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

A Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
Rite Two 10:30 A.M.
Second Sunday after Christmas
January 2, 2022

Prelude                           

Processional     

Word of God

Opening Acclamation     
Prayer Book 355

The people standing, the Celebrant says

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

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

Hymn of Praise S280                                                               

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father

we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

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 also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature:  Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   Amen.

The Congregation is seated.  All readings of Holy Scripture are found in the insert.

The Lessons

The First Lesson

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Thus says the Lord:

Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,

and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;

proclaim, give praise, and say,

“Save, O Lord, your people,

the remnant of Israel.”

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,

and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,

among them the blind and the lame, those with child and

those in labor, together;

a great company, they shall return here.

With weeping they shall come,

and with consolations I will lead them back,

I will let them walk by brooks of water,

in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;

for I have become a father to Israel,

and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,

and declare it in the coastlands far away;

say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him,

and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.”

For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,

and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,

and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,

over the grain, the wine, and the oil,

and over the young of the flock and the herd;

their life shall become like a watered garden,

and they shall never languish again.

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,

and the young men and the old shall be merry.

I will turn their mourning into joy,

I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

I will give the priests their fill of fatness,

and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty,

says the Lord.

Psalm 84

         1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! *

My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.

2 The sparrow has found her a house

and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *

by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,

my King and my God.

3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *

they will always be praising you.

4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *

whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

5 Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs, *

for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.

6 They will climb from height to height, *

and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

7 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *

hearken, O God of Jacob.

8 Behold our defender, O God; *

and look upon the face of your Anointed.

9 For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, *

and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God

than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

10 For the Lord God is both sun and shield; *

he will give grace and glory;

11 No good thing will the Lord withhold *

from those who walk with integrity.

12 O Lord of hosts, *

happy are they who put their trust in you!

Silence may follow.

Second Reading

Sequence Hymn 

The Holy Gospel

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.

Matthew 2:1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.'”

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

The Sermon 
The Rev. Patrick Sanders

The Nicene Creed                                                                    Prayer Book 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

Congregation may kneel or stand for the prayers.  Peoples’ responses are printed in bold.

Presider:  Gather your people from the farthest parts of the earth, O Holy One, and let your consolation pour forth, as we sing aloud with radiance over your goodness, saying:  Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Litanist:  Gracious One, you have blessed the Church with every spiritual blessing from the heavenly places and chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world:  Lead us, your children, into holiness, according to the good pleasure of your will, and to the praise of your glorious grace freely bestowed upon us in the Beloved.  Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Redeem all people from the hands that are too strong for them and guide our earthly rulers to lead as benevolent shepherds, that we may be saved from the road of betrayal and violence, so that all life may be like a watered garden and none may ever languish again.  Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Guide those who observe the stars and the mysteries of the natural world and lead all who search for truth and insight, that they may labor to bring forth new hope through a constant rebirth of wisdom and knowledge.  Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Protect all children and families and rescue them from violence, poverty, illness, famine and oppression. Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Inspire our community to welcome strangers from foreign lands and exotic visitors of many faiths, that we may accept their gifts and honor the truth and goodness in all people and in every culture.  Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Save your people and give ear to our prayer as we remember before you those for whom we are called to pray, especially 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. Hear our gratitude as we sing aloud with radiance over the grain, the wine, and the oil; over the young of the flock and the herd; over the goodness of God, as we pray our thanksgivings, especially for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries Heather, Mike, Tim, Lauren, Chris, Ida, Lee & Ashley, Bob & Ann.  Turn our mourning into joy, comfort us and give us gladness for sorrow. We remember those who have died, especially Byron Reed and all those we now remember aloud or in the silence of our hearts (pause).  Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.

Presider:  Our Gracious God, as you guided the wise men by the leading of a star, so may you give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to know Christ, so that, with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we may know what is the hope to which you have called us, what are the riches of your glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of your power for us who believe, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.

The Celebrant says.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor

Silence

Minister 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 Priest says

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

Celebrant: The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

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

Announcements

Oblations brought forward (congregation stands)

Offertory  

Presentation Hymn  380 (vs. 3)          From all that dwell below the skies

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

 praise him all creatures here below.  

  Praise him above, ye heavenly host:

praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen!

The Holy Communion

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving                                                                 

Eucharistic Prayer B                                                                 Prayer Book 367

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 him 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.

The Celebrant adds an additional prayer (Proper Preface) followed by

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:

S124

Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.

The Celebrant 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.  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 this command, O Father,

Celebrant and People                                                                                                     We remember his death,

We proclaim his resurrection,

We await his coming in glory;

The Celebrant 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 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 for ever.  Amen.

Celebrant:

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

The Lord’s Prayer                                                                Prayer Book 364

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 as a period of silence is kept.

Alleluia.  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia.

Celebrant:

The Gifts of God for the People of God. 

Communion of the People

Wherever you are on your journey of faith you are welcome at this table.

Communion music

Post Communion Prayer                                                      Prayer Book 366

Celebrant Let us pray.

Celebrant and people

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 Retiring Procession:

Dismissal

All children gather in the aisle with the Celebrant to dismiss the people with these words

Our worship is now ended; our service to the world now begins

Children Let us bless the Lord!

People Thanks be to God!