The Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania October 31, 2021 10:00 A.M.
Welcome to St. Peter’s! The Vestry has affirmed that until further notice, masks are required to be worn before, during, and after services held in the church. Masks will be provided to all those who need one. For those who do not wish to wear a mask, we encourage you to continue to view the services online. Please continue to socially distance with your neighbors before, during and after worship. The restrooms in the chapel hallway are available for use during the service. Thank you. Musical Prelude
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Opening Hymn: 517, How lovely is thy dwelling place
The Opening Acclamation BCP 355 Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. 3
Collect for Purity 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. The Gloria Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. The Celebrant says to the people The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray. Collect of the Day BCP 235 Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Listening for God’s Word The First Reading - Ruth 1:1-18 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had considered his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in-law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back each of you to your mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband." Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. They said to her, "No, we will return with you to your people." But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the Lord has turned against me." Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. So she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; Where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die - there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Psalm 146
BCP 803
1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them. 3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish. 4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! whose hope is in the Lord their God; 5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever; 6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. 7 The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; 8 The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger; he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked. 9 The Lord shall reign for ever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!
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Gospel Hymn: 551, Rise up, ye saints of God!
The Gospel Reading - Mark 12:28-34 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark Response: Glory to you, Lord Christ. One of the scribes came near and heard the Saducees disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’ - this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. The Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
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The Sermon
The Rev. Emily Richards
The Nicene Creed
BCP 358
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.
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Prayers for Creation Season The Leader and People pray responsively
from Women’s Uncommon Prayers
Let us pray for the Church and for the world, giving thanks for God’s goodness. Caring God, we thank you for your gifts in creation: for our world, the heavens tell of your glory; for our land, its beauty and resources, for the rich heritage we enjoy. We pray for those who make decisions about the resources of the earth, that we may use your gifts responsibly; for those who work on the land and sea, in cities and in industry, that all may enjoy the fruits of their labors and marvel at your creation; for artists, scientists and visionaries, that through their work we may see creation afresh. Silence We thank you for giving us life; for all who enrich our experience. We pray: for all who through their own or others’ actions are deprived of fullness of life, for prisoners, refugees, and all who are sick or suffer; for those in politics, medical science, social and relief work, and for your Church, here and throughout the world, for all who seek to bring life to others. Silence We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation. Give us reverence for life in your world. We thank you for your redeeming love; may your word and sacrament strengthen us to love you as you love us. Silence For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Daniel, our Bishop, Silvestre, Bishop of Guatemala, Emily and Laura, our clergy, Sacramento and Juan, our Companion clergy in Guatemala and each one of us in our vocation and ministry. In the Anglican cycle of prayer we pray for The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria. In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we 9
pray for Inglesia Episcopal Todos los Santos, The Rev. Eduvigis Hernandez. In our own Diocese, we pray for Episcopal Community Services. We remember all those on our parish prayer list, especially Elsie, Debbie, Holly, Kevin, Rowen, Nicky, Jim, Lillian, Pat, Rhonda, Karen, Missy, Frances, Bob, Art, Mary, Barbara, Linda, Ruth, all those suffering from COVID-19, and all those we now name…...(pause) We remember all those who have died, especially remembering all those who died from COVID-19 and all those we name now… Silence God, Creator, bring us new life. Jesus, Redeemer, renew us. Holy Spirit, strengthen and guide us. The celebrant concludes with this prayer Blessed are you, God of growth and discovery; yours is the inspiration that has altered and changed our lives; yours is the power that has brought us to new dangers and opportunities. Set us, as part of your new creation, to walk through this new world, watching and learning, loving and trusting, to await the coming of your kingdom. Amen. The Confession and Absolution
BCP 360
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Celebrant 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. Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect. 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. 10
The Peace Please remain in your seats for this exchange. Greet one another with a wave and words of peace. Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.
