Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 19 September 17, 2017, at Eight o clock in the Morning

Transcription

1 Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 19 September 17, 2017, at Eight o clock in the Morning We are glad you are here. No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, and no matter where you are on the journey of life you are welcome in this church. We invite you to participate in our worship service, or simply observe, as you wish. We hope you will find Saint Paul s to be a place of refreshment and renewal, where you experience the presence of the risen Christ. We have been serving Christ in this location for over two hundred sixty years. The monuments in our church and the graves in our churchyard reflect the conflicts and complexities of our nation s and our city s history. While our building is old and beautiful, our mission is contemporary and forward moving. Here you will find a people very much connected with the questions and struggles of modern life and faith and of following the way of Jesus. We are a community called to serve those in need in our city, in our nation, and around the world. Here you will find ministries with and for children, youth, parents, seniors, singles, and families in all configurations and stages of life. We invite you to share your contact information on a visitor s card, located in each pew. Hand it to one of our clergy, an usher, or place it in the offering plate.

2 To all our Visitors & Guests About Worship If the liturgy (worship) of the Episcopal Church is unfamiliar, then we hope you will find this information helpful. You are welcome in the Episcopal Church, and so the first and best resource we offer are your neighbors in the pews. Just say, I m visiting, and they will gladly help. The worship of the Episcopal Church is rooted in the practices of ancient Christianity. The structure of our services, the architecture of our building, the music, our physical postures and participatory responses ALL hold rich meaning about our beliefs and are intentional expressions of our relationship with God. In this bulletin you will find: Responses spoken by the people are printed in bold italics. Directions for the people are printed in italics. We encourage families with children to sit at the front of the Nave so that children can easily see and hear the liturgy. Children s bulletins for readers and pre-readers are available from the ushers. Episcopalians customarily pray either standing or kneeling, so please do what you find most comfortable. Notify an usher if you require an assisted listening device or any other assistance. Restrooms are located in the parish hall. An usher will direct you. About Receiving Holy Communion ALL who come in faith are invited to receive Holy Communion at Saint Paul s. During communion, the people form two short lines in the center aisle at the steps. After receiving the bread and wine or a blessing at the altar rail, please exit through the door to the left of the altar and return to your pew via the side aisles. For those who may prefer not to receive communion at the main altar, a communion station is provided on the main floor to the right of the center aisle. If you are unable to receive at either station, the clergy will bring the bread and wine to your pew. Please notify an usher before the service begins. To receive a blessing at the altar rail without receiving Communion, cross your arms over your chest, palms on your collar, until the person on your left has received both the bread and the wine. If your children are in the nursery, you are invited to bring them to receive Holy Communion or a blessing.

3 Holy Baptism The Opening Acclamation The Word of God Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. There is one Body and one Spirit; There is one hope in God s call to us. One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; One God and Father of all. The Collect of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The First Lesson Exodus 14:19-31 The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt. Then the Lord said to Moses, Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers. So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. Lector The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

4 Psalm 114 Read responsively by whole verse 1 Hallelujah! When Israel came out of Egypt, * the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech, 2 Judah became God s sanctuary * and Israel his dominion. 3 The sea beheld it and fled; * Jordan turned and went back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, * and the little hills like young sheep. 5 What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? * O Jordan, that you turned back? 6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams? * you little hills like young sheep? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, * at the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water * and flint-stone into a flowing spring. The Second Lesson Romans 14:1-12 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God. We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. So then, each of us will be accountable to God. Lector The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

5 The Holy Gospel Matthew 18:21-35 Gospeler The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, Lord Christ. Peter came and said to Jesus, Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus said to him, Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, Pay what you owe. Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Gospeler The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ. The Sermon The Reverend John W. A. Jenkins The Presentation of the Candidate The Candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented. Parents and Godparents I present Simon Aaron to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life? Parents and Godparents I will, with God s help. Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ? Parents and Godparents I will, with God s help. Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God? Parents and Godparents I renounce them. Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? Parents and Godparents I renounce them. Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God? Parents and Godparents I renounce them. Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? Parents and Godparents I do. Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love? Parents and Godparents I do.

6 Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord? Parents and Godparents I do. The addresses the congregation, saying Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support this person in his life in Christ? We will. Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant. The Baptismal Covenant Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Will you continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? I will, with God s help. Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? I will, with God s help. Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ? I will, with God s help. Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? I will, with God s help. Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? I will, with God s help. Prayers for the Candidates Let us now pray for this person who is to receive the Sacrament of new birth. Deliver him, O Lord, from the way of sin and death. Open his heart to your grace and truth. Fill him with your holy and life-giving Spirit.

