January 24, 2021 - Morning Prayer Service

Morning Prayer Annual Meeting Sunday

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania January 24, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Gathering In Joy Opening Hymn: 686, Come, thou fount of every blessing

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Opening Affirmation Leader: Among the poor, among the proud, among the persecuted among the privileged, All: Christ is coming to make all things new.

Presider:

All: Leader:

All: Leader:

All: Leader:

All:

In the private house, in the public square, in the wedding feast in the judgment hall, Christ is coming to make all things new.

With a gentle touch, with an angry word, with a clear conscience, with burning love, Christ is coming to make all things new.

That the kingdom might come, that the world might believe, that the powerful might be humbled, that the hidden might be seen, Christ is coming to make all things new.

Within us, without us, behind us, before us, in this place, in every place, for this time, for all time, Christ is coming to make all things new.

Presider says Siblings in Christ, let us praise and worship God who has called us together.

Let us celebrate God’s majesty, and delight in the wonder of God’s love.

Together we shall confess our sins and receive assurance that we are forgiven.

As the scriptures are read, we can allow God’s word to speak to us, and ponder its meaning for our lives.

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In our prayers, we give thanks for God’s goodness, we pray for others as well as for ourselves, and we offer our lives anew in Christ’s service.

All this we do, because we believe in the presence among us of our Savior Jesus Christ, and in the mighty power of the Holy Spirit.

The presider says Hear these words of scripture.

Love one another, for love is of God, and whoever loves is born of God and knows God. All: Spirit of God, search our hearts.

Confession and Absolution of Sin

Enriching Our Worship

The presider then says Let us in silence remember our need for God’s forgiveness.

Silence God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives.

We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created.

We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf.

Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

The Celebrant continues Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

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Listening for God’s Word Venite O come, let us sing to the Lord, let us rejoice in the rock of our salvation.

We sing to you, O God, and bless your name; and tell of your salvation from day to day.

We proclaim your glory to the nations, your praise to the ends of the earth. - Psalm 95 Psalm 62:6-14 (Read responsively by whole verse) 6 For God alone my soul in silence waits; truly, my hope is in him.

7 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.

8 In God is my safety and my honor; God is my strong rock and my refuge.

9 Put your trust in him always, O people, pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.

10 Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath, even those of low estate cannot be trusted.

11 On the scales they are lighter than a breath, all of them together.

12 Put no trust in extortion; in robbery take no empty pride; though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

13 God has spoken once, twice have I heard it, that power belongs to God. 14 Steadfast love is yours, O Lord, for you repay everyone according to his deeds.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

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First Reading: A Reading from the Book of Jonah - 3:1-5, 10 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

All: Thanks be to God. Canticle: Isaiah 60:1–3, 18, 19 (Read responsively by whole verse) Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.

Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.

The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

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Second Reading: A Reading from the Gospel of Mark 1:14-20 After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea - for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

All: Thanks be to God. Canticle: Lamentations 3:22–26 (Read responsively by whole verse) The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases: God’s mercies never come to an end.

They are new every morning: your faithfulness O Lord is great.

You are all that I have: and therefore I will wait for you.

You, O Lord, are good to those who wait for you: to all those who seek you.

It is good to wait in patience: for the salvation of the Lord.

All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever. Amen.

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Gospel Hymn: 304, I come with joy to meet my Lord

Annual Address

The Rev. Emily Richards

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Affirmation of Faith (said by all) You, O God, are supreme and holy.

You create our world and give us life.

Your purpose overarches everything we do.

You have always been with us.

You are God. You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure.

You came to us before we came to you.

You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again.

You are with us now.

You are God. You, O God, are Holy Spirit.

You empower us to be your gospel in the world.

You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.

You are our God. We worship you. Amen.

Prayers Special Anthem: Three Kings from Weinachtlieder Prayer The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

The Lord’s Prayer (said by all) 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.

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Peter Cornelius Dave Mosteller, baritone solo

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.

Suffrages Make your ways known upon earth, O God, your saving power among all peoples.

Renew your Church in holiness, and help us to serve you with joy.

Guide the leaders of this and every nation, that justice may prevail throughout the world.

Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Make us instruments of your peace, and let your glory be over all the earth.

