Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Glenside, Pennsylvania
February 12, 2023 10:00 A.M.
Prelude: I Want Jesus to Walk with Me
Opening Hymn: LEVAS 44, Blessed Absalom
Arr. Greg Sewell
Presider: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
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 Presider says to the people
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
Collect of the Day
Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and for ever. Amen.
Children’s Chapel Dismissal
The First Reading – Isaiah 42: 5-9
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 116 BCP 782
Inconvertendo
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3 Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
4 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed.
5 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses of the Negev.
6 Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.
7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.
The Second Reading – Ephesians 4: 1-6
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Hymn: 440, Blessed Jesus, at thy word (vv.1-2)
The Gospel – John 15: 12-15
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Glory to you, Lord Christ.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
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.
Loving God, who came to us in human form to show us who you are, be with us as we pray.
For the church in every place, that through all who believe, the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the world. We especially pray for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Daniel, our Bishop; Silvestre, Bishop of Guatemala; Barbara, 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 Church in the Philippines In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for: La Resurrección (The Resurrection), Reverendo Presbitero, Jorge Gomez In our own Diocese, we pray for the Commission on Ministry.
God who has come to show us the way, Make yourself known through us.
For this nation: For those in public office throughout this land, especially our President, Joseph Biden; the United Nations and all members of Congress; and for those of us who call them to responsibility and accountability, that together, we may hold a clear vision of justice and compassion.
God who has come to show us the way, Make yourself known through us.
For our world: That with you working through us, the poor may be blessed, the weeping may laugh, and those who war with one another may know the hope of peace. We pray especially for those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. God who has come to show us the way, Make yourself known through us.
For this community: For all our glorious and varied gifts, that our common life may be strengthened as we offer ourselves, affirm those around us, and join in mission together,
God who has come to show us the way, Make yourself known through us.
For all who suffer, and all who suffer with them, that we may know your Holy Presence in the midst of pain, and tears and sorrow, trusting in your tender mercy and the compassion of those around us; especially remembering Meg, Bryan, Frank, Morgan, Danny, Carl, Linda, Mary, John, Ed, Ashley, Jeanne, Norma, Kelly, Wendy, Bob, Lindsay, Donna, Douglas, Ed, Elsie, Jim, Pat, Karen, Bob, Art, Barbara, Linda, Ruth, Kate, Steve, Victor, Tabitha, Sarah, all those suffering from COVID, and for all those we name now…
God who has come to show us the way, Make yourself known through us.
For those who have died… for memories of joy and moments of grief; and for the sure and certain knowledge that, as your beloved, they live in your infinite love and rest in eternal life
God who has come to show us the way, Make yourself known through us.
The Presider offers a concluding prayer
Loving God, we offer you our prayers, some in words, others written in our hearts. Break open our hearts, hear our prayers and continue to give us your light, Christ Jesus, this day and forever. Amen.
The Presider says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Presider 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.
The Presider 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.
Celebrant: Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, we are all baptized by the one Spirit into one Body and given gifts for a variety of ministries for the common good. Our purpose is to commission these persons in the Name of God and of this congregation to a special ministry to which they are called.
Sponsor: I present to you these persons to be admitted to the ministry of Acolyte in this congregation.
The Celebrant asks the sponsor
Are these persons you are to present prepared by a commitment to Christ as Lord, by regular attendance at worship, and by the knowledge of their duties, to exercise their ministry to the honor of God, and the well-being of God’s Church?
Sponsor: I believe they are.
The Celebrant asks the acolytes
You have been called to a ministry in this congregation. Will you, as long as you are engaged in this work, perform it with diligence?
Acolytes: I will.
Celebrant: Will you faithfully and reverently execute the duties of your ministry to the honor of God, and the benefit of the members of this congregation?
Acolytes: I will.
Celebrant: Do not be negligent, for God has chosen you to stand in God’s presence, to minister to God, and to be God’s minister.
