THE LITURGY OF THE WORD A Bell rings. We listen to the longing of our hearts. Gathering Song Blue Green Hills of Earth We remain SEATED. Grace Episcopal Church The Sixth Sunday of Epiphany February 12, 2017 8 & 9:30am Ministers All of Us Priest in Charge Joan Anthony Guest Preacher Nicole Chilivis Music & Arts Ann Strickland Today s Tribe Ruth By Kim Oler (Repeat Verse 1)
Call to Worship Please STAND. Presider People Happy are those who walk in the way of the Lord. Who seek God with their whole hearts. We remain STANDING and sing together Opening Song We Lay Our Broken World By Anna Briggs and Kenneth George Finlay The long silences need to be loved, perhaps more than the words which arrive to describe them in time. Franz Wright, God s Silence The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 2 February 12, 2017
COLLECT FOR TODAY STANDING we affirm our intention to be here. Presider People Presider The Lord be with you. And also with you. God of blessing you call us to be one with you and with your creation. Help us to carry out the promises we make in love, faithfulness and truth. Amen. WE TELL THE STORY All are now SEATED for the first Reading. First Reading Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Reader A Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy Moses said to all Israel the words which the Lord commanded him, See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. After the Reading, the Reader will say People The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 3 February 12, 2017
Psalm 119:1-8 We STAND and say the Psalm responsively. Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Happy are they who observe his decrees and seek him with all their hearts! Who never do any wrong, but always walk in his ways. You laid down your commandments, that we should fully keep them. Oh, that my ways were made so direct that I might keep your statutes! Then I should not be put to shame, when I regard all your commandments. I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, when I have learned your righteous judgments. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me. All are now SEATED for the second Reading. Second Reading I Corinthians 3:1-9 Reader A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians Brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building. Reader People The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 4 February 12, 2017
We STAND together and sing Gospel Song The Peace of the Earth Be with You Live for yourself, you will live in vain; live for others and you will live again. Bob Marley The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 5 February 12, 2017
The Presider then introduces the Gospel by saying Presider People The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, Lord Christ. The Gospel Matthew 5:21-37 Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not murder'; and `whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, `You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. "You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. "It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be `Yes, Yes' or `No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." After the Gospel the Presider will say Presider People The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 6 February 12, 2017
The Homily OUR RESPONSE TO THE STORY We STAND and say together these words. We believe in God above us, maker and sustainer of all life, of sun and moon, of water and earth, of male and female. We believe in God beside us, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, Born of a woman s womb, servant of the poor. He was tortured and nailed to a tree. Knowing full passion and deep sorrow, he died forsaken. He descended into the earth to the place of death. On the third day he rose from the tomb. He ascended into heaven to be everywhere present. And his Kingdom will one day be known. We believe in God within us, The Holy Spirit of pentecostal fire, Life-Giving breath of the Church, She is the Spirit of healing and forgiveness, Source of resurrection and life everlasting. Amen. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 7 February 12, 2017
Prayers of the People We remain STANDING as we pray Gathering Leader "If you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, first be All reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. May we let the ever growing light of Jesus guide us. Thankfulness Leader I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, when I have learned your righteous judgments. We give thanks for the ever burning light of Christ in our hearts. We pause for prayers to be spoken quietly and in our hearts. Grace Vestry Leader For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building. Inspire us to listen to one another as we share our hopes and values for our future. Humanity Leader We pause for prayers to be spoken quietly and in our hearts. "Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him. May we model Jesus inclusiveness and understanding. We pause for prayers to be spoken quietly and in our hearts. Leadership Leader Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Light of Christ, help us be aware the injustice around us; help our leaders respect and bring dignity to all peoples. We pause for prayers to be spoken quietly and in our hearts. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 8 February 12, 2017
Prayer Requests Leader Happy are they who observe his decrees and seek him with all their hearts! Let your light and steady hand guide us as we walk through the dark times of our lives. Closing Leader All We pause for prayers to be spoken quietly and in our hearts. Let your word be Yes, Yes or No, No ; anything more than this comes from the evil one. May we carry Christ s light out into the world. The Peace We continue with this act of community - sharing of God s peace. Presider People The Peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you. The Offertory Sentence You are invited to offer your gifts of money for the work of the church. God, the source of all good things, has given to us all that we need. In joyful response, we offer our gifts, the fruit of our labors. "We write to make suffering endurable, evil intelligible, justice desirable and love possible. That after all the suffering, all the injustice, all the evil that one sees in the world, if you can rise above it and make it beautiful, and thus lovable, then that's worth a life." ~ Roger Rosenblatt; as interviewed on the PBS Newshour The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 9 February 12, 2017
As we finish exchanging God s peace with each other, we STAND as we sing together A Song to Offer Come Follow Me The grace of God is like a road that draws the heart from its first home We long to go, but we hate to leave, and the Spirit calls, Come follow me. The voice of God is like the wind, it comes and goes and comes again We read the signs in the bending trees, and the Spirit calls, Come follow me. The strength of God is like a stone; it firms the will of soul and bone Still soul and bone grow worn and weak, and the Spirit calls, Come follow me. The hope of God is like the sun; it shines until the day is done And the night stars rise in the East, and the Spirit calls, Come follow me. The love of God is like a stream; it fills and feeds our deepest dreams It finds a thirst and leaves a spring, and the Spirit calls, Come follow me. The peace of God is like a friend who sees us through the journey s end The road is long and the talk is sweet and the Spirit calls, Come follow me. from Songs for the Cycle 2004 by Michael Hudson Church Publishing Incorporated. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 10 February 12, 2017