Celebrating Holy Communion Presentation Hymn: Voices Found 77, We stand within the circle
The Great Thanksgiving Prayer C Celebrant: People: Celebrant: People:
BCP 369
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. 11
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give him thanks and praise. Celebrant: God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise. People: Glory to you for ever and ever. Celebrant: At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home. People: By your will they were created and have their being. Celebrant: From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another. People: Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight. Celebrant: Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace. People: By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed. Celebrant: And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn: The Sanctus: S-125, Holy, holy, holy Lord
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Richard Proulx
The Celebrant continues And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, 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, gave thanks, 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." Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving, People: We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming. The Celebrant continues Lord God of our Fathers and God of our Mothers: God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachael, and Leah: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name. People: Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread. The Celebrant continues Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, The Lord’s Prayer
BCP 364
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. 13
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. The Breaking of the Bread The Celebrant breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept. Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia. 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. The Communion of the People Communion Music The Post-Communion Prayer During a Time of Separation Priest and people together Lord of the Feast, we thank you for gathering us as your people. We call to remembrance the many times we have been fed at your table and we lament our distance now. Be present Lord Jesus as you were present with your disciples, be known to us in the breaking of the bread, and may your Holy Spirit sustain us and all your Church until we can gather together again. We ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.
Sending Out The Blessing Closing Hymn: WLP 751, Ev’ry time I feel the spirit (see page 17) 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. 14
Announcements For all the Saints: Please e-mail the name(s) of your loved ones to Patty at the church office, stpeter654@gmail.com, if you would like them listed in the Sunday leaflet on All Saints Day and have them named aloud in the midst of the service. The deadline is tomorrow, Monday, November 1. Special Evening Prayer: On Friday, November 5 we will hold a special online Evening Prayer celebrating Warren Wanlund’s ministry as a leader of prayer among us. In the final year of his life Warren loved leading this service. It was an important part of his faith journey and ours. I wanted to honor this part of his ministry as well as give our virtual prayer community the opportunity to celebrate him with us at St. Peter’s. The service will take place at 5:30 p.m. on our Facebook page. In the spring we will celebrate Warren’s life with a Memorial Service at St. Peter’s. All Saints’ Celebration: On Sunday, November 7 we will celebrate one of the great feast days in the church year. All Saints Day is an opportunity for each of us to give thanks for all those in our own lives who have been witnesses to the Good News and to remember all those we love but see no longer. We will welcome one of our youngest into the Church through the waters of Baptism. We will also welcome Alan Segal’s Jazz Ensemble who will be providing music for us. This service will take place in the sanctuary and will be livestreamed. The sea persons who service the port of Philadelphia are accurately characterized as the migrant workers of the sea. The pandemic has imposed especially harsh suffering on these folks. The Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia works hard to ease the burdens of the people who bring us our goods. They will appreciate warm hats, scarves & socks and are especially asking for shampoo, deodorant & shaving cream. Financial donations are also welcome – please make checks out to St. Peter’s with Seamen’s Church Institute in the memo line. Give ‘til it helps by Nov. 14th! Stewardship In-Gathering Sunday - November 14: This is the annual celebration of our community and God’s abundance among us. During the service members are invited to take a moment to reflect on all their blessings and to fill out a pledge card and intentionally place it before the altar as your offering to God. You may also fill out an electronic pledge card found HERE Save the Date: Oct. 31: Special Halloween Fellowship Nov. 5: Special Evening Prayer in honor of Warren Wanlund Nov. 7: All Saints Celebration with the Jazz Sanctuary Nov. 14: Stewardship Ingathering The Dismissal The people respond: Thanks be to God. 15
Worship Ministers Lector: Tim Flaherty Intercessor: Charlie Hannum Usher: Anne Gibson Vestry Steward: Charlie Hannum Soloist: Dave Mosteller Altar Guild: Wendy Hartung Fellowship Hosts: Helen Collins & Youth
All copyright licensing for music during this service through: OneLicense.net License #A-719834 and LicenSing License # 620603.
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Closing Hymn: WLP 751, Ev’ry time I feel the spirit
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