Prelude, Lento, from Trio Sonata No. 6, BWV 530, 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.
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. People Amen.
The Word of God
The First Reading, Exodus 17:1-7
The People sit.
From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Gradual, Jubilate Deo, Paul Weber
O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness,
And come before His presence with a song,
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God
It is he that hath made us.
And not we ourselves;
We are his people,
And the sheep of His pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
And into his courts with praise;
Be thankful unto him,
And speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious,
His mercy is everlasting;
And his truth endureth from generation to generation.
(Psalm 100)
The Second Reading, Philippians 2:1-13
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death - even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Please stand for the Holy Gospel.
The Holy Gospel, Matthew 21:23-32
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
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 Candidate
Celebrant The candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented. Pryor Lyman Rachal, son of Paige Pointer Rachal and Travis Alexandar Rachal.
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 Pryor 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 Candidate
Celebrant Let us now pray for this child who is to receive the Sacrament of new birth.
Leader Deliver him, O Lord, from the way of sin and death. People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Open his heart to your grace and truth. People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Fill him with your holy and life-giving Spirit. People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Keep him in the faith and communion of your holy Church. People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Teach him to love others in the power of the Spirit. People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Send him into the world in witness to your love. People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Bring him 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
Pryor, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Pryor, 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 this your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised him to the new life of grace. Sustain him, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give him 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, Paratum cor meum, SWV 257, Heinrich Schütz
My heart is ready, O God,
I will sing and make music.
Awake my soul, awake harp,
awake lyre! I will awaken the dawn,
I will give thanks to you among the people, O Lord,
I will make music among the nations.
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
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.
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 communion, you will place the paper cup in the receptacle located near the altar.
Communion Anthem
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:25-26)
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, Allegro, from Trio Sonata No. 6, BWV 530, J. S. Bach
Special prayers for our congregation:
We ask healing and comfort for Michael Atkins, Walker Beery, Katie Bourg, Kevin Chestnut, John Courvoisier, Marli Davis, G.G. Griswold, Bennett Harris, Nancy Haslett, Teresa Kelleher, Robert Keyser, Gary Lee, Joy Meade, Medora Monogold, Macon Riddle, Janet Tallerine, Bill Trufant 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 give thanks for the birth of James “Bennett” Harris, child of Shelly and Gregory.
We pray for Trinity Loaves and Fishes and all of our mission partners, Culture Aid NOLA and Loaves and Fishes Africa. We pray for all those who have been affected by the recent hurricanes and fires and wind storms and for the first responders who are working toward prevention and recovery.
We pray especially for Carrie Wright who is in Seminary. We pray for LeeAnn Hovis, Alyce Gordon, Darby Hoffmeister, and Ellie Gardner from our parish who are participating in Happening #84 at the Solomon Center.
In the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana we pray for St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and School, Houma and for the Worldwide Anglican Communion.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom especially Hope Meeks, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Duncan Jones, and for victims of violence in our city this week, Frank Bedell, Haushon Miller, and Kahlil Allen.
