Welcome to St. Alban s Episcopal Church. W e are thankful for your presence among us and hope you will return often.

Transcription

1 Welcome to St. Alban s Episcopal Church. W e are thankful for your presence among us and hope you will return often. Coming Up at St. Alban s March 15, 5:30 pm: Continuing Book Study on Barbara Brow n Taylor s book, An Altar in the World. Please bring a dish to share. March 16, 24, 5:30pm: Discovering (or Rediscovering the Episcopal Church). Please bring a dish to share. Also for those who would like to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church by Bishop Smith on April 23. March 25th: Quiet Day led by the Rev. Muriel debussy: 10am 2pm. Bring a bag lunch March 17th: St. Patrick s Dinner (sold out) Donation of Desserts, wine and labor greatly appreciated. To donate sign up on poster on bulletin board. BEGIN HOLY WEEK April 10 am Palm Sunday: W e gather outside for the Blessing of the Palms and then process in singing All Glory Laud and Honor. Our joy take a serious turn as we hear dramatic readings of the betrayal, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. April 13: Maundy 6PM Commemoration of Foot Washing and Last Supper April 14: Good Friday Noon & Stations of the 5:30 pm April 15: Easter 8pm. W e enter a darkened church, then light our candles as we hear stories of our biblical history. We celebrate the liberation of Jesus from the tomb with the 1st Eucharist of Easter. Refreshments served after service. April 16: Easter 10 AM Hymns, Flowering of the cross (bring fresh flowers) Homily, Holy Eucharist. An Easter Egg Hunt for the youngest follows this service. April 23: Bishop Smith Celebrant and Preacher May 14: Holy 10 am: Mother s Day Brunch follows the Service. June 4: Holy 10 am it s the Day of Pentecost wear red. June 18: Holy 10 am Father s Day Brunch follows the Service St. Alban s is an inviting church, living out the inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, no matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. 16

2 Welcome to St. Alban s Episcopal Church. We are thankful for your presence among us and hope you will return often. To help make our worship experience together more meaningful we ask that you: Turn off pagers and cellular phones. Please do participate! Your parts are printed in bold. Welcome Children. Special bags w ith activity pages w hich reflect the Gospel are located in the Welcome Center of the church. Please return bags at the end of the service, but keep the activity page. Come to the Lord's Table. If you wish to receive Communion: Please come forward in two lines (we will bring communion to you if you are unable to come forward). Extend your hands, palms up to receive the bread; the chalice bearer will gently help guide the cup to your mouth. If you do not wish to receive the wine, please cross your arms in front of you. Receiving just the bread is a valid communion. Gluten-free wafers are available. All are welcome. The entire worship service is printed in this bulletin because we want to make your participation as easy as possible. Please do take your copy home or better yet, share with a friend. Music printed is used by Permission of OneLicense.net License #A Housekeeping notes: Restrooms are located in the Shepherd window entrance and an accessible restroom is located in the Welcome Center. Hearing assistance devices are available. Please ask an Usher for assistance. Large print bulletins are available. Ask an Usher. ARE YOU VISITING WITH US? If you would like to stay in touch or are finding your way into the life of this faith community, please fill in a Welcome card hanging on the end of each pew row. If you check The Fountain you will receive our weekly on line newsletter. You may place the Welcome card in the offertory plate or hand to an Usher. If this is your first time visiting with us, we have a gift for you. Please let an Usher know to receive your gift...hint...it contains chocolate. St. Alban s is a Parish of the Diocese of Southwest Florida The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith Bishop The Rt. Rev. Barry Howe Assisting Bishop The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison Assisting Bishop The Rev. Georgene (Gigi) D. Conner The Rev. Muriel debussy Mr. Jim Inmon Ms Nancy Titus Ms Laurie Lawther Mr. Ron Smith 2 Priest in Charge Assisting Priest Musician Bookkeeper Parish Life Manager Sexton Vestry Mr. Charles Gallagher Senior Warden crg@attorneyoffices.org Mr. Joe MacConnell Treasurer jmacconnell7@msn.com Mr. David Ottinger davidjottinger@gmail.com Dr. JP (John) Paul jpaul@marine.usf.edu Ms Rebecca Lyons Rebec17058@aol.com We sent out for service in the world. Go into the world and use this holy season of Lent to practice acts of kindness, stand with the oppressed, speak out for the voiceless, and pray for peace among all peoples. We go in the name of Christ Sharing in the hospitality of Christ continues after this service with refreshments in the Welcome Center. Take this opportunity to meet someone new in this ever-changing community. Postlude Serving Today Reader: Aimee Case Eucharistic Ministers: Susan Wyant and Ernie McKenzie Altar Guild: Malinda Ottinger, Susan Wright, Ginny McCutcheon Ushers : Ed Case, Ginny McCutcheon Steward: JPPaul Refreshments: Aimee Case and Shelley Willis Prayer Requests: John, Dottie, Mark, Kailyn, Edna, Rosemary, Susan, Jo, Robert, Mary, Caroline, Andy, Stewart, Mimi, Angela H., Haley, Jeffrey, Joan, Robert, Jim, Julia, Terrell, Kathy, Kathleen, Bob, Jack, Jim, Amanda, Stefani, Ross, Rachel, Charles, Stephen, Brian, Jane, Russell, Heather, Amy, Pat B., Sylvia, Beth, Patsy, and Tyler. March Birthdays: Alex Kostecki (7), William MacMinn(7), Alex Kostecki (7), Charlotte Grace Gallagher (8), Gary Wyant (19), Juanita Davis (19), Jack MacConnell (20), George Strickland (21),Vivian Ottinger (24), Ed Case (26) and Joyce Shick (27). 15

