February 7, 2021: Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Paul’s homily:

Morning Prayer, Rite II

The service printed here is from The Book of Common Prayer (BCP).

Hymn 401 “The God of Abraham praise” Leoni

The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above; Ancient of everlasting days, and God of love; the Lord, the great I AM, by earth and heaven confessed: we bow and bless the sacred Name for ever blest.

He by himself hath sworn: we on his oath depend; we shall, on eagle-wings upborne, to heaven ascend: we shall behold his face, we shall his power adore, and sing the wonders of his grace for evermore.

There dwells the Lord, our King, the Lord, our Righteousness, triumphant o’er the world and sin, the Prince of Peace; on Zion’s sacred height his kingdom he maintains, and, glorious with his saints in light, for ever reigns.

The God who reigns on high the great archangels sing, and “Holy, holy, holy,” cry, “Almighty King! Who was, and is, the same, and evermore shall be: eternal Father, great I AM, we worship thee.”

The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high; “Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!” they ever cry; hail, Abraham’s Lord divine! With heaven our songs we raise; all might and majesty are thine, and endless praise.

Opening Sentence: I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

The Confession of Sin
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.

The Absolution
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.

Officiant:  Lord, open our lips.
People:  And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
All:  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!

Hymn S 35  Venite “Come, let us sing to the Lord” sung by all

Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth, and the heights of the hills are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands have molded the dry land. Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our Maker.

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!

Psalm 147:1-12, 21c chanted by the cantor

Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!

The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.

He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.

The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.

He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;

He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.

He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.

He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;

But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor. Hallelujah!

Gloria Patri

The First Lesson Isaiah 40:21-31

Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;

who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,

when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One.

Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these?

He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.

Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

Hymn 444 (Song of Zechariah) “Blessed be the God of Israel” Thornbury

Blessed be the God of Israel, who comes to set us free; he visits and redeems us, he grants us liberty. The prophets spoke of mercy, of freedom and release; God shall fulfill his promise and bring his people peace.

He from the house of David a child of grace has given; a Savior comes among us to raise us up to heaven. Before him goes his herald, forerunner in the way, the prophet of salvation, the harbinger of Day.

On prisoners of darkness the sun begins to rise, the dawning of forgiveness upon the sinner’s eyes. He guides the feet of pilgrims along the paths of peace. O bless our God and Savior, with songs that never cease.

The Second Lesson  1 Corinthians 9:16-23

If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

Canticle 7 (Te Deum laudamus) sung by all to the tune St. Anne

O God, we praise thee, and confess that thou the on-ly Lord and everlasting Father art, by all the earth adored.

To thee all angels cry aloud; to thee the pow’rs on high, both cherubim and seraphim, continually do cry:

O holy, holy, holy Lord, whom heav’nly hosts o-bey, the world is with the glory filled of thy majestic sway!

The apostles’ glorious company, and prophets crowned with light, with all the martyrs’ noble host, thy constant praise re-cite.

The holy Church in faith acclaims the Son who for us died, Also the Holy Comforter, our advocate and guide.

The Third Lesson  Mark 1:29-39

After Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.

Homily  The Rev. Paul A. Bennett

Announcements

The Apostles’ Creed
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

The Salutation
Officiant: The Lord be with you.
People:      And also with you.
Officiant:   Let us pray.
 
The Lord’s Prayer  Traditional
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.

Suffrages A
Officiant:   Show us your mercy, O Lord;
People:       And grant us your salvation.
Officiant:   Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
People:       Let your people sing with joy.
Officiant:   Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
People:       For only in you can we live in safety.
Officiant:   Lord, keep this nation under your care;
People:       And guide us in the way of justice and truth. 
Officiant:   Let your way be known upon earth;
People:       Your saving health among all nations.
Officiant:   Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
People:       Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Officiant:   Create in us clean hearts, O God;
People:       And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Collect of the Day
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Office Anthem “Ain’t-a that Good News?” African American spiritual; arr. Jacqueline B. Hairston

I got a crown up in-a the Kingdom, ain’t-a that good news? I’m-a gonna lay down this world, gonna shoulder up-a my cross. Gonna take it home-a to my Jesus, ain’t-a that good news!

I got a robe up in-a the Kingdom, ain’t-a that good news? I’m-a gonna lay down this world, gonna shoulder up-a my cross. Gonna take it home-a to my Jesus, ain’t-a that good news!

I got a Savior in-a the Kingdom, ain’t-a that good news? I’m-a gonna lay down this world, gonna shoulder up-a my cross. Gonna take it home-a to my Jesus, ain’t-a that good news!

Dr. Carline Waugh, soprano; Dr. Stanley E. Workman, Jr., piano

Prayers of the People Form II

In the course of the silence after each bidding, the People offer their own prayers, either silently or aloud.

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for our Bishop; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.

Silence

I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of God. Pray that they may find and be found by God.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the departed. Pray for those who have died.

Silence

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Silence

Concluding Collect

The General Thanksgiving
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, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
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.

The Dismissal and Grace
   Officiant: Let us bless the Lord.
   People:    Thanks be to God.

Permission to podcast/stream/reprint the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-721346. All rights reserved.

Diocese of Southern Ohio Survey

Bishop Transition

As part of their work leading to the search and call of our next diocesan bishop, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Southern Ohio seeks All Saints’ members’ participation in a diocesan-wide survey. With this information, the committee will be able to craft a timeline for the work that must be done to successfully call and elect our next bishop.

All Saints' Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, OH