7 Keep him in the faith and communion of your holy Church. Teach him to love others in the power of the Spirit. Send him into the world in witness to your love. Bring him to the fullness of your peace and glory. Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen. Thanksgiving over the Water The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise. We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life. We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. The Baptism I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ s own for ever. Amen. Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised him to the new life of grace. Sustain him, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give him an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

8 Let us welcome the newly baptized. and The Peace We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood. All stand The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. The Ministers and greet one another in the name of the Lord. Parish Greetings & Announcements The Reverend George D. Muir The Holy Communion: Rite Two The Offertory Sentence The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant Eucharistic Prayer A Celebrant The Lord be with you. And also with you. Celebrant Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 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 says a Proper Preface]. 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: All 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. Celebrant 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.

9 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: All Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Celebrant 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. The Lord s Prayer 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, 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. The Breaking of the Bread and Invitation Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. Celebrant This is the table, not of the Church, but of the Lord. It is made ready for those who love him and for those who want to love him more. So, come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been here long, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. Come, because it is the Lord who invites you. It is his will that those who want him should meet him here. All who come in faith are welcome to receive Holy Communion. The Post-Communion Prayer 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. The Blessing Celebrant

10 The Dismissal Celebrant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. Today we Welcome into the Body of Christ Simon Aaron Peeples, son of Dale and Jennifer Peeples Prayers are Requested For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially Bryan Haltermann, David Painter, Rachel Carroll, JoBe Sullivan, Cantine Jones, Sandra Mashburn, Cree Kilpatrick, Lois Hand, Lynn Cadle, Alice Sanders, Randy Smith, Dot Aiken, Jimmy Long, Loren, Chris Putt, Keith Saunders, Leo Bugenske, Mike Wickware, Norman Pursley, Frank Prosser, Diane Prosser, Deanna Kitchens, Donovan Jervin, Greg Sloan, Paige, Leila Hopkins, Rod Murray, Tammy Garner, Kirk Baxley, Sophia Myers, Elizabeth Marshall, Raymond Lodi. Flowers on the Altar this Sunday Given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Bertie Lee Muhree and Frank Elliott Walker and Birdie Lee Cowan and Clement Stewart Castleberry and were arranged by the Flower Guild. Parish Announcements 9:30 am New Adult Formation Offering beginning today. What on Earth is Creation Care and what does A Life of Grace for the Whole World mean? Find out Sundays, Sept. 17 thru October, Berlin Room, 9:30-10:30 am as laity, staff and clergy will lead a rich exploration of these topics so that we may perceive the connections between present day environmental realities and core issues of Christian faith, morality, and spirituality. We are made one body in Christ Jesus, through whom all things were made, so whether you consider yourself an environmental critic, inquirer, or advocate, come and participate in this highly interactive program of faithful learning and discernment. Ten copies of the workbook, A Life of Grace for the Whole World, are available in the office for $9 or order your own. Fr. Jenkins (jjenkins@saintpauls.org) for more information. 5:30 pm Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion. Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold are our guest musicians. 5-6:30 pm EYC at Saint Paul s. Dinner will be included. Friends always welcome. For more information about our youth programs or events contact Ranie at rneislar@saintpauls.org. The congregation of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 402 Aumond Road in Augusta, is dedicating the church s new digital organ this afternoon at 4:00 pm. Guest organists are Brad Cunningham (St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Columbia, SC), Robin Erickson (St. Stephen s Episcopal Church, Milledgeville), Nick Lowrey (Augusta University), John Wilson (First Presbyterian Church, Augusta), and Keith Shafer (Saint Paul s Church, Augusta). The public is invited. A reception follows the program. The Diocese of Georgia s Revival: Fearless Faith, Boundless Love, originally planned at Honey Creek this weekend, has been rescheduled to Sunday, January 20, More details to follow. Next weekend we open our doors to welcome athletes and spectators from all over the world to our downtown neighborhood. Join us for these signature outreach events. More details are available in Friday s Weekly Posting or contact our Ironman Sunday chair, Kim Butler (WButler26@comcast.net or (706) ).

