Worship is the highest activity of the human spirit. In worship we contemplate the truth, mercy and power of God shown to us in Jesus Christ. We respond with adoration, we acknowledge our failures, and we seek to amend our lives in the strength of the Holy Spirit.
“Signs of endings all around us”
Wonder Love and Praise #721
The Officiant begins the service with a sentence of Scripture. Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Psalm 43:3
Then the Officiant says to the people BCP page 79
Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us come in silence, and with penitent hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.
Silence may be kept
Please kneel or stand as you are able. The Officiant and People 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 to the People
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.
Please stand, as you are able
Officiant: Lord, open our lips. People: 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 for ever. Amen.
“Jubilate, with antiphon” (Psalm 100)
Hymnal 1982 #S41
The Psalm: Psalm 98 Cantate Domino Chanted by the choir
1 Sing to the LORD a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.
3 The LORD has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the LORD, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the LORD with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the LORD.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.
A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the LORD and their descendants as well. Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent its food shall be dust!
At the conclusion of the lesson, the reader says: “The word of the Lord.” The People respond: Thanks be to God.
The First Song of Isaiah Canticle 9; Ecce Deus Sung by the Choir
They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.
A reading from the second letter to the Thessalonians Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread
without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
At the conclusion of the lesson, the reader says: “The word of the Lord.” The People respond: Thanks be to God.
Please stand, as you are able
The Sequence Hymn “Jerusalem, my happy home” Hymnal 1982 #620
A reading from Luke.
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
At the conclusion of the lesson, the reader says: “The word of the Lord.” The People respond: Thanks be to God.
Please be seated.
We continue our service with the Apostles Creed, found on page 96 of the Book of Common Prayer. Please stand as you are able
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 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, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and 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.
Officiant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.
Officiant: Let us pray.
Officiant and People pray using the Contemporary version. You may kneel or stand as you are able.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
We will sing Suffrage A. The Cantor intones the verse and the people sing the Response
Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
God of all peoples, help us in this age of great division and polarization to learn the art of civil discourse and compassionate listening with those who worship you through other religions; particularly our Jewish, Muslim, and Hindi brothers and sisters. Guide us to recognize your image even in the faces of those who do not remind us of ourselves, looking past our differences to find our common interests and goals, that we may work together to bring healing to a broken world.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.
Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We commend to your mercy all who have died, especially Roger Rochon, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn, especially the Rochon and Vinson families; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love;
Silence Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others, either silently or aloud.
Prayers for our St. John’s community may be found at the end of this booklet.
The leader adds this or another a concluding collect.
God of mercy and healing, you hear the cries of those in need. Receive these petitions of your people, that all who are troubled may know peace, comfort and courage. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
You may continue to kneel or be seated at this time.
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our
worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Officiant then says
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and you’re your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please stand as you are able
Officiant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. The People respond: And also with you.
As you exchange the Peace, you may think about those to whom you need to be reconciled, but remember that in all the connections made during the Peace we are in fact offering Christ’s Peace to everyone present. We remember what Jesus taught in the Gospel of Matthew: “If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go: first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23 24)
The Officiant says: Ascribe to the LORD the honor due his name; bring offerings, and come into his courts with praise. (1 Chronicles 16:29)
Please be seated
“Laud and Honor” (next page) Westminster Abbey
Please stand or kneel as you are able.
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.
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: ThanksbetoGod.
The service continues with the Closing Hymn, found on page 18
Andnowwesingourclosinghymnandprepare todepartthissacredspace–thisspace,bothphysicalandvirtual–wherewejoyouslygathertoworshipinBelovedCommunity. LetusrememberthatasourLiturgyends, ourservicetoGod’speopleandourplanetbegins.
“Come, we that love the Lord” Hymnal 1982 #392
Words: Isaac Watts (1674 1748), alt. Music: Vineyard Haven, Richard Wayne Dirksen (b. 1921)
The Officiant says: Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen Ephesians 3:20, 21
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
All music streamed by permission of CCLI; reprinted by permission of Ritesong
We pray for each other.
You may ask to have a name added to our list of those for whom we pray. Simply contact the parish office at office@stjohnshuntingtonwv.org or call 304 525 9105. We keep names on the list for one calendar month. You may renew at the beginning of each month. We pray for all those sick or suffering, for those seeking prayer or guidance and for the departed.
You can also say the name aloud or silently during the prayers themselves. It is our privilege to pray for those you care about.
We pray for our own needs and those of others.
For the Diocese of WV, our Bishop Matthew and all churches: especially for the Episcopal Churches of Huntington; St. John’s, Trinity and St. Peter’s.
