| St. Andrew & St. John Episcopal Church
Southwest Harbor, Maine
Sunday, JANUARY 31, 2021
Candlemas and the Presentation
The Episcopal Parishes of Mount Desert Island
in The Diocese of Maine
Today, we welcome The Reverend Dr. Jennifer Reece
as our Officiant and Preacher.
8:00 AM
To view the service after 8:00 AM, click on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-fGpm4_aFoi0mNvMiXhSwg
| | | | | Worship Bulletin
Prelude: Romance, Opus 11, Number 3, by Clara Schumann
The Welcome
Hymn: 259 – Hail to the Lord who comes
Opening Sentence
Officiant I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may
reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6b
Confession of Sin
Officiant Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Officiant and People
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 Officiant says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Invitatory
Lord, open our lips
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 forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Officiant The Lord has shown forth his glory:
People Come let us adore him.
Jubilate Psalm 100
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.
Officiant The Lord has shown forth his glory:
People Come let us adore him.
Psalm 84 1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6 They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
7 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
8 Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
10 For the Lord God is both sun and shield; *
he will give grace and glory;
11 No good thing will the Lord withhold *
from those who walk with integrity.
12 O Lord of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The First Lesson: Malachi 3:1-4
Thus says the Lord, See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-- indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Canticle G: A Song of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:24-28)
I will take you from among all nations; *
and gather you from all lands to bring you home.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you; *
and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.
A new heart I will give you *
and a new spirit put within you.
I will take the stone heart from your chest *
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will help you walk in my laws *
and cherish my commandments and do them.
You shall be my people, *
and I will be your God.
The Second Lesson: Hebrews 2:14-18
Since God's children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God.
Canticle 18: A Song to the Lamb (Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13)
Splendor and honor and kingly power *
are yours by right, O Lord our God,
For you created every thing that is, *
and by your will they were created and have their being;
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation, *
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *
for ever and for evermore.
The Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."
And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
The Sermon - The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Reece
The Prayers
Officiant: The Lord be with you.
Officiant and People: And also with you.
Let us pray.
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)
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
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Social Service
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him
who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Hymn: 490 – I want to walk as a child of the light
The Prayers of the People
My sisters and brothers.
We offer our prayers for the church and the world,
responding, Hear our prayer.
For the Church: that we may bear witness to the depths of God's love for all people; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Thomas, our bishop; and for all the baptized: that together we may be a community of faithful servants; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For an end to war and the threat of war; and for those we find it hardest to love: that God will turn our swords into ploughshares and lead us in paths of peace; in your mercy… Hear our prayer.
For our political leaders, for Joe, our President; for Kamala, our Vice President; for Janet, our Governor, and for members of Congress: that they may govern with integrity and serve the common good; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For the poor, the hungry, the unemployed, the addicted, and the abused: that God will relieve their suffering and strengthen our care for them; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For victims of racial injustice and for the courage to confront our past as we work together to become God's beloved community; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For all doctors, nurses, and hospital workers who are caring for Covid patients, and for all those working to distribute vaccines to the most vulnerable among us; in your mercy…. Hear our prayer.
For the sick and the suffering; for the hospitalized and the homebound; and for those we have been asked to remember in our prayers…. I now invite you to offer your own prayers for those in any need or trouble….. (silence)….; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
For all who have died; and for all who grieve and mourn; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
In thanksgiving for the faithful witness of the parishes of Mount Desert Island and for our many ministries; for Holly chosen Priest in Charge among us; and for our family members, friends, and neighbors; in your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Loving God,
You revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan
And anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit
to proclaim good news to all people.
Sanctify us by the same Spirit,
that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel
by acts of love in your name. Amen.
The General Thanksgiving
Officiant and People
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 ourselves 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
Officiant
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.
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People 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
The Blessing
The light of Christ is within you.
Shine as a light in the world.
As the seed grows secretly in the earth,
As the yeast rises in the dough,
May the power of God be at work in us.
Like a city on a hill,
Like a lamp in the darkness,
May we witness to the glory of the kingdom.
And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.
(from Alternate Services 2006, Scottish Episcopal Church)
Hymn: 126 – The people who in darkness walked
Postlude: Prelude and Fugue in E flat major, from the Well-tempered Clavier, Book II, by J.S. Bach
* The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
Participants
Officiant: The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Reece
Organist/Pianist: Stephen Byers Sampson
Readers: Doris Walton, Karol Hagberg, Jean Evans
Prayers of the People: Eliza and Jim Vallette
Photographs: Linda Foster and Katharine Thompson | | | | |