11 Ironman 70.3 Volunteers are needed to work the Gear Drop at the 5th St. Marina the morning of Sunday, September 24. This is an official volunteer position with Ironman, so you need to sign-up online (link found in Friday s Weekly Postings). Additional information, contact George Barrett at georgebbarrett@gmail.com. In the spirit of Saint Francis, bring your feathered, furry, multi-legged, or scaly friends for a celebration and blessing Sunday October 1, 4 pm in the Churchyard. The Saint Paul s Blessing of the Animals is cosponsored by The Augusta Humane Society. Please consider a donation of one of the following items to The Augusta Humane Society: paper towels, bleach, Dawn detergent, 13-gallon garbage bags, or cash. All animals must be on a leash or in a carrier. Sunday, October 1, 5:30 pm, Saint Paul s Church will host a service of commemoration for the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. This service brings together congregations throughout the CSRA who represent a broad range of Protestant churches in our community. Plan to join together as we commemorate this anniversary. Night on the River, Friday, October 27, 6:30-9 pm Now God saw everything: indeed, it was very good. Come celebrate God s good creation with an evening of locally sourced music, food, drink, and fellowship! Let s share our passions for God s creation, our connection to it and each other, and explore our role as caretakers of creation. We ll consider the ties between faith and the environment, and discuss how we can pursue care of creation in our community. This celebratory evening, sponsored by the Creation Care team, complements A Life of Grace for the Whole World formation class which begins this Sunday, September 17. Saint Paul s Church communicates by a weekly E-newsletter. Join our list by contacting the parish administrator, Elisabeth Price, or scan the QR on the back of this bulletin. The Reverend John W. A. Jenkins The Reverend George D. Muir Carolyn Dolen Jason Massie Mary Speir, Nancy Trefz, Becky Wright Charlie Enicks Serving Today Celebrant and Preacher Eucharistic Minister Usher Altar Guild Vestry Person of the Day

12 Sunday Schedule 8:00-8:45 am Holy Eucharist Rite I 8:45-9:30 am Continental Breakfast Tyler Hall 9:30-10:30 am Christian Formation Classes for ALL Ages 10:30-10:45 am Coffee & Conversation Tyler Hall 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II Following the 11:00 am Service Lemonade on the Lawn 5:00-6:30 pm EYC (Episcopal Youth Community, Grades 6-12) 5:30-6:15 pm Celtic Evening Prayer & Communion with prayers for healing Nursery care offered in the Children s Ministry Center (CMC) 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. The 11 am service is broadcast on WGAC 580 AM Radio and 95.1 FM Radio. Listen live on-line at Vestry & Officers Brad Sandbach, Sr. Warden Leslie Lambert, Jr. Warden Ann Ewell, Treasurer Term Expires 2018 Term Expires 2019 Term Expires 2020 Bryan Hawkins Catherine Boardman Nancy Cercy Claiborne Porubsky Charlie Enicks Allen Harison Wright Montgomery John Robertson Pamela Uros Committee Chairs Altar Guild Catherine Stuckey Acolytes Todd Shafer Birthday Sundays Eleanor Taylor & Mary Porter Vann Buildings and Grounds Dick Manning Celtic Receptions Ann Pendarvis Children, Youth, and Families Todd Shafer Endowment & Finance Monty Osteen Evangelism in transition Facebook Lindsey Painter Flower Guild Pamela Dorminey-Uros & Clint Carroll History Sid Shields & Wendell Tanner Hospitality Anita Tanner Interior Oversight Minta Nixon Linen Guild Minta Nixon Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers Carolyn Dolen Nursery Guild Laura Robertson Outreach Anita Tanner & Marilyn Grau Parish Life in transition Ushers Rex Teeslink Clergy and Staff The Reverend George Muir, Interim Rector ext. 211 gmuir@saintpauls.org The Reverend John Jenkins, Assistant Rector ext. 205 jjenkins@saintpauls.org Keith Shafer, Director of Music ext. 215 kshafer@saintpauls.org Ranie Neislar, Coordinator of Youth Ministries ext. 206 rneislar@saintpauls.org Mary Jackson, Facility Manager ext. 203 steward@saintpauls.org Meredith Beach, Parish Accountant ext. 204 mbeach@saintpauls.org Elisabeth Price, Parish Administrator ext. 225 mailbox@saintpauls.org Sarah Pritchard, Music Associate Emerita Hillary Bryant, Greg Maxie, and Terral Edge, Sextons Howard Lovett, Director of Audio Visual Services Visit our website Saint Paul's Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. The Church is open for prayer daily 9 am 3 pm, Monday - Thursday, & 9 am 12 pm, Friday. The Church Office and Parish House are closed Saturdays as well as Sunday afternoons. Tel: Join Our List