For our Priest and Seminarian: Ray and Klara
For St. John’s as we search for a new Rector: Almighty God, give of every good gift, look graciously on your Church and so guide the minds of those who will choose a Rector in this church, that we may receive a pastor who will care for your people, equip us for our ministries and reach out to all your children in love.
For the ill or those with health concerns: Tyler and Brady, Jacky, Ann, Sue, Martha Blount, Lelah, John, Teresa, Rufus, Bill, Megan, Charles, Monica, June, Sharon, Jon, Lois, Laura, Jonathan, Bobby, Quentin, Dick, Callie, Jessie, Leo, Bob, Skip, Stacy, Frank, Elizabeth, Daisy, Sean, Sharon, James, Christie, Brian, Ray Jr., Amy, Richard, Sonya, Katharine, Michelle, Vic, Ed, Debbie, Alice, Linda, Father Watkins, Kris, Linda, Geneva, Nick, Cassie, Cohen, Jillian, Lance, James, Terry, Cora, Nedra, Gabe, Matthew, Josiah, Susan, Elsie, Carol, Giles, Amanda, Susan, Joe, Lelah, Andrea, Chris, Jaden, Esther, Alan, Taylor, Cheryl, Tommy, Donna Rose, Sutton, Brian, Anna, Penny, Holsten, Jane, Glenn, Phil, Judy, and David, Carolyn B., Jean McC., Tom W., Brooklyn Ann, Sigvard, Grant, Roger, Susan, Hayden and Carolyne
For those with cancer or in remission: David, Jeanne, Hannah, Larry, Chris, Tom, Evelyn, Will, Frank, Willie, Cindy, Joan, Wilma, Emillie, Joyce, Dale, Michelle, Keith, John, Angie, Raymond, Kelly, Maggie, Julie, Sarah, Mark, Bill, Josh, Donna, Michael, Lynn, Noel, Paul, Mariah, Billie B., Suzanne B., Bob, Tabitha, Jim, Judy and those with inoperable conditions.
For those in need of any prayer: Scott, Esther, Marty, Tom, Elizabeth, Jacob, Travis, Michel, Lisa, Tiffany, Andres, Shane, Eric, Jennifer, Hannah, Drew, Mike, Nicole, Alex, Betsy, James, Cassie, Esther, the Rednour Hallman family, Megan, David, and Karen.
For compassion and civility towards persons of other religions, particularly when race or ethnicity is a factor (image of God, hospitality to stranger) God of compassion and justice, help us in this age of great division and polarization to learn the art of civil discourse and compassionate listening with those who worship you through other religions; particularly our Jewish, Muslim, and Hindi brothers and sisters. Guide us to recognize your image even in the faces of those who do not remind us of ourselves, looking past our differences to find our common interests and goals, that we may work together to bring healing to a broken world. (from The Diocesan Commission to End Racism; The Episcopal Diocese of WV)
For those in harm’s way and for all first responders: especially Tim, David, Edward, Jared, Ryan, Joey, Cody, Josh, Clay, Andy, Robert, Curt, Jordan, Kristen, Christopher, Tyler
For Peace: Oh God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your son. Look now with compassion on the entire human family, especially those in Ukraine and Russia and those who have impacted by gun violence; 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.
For those celebrating birthdays: Jennifer Crouse (11/4), Kim Scott (11/5), Sally Bogers (11/6), Klára Kovács (11/8), Debra Coleman (11/16), Mitzi Russell (11/19), Darlene Daneker (11/24), Pete Proctor (11/25), Fr. Ray Hage (11/28), William Murphy (11/30)
For those celebrating anniversaries: Courtney Cross & Pat Hooten (11/12), Mary Beth & Nick Reynolds (11/27)
For all those who have died, especially Roger Rochon. Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal, keep in your special care these, our beloved. Wipe away the tears of those whose grief runs deep. Help us to encourage each other throughout this troubled life. Keep us steadfast in faith, constant in hope and ardent in love and bring us all into that place you have prepared in your heavenly kingdom.
For those who mourn: Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with all those who mourn, especially the Rochon and Vinson families. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden, Eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of WV
The Rev. Raymond J. Hage, Priest (ret.) • Klara Kovacs, Postulant Vivian Kost, Parish Life Director
Dr. David Castleberry, Music Director • William Murphy, Organist
Linda Vinson, Sr. Warden * John Hash, Jr. Warden 304.525.9105
Office@stjohnshuntingtonwv.org www.stjohnshuntingtonwv.org or www.facebook.com/stjohnshuntington