3 Hymn in Procession God who stretched the spangled Holy Manna Words: Catherin Cameron (b. 1927); Music: attr. William Moore ( ?) We Gather in the Name of God Prelude Hymns of the service Hymn in Procession The God of Abraham praise Leoni Words: Thomas Olivers ( ); Music: Hebrew melody, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875,alt. 14 3

4 We Proclaim and Respond to the Word of God Blessed be the God of our salvation. Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins. Across the barriers that divide race from race; across the barriers that divide rich from poor; across the barriers that divide people of different faiths; across the barriers that marginalize so many; Come, Lord, and reconcile us through your pain and tears for all the world. Communion Hymn Take my life Hollingside Composer: John Bacchus Dykes, The Collect for Purity Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Hymn In my life, Lord, be glorified Bob Kirkpatrick (b. 1952) The Collect for the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you 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. 4 The Post Communion Prayer God of our pilgrimage, you have fed us with the bread of heaven. May we who share Christ's body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights, give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Blessing May God the Creator who gives life; Christ the Savior, the one who is with us night and day, and the Holy Spirit, who sends us out to minister in the world, bless you and keep you on your pilgrim journey. Amen. 13

5 Glory and thanksgiving be to you, most loving Father, for Christ in whom the world is reconciled. Lifted on the Cross, his suffering and forgiveness spanned the gulf our sins had made. Through that dark struggle death was swallowed up in victory, that life and light might reign. Before he was given up to suffering and death, recalling the night of Israel's release, the night in which the sons of Egypt died, your Chosen One, himself the First-Born, freely offered his life. At supper with his disciples he took bread and offered you thanks. He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying: "Take, eat. This is my Body: it is broken for you." After supper, he took the cup, he offered you thanks, and gave it to them saying: "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant; it is poured out for you, and for all, that sins may be forgiven. Do this in remembrance of me." We now obey your Son's command. We recall his blessed passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension; and we look for the coming of his Kingdom. Made one with him, we offer you these gifts and with them ourselves, a single, holy, living sacrifice. Hear us, most merciful Father, and send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and this wine, that, overshadowed by his life-giving power, they may be the Body and Blood of your Son, and we may be kindled with the fire of your love and renewed for the service of your Kingdom. Help us, who are baptized into the fellowship of Christ's Body to live and work to your praise and glory; may we grow together in unity and love until at last, in your new creation, we enter into our heritage in the company of Blessed Mary, Blessed Alban, the apostles, and prophets, and of all our brothers and sisters living and departed. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be to you, Lord of all ages, world without end. AMEN And now let us reverently pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen A Reading from the book of 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. Genesis 12:1-4a A brief silence follows the lesson So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. For the Word of God in Scripture, For the Word of God among us, For the Word of God within us, We give you thanks, O God. Psalm 121 Words: The Songs of David in Meter, 1650, alt.; st.4, F. Bland Tucker ( ); para Psalm 121; Music: Burford, from A Book of Psalmody, 1718 We Break the Bread The living bread is broken for the life of the world. Lord, unite us in this sign. We Share the Gifts of God Glute free e wafers are available. If you cannot receive wine, just taking the bread is OK. Please Note: W e invite those wishing particular prayer for themselves or on behalf of someone else to come to the front of the line to receive the bread and wine. Immediately after receiving, go to the prayer station at rear of the Chapel. Give your first name and state your prayer need. The prayer person will lay hands on your shoulders and pray for you. 12 5

