11:15 A.M.

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 9B

The Holy Eucharist

The Reverend Canon Lauren R. Holder, Celebrant

The Reverend Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Preacher

Voluntary

Variations on “America” (1891) for organ

Charles Ives (1874-1954)

The Welcome

All stand to sing as the flag is presented.

The Hymn 720

music: National Anthem, source unknown, ca. 18th cent. words: Francis Scott Key (1779-1843)

THE WORD OF GOD

The Opening Hymn: 680

music: St. Anne, melody att. William Croft (1678-1727), alt., harm. William Henry Monk (1823-1889) alt. words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748), alt., para. of Psalm 90:1-5

The Opening Acclamation

Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The 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 Collect of the Day: Proper 9

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect for Independence Day

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Epistle: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Lector: A Reading from The Second Letter to the Corinthians.

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Lector: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

All stand.

The Sequence: Hymn 568

music: Was lebet, melody from Choral-Buch vor Johann Heinrich Reinhardt, 1754; harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) words: Patrick Robert Norman Appleford (1925-2018), alt.

All remain standing.

The Holy Gospel: Mark 6:1-13

Gospeler :The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.

All: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Gospeler: The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon: The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith

All stand or kneel to pray.

The Prayers of the People

Celebrant: Let us stand or kneel to pray. God of faithfulness and compassion, we offer the concerns of our lives and the world as we pray, “God of mercy, hear our prayer.”

Intercessor: We pray for the church throughout the world. Within the Anglican Communion of Churches, we pray today for the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea. Within the Episcopal Church, we pray for Michael, our Presiding Bishop; for the Diocese of Atlanta; and for Robert, our Bishop. God of mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: We pray for those who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world. We pray for Joe, our President; for the Congress and the Courts; for Brian, our Governor; and for Keisha, our Mayor. On this Independence Day, we give thanks for this country. Grant that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will. God of mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: We pray for justice and peace, for goodwill among nations, and for the well-being of all people. God of mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: We pray for those who are in danger, sorrow, sickness, or any kind of trouble; and for those who minister to them. God of mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: We pray for all those on our prayer list, including those with new or immediate concerns: Theresa Gent. We offer our own prayers and intercessions. God of mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: We give you thanks for the many blessings of this life. We pray in thanksgiving for the birth of Felicity Ann Seewoester, daughter of Bethany and John Seewoester. God of mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Intercessor: We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. We pray for: John Banks, George Winders. God of mercy,

All: Hear our prayer.

Celebrant: Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Confession

Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

All: 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 Absolution

Celebrant: 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

The Celebrant says: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

All: And also with you.

The Parish Notices

Those for whom prayers have been requested: For Immediate Needs: Theresa Gent

Long Term Prayers: R. Huntley Allen, Penny Barnett, Edgar & Judith Beach, Perry Benton, Virginia Bicksler, Mindy Boggs, Heather Clark, Sharon Crews, Lynne D’Huyvetter, Terry Dornbush, Sarah duBignon, Deborah Ellington, Dan Elson, Ruth Fuqua, Douglas T. Grey, Jr., Rebecca Harris, Jane Jones, Louise Kan, Bennie King, Lisa Krysiak, Jill Mahaffey, Carol McDonald, Kathy McLean, Kay McPherson, John Mercer, Glenn Miller, Ashley Minear, Royce Mitchell, Bill & Janice Morrison, Susan Myers, Charlie Neal, Linus Nickel, Marian Palmore, Garry Pryor, Rowland Radford, Rubye & Wayne Reid, Agnes Elizabeth Robertson, Nora Robillard, Louis “Skip” Schueddig, Linda Stallcup, Sarah Szymke, Tommy Truesdale, Ron Wallace, Elleanor Wilson, Faye Van Winkle, Andrew Worrell

For Family & Friends: Lisa Bachman, Bettina Bass, Bella Bond, David Bond, Darrell Boyette, Pam Breedlove, Kenneth Childress, Andrew Clark, Marie Corrigan, Ava Corroon, Marg Denny, Cheryl Espenlaub, Carleton Fuller, Patricia Plummer Glowatsky, Robert Hoder, William Hudson, Cadel Ingraham, Lilliana Isola, Stephen Jones, Robin Kemp, Carole Kline, Rita Lewis, Rose Lewis, Pete Livezey, Lauren Makhlouf, Pat Martin, Michelle Maxwell, Alex Mercer, Betsy Moore, Steven Norman, The Reynolds Family, Courtney Rosenthal, Sophia Rowe, Einar Sagstuen, James Sands, Timothy Shotmeyer, Mike Stone, Paul Sturtz, Tina Susco, Yvonne Tate, Pierson Thames, Wayne Thurman, Olive Toy, Roger Traylor, Whit A. Wright, Karen Young, Hollis Youngner

THE HOLY COMMUNION

The Offertory

The Offertory Anthem

music: Larry King (1932-1990), A Canticle of Praise words: Song of the Three Young Men (Daniel 3:52-56)

Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; you are worthy of praise; glory to you. Glory to you for the radiance of your holy name; we will praise and highly exalt you forever. Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; on the throne of your majesty, glory to you. Glory to you, seated between the cherubim; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever. Glory to you, beholding the depths; in the high vault of heaven, glory to you. Glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; we will praise you and highly exalt you forever.

The Presentation: Hymn 593

music: Dickinson College, Lee Hastings Bristol, Jr. (1923-1979) words by James Quinn (1919-2010), based on prayer att. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

The Great Thanksgiving

Eucharistic Prayer B, The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), p. 367

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Celebrant: 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; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.

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 Sanctus and Benedictus

S 129, Robert Powell

Celebrant: 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. 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,

All: We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;

Celebrant: 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 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 Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, 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 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

Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

All: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Communion

Communion Anthem

music: Harold W. Friedell (1905-1958), Draw us in the Spirit’s tether words: Percy Dearmer (1867-1936)

Draw us in the Spirit’s tether; For when humbly, in thy name, Two or three are met together, Thou art in the midst of them; Alleluya! Alleluya! Touch we now thy garment’s hem. As the brethren used to gather In the name of Christ to sup, Then with thanks to God the Father Break the bread and bless the cup, Alleluya! Alleluya! So knit thou our friendship up. All our meals and all our living Make as sacraments of thee, That by caring, helping, giving, We may true disciples be. Alleluya! Alleluya! We will serve thee faithfully.

Communion Hymn, Lift Every Voice & Sing II 141

music & words: Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

The Postcommunion Prayer

Celebrant: Let us pray.

All: Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing

The Closing Hymn: 719

music: Materna, Samuel Augustus Ward (1848-1903) words: Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929), alt.

The Dismissal

Deacon: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Voluntary

Nun danket alle Gott – Marche Triomphale, Op. 65, no. 59

Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933)

All music is reprinted by permission under ONE LICENSE (license number A-717455). Music from The Hymnal 1982 © Church Publishing, Inc., and music from Lift Every Voice and Sing II (“LEVAS II”) © Church Pension Fund, unless noted otherwise below: Hymn 568 words by permission of The United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Hymn 593 words © James Quinn, SJ, printed by permission of Geoffrey Chapman, a division of Cassell Ltd.; music © 1962 Theodore Presser Co. Hymn S-129 © Church Pension Fund.