O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Second Sunday of Lent, Holy Eucharist, Rite I, March 5, 2023 8:00am
A Penitential Order: Rite One
Prayer Book 319
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant Bless the Lord who forgiveth all our sins.
People His mercy endureth for ever.
The Celebrant
Hear what our Lord Jesus 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. Matthew 22:37-40
Confession of Sin
Prayer Book 320
The Deacon or Celebrant then says
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
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Kyrie
Prayer Book 153
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Collect of the Day
The First Reading
Genesis 12:1-4a
The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.
The Psalm
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The Lord himself watches over you; *
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
The Epistle
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
The Holy Gospel
John 3:1-17
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
The Sermon
The Rev. Patrick Sanders
The Nicene Creed
Prayer Book 326
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.
Prayers of the People – March 5, 2023
Presider: Loving God, you sent your Son into the world not to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved: Let the wind of your Spirit blow freely throughout creation so that all people may be born anew from above and live in the wonder of your steadfast and abounding grace, as we pray: Our help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth.
Litanist: Gracious God, through Jesus you have revealed to your Church divine realities about earthly things and about heavenly things: Inspire our bishops and other leaders, and help us to receive your testimony and to live in the power of your Spirit. Our help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth.
You led Abram away from his homeland and kindred to make of him a great nation, to be a blessing to all the families of the earth: Guide our national leaders and all in positions of authority or power throughout the world; move them forward from their familiar places of comfort, toward new, compassionate responses to the needs of the world, that they also may be a blessing to all people. Our help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth.
Let your Spirit go forth over all the earth to refresh and heal all who are confused, suffering or oppressed, that everyone on earth may know themselves as your beloved people. Our help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth.
Your presence is among us in this community, inviting us to enter the Kingdom of God and to be people born of the Spirit: Inspire our witness and service to you and to our neighbor, that we may love the world even as Christ has loved us. Our help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth.
You watch over us without slumber or sleep and have promised to preserve us from all evil and to keep us safe. Hear our prayers for those whom we commend to your benevolent care, 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. We give thanks that you watch over our going out and our coming in, as we offer our prayers of praise and gratitude, especially for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, Debbie, Ann, Laura, William, Henry, Mason, Tracy, David, John, Derrick & Kerry and Carl & Paige. You give life to the dead and call into existence the things that do not exist: Bring into your eternal life those who have died, especially those we now remember aloud or in the silence of our hearts (pause). Our help comes from God, the maker of heaven and earth.
Presider: Gracious and ever-present God, you justify the ungodly with the promise that rests upon grace and is guaranteed to all of Abraham’s descendants: Send forth your Spirit of new birth into the world, that all humanity may trust in your goodness and be blessed, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Peace
Prayer Book 332
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Root of All Ritual – Each Sunday during Lent, between services. Fr. Patrick and Cecily Cummings will delve into the sometimes not-so-sacred roots of our church rituals and traditions.
EYC – All 5th grade through 12th grade students are invited to participate Sunday, March 5th 4:00-5:30 p.m. St. Mark’s, Gulfport – Parish Hall
Join us Wednesdays for Bible Study @ 10:30am, Litany of Healing @ 12:05, Evening Compline @ 5:30pm
Heart and Soul Lenten Soup Suppers – Each Wednesday of Lent following Evening Compline
Sounds in Sacred Spaces – Each Friday in Lent, join JT Anglin for a mini concert series, Feb. 24th, March 4th, 10th, 17th and 24th at Noon in our Chapel.
Stations of the Cross – Each Friday in Lent at 12:30pm in the church.
A Day of Dialog – April 1st, 8:30am – 3:30pm at St. Peter’s.
Details may be found in “The Current” and on our Facebook page
Hamilton Scholarship – Established August, 1995 by Dr. Morris R. Hamilton to provide Scholarship assistance to worthy individuals in medical related fields of study giving preference to confirmed Episcopalians. Applications are accepted January 1 thru March 31. Scholarship amounts vary due to the earnings of the account. Contact our office at 863-2611 for more info.
Filled Easter Eggs – It’s time to start gathering filled eggs for our Great Easter Egg Hunt. Please deliver to the church after March 19th.
At the Offertory
“All Things come of thee, O Lord.”
“And of thine own have we given thee. Amen.”
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer I
Prayer Book 333
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.
Sanctus with Proper Preface Prayer Book 334
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.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer of Consecration
All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of 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, he brake 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 ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, 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, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy divine Majesty, 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; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.
And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers
of his most blessed Body and Blood.
And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood,
we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.
And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.
And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept
this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord;
By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Prayer Book 336
And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold
to say,
People and Celebrant
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
Prayer Book 337
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
The Breaking of the Bread/Agnus Dei
Prayer Book 337
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Prayer of Humble Access
Prayer Book 337
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
The Gifts of God for the Children of God.
The Communion of the People
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Prayer Book 339
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.
The Blessing
The Bishop when present, or the Priest, gives the blessing
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.
or this
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
The Dismissal
The Deacon, or the Celebrant, may dismiss the people with these words
| Let us go forth in the name of Christ. | |
| People | Thanks be to God. |
Serving Today
Vicky Reed, Reader
Gini Fellows, Chalice
Leslie and Gordon Stanfeild and Ann Milsted, Altar Guild
Heather Rafferty, Jennifer Sanders and Marianne Meija, Flower Guild
Karen Reuther, Vestry Person
Rev. Scott Williams, Deacon
Rev. Patrick Sanders, Rector
