Absalom Jones 2021

A Celebration of the Life of

The Rev. Absalom Jones

ABOUT ABSALOM JONES Born into slavery in the mid 1700s in Delaware, and separated from his mother and six siblings at the age of sixteen, a young Absalom Jones was taken to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by his owner to work in his store. Through extraordinary efforts and an early and determined interest in education, young Absalom acquired a reading and writing primer, a spelling book, a New Testament Bible, and even attended a school set up for African Americans for a time in Philadelphia.

In 1770 he married a slave woman, Mary King, and put together donations and savings in order to purchase her freedom.

He also worked overtime, and by 1784 was able to buy his own freedom as well, while remaining employed as a wage earner by his previous slave master.

Philadelphia was home to a large number of freed blacks like Jones during this era, some of whom attended St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church, which was notable in that it welcomed black as well as white members. Around 1786 Jones became a licensed Methodist lay preacher and the following year founded the Free African Society with Richard Allen, another recently freed slave. This organization, which may have been the first black organization in the United States, provided economic and medical aid to African Americans transitioning from slavery to freedom.

On a fateful Sunday in November of 1787, while Absalom Jones and Richard Allen knelt in prayer in the gallery of St. George's church, some of the white congregation decided that blacks should be confined to the balcony. Pulled to their feet by a church official during opening prayers, an appalled Jones and Allen walked out and formed their own group with other members of St. George's who had also left in disgust. In January, 1791, the Free African Society held religious services for the first time, and the group that grew from that service began to raise funds to build their own church.

Jones and Allen and their group were supported by William White, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese and a leading figure in the formation of the American Episcopal Church as an offshoot of the Church of England. There was also support from Philadelphia's devout and liberal-minded Quaker community. In addition, the group's reputation in the city was enhanced when they courageously worked to aid the sick and bury the dead felled by a three month yellow fever epidemic in 1793, when the city was the seat of the US government. Richard Allen wanted the group to remain Methodist, so in 1793 he left to form a Methodist Congregation. In 1816, Allen left the Methodists to form a new denomination, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME).

After years of struggle, the church Jones co-founded, the African Church of St. Thomas, was formally dedicated on July 17, 1794. It was affiliated with the white Episcopal Church in order to be granted official recognition by the state, and Jones served as its first lay reader. On August 6, 1795, he was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church, with the current rules for deacons to know Greek and Latin being waived for him. And in 1802, Absalom Jones was ordained as the first African American priest in the Episcopal Church.

Jones led St. Thomas Church for many years, and it became a center of social and religious life for Philadelphia's African American community. From the pulpit his sermons advocated the abolition of slavery. He organized petition drives that pleaded with the government to end slavery in the United States. He was also active in education, both as a teacher and founder of a school for blacks, and in the Black Masonic Lodge in Philadelphia, which he served as Grand Master. He cofounded the Society for the Suppression of Vice and Immorality, campaigning against the sale of alcoholic beverages, and was also active in civil defense efforts in Philadelphia during the War of 1812.

Jones' prominence in early Philadelphia history is confirmed by the existence of a formal portrait of him, in ecclesiastical robes and holding a bible, that was painted by Raphaelle Peale, son of the well-known portrait artist Charles Wilson Peale.

For a black to be depicted in a portrait that honored his status in life was a rarity at the time. The work currently hangs in the Delaware Art Museum, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Absalom Jones left as his legacy the striving for dignity, self-improvement and autonomy from bondage. He is listed on the Episcopal Calendar of saints and blessed under the date of his decease, February 13th, in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as "Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818."

The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church

FROM THE PRESIDING BISHOP Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites Episcopalians to deepen their participation in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation by dedicating offerings at observances of the Feast of Absalom Jones to support the two remaining Episcopal Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCUs): St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC, and Voorhees College in Denmark, SC. St. Augustine’s and Voorhees provide an excellent liberal arts education to thousands of students, the vast majority of whom come from low-income households, and over 40% of whom are the first in their families to attend a four-year college. These schools also provide robust campus ministries which both evangelize and form young adults as followers of Jesus and his way of love.

“As we approach February, the remembrance of the Blessed Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in The Episcopal Church, we have a unique opportunity to celebrate his memory and to honor the witness of two schools that continue to form new leaders,” Presiding Bishop Curry said. “In honor of Jones’ commitment to advancing the education of African Americans and promoting the development of African American leaders in all areas of life, The Episcopal Church is delighted to designate Saint Augustine’s University and Voorhees College as the beneficiaries of the 2021 Feast of Absalom Jones offerings.”

The two institutions of higher education were founded in the later 19th century as an Episcopal Church missionary venture. “These schools bring educational, economic, and social opportunity to often resource-poor communities, and they offer many blessings into the life of The Episcopal Church,” he said.

Donations to the HBCUs will provide much needed help to: offer competitive scholarships and financial aid; attract and retain exceptional faculty; support cutting-edge faculty research; install new and upgraded technology campus-wide; provide state-of-the-art classroom and athletic equipment.

“The Episcopal Church established and made a life-long covenant with these schools, and they are an essential part of the fabric of our shared life,” the Presiding Bishop noted.