6 A Reading from Paul s Letter to the Romans 4:1-5, 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. For the Word of God in Scripture, For the Word of God among us, For the Word of God within us, We give you thanks, O God. We Celebrate the Eucharist The Great Thanksgiving: Preface from the Church of England, Eucharistic prayer from The Scottish Episcopal Church The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. It is indeed right and good to give you thanks and praise, almighty God and everlasting Father, through Jesus Christ your Son. For in these forty days you lead us into the desert of repentance that through a pilgrimage of prayer and discipline we may grow in grace and learn to be your people once again. Through fasting, prayer and acts of service you bring us back to your generous heart. Through study of your holy word you open our eyes to your presence in the world and free our hands to welcome others into the radiant splendor of your love. Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven as we sing the hymn of your unending glory Holy, holy, Holy, Land of Rest 6 11

7 Let us greet the Gospel of Christ by singing Bless now, O God, the journey Words: Sylvia Dunstan ( ); Music: Passion Chorale Celebrant May Almighty God, whose love knows no bounds, forgive all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen We Exchange the Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. We Prepare the Table. Offertory Chant De Noche The Holy Gospel The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to John 2:1-17 Glory to you, O Christ 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? 10 7

8 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 Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Christ. We Pray for the Church and the World O God our Creator, hear our prayers for those we place before you today. We place before you those who are haunted by their doubts or paralyzed by indecision. May they be led by your Spirit into hope, into a fuller understanding of faith, and into seeing and seeking life in a new light. We place before you those who find temptation difficult to resist or who are fearful of failure, or who have become disillusioned through disappointment. May they be given strength to avoid the easy paths, courage to meet life s challenges, and insight to see what is possible even in the face of disappointment. We place before you those who are discouraged because they see no change in their situations, no concrete results of their work, and who may be embittered by grudges they have refused to forget. Help them continue to do their best, learn how to forgive as you forgive, and choose to let go of what keeps them from being whole We place before you those who suffer emotional pain, who are wounded by sorrow, and for whom life has become lonely. May they recognize your presence through the comfort and compassion offered by friends and a faith community. The Sermon 8 The Rev. Muriel debussy We Affirm Our Faith The prayer of affirmation is from Enriching Our Worship The Episcopal Church and is closer to the original translation from the Greek. 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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 We place before you those places in the world where people are literally starving to death because of lack of food and water. Compel us who have much to use our abundance of money or resources to bring life to the dying. We place before you those who are inflated by self-conceit or suffering from sinful pride, especially those who are public servants. Help them to learn that true success is rooted in humility and being respectful of other people s dignity. Bless all those who experience a sense of well-being, happiness and security because of their wealth, status, or profusion of goods. Make us all thankful and aware that the only way to have is to give as you have given life so freely to every living thing. Almighty God, this Lent, as we reflect upon where we are and where you call us to be, we sing our confession to you, to honor you and others in our lives. The Confession John L. Bell (b. 1949); Graham Maule (b. 1950) 9