THE CELEBRATION OF OUR SACRED MEAL Once the Table is set with the gifts of our hearts and hands we remember God s extraordinary gift of welcome and love, and we ask that once again the ordinary things of life bread, wine, ourselves would be vehicles of that welcome. All Presider All Presider All 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. We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon and stars; earth, wind and waters; and every living thing. You made us in your image, male and female, and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away. And yet, as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love. And so this day we join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity lifting our voices to you as we sing: Repeat Verse 1 Abingdon Press, admin. by The Copyright Co. Translated by Josué Alvarez and Debi Tyree. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 11 February 12, 2017
Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God. To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus, the holy child of God. Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to himself yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you. On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again he gave thanks to you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you: This is the cup of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me. Now, gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice. Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made. In the fullness of time bring us, with all your saints from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet of the world. All this we ask through Jesus Christ. By him and with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever. Amen. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 12 February 12, 2017
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray, People and Presider 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 Presider breaks the consecrated Bread and a period of silence is kept. The silence is broken with these words. Presider All Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, Alleluia. Now we are invited to share the gifts of communion. The Presider extends that invitation by saying The Gifts of God for the People of God All are invited to receive the bread and the wine. Please know that at Grace Church this common meal is for all who feel moved to receive. This sacrament is God s gift to all, and is not tied to membership, doctrine or creed. Please assist the Chalice Bearers by tipping the cup from the base. Please tell your server if you prefer a wafer that is free from gluten, soy and dairy. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 13 February 12, 2017
Music During Communion God Help Me By William Reid God help me through this day God please help me through this day I'm blind can't see the way God please help me through this day I can't take it I just can't take it anymore God help me through this day God please help me through this day I'm blind can't see the way God illuminate this day I can't take it I just can't take it anymore I've been waiting longtime I've been waiting longtime I've been waiting too long To see the light Start With Love By Ann Strickland. Based on Rumi poem. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 14 February 12, 2017
We are invited to share the sounds of silence with one another. The quiet will last a few minutes and will begin and end with a bell. For all of us, young and otherwise, these simple moments of stillness are offered as a chance to find ourselves held in the timeless presence of God. Song after Communion Let It Be We stay SEATED and sing together. Words/Music by Lennon and McCartney When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me Speaking words of wisdom, let it be Let it be, let it be Let it be, let it be Speaking words of wisdom, let it be And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree There will be an answer, let it be For thought they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see There will be an answer, let it be Let it be, let it be Let it be, let it be There will be an answer, let it be And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me Shines until tomorrow, let it be I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me Whisper words of wisdom, let it be Let it be, let it be Let it be, let it be Whisper words of wisdom, let it be The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 15 February 12, 2017
The Presider and People STAND and say together Our Common Prayer GOING OUT INTO THE WORLD Eternal God, 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 the strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Blessing The Presider offers this blessing followed by a hymn that deserves the brightest and best of our voices. May the love of God uphold you; the light of Christ guide you; and the Holy Spirit fill you with joy, now and forever. Amen. The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 16 February 12, 2017
Closing Song If I Had a Hammer If I had a hammer I'd hammer in the morning I'd hammer in the evening All over this land I'd hammer out danger I'd hammer out a warning I'd hammer out love between My brothers and my sisters All over this land If I had a bell I'd ring it in the morning I'd ring it in the evening All over this land I'd ring out danger I'd ring out a warning I'd ring out love between My brothers and my sisters All over this land If I had a song I'd sing it in the morning I'd sing it in the evening All over this land I'd sing out danger I'd sing of out warning I'd sing out love between My brothers and my sisters All over this land Well, I've got a hammer And I've got a bell And I've got a song to sing All over this land It's the hammer of justice It's the bell of freedom It's a song about love between My brothers and my sisters All over this land Songwriters: Lee Hays and Pete Seeger The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 17 February 12, 2017
Birthdays and Anniversaries We may be SEATED for announcements. Announcements Dismissal We send ourselves forward and home with these words. Leader Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit! People Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! K Diller The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 18 February 12, 2017
Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of living, it doesn't matter Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come even if you have broken your vow a thousand times, Come, yet again, come, come. - Rumi and His Sufi Path of Love (2007) by M Fatih Citlak and Huseyin Bingul The 6 th Sunday After Epiphany Page 19 February 12, 2017
Schedule of Weekly Life @ Grace Eucharist Services Sundays 8am & 9:30am Children @ Grace Godly Play, Storytellers & Godly Journey Wednesday Mornings 10am Silent Meditation 10:30am Prayer Service & 11am Bible Study Youth Programs Thursday evenings September through May Contact Julie Davis YouthLeader@gracehere.org. Kids Sing September through May 4:30pm Contact Ann Strickland Annie@gracehere.org. Facebook facebook.com/gracechurchbainbridgeisland Instagram @gracerite13 and @gracealive&well G Website gracehere.org Photo by Kaitlyn Hung Grace The 6 th Church Sunday After 8595 Epiphany NE Day Road Bainbridge Island WA Page 98110 20 206 842 9997 grace@gracehere.org February www.gracehere.org 12, 2017