The First Sunday in Lent
The Feast of Absalom Jones (transferred) St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Glenside, Pennsylvania February 18, 2024 10:00 A.M. About Absolom Jones
This week, parishes throughout the Diocese of Pennsylvania are celebrating the feast of Philadelphia saint, Blessed Absalom Jones (1746-1818). Jones was the first African American priest to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. He founded the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, a vibrant African American congregation to this day. Born enslaved, he was granted manumission by his enslaver, Benjamin Wyncoop in 1784. An abolitionist and faith leader throughout his 72 years, Absalom Jones was an outspoken voice for racial justice and repair, long before slavery was ended in this country. His feast day is February 13. Learn more about him at aecst.org/ajones.htm. Please note: During the service you will be prompted to use the red Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which can be found in your pew.
Gathering In Joy
Prelude: What Wondrous Love is This
Southern Harmony
Opening Hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing #44: Blessed Absolom (books are not available in the pews)
The Opening Acclamation
BCP 355
Presider: People: Presider: People:
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. His mercy endures forever. Holy God Holy and Mighty Holy Immortal One Have mercy upon us.
Presider: People: Presider:
The Lord be with you. And also with you. 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. Listening for God’s Word 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 126 (Please read together from the Book of common Prayer)
BCP 782
Second Lesson-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: With One Voice # 699, Blessed Assurance The Gospel Reading – John 15: 12-15 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Response: 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. Glory to you, Lord Christ. The Sermon The Nicene Creed
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger 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. The Prayers of the People, Form I
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The response to let us pray to the Lord is “Lord have mercy. “ Presider: 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 Confession and Absolution 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,
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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. Presider 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.
The Peace 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: Down To The River to Pray
Traditional Spiritual
St. Peter’s Choir
Presentation Hymn: Wonder, Love, and Praise #795, Come Now O Prince of Peace The Great Thanksgiving, Eucharistic Prayer A Presider People Presider People Presider People
BCP 361 The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The Presider continues 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 for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name: Sanctus: Lift Every Voice and Sing II #255, Holy, Holy, Holy (books not available in the pew)
The Presider continues We 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.... ...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.... ...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, 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. 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 Presider breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept. Presider: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
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People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Fraction Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing II #270, Lamb of God (books not available in the pew)
The Presider continues The Gifts of God for the People of God. The Communion of the People Communion Music: Goin’ Home 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. Sending Out The Blessing Eucharistic Visitor Commissioning (occasional)
Antonin Dvorák David Mosteller
Presider: In the name of the congregation of St Peter's, we send you forth bearing the gift of Holy Communion… Jeanmarie Lugo: A thank you from Christ & St. Ambrose and Free Church of St. John's. All: We who are many are one body, because we all share in one bread and one cup. 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 · Sara Baumgardner from One House at a Time (OHAAT) will discuss the "Beds for Kids" project following morning worship. · Soup is available for purchase during coffee hour following morning worship. · See page 11 of the your leaflet for Lenten program opportunities.
Closing Hymn: The Hymnal of 1982 #599, Lift Every Voice and Sing The Dismissal Presider: Let us go forth in the name of Christ People: Thanks be to God. Postlude: Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho
Traditional Spiritual
Worship Ministers Presider & Preacher: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger Acolytes: Alyssa Clemen, Eamon Ivory, Harrison Reazor Lectors: Nancy Reazor, Shirley Smith Intercessor: Barbara Sibley Vestry Steward: Audrey Kipphut Eucharistic Ministers: Audrey Kipphut, Kristina Marchuk, Bob Smith Ushers: Dave Kipphut, Dori Meginley, Jack Wilbur Counter: John Klarman Altar Guild: Donna Kulp Fellowship: Wendy Hartung Bell Ringer: Bill Bacon Organist & Choir Director: Carol Cei Tech Team: PJ Linke, Mike Levin, James Moore Vestry Debbie Dekalb: sojourner_44@yahoo.com Mark Evans: MarkCarverEvans@gmail.com Meredith Flaherty: merflah@aol.com Jeanné Hannum: jeannefhannum@aol.com Audrey Kipphut (People’s Warden): ajkipphut@verizon.net Amy Michener-Wall: adwall@hotmail.com Dave Mosteller (Rector’s Warden): davemos2010@gmail.com John Olson: john.olson@villanova.edu Amy Neske: amyh120@yahoo.com Douglas Pneuma: douglas.pneuma@gmail.com Mike Reeve (Accounting Warden): mreeve1128@outlook.com Karen Sayer: karmaflower@gmail.com Grayson Torpey: gtorpey09@gmail.com Matt Torpey: mtorpey79@gmail.com Staff
The Rev. Barbara Ballenger (Rector) stpeter654rector@gmail.com Charlese Freeman (Communications Administrator) stpeter654@gmail.com Tim Valera (Caretaker) timvalera@gmail.com Carol Cei (Organist and Choir Director) carol@carolcei.com Kathy Flaherty (Bell Choir Director) stpeter654music@gmail.com Tech Team: PJ Linke, Mike Levin, James Moore stpetertechteam@gmail.com
Reprinted/ Podcast / Streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE, License # A-719834. All rights reserved. Used with permission. The cover mage is public domain. Hymn permissions by Rite Song, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use.
Lenten Programs Use the QR code below to learn more about these and other Lenten Programs on St. Peter’s web page. Gathering in Grief: When the Lenten Journey Gets Personal, Tuesdays Feb. 20 to March 19 from 11:45 am to 1 p.m. in the library. Stephanie Gill, parishioner and grief coach, will facilitate a group of comfort and support as participants learn about grief and discuss life after loss. Deanery Lenten Program We Will with God’s Help, Tuesdays, Feb. 20 to March 19 from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Montgomery Episcopal Deanery will offer a Lenten series on Tuesdays at All Hallows Episcopal Church 262 Bent Rd, Wyncote, including a simple meal, group reflection and prayer. Taizé service in the church. Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. This beautiful service of candlelight, Taizé chant and prayer invites all to enter the simple rhythms of the Lenten season
ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 65 N. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038-4310 (215) 887-1765 E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com Website: www.stpetersglenside.org