The Service begins on page 78 of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP).
The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.
Habakkuk 2:20
I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Psalm 122:1
The Confession of Sin
BPC p. 79
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.
Almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us all our sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
strengthen us in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit
keep us in eternal life. Amen
The Invitatory and Psalter
BPC p. 80
Leader Lord, open our lips.
People And our mouth shall
proclaim your praise.
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.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God: Come let us adore him.
Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)
BCP p. 82
1 Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For he is our God, and we are the people
of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
The Psalm Appointed
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
1 Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me, *
for I am poor and in misery.
2 Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful; *
save your servant who puts his trust in you.
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; *
I call upon you all the day long.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant, *
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, *
and great is your love toward all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer, *
and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the time of my trouble I will call upon you, *
for you will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, *
nor anything like your works.
9 All nations you have made will come
and worship you, O Lord, *
and glorify your Name.
10 For you are great;
you do wondrous things; *
and you alone are God.
16 Turn to me and have mercy upon me; *
give your strength to your servant;
and save the child of your handmaid.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; *
because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
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
A Reading from the Book of Genesis 21:8-21
The child grew, and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son Isaac.” The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you. As for the son of the slave woman, I will make a nation of him also, because he is your offspring.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
When the water in the skin was gone, she cast the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot; for she said, “Do not let me look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went, and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink.
God was with the boy, and he grew up; he lived in the wilderness, and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Canticle 21: You Are God
BPC p. 95
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans 6:1b-11
Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Canticle 16: Song of Zechariah
BPC p. 92
A Reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 10:24-39
Jesus said to the twelve apostles, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
”Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”
The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
WHAT CARRYING THE CROSS TRULY MEANS
The Cross symbolizes the Christian faith. The Cross reminds us of Christ’s crucifixion. Taking up our Cross means that we are willing to follow Christ, regardless of what it costs, faithfully. The Bible says that the Cross is to the Jews is a stumbling block and foolishness to the Greeks. (1 Cor. 1:23). We rejoice that the Cross is the correct object of our faith in Christ.
What is essential about the Cross is not the piece of wood itself, but what Christ did for us on the cross. He offered Himself as a sacrifice and offering for the sins of all who believe in Him.
Taking up our Cross is about denying ourselves the things which we know will make us sinful, especially the feelings that are prideful or arrogant. A friend of mine told me long ago that at the foot of the cross all ground is level. Meaning at the site of the Cross we are all the same and no one should brag, or lord it over other people who they perceive as vulnerable or different. Amen.
Taking up the Cross therefore is challenging – even for the Apostle Peter in another Chapter of the Bible.
You all remember when Jesus told the disciples that in a little while they would not see Him? Hearing what Jesus said His disciples immediately figured out what He meant. This was when Peter put Jesus aside to go back and “say it ain’t so” so to speak. This was why Jesus said: “Get behind me Satan!” Jesus said this to Peter because it seemed he, Peter did not understand God’s purpose in sending Jesus into the world. Carrying the cross at Jesus’ time meant one must be prepared to go through pain, and suffering or even death for Christ’s sake.
When Jesus said whoever loves their father or mother more than Him is not worthy of Him, Jesus was saying the person to love more than anyone else is Him. This means allegiance to Jesus must be first above all other things. Jesus was also asking for total commitment.
Carrying the Cross at our time means maybe we have a great burden to carry, be it sickness, problems with other people at work, or lack of funds for survival or when a loved one is dying. In essence, carrying our cross means committing our whole lives to Jesus. This means our being asked to carry the cross is Jesus’ way of asking us to trust Him above anyone else no matter the cost. Christ is asking us to make Him the Master of our lives (Billy Graham). When we carry our crosses, we are committing to laying down our ego, power, and qualifications to trust in the Lord instead.
Thank God Christ was not asking His followers to do what He Himself would not do at that time. He submitted Himself voluntarily to death on the Cross. Scripture says: ‘’Greater love hath no Man than this to lay down his life for His friends” (John 15:13). When Jesus took on His own cross, He acknowledged His vulnerability and submitted Himself to the power that would take his life. He therefore exposed Himself to pain, suffering and humiliation on the cross. Since the cross is Jesus’ vulnerability it must be ours too.
Many of us would rather not carry the Cross because it is not only painful, but it is also humiliating.
Our world is being faced with the issue of prejudice, discrimination and racism. Our standing up to say “never again will there be prejudice, discrimination and racism” is an example of carrying our cross. This is because it may not be an easy thing to do. This is exactly what Christ is asking of us. That no matter how humiliating it may be for some, we all must stand or in this case kneel as some members of the Congress did last week.
This Gospel calls us to confront ourselves and ask a few tough questions. Am I loving as Christ as I promised at my Baptism? Do we respect the dignity of every individual as I promised I would at my Baptism? Carrying our cross means that we have to come to terms with our weaknesses and be willing to do something about it. Our capacity to ask why we can’t love people who are different from us or respect the dignity of every human being is where carrying our cross begins. Being afraid to proclaim the Good News of Christ is part of carrying our cross. Our pride and indignation toward others are reasons to carry our Cross.
Our carrying the Cross includes facing what we are afraid of (Samuel G. Candler).
Many of us are ready for the glory, but we are not ready to pay the cost. Many only want to talk the talk about following Christ and we do not want to walk the walk.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus relates to us fully. We must not relate to Him on a part-time basis. We are encouraged to serve the Lord on a full time basis. Our capacity to confront ourselves about why we are not serving Jesus faithfully is part of carrying our cross.
When we hear Jesus say, “Follow Me” we are to be able to reply with a resounding “Yes!” to carrying our cross. The Good News is that through our thoughts, words, and actions others around us will also begin to hear Jesus say whoever must follow Him must be prepared to carry their cross. Standing for Jesus as we carry our Cross, yes, will help us get into God’s Kingdom, but it will also mean that we stood for something and led a fulfilling life. That is what carrying our cross truly means.
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Canticle 17: Song of Simeon
BPC p. 93
The Apostles’ Creed
BCP p. 96
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 p. 97
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.
V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation.
V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
The Collect of the Day
BCP p. 230
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
BCP p. 100
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Gifts of Food and Money for St Paul’s Food Pantry
Dear Lord, who fed friends and strangers on the hillside, accept our gifts of food for the hungry in our community. Grant that we may never be at ease at our tables until all your people are fed. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
A Prayer for Mission
BCP p.100
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.
Prayers of the People
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you promised through your Son Jesus Christ to hear the prayers of those who ask in faith.
Lord of your people: strengthen your Church in all the world, renew the life of this diocese, bless Thomas, our bishop, and build us up in faith and love.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Lord of creation: look with favour on the world you have made, guide the nations in the ways of justice and of peace, and bless Donald, our President, and all in authority.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Lord of our relationships: comfort and sustain the communities in which we live and work, help us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Enable us to serve our families and friends and to love one another as you love us.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Lord of all healing: relieve and protect those who are sick or suffering, be with those who have any special need, especially those on our Parish Prayer List, and deliver all who know danger, violence or oppression.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Lord of eternity: bind us together by your Holy Spirit, in communion with all who, having confessed the Faith, have died in the peace of Christ, that we may entrust ourselves, and one another, and our whole life to you, Lord God, and come with all your saints to the joys of your eternal kingdom.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
(adapted from The Church of Ireland, Forms of Intercession Two, 1984)
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
BCP p.102
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14
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