THE FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS
Saturday, September 14, 2024 @ 12:30 pm
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Huntington, WV
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We are glad you have chosen to worship us on this Holy Cross Day. The people’s responses are in bold. This bulletin provides the information you will need to participate fully in this service.
The Entrance Rite
On this day, the ministers enter in silence.
THE ACCLAMATION
The People standing, the Officiant says
All the ends of the earth shall see: All The salvation of our God. or When I am lifted up: All I will draw the whole world to myself. or Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. All His mercy endures for ever.
THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
The Officiant may say
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.
Lord, have mercy Kyrie eleison. Christ, have mercy. or Christe eleison. Lord, have mercy Kyrie eleison or Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us.
THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
The Officiant says to the people
The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Word of God
THE LESSONS
The people are seated.
The First Lesson: Isaiah 45:21-25
A reading from the Prophet Isaiah
Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together!
Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?
Was it not I, the LORD?
There is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Saviour; there is no one besides me.
Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
By myself I have sworn, from my mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return:
“To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.”
Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; all who were incensed against him shall come to him and be ashamed.
In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory. The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm: Psalm 98 Cantate Domino
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.
Responsively by whole verse
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.
The Epistle: Philippians 2:5-11 or Galatians 6:14-18 A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians
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.
Or
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians
May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM 2
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
BCP pg 281-282
If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we endure, we shall also reign with him. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
The Holy Gospel: John 12:31 -36a
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John All Glory to you, Lord Christ Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Christ
THE HOMILY
THE NICENE CREED
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,
The Ven. David Johnston
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 P RAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Adapted from the Church of England Holy Cross Liturgy (the POP and Confession may be omitted, going directly to the Solemn Reproaches)
Please kneel or stand, as best helps you pray.
The Leader and People pray responsively
Let us pray to the Father through his Son, who suffered on the cross for the world’s redemption.
Fill with your Spirit Christ’s broken body, the Church . Give to Christian people e verywhere a deep longing to take up the cross and to understand its mysterious glory. By the Savior’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Bless all bishops, priests and all ministers , especially Matthew, our Bishop, Greg & David, our Rectors, and Klára , our Priest. May they, in the preaching of the word and the celebration of the sacraments, draw your people close to you. By the Savior’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Give your grace to those who preach your word to the nations. Help us to witness to the faith we have received by our words and in our deeds, and daily conform us more and more to Christ, that we may glory in his cross. By the Savior’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Look in your mercy upon the world you loved so much that you sent your Son to suffer and to di e. Strengthen those who work to share the reconciliation won at such a cost upon the cross. By the Savior’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Bring healing by the wounds of Christ to all who are weighed down by pain and injustice. Help the lonely and the betrayed, the suffering and the dying, to find strength in the companionship of Jesus, and in his passion to know their salvation. By the Savior’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
Welcome into paradise all who have left this world in your friendship. According to your promises, bring them with all your saints to share in the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection. By the Savior’s cross and passion, Lord, save us and help us.
The Celebrant may add this or another closing Collect
Almighty God, whose beloved Son willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross for our redemption: Give us courage to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
T HE S OLEMN REPROACHES OF THE CROSS
O my people, O my church, what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? Answer me.
I led you forth from the land of Egypt and delivered you by the waters of baptism, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
I led you through the desert forty years, and fed you with manna.
I brought you through tribulation and penitence, and gave you my body, the bread of heaven, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
What more could I have done for you that I have not done?