Morning Collect Presider prays Holy and ever living God, by your power we are created and by your love we are redeemed; guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Prayers of the People for Epiphany

by The Standing Liturgical Commission’s Racial Justice Resources

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 You who by the leading of a star, guided the Magi to the brightness of the Holy Child of Bethlehem, lead us to the light of revelation, that we may value and honor the varied gifts of all members of the Beloved Community.

Silence Christ, be our light Shine in our hearts.

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You who framed the brightness of the first light in creation, dispel the arrogance, animosity, and anger that shatter the unity of your holy Church. Fill your faithful people with the radiant light of truth. We especially pray for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Daniel, our Bishop, Silvestre, Bishop of Guatemala, Emily and Laura, our clergy, and each one of us in our vocation and ministry.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for The Church of Bangladesh. In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for Iglesia Episcopal Todos los Santos, (Church of All Saints), Gualàn, The Rev. Eduvigis Hernández. In our own diocese, we pray for the Absalom Jones Fund.

Silence Christ, be our light Shine in our hearts.

You who delivered your people from the misery of bondage in slavery to the land of promise, set us free from enslavement to division, disunity, and distrust in our public life and labor. Illumine those in authority with the light of vision. We pray for those in public office throughout this land and for those of us who call them to responsibility and accountability, that together, we may hold a clear vision of justice and compassion. We pray for our new President, Vice President, members of their Administration and for peace in the city of Washington, D.C. and throughout our nation. We pray for the healing of our divisions.

Silence Christ, be our light Shine in our hearts.

You who patterned the stars and called the sun into being, who appointed the moon and chartered the cosmos, pattern the hearts of people everywhere to see in each other the beauty of the universe and the splendor of creation, that divisions of race, class, gender, and ethnicity may be recreated into one common humanity.

Silence Christ, be our light Shine in our hearts.

You who shower comfort and hope to the lowest, the lost, and the least, shower the light of compassion on the sick, the sorrowful, and the suffering, especially all those suffering from Covid. For all on our prayer list especially remembering Bill, Pat, Lynn, Mark, Benita, Jessie, Raleigh, Tim, Jeanné, Debbie, Angie, Frances, Katie, Bob, Hannah, Art, Doris, Warren, Kathy, Mary, Barbara, Linda, Rhonda, 11

Ruth, and for all those we name now‌ Help us to be your compassion and hope in the world.

Silence Christ, be our light Shine in our hearts.

You who welcome into the brilliant light of eternity those who have died, welcome those whose lives have been cut short by violence, warfare, and strife, those who have died from Covid and all we name now‌ Shine the light of hope.

Silence Christ, be our light Shine in our hearts.

You who delight in the complexity and splendor of creation, help us to delight in the diversity of this earth, our island home. Inspire your people to care for all you have made.

Silence Christ, be our light Shine in our hearts.

All are invited to share their own intercessions and thanksgiving using the chat box. After a few moments of silence an intercessor will read them aloud and the presider will close with special prayers.

Leader prays God, fashion us anew as doorways to your peace.

Where there is violence and hostility, let us bring compassion.

Where there is abuse of power, let us bring dignity and respect.

Where there is deliberate deceit, let us bring truth and authentic concern.

Where there is a shuttering of dreams, let us bring visions of hope.

Where there is conflict in relationships, let us bring reconciliations.

And where there is disregard for creation, let us bring reverence and care.

O Divine Creator, let us not so much seek to be centered on ourselves as to focus on the needs of those neglected; To be appreciated by others as to further the gifts of the forgotten; To be materially secure as to share our wealth with the poor.

For it is through awareness of injustice that suffering will be healed, It is by simplifying our lifestyle that consumerism will lose its grip, And it is through a selfless commitment to love that peace will be reborn. Amen.

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The presider offers other suitable prayers at this time.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom (said by all) 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.

All: In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Father, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sending Out Closing Hymn: 599, Lift every voice and sing (on pages 15-16) Blessing Birthday & Anniversary Prayer BCP 830 O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace; and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements The Dismissal The people respond: Thanks be to God. Closing Sentences Presider: All:

From where we are to where you need us, Jesus, now lead on.

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Presider: All: Presider:

From the security of what we know to the adventure of what you continue to reveal, Jesus, now lead on.

All:

To refashion the fabric of this world until it resembles the shape of your realm.

Jesus, now lead on.

Presider All

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Selections for this service are taken from The Book of Common Prayer, The Iona Abbey Worship Book and A New Zealand Prayer Book.

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Closing Hymn: 599, Lift every voice and sing

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