Acolytes: I will go to the altar of God: To the God of my joy and gladness.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
(Blessing of the Crosses) O gracious God, who in your mercy ordained that your Son should suffer death on a cross of shame: We thank you that it has become for us the sign of his triumph and the banner of our
salvation; and we pray that these crosses may draw our hearts to him, who leads us to the glory of your kingdom; where you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
(Blessing of the Acolytes) O God, our gracious One: Bless the servers of your Church that they may so serve before your earthly altar in reverence and holiness, that they may attain, with all your saints and angels, the joy of serving you and worshiping you before your Heavenly Altar; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Celebrant: In the Name of God and of this congregation, I commission each of you as an acolyte of St. Peter’s Church and give you this cross as a token of your ministry.
Please greet other members of the congregation with a sign of peace.
Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you. Celebrating Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem: Total Praise
Presentation Hymn: 304, I come with joy to meet my Lord
The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer B
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Richard Smallwood St. Peter’s ChoirBCP 367
Presider: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus: S-130, Holy, holy, holy Lord
The Presider continues
Franz SchubertWe give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father, Presider and People
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
The Presider continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Mary, Joseph, Peter and Philip and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
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 forever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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. 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 Presider breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept.
Fraction Anthem: S-164, Jesus, Lamb of God
Franz SchubertThe 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.
Communion Music: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The Post-Communion Prayer Priest and people together 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.
Lowell MasonReflection: Organ Donation
Carolyn McGrory will discuss organ donation and the work she does with 'The Gift of Life', which is the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) serving Southern New Jersey, all of Delaware and Eastern and Central Pennsylvania.
The Blessing
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road, and may God's blessing Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you always. Amen
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
• If you’d like attend Stephanie Gill’s Super Bowl Watching party tonight in the parish hall, contact Stephanie at (email address)
• Sign up to help with fellowship hour by contacting Alicia Moore at aliciamayes@gmail.com.
• Our new Sunday Forum begins next week, Feb. 19, with Dr. Mary Wade who will both be preaching during the service, and speaking afterward on “The Growing Edges”, using the work of theologian Howard Thurman.
• Sign up to share your talents or pancake flipping skills at the Shrove Tuesday Talent Show and Pancake Supper on Feb. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sign up on the sheet in the parish hall or online in the e-newsletter.
To help share the story of our sacred giving, future space in the leaflet will show a summary of our weekly giving as a community. For Sunday January 29, 2023:
1 There have been a few full-year pledge contributions that inflate this number slightly.
Our mission is “rooted in love, growing through God’s grace, and reaching out to all.”
We live into this mission through our ministries of worship, education, outreach, pastoral care, fellowship, administration, and care of our physical property. When we generously share our treasure with St. Peter’s, we are living out our mission and making a real difference in people’s lives.
Closing Hymn: WLP 810, On Eagle’s Wings
The Dismissal
Presider: Let us go forth in the name of Christ to love and serve the Lord, Alleluia! Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia
Postlude: Volate, Aquilae! Volate! Traditional
These young people are the acolytes of St. Peter’s. Find an acolyte today and thank them for what they do.
Alyssa Clemens
Jamie Gill
Zach Gottemoller
Sebastian Guillotin
Eamon Ivory
Finn Ivory
Patrick McMahon
Harper Moore
Jerry Moore
Harrison Reazor
Matthew Schmidt
Alex Stevers-Radtke
Grayson Torpey
Worship Ministers
Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger
Acolytes: Jerry Moore, Finn Ivory, Grayson Torpey
Lectors: Anne Gibson, Bob Hartung Intercessor: Matt Moore
Eucharistic Ministers: Jeanné Hannum, Addie Johnson, Audrey Kipphut
Ushers: Alex Stevers-Radtke, Linda Toia
Vestry Steward: Jeanné Hannum Counter: Bill Hower
Altar Guild: Donna Kulp Fellowship:
Choir Director: Tim Flaherty Organist: Kathy Flaherty
Tech Team: Mike Levin, PJ Linke, James Moore
The cover image is Carl Huneke's stained glass window, Compass Church, Salinas, CA, on Wikipedia Commons, used with permission.
PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
654 N. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038-4310
(215) 887-1765
E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com
Website: www.stpetersglenside.org .