August 2, 2020: The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

The Opening Hymn: O day of radiant gladness

O day of radiant gladness, O day of joy and light, O balm of care and sadness, most beautiful, most bright;

this day the high and lowly, through ages joined in tune, sing, “Holy, holy, holy” to the great God Triune.

This day at the creation, the light first had its birth; this day for our salvation Christ rose from depths of earth;

this day our Lord victorious the Spirit sent from heaven, and thus the day most glorious a triple light was given.

Leader: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gloria

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray.

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Thus says the Lord:

“Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.

I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.

See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.”

The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *

slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 The Lord is loving to everyone *

and his compassion is over all his works.

15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *

he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *

and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand *

and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *

and loving in all his works.

19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *

to all who call upon him faithfully.

20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *

he hears their cry and helps them.

21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *

but he destroys all the wicked.

22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *

let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

I am speaking the truth in Christ– I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit– I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Hymn: How Great Thou Art

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

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Message from The Reverend Lois Keen :

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

God the Father,

Have mercy upon us.

God the Son,

Have mercy upon us.

God the Holy Spirit,

Have mercy upon us.

Holy Trinity, One God,

Have mercy upon us.

Spare us, good Lord, spare your people, whom you have redeemed with your most precious blood, and by your mercy preserve us through this crisis, and for ever.

From all evil and wickedness, from disease and illness, especially this coronavirus,

From all ignorance and apathy and from all willingness to engage in activities that could harm others,

From all blindness of heart, from pride and a sense of invincibility,

We your children beseech you to hear us, O Lord God, to look upon this world struck by pandemic, and drive from us this disease.

That it may please you to strengthen the weak, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

That it may please you to give health and comfort to all who are already stricken with illness,

That it may please you to give patience and grace to all those who are in quarantine or who fear that they have already contracted the virus,

That it may please you to surround with your love those who are fearful or overcome with anxiety and worry,

That it may please you to give wisdom and stamina to all who are working on tests, vaccines, and treatments,

That it may please you to uphold, strengthen, and protect all those who are treating and ministering to the sick,

That it may please you to give to your people a heart to love their neighbor and to look after those who are most vulnerable.

That it may please you to support, help, and comfort those who are concerned about finances and employment,

That it may please you to help students whose schools are closed grow in wisdom and knowledge and to give their teachers creativity and perseverance,

That it may please you to heal the sick, lift up the stricken and east their breathing,

That it may please you to receive into your bosom those who have died, praying especially for the loss of (Hazel) Althea Palen and embrace her family as they grieve.

Son of God, we beseech you to hear us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,

[Litany by Fr. Rick, Rector of St. Mark’s, Basking Ridge, NJ, adapted. Used with permission.]

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others, praying especially for Deirdre, Becky, Chris, Nicole, Laura, Mary, Joseph, Tammy, Roger, Sue, Eileen, Doris, David and Cindi, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.


All together
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 Leader says:
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 Leader says to the people: The peace of the Lord is always with you.

People: And also with you.

Through Christ let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his Name. But do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:15,16)

The Closing Hymn: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

The Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God.  And the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us all today and always. Amen.