St. Peter's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church
Gulfport, Mississippi

The Holy Eucharist:  Rite One

The Word of God

The people standing, the Celebrant may say

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

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.

The Celebrant says

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Then the following may be said,

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Here is said

Glory be to God on high,
  and on earth peace, good will towards men.
We praise thee, we bless thee,
  we worship thee,
  we glorify thee,
  we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,
O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
  that takest away the sins of the world,
  have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
  receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father,
  have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy;
thou only art the Lord;
thou only, O Christ,
  with the Holy Ghost,
  art most high in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

The Collect of the Day

The Celebrant says to the people

The Lord be with you.

People And with thy spirit.

Celebrant Let us pray.

The Celebrant says the Collect.

Lord, we pray thee that thy grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and  reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

People Amen.

The Lessons

First Reading from Exodus 

When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron and said to him, ‘Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ Aaron said to them, ‘Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.’ So all the people took off the gold rings from their ears, and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, formed it in a mould, and cast an image of a calf; and they said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation and said, ‘Tomorrow shall be a festival to the Lord.’ They rose early the next day, and offered burnt-offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.

The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it, and said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” ’ The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation.’ But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, ‘O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, “I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it for ever.” ’ And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.

After each Reading, the Reader may say

The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God

Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23

~ Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
  for his mercy endures for ever.

~ Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord *
  or show forth all his praise?

~ Happy are those who act with justice *
  and always do what is right!

~ Remember me, O Lord, with the favor you have for your people, *
  and visit me with your saving help;

~ That I may see the prosperity of your elect and be glad with the gladness of your people, *
  that I may glory with your inheritance.

~ We have sinned as our forebears did; *
  we have done wrong and dealt wickedly.

I~ srael made a bull-calf at Horeb *
  and worshiped a molten image;

~ And so they exchanged their Glory *
  for the image of an ox that feeds on grass.

~ They forgot God their Savior, *
  who had done great things in Egypt,

~ Wonderful deeds in the land of Ham, *
  and fearful things at the Red Sea.

~ So he would have destroyed them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, *
  to turn away his wrath from consuming them.

Silence may follow.

Then, all standing, the Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

People Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, “Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.” But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.” Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. ‘But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

After the Gospel, the Reader says

The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Sermon

The Nicene Creed

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

The Deacon or other person appointed says

Presider:  Gracious God, you invite us not to worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to let our requests be made known to you:  Hear our intercessions on behalf of your creation, as we say:  Give thanks for God is good; let us be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation.

Litanist:  Holy One, look generously upon your church that her gentleness may be known to everyone, and make us worthy through humility to receive gladly the invitation to your heavenly feast where all creation celebrates your love for ever. Give thanks for God is good; let us be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation.

Infinite One, send your grace to our leaders and to all in power who may be preoccupied with the affairs of this world and implicated in its violence, that they may think upon whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy, and thus know your peace.  Give thanks for God is good; let us be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation.

Loving One, be present in your gracious and saving power among all who live with violence, illness and conflict:  Bring such peace and reconciliation that all humanity may feast together as welcome guests of your banquet.  Give thanks for God is good; let us be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation.

Gracious One, bless our community and clothe us in your divine likeness, that with your heavenly extravagance we may also invite both good and bad into the banquet feast of your eternal rejoicing.  Give thanks for God is good; let us be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation.

Compassionate One, remember with the favor you have for your people, especially all who suffer, and visit them with your saving help, as we stand in intercession before you, praying especially for those we now mention aloud or in the silence of our hearts (pause); all those serving our country at home and abroad; and those on our prayer list.  Receive our grateful praise as we express the gladness of your people, especially for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries Debbie, LeeAnn, Thomas, Thomas & Joscie, Lenny & Heather.  Clothe with their heavenly garments all who have died and entered into your wedding feast, especially those we now mention aloud or in the silence of our hearts (pause). Give thanks for God is good; let us be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation.

Presider:  Holy and Loving One, fill our hearts with gratefulness, that we may rejoice in the Lord always, and again to rejoice in your Spirit; that the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, may guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Confession of Sin

The Deacon or Celebrant says the following, 

Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.  We have not loved thee with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.  We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in thy will, and walk in thy ways, to the glory of thy Name.  Amen.

The Bishop when present, or the Priest, stands and says

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to

everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Peace

All stand. The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People And with thy spirit.

        Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest, faces them and sings or says

The Lord be with you.

People And with thy spirit.

Celebrant Lift up your hearts.

People We lift them up unto the Lord.

Celebrant Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.

People It is meet and right so to do.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.

Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

Celebrant and People

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:

Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.

Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.

Here may be added

Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

The people kneel or stand.

Then the Celebrant continues

All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own image; and, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. He made there a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again. For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.” Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make, with these thy holy gifts which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and looking for his coming again with power and great glory. And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ. And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies. Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all thy whole Church may be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.  AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ hath 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 Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be said

Alleluia.  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia.

Facing the people, the Celebrant may say the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

and may add Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people.

The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.  [Amen.]

The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.  [Amen.]

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

The People may join in saying this prayer

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.  Amen.

Blessing

Dismissal