

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 Continue...

Prayers of the People

Form VI BCP, 392

The Leader and People pray responsively

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

For all people in their daily life and work;

For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world;

For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;

For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;

For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;

For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For Michael our Presiding Bishop, and Marc our Bishop(s); and for all

bishops and other ministers;

For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.

Silence

People may add their own petitions

Hear us, Lord;

For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

Silence

The People may add their own thanksgivings

We will exalt you, O God our King;

And praise your Name forever and ever.

We pray for the special needs and concerns of this congregation and those named now;

Ithon Babb, Mary Borders, Auta Boykins, JoAnn Campbell, Maria Campbell, Willette Copeland, Joan Daniels, Olivia Davis, Alfred Gilpin, Andrea Green, Deanna Grady, Kenneth Hart, Tatiana Henke, LaVergne Malone, Joan Moreno, Moira Nichols, Merritt Norvell, Janell Norwood, Elaine Simmons.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

People may add their own petitions

Lord, let your loving kindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

The Celebrant continues

Leader and People

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Absolution

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Life Celebrations, Thanksgivings, and New Friends

The Peace

All stand. The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

continue...

The Holy Communion

Offertory Sentence

Offertory Hymn

Let's go, let's go, let's go

wherever You lead I'll follow, follow, follow

With You the future's Beautiful, Let's go, let's go

Wherever You lead I'll follow, follow, follow

Oh, Oh - No Turning Back

Doxology

Hymnal #380, vs 3

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. Celebrant says

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 him 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.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever 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.

The people stand or kneel.

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.”

Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People

We remember his death,

We proclaim his resurrection,

We await his coming in glory;

Celebrant

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 forever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing,

The Lord's Prayer LEVAS II, #264

Our Father, which 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 debts as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Fraction Anthem

“Make Us One Lord”

Make us one, Lord, make us one

Holy Spirit make us one, let your love flow

So the world will know, we are one in you.

Invitation

The Communion

Communion Hymn

Gabriel Faure “Pavane”

Prayer of Thanksgiving Continue...

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.

And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn

“Let the Church Say Amen”

Let the church say Amen! / Let the church say Amen!

God has spoken. / Let the church say Amen! (Repeat entire hymn x2)

Announcements...

Recessional Hymn

”We’re Marching to Zion” LEVAS II #12

The Blessing

Dismissal

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.

St. Augustines Episcopal Church

Address

521 29th Street Telegraph Ave.
Oakland CA 94609
Phone: 510-832-6462
Fax: 510-832-6464

Processional Hymn “Blessed Assurance” LEVAS II #184

The Collect ( Insert - Contemporary )

The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

The Ministry of the Word

The Old Testament Joel 2:1-2,12-17

After each Lesson the reader says

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Psalm 103

The Epistle 2 Corinthians 5:20B-6:10

Sequence Hymn “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There is Something About that Name

LEVAS II #107

The Gospel Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

The Holy Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to Matthew.

Congregation: Glory to You, Lord Christ

After the Gospel, the reader says

Reader The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Kwasi Thornell

The Bidding BCP 264-265

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.

Silence is then kept for a time, all kneeling.

Blessing of the Ashes BCP 265

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Imposition of Ashes

Please approach the altar and kneel

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Once ashes are imposed, please return to your pew and kneel

Psalm 51: 1-18 (read in unison) BCP 266-267

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *v 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, O 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.

14 I shall teach your ways to the wicked, * and sinners shall return to you.

15 Deliver me from death, O God, * and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation.

16 Open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

17 Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice; * but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.

18 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; * a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

The litany of Penitence BCP 267-269

The Celebrant and People together, all kneeling

Most holy and merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

The Celebrant continues

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.

Have mercy on us, Lord.

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.

Have mercy on us, Lord.

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,

We confess to you, Lord.

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,

We confess to you, Lord.

Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,

We confess to you, Lord.

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,

We confess to you, Lord.

Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,

We confess to you, Lord.

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,

Accept our repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,

Accept our repentance, Lord.

For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,

Accept our repentance, Lord.

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us; Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great. Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,

That we may show forth your glory in the world.

