Prelude    
“At the Cross”  performed by the hand bells  
    
The Procession: Hymn  401   
The God of Abraham praise 

1 The God of Abraham praise,
who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days,
and God of love;
the Lord, the great I AM,
by earth and heaven confessed:
we bow and bless the sacred Name
for ever blest.

2 He by himself hath sworn:
we on his oath depend;
we shall, on eagles-wings upborne,
to heaven ascend:
we shall behold his face,
we shall his power adore,
and sing the wonders of his grace
for evermore.

3 There dwells the Lord, our King,
the Lord, our Righteousness,
triumphant o’er the world and sin,
the Prince of Peace;
on Zion’s sacred height
his kingdom he maintains,
and, glorious with his saints in light,
for ever reigns.

4 The God who reigns on high
the great archangels sing,
and “Holy, holy, holy,” cry,
“Almighty King!
Who was, and is, the same,
and evermore shall be:
eternal Father, great I AM,
we worship thee.”

5 The whole triumphant host
give thanks to God on high;
“Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”
they ever cry;
hail, Abraham’s Lord divine!
With heaven our songs we raise;
all might and majesty are thine,
and endless praise.

The Word of God

Opening Acclamation   
Prayer Book 351

The people standing, the Celebrant says

Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins

People His mercy endures for ever.

Celebrant continues

Jesus said, “The first commandment is this:  Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God is the only Lord.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this:  Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

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

Minster 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.

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.                              

Hymn of Praise:                                                                                                 S86

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, 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.

The Lessons

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18

The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.

When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”

After each Reading, the Reader may say

The Psalm

Psalm 27

Dominus illuminatio

The New Testament

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

After each Reading, the Reader may say

For The Sequence:  337 
And now, O Father, mindful of the love 

1 And now, O Father, mindful of the love
that bought us, once for all, on Calvary’s tree,
and having with us him that pleads above,
we here present, we here spread forth to thee
that only offering perfect in thine eyes,
the one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.

2 Look Father, look on his anointed face,
and only look on us as found in him;
look not on our misusings of thy grace,
our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim:
for lo! between our sins and their reward
we set the passion of thy Son our Lord.

3 And then for those, our dearest and our best,
by this prevailing presence we appeal:
O fold them closer to thy mercy’s breast!
O do thine utmost for their souls’ true weal!
From tainting mischief keep them pure and clear,
and crown thy gifts with strength to persevere.

4 And so we come: O draw us to thy feet,
most patient Savior, who canst love us still!
And by this food, so awesome and so sweet,
deliver us from every touch of ill:
in thine own service make us glad and free,
and grant us never more to part from thee.

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

Luke 4:1-13

After the Gospel, the Reader says

The Sermon         The Rev.  Patrick Sanders

The Nicene Creed         page 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. People’s responses in bold.

Presider:  Eternal and all merciful God, you have taught us not to be afraid, and you have promised to defend your people and to bring us into our inheritance:  Hearken to our voice when we call; have mercy on us and answer us, for we pray: God is our light and our salvation; whom then shall we fear?

Litanist:  Your Church seeks your face, O Merciful One, and our hearts are unafraid in you:  May Christ our savior transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory.  God is our light and our salvation; whom then shall we fear?

We live in a world where corrupt leaders misuse power, kill the prophets, and stone those sent from God:  Gracious One, gather your children together from across the world as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, that all may know you and bless your holy name.  God is our light and our salvation; whom then shall we fear?

Your Spirit is strong with those who work in the presence of danger, conflict and opposition, and your healing grace is with those who suffer:  Look upon the whole world, O Loving One, and uphold with your power all who need the comfort of your compassion.   God is our light and our salvation; whom then shall we fear?

You have given us a good land to possess, O Generous One, and you have surrounded us with your descendants, more numerous than the stars of heaven:  Bless our community and all of our neighbors, that we may know you and stand firm in your goodness.  God is our light and our salvation; whom then shall we fear?