I planted you, my chosen and fairest vineyard, I made you the branches of my vine; but when I was thirsty, you gave me vinegar to drink and pierced with a spear the side of your Savior, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
I went before you in a pillar of cloud, and you have led me to the judgment hall of Pilate. I scourged your enemies and brought you to a land of freedom, but you have scourged, mocked, and beaten me. I gave you the water of salvation from the rock, but you have given me gall and left me to thirst, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
I gave you a royal scepter, and bestowed the keys of the kingdom, but you have given me a crown of thorns. I raised you on high with great power, but you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
My peace I gave, which the world cannot give, and washed your feet as a sign of my love, but you draw the sword to strike in my name
and seek high places in my kingdom. I offered you my body and blood, but you scatter and deny and abandon me, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
I sent the Spirit of truth to guide you, and you close your hearts to the Counselor. I pray that all may be one in the Father and me, but you continue to quarrel and divide. I call you to go and bring forth fruit, but you cast lots for my clothing, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
I grafted you into the tree of my chosen Israel, and you turned on them with persecution and mass murder. I made you joint heirs with them of my covenants, but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us.
I came to you as the least of your brothers and sisters; I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior.
Holy, holy, holy God, holy almighty God, holy, holy almighty God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
The priest may say
Behold the wood of the Cross, on which was hung the world’s salvation
All Come, let us adore him
The people may come forward to reverence the cross
THE PEACE
When all have returned to the pews, the Officiant may say
Christ is our peace. He has reconciled us to God in one body by the cross. We meet in his name and share his peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All And also with you.
The people greet one another with a sign of God’s peace and are then seated.
THE OFFERTORY SENTENCE
The Deacon or Celebrant says
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts. (Psalm 96:8)
THE OFFERTORY
THE OFFERTORY PRAYER
Merciful God, through the death of your beloved Son you transformed an instrument of shame into a sign of hope and glory.
Receive all we bring before you this day, and renew us in the mystery of his love; through the same Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
This is Eucharistic Prayer A.
Please stand as you are able
The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All It is right to him thanks and praise
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For our sins he was lifted high upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself; and, by his suffering and death, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him.
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:
The Celebrant and People
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.
You may now kneel as you are able, or you may choose to continue standing.
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, To reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died. Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: 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.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray
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.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Then may be said
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
[Alleluia.] Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. [Alleluia]
THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Facing the people, the Celebrant says
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
All who seek God and a deeper life in Christ are welcome at the Altar rail, and we invite all baptized Christians to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Come forward to the altar rail and kneel or stand with an upturned palm to receive the host. (Gluten-free wafers are available upon request.) To receive the wine, you may either drink from the chalice or intinct (dip) your host into the small cup that is offered.
THE
COMMUNION
THE POST COMMUNION P RAYER
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 P RAYER OVER THE PEOPLE
from Prayers for Every Season, More Common Prayer for Children and Families Alleluia, alleluia. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. By your holy cross, teach us that those who suffer are embraced by you instead of rejected.
Teach us to bear one another’s suffering instead of ignoring it. Teach us to forgive our enemies and to break the cycle of violence. Teach us to stand for what is right and just, even when threatened. By your holy cross, give us faith that nothing – not even death –can separate us from your love and the promise of resurrection. Alleluia, alleluia. We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen. Alleluia , alleluia .
THE DISMISSAL
The Officiant dismisses the people and they respond All Thanks be to God. [Alleluia , alleluia!]
ST. JOHN’S & TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
The Rt. Rev. Matthew D. Cowden, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of WV
ST. JOHN’S
3000 Washington Blvd.
Huntington, WV 25705
304.525.9105
The Rev. R. Gregory Pennington, Rector
The Rev. Klára Kovács, Deacon
Vivian Kost, Parish Life Director
Dr. David Castleberry, Music Director
Sara Lee, Organist
Susan Tusing, Sr. Warden
Jim Vassar, Jr. Warden
Nicholas Reynolds, Clerk
TRINITY
520 11th Street
Huntington, WV 25705
304.529.6084
The Ven. David Johnston, Rector
Ms. Jenn Naglee, Parish Administrator
Mr. Mark A. Smith, Organist/Choirmaster
Mr. Robert “Bo” Sweeney, Treasurer
Mr. Joshua Ray, Sr. Warden
Mr. Bob Wallace, Jr. Warden