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord, Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

The Priest stands and, facing the people, says

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desires not the death of sinners, but rather that they may turn

from their wickedness and live, has given power and commandment to his ministers to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins. He pardons and absolves all those who truly repent, and with sincere hearts believe his holy Gospel.

Therefore we beseech him to grant us true repentance and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him which we do on this day, and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy, so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace

All stand.

The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Holy Communion

Please stand

Offertory Sentence

Offertory Anthem “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” LEVAS II #136

Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. Celebrant says

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 him thanks and praise.

Celebrant

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every

where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of

heaven and earth.

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.

The people stand or kneel.

Celebrant

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us

for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become

subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus

Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human

nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the

God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself,

in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole

world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

Celebrant

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in

this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death,

resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the

Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new

and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully

receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy,

and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints

into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. 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 sing,

The Lord's Prayer LEVAS II, #264

Our Father, which 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 debts

as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

forever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread BCP 364

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept. Then the Celebrant says

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast.

The Celebrant says

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.

Communion Hymn “Breathe on Me Breath of God” HYMNAL #508

Prayer After Communion BCP 366

Almighty and everliving God,

we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food

of the most precious Body and Blood

of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;

and for assuring us in these holy mysteries

that we are living members of the Body of your Son,

and heirs of your eternal kingdom.

And now, Father, send us out

to do the work you have given us to do,

to love and serve you

as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,

be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Post Communion Hymn “Lord, I Want to be a Christian” LEVAS II #138

The Prayer Over the People

Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Gayle Fisher-Stewart

The Rev. Dr. Gayle Fisher-Stewart spent 20 years working as a police officer for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. She joined the department in 1972, four years after riots destroyed parts of the city following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. At the time African-Americans made of 70 percent of the people living in the nation’s capital; at the same time, the police department was overwhelmingly white and police-community relations were strained. Fisher-Stewart’s decision to join the police force baffled friends and family. The department had a bad reputation, she said, and “my friends weren’t happy because some of them had had negative interactions with police here in D.C.”

She currently serves as the associate rector of Calvary Episcopal Church where she is the founder of the Center for the Study of Faith in Justice. The Center was founded with a grant from the Episcopal Evangelism Society. In describing her work which gained her the 2016 EES Director’s Award, the Board of Directors wrote:

“She brought over forty years’ experience as an active police officer, as a consultant to law enforcement agencies, and as a university-level teacher of criminal justice to her call to ordained ministry. She completed the Anglican Studies program at Virginia Theological Seminary in 2015; while there, the civil unrest in Ferguson, MO inspired her to dream of a church that is known for its interest in justice, and to apply for an Evangelism for the 21st Century grant to establish the Center at Calvary. She has worked tirelessly to host forums about race, social justice, inequality, and policing. She has established a network of partnerships between the Center and the diocese, local nonprofits, and national policing organizations.”

The Renewal of Baptismal Vows

Celebrant

Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?

People I do.

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Father?

People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People 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.

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People 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.

Celebrant

Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

People I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your
neighbor as yourself?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

People I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed upon us the forgiveness of sins, keep us in eternal life by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Presentation of the Candidate for Baptism

The candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

We present Simone Alice Cobb to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?

Parents and God Parents: I will with God’s help.

Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full
stature of Christ?

Parents and God Parents: I will with God’s help.

Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel
against God?

Parents and God Parents: I renounce them.

Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy
the creatures of God?

Parents and God Parents: I renounce them.

Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?

Parents and God Parents: I renounce them.

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?

Parents and God Parents: I do.

Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?

Parents and God Parents: I do.

Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?

Parents and God Parents: I do.

Will you who witness these vows to all in you power to support this person in her life in Christ?

People: We will.

Let us join with this person who is committing herself to Christ and renew our own baptismal Covenant.

The Baptismal Covenant

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Father?

People I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People 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.

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People 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.

Celebrant Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,

in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers ?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin,

repent and return to the Lord?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons,

loving your neighbor as yourself?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you strive for justice and peace among all people,

and respect the dignity of every human being?

People I will, with God’s help.

Prayers for the Candidate

Celebrant

Let us now pray for this person who is to receive the Sacrament of new birth.

Leader Deliver her, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.