Service Participants The Rt. Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall, Celebrant The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Homilist The Reverend Bola Oluloro, Deacon Raymond Fote, Musician Jan Wethers, The First Lesson Pat Bell, The Psalm The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Homilist The Reverend James C Rhodenhiser, Gospeler Canon Janet Beason, The Prayers

The Entrance Rite PRELUDE

Offered by Raymond Forte

WELCOME

Dr. Dawn Conley

THE ACCLAMATION & COLLECT FOR PURITY - The People remain standing.

Celebrant People

Celebrant

People

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

And blessed be his Kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

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.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Celebrant People

Celebrant

People

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

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.

The Word of God THE FIRST LESSON

Lector

Isaiah 42:5-9 read by Jan Wethers

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

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.

Lector People

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

THE PSALM - The People read the Psalm in unison.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

then were we like those who dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy.

Then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like the watercourses of the Negev.

Those who sowed with tears

will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed,

will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

Psalm 126 led by Pat Bell

THE GOSPEL PROCESSION

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

THE GOSPEL

Deacon People

John 15:12-15 The Reverend James C Rhodenhiser The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “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.

Deacon People

THE SERMON

The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri

THE NICENE CREED - The People stand.

All 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,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.

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,

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who 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 - The People stand or kneel, as is their custom.

led by Canon Janet Beason

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 its 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 city and in industry, that all may enjoy the fruits of their labours 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 are deprived of fulness of life, for prisoners, refugees, and those who are sick;

for those in politics, medical science, social and relief work, and for your Church, 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 as you love us.

Silence God, Creator, bring us new life.

Jesus, Redeemer, renew us.

Holy Spirit, strengthen and guide us.

CONCLUDING COLLECT Celebrant God of peace, let us your people know, that at the heart of turbulence there is an inner calm

that comes from faith in you. Keep us from being content with things as they are, that from this

central peace there may come a creative compassion, a thirst for justice, and a willingness to give

of ourselves in the spirit of Christ.

People Amen.

CONFESSION OF SIN

Deacon

Let us confess our sins to God.

All 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.

ABSOLUTION Celebrant Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins

through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness,

and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.

All Amen.

THE PEACE Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.

People And also with you.

The Jesus In Me Love The Jesus In You (x2)

Raymond Forte

It’s So Easy, So Easy To Love

Raymond Forte

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERTORY

Q &A

Make checks for your offering to AZ UBE and designate it as Absalom Jones.

Dr. Stanlie James, Moderator

The Holy Communion Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Lift up your hearts.

People We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God,

source of life abundant.

From before time you made ready the creation.

Your Spirit moved over the deep

and brought all things into being:

sun, moon, and stars;

earth, winds, and waters;

and every living thing.

You made us in your image,

and taught us to walk in your ways.

But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;

and yet, as a mother cares for her children,

you would not forget us.

Time and again you called us

to live in the fullness of your love.

And so this day we join with Saints and Angels

in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,

lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing (say): All Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Celebrant Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.

To deliver us from the power of sin and death

and to reveal the riches of your grace,

you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,

that she might conceive and bear a son,

Jesus the holy child of God.

Living among us, Jesus loved us.

He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,

healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.

He yearned to draw all the world to himself

yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.

Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross

the sacrifice of his life,

and to be glorified by you.

Prayer 2

On the night before he died for us,

Jesus was at table with his friends.

He took bread, gave thanks to you,

broke it, and gave it to them, and said:

“Take, eat:

This is my Body, which is given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.

Again, he gave thanks to you,

gave it to them, and said:

“Drink this, all of you:

This is my Blood of the new Covenant,

which is poured out for you and for all

for the forgiveness of sins.

Whenever you drink it,

do this for the remembrance of me.”

Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation,

and remembering Christ, crucified and risen,

who was and is and is to come,

we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,

and ourselves, a living sacrifice.

Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts

that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.

Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth

and make us your new creation,

the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.

In the fullness of time bring us,

with Absalom Jones and all your saints,

from every tribe and language and people and nation,

to feast at the banquet prepared

from the foundation of the world.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

to you be honor, glory, and praise,

for ever and ever.

All AMEN.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Celebrant And now, as our Savior

Christ has taught us,

we are bold to say,

All 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.

FRACTION ANTHEM Celebrant Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

All Therefore let us keep the feast.

COMMUNION HYMN

God is Great

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER Celebrant Let us pray.

All God of abundance,

you have fed us

with the bread of life and cup of salvation;

you have united us

with Christ and one another;

and you have made us one

with all your people in heaven and on earth.

Now send us forth

in the power of your Spirit,

that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world

and continue for ever

in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Raymond Forte

POST-COMMUNION ANTHEM - The People stand.

Lift Every Voice and Sing

THE BLESSING Celebrant Holy eternal Majesty, Holy incarnate Word, Holy abiding Spirit,

Bless you for evermore

All Amen.

THE DISMISSAL

Deacon Let us go forth into the world,

rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.

All Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Offered by Raymond Forte

The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona The Right Reverend Jennifer A. Reddall, Sixth Bishop of Arizona 114 West Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85003 602.254.0976, office www.AZDiocese.org