Hear our intercessions for all for whom we 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.  Your love extends to the ends of the earth.  We give you thanks, especially for those celebrating birthdays Kim, Katherine, Susan and JonMarc.  Your resurrection power brings hope to the living and new life to the dead.  We remember especially those we now mention aloud or in the silence of our hearts (pause).  God is our light and our salvation;  whom then shall we fear?

Presider:  O Holy One, when the sun goes down and as we are in deep sleep, your mysterious and powerful presence is with us; when deep and terrifying darkness descends upon us your covenant promise is renewed:  Let your Spirit be with your children in all times of trial, that our hearts may rest in you and not be afraid, through Jesus Christ our Savior.  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 

EYC Sunday evenings at St. Mark’s.  4:30-5:30 5th– 8th grade; dinner for all at 5:30; 6-7 PM  9 – 12th grade.

CASTING NETS Returns this week. Wednesday, March 9th at 2pm.

WEDNESDAY at St. Peter’s.  Every Wednesday we have activities and hope you will consider joining us.

9AM Prayers in the chapel
10:30 Bible Study in the parish hall
12:05 Holy Eucharist

5:30 Compline        
6:00 Family dinner and spiritual discussions for all ages

INQUIRER’S CLASSES – we are offering two opportunities to participate.  Wednesday evenings as part of our community dinner and discussions and Sunday mornings between services.  The Bishop will be with us March 30th to perform confirmations, reaffirmations, receptions and baptisms.

LENT-urgical Art and Quiet Day Workshops
Join us for one or all of six Saturdays in Lent as St. Peter’s conducts a quiet day of prayer, meditation and beginner’s workshops carefully chosen crafts. Learn more and sign up on-line: https://stpetersbytheseagulfport.com/lent-urgical-arts-and-quiet-days/

Oblations brought forward (congregation stands)

Offertory     

Offertory    My Jesus I love thee   hand bells

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 Great Thanksgiving

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

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.  He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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, we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People say together                                                                               

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.  Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him.  Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ.  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,

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.

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast.  

Celebrant:

The Gifts of God for the People of God. 

Communion of the People
For the Communion:    Jesus paid it all    performed by the Hand Bells 

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

Healing prayers are offered during communion.  Join a clergy person in the back corner of the church by the candle prayer tree for any healing prayers 

Post Communion Prayer                                                      Prayer Book 365

Celebrant Let us pray.

Celebrant and people

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.  Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart;  through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Solemn Prayer over the People

For The Retiring Procession:

Hymn:  559             Lead us, heavenly Father  

1 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee,
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.

2 Savior, breathe forgiveness o’er us;
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us;
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
yet unfearing, persevering,
to thy passion thou didst go.

3 Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy;
love with every passion blending
pleasure that can never cloy;
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.

For The Retiring Procession:

Hymn: 495                                                    Hail thou once despised Jesus    

1 How bright appears the Morning Star,
with mercy beaming from afar;
the host of heaven rejoices;
O righteous Branch, O Jesse’s Rod!
Thou Son of Man and Son of God!
We, too, will lift our voices:
Jesus, Jesus!
Holy, holy, yet most lowly,
draw thou near us;
great Emmanuel, come and hear us.

2 Though circled by the hosts on high,
he deigned to cast a pitying eye
upon his helpless creature;
the whole creation’s Head and Lord,
by highest seraphim adored,
assumed our very nature;
Jesus, grant us,
through thy merit, to inherit
thy salvation;
hear, O hear our supplication.

3 Rejoice, ye heavens; thou earth, reply;
with praise, ye sinners, fill the sky,
for this his Incarnation.
Incarnate God, put forth thy power,
ride on, ride on, great Conqueror,
till all know thy salvation.
Amen, amen!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise be given
evermore, by earth and heaven.

Dismissal

Serving Today

Duncan Ing, Reader
Altar flowers, Mellody Jenkins and Donna Lishen
Altar care,  Jackie Krass, Earline Sawyer and Mellody Jenkins
  Rod Rishel, Vestry Person
Donna Hutchins, Organist and Bell Choir Director
The Rev. Scott Williams, Deacon   
The Rev. Patrick Sanders, Rector