November 22 - 10:30am

November 22, 2020

Prelude, Prelude in G Major, BWV 541, J.S. Bach

The Acclamation

Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
People
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. 
Celebrant
There is one Body and one Spirit; 
People
There is one hope in God’s call to us. 
Celebrant
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; 
People
One God and Father of all.

Please stand.

The Collect of the Day

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

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. People Amen.

The Word of God

The First Reading, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

The People sit.

Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

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

The Gradual, Psalm 100, Chant by Thomas Attwood Walmisley

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; * Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; * serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; * he himself has made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise; * give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; * and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

The Second Reading, Ephesians 1:15-23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

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

Please stand for the Holy Gospel.

The Holy Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46

Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon, by The Reverend Andrew R. Thayer

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates

Celebrant The candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

Ella Francis Bland, daughter of Jessica Craighead Bland and Clay Vallon Bland, Jr.

Robert Parkhill Carrere, son of Anne Jacob Carrere and John Francis Carrere III

Infants and Younger Children: Candidates who are unable to answer for themselves are presented individually by Parents and Godparents, as follows

Parents and Godparents I present N. to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

When the candidate has been presented,

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

Parents and Godparents I will, with God’s help.

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

Parents and Godparents I will, with God’s help.

The Celebrant asks the following questions of the parents and godparents who speak on behalf of infants and younger children.

Question Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God? Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? Answer I renounce them.

Question Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the  love of God? Answer I renounce them.

Question  Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? Answer I do.

Question  Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?Answer I do.

Question  Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord? Answer I do.

The People stand. The Celebrant asks the Congregation

Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in  their life in Christ? People We will.

Celebrant Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.

Please stand.

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 the 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.

The Prayers for the Candidates

Celebrant Let us now pray for this children who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth.

Leader Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death. People Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader Open their hearts to your grace and truth. People Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit. People Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church. People Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader  Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit. People Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader Send them into the world in witness to your love. People Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory. People Lord, hear our prayer.

Celebrant Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water

The Celebrant blesses the water, first saying

Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The Celebrant continues

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.  Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.  To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. People Amen.

The Baptism

N., I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

N., you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever. Amen.

Celebrant Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

Celebrant Let us welcome the newly baptized.

Celebrant and People We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

The Peace

Announcements

The Holy Communion

Offertory, Ride on, King Jesus based on the arrangement by Nancy Wertsch

Ride on, King Jesus! No man can-a hinder me. Ride on, King Jesus! No man can-a hinder me. For He is King of kings, for He is Lord of lords. Jesus Christ, the first and last, no man works like Him.

King Jesus rides a milk white horse, no man works like Him. The river of Jordan did he cross, no man works like Him. For He is King of kings, for He is Lord of lords. Jesus Christ, the first and last, no man works like Him.

Ride on, King Jesus . . .

King Jesus rides in the middle of the air, no man works like Him. He calls the Saints from everywhere, no man works like Him. For He is King of kings, for He is Lord of lords. Jesus Christ, the first and last, no man works like Him.

The Great Thanksgiving (Prayer B)

Celebrant 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 God thanks and praise.

It is right and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

The Celebrant proceeds with the Proper Preface.

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:

Sanctus, Messe modale, Jehan Alain

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

The People stand or kneel.

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;

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 for ever. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

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.  

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

A Prayer of Spiritual Communion

Celebrant In communion with those who are participating online, and cannot physically receive the  Sacrament, we pray:

O my Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you  in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.

The Invitation

Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died and was raised for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Communion of the People

Please note that Communion distribution will be very different for the foreseeable future. As you approach the altar area, everyone must use the hand sanitizer station before receiving communion. The consecrated hosts will be in a paper cup on the altar. As you approach the altar, please take one paper cup. Once you have consumed the host, you will place the paper cup in the receptacle located near the altar. 

Communion Anthem, Down to the River to Pray, Afro-American Spiritual

When I went down to the river to pray, studyin’ about that good ol’ way, and who shall wear the starry crown, good Lord, show me the way. Oh sisters, let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down, Oh brothers, let’s go down, down to the river to pray.

When I went down . . . Oh mothers, let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down, Oh fathers, let’s go down, down to the river to pray.

When I went down . . . Oh children, let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down, Oh children, let’s go down, down to the river to pray.

The Post Communion Prayer

All stand.

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

The Dismissal   

Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.

Postlude, Fugue in G Major, BWV 541, J. S. Bach


Special prayers for our congregation:

We ask healing and comfort for Walker Beery, Katie Bourg, Norris Fant, G.G. Griswold, Kirk Groome, Nancy Haslett, Teresa Kelleher, Fritz Martty, Medora Monogold, Macon Riddle, Joan Rogers, Mary Nell Watters and others you would name.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life especially for those who celebrate birthdays and anniversaries this week.

We pray for our Stewardship Board, Trinity Loaves and Fishes and all of our mission partners, especially Loaves and Fishes Africa. We pray for all those who affected by the recent hurricanes and fires and wind storms and for the first responders who are working toward recovery and prevention.

We pray especially for our Seminarian, Carrie Wright. In the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana we pray for The Officers and Standing Committee and for the Worldwide Anglican Communion.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pray for all who have died, especially Marjory Abbott, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom and for victims of violence in our city.