Morning Prayer
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost B
September 8, 2024 at 9:30 AM
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The Liturgy of the Word: Rite II
Hymn 390: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
The Opening Acclamation
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The Confession of Sin
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14, 16)
The Deacon or Lay Celebrant says:
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept. All pray together, kneeling, as they are able,
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.
The Deacon or Lay Celebrant says:
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Hymn S-280: Glory to God
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
[Music: Robert Powell © 1985, Church Publishing, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #28331. All rights reserved.]
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 35:4-7a
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.
’Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 146
1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul! *
I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
2 Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, *
for there is no help in them.
3 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, *
and in that day their thoughts perish.
4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *
whose hope is in the Lord their God;
5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7 The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the
blind;*
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
8 The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of
the wicked:
9 The Lord shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!
A Reading from the Letter of St. James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.[ For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but if you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.]
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn 493: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (verses 1-5)
The People stand, as they are able, for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark (7:24-37)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Hymn 493: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing (verse 6)
The Nicene Creed
The People stand, as they are able, to recite the Creed.
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 (Form VI)
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For Joseph, our president; Brian, our governor; Van, our mayor; and all other civic officials; For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For all the churches in Savannah, that we may be one as you are one with the Son, and the Holy Spirit; For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Sean, our Presiding Bishop Elect, Frank, our Bishop; Ella our Deacon; and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, especially for our Day Care’s staff, students, and families, and for those on our Parish Prayer List: Teresa Blue-Clemons, Betty Bryant (Mother of Patrece Grant), Lazola Cope, Heather Hobbs, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Donald Jones, Marilyn Jones, Sheila Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Denise Larkin, Jessica Mathis, Marion Mathis, Sada Maxwell, John “Butch” Mitchell, Gordon Moore, Keshia Robinson, Wayne Robinson, Frieda McDew Shorter, Edward Vaughn, and Jewel Wheeler; and those we remember now… Silence. The People may add their own petitions. Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially for all visitors to this parish, all those celebrating birthdays: Fr. Charles Hoskins and Lavinea Kennedy (09/14); those celebrating anniversaries: Marquez and Teresa Blue-Clemons (09/14) and those thanksgivings we offer now… Silence. The People may add their own thanksgivings. We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, especially those victims in the school shooting in Winder, GA, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, and especially those we remember now,... Silence. The People may add their own petitions. Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
The Celebrant concludes with the following or some other suitable Collect:
Almighty and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Parish Announcements
169th Church Anniversary: We will celebrate our 169th Anniversary on September 22nd at 9:30 am. We will have a church potluck picnic in the Toomer Walker Hall immediately after service. If you are interested in bringing a dish please sign up on the sign up sheet placed on the kitchen door.
Commemoration of the Feast of St. Anna Alexander: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church will celebrate their 130th Anniversary and Saint Anna Alexander on September 21st at 2:30 pm. All are welcome to join them at 780 Pennick Road, Brunswick, GA 31525.
Voter Registration: St. Matthew's along with RevUp will host a voter registration drive Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 - 3:00 pm. Please spread the word.
Living Hope Strategic Plan: The Diocese will have in person and online sessions for participation in the Strategic Planning process. The next in person session will be held today, September 8th from 2-4 pm at St. Thomas, Isle of Hope and the next online session will be held September 10th from 6-8 pm. Please visit the Diocese website for registration.
Celebrate the Presiding Bishop Investiture with a Watch Party: The Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe installation will take place on November 2nd at 11:00 am at the Church Center located in New York City. Watch party details will be forth coming.
EYCS Scholarship: The ECW will be taking donations for the EYCS scholarship starting this Sunday. All donations will need to be in by November 15th.
Honey Creek Events: Staff Applications and Registration is now open for fall youth events. New Beginnings #62 will be held October 18th - 20th and Happening #110 will be held November 22nd - 24th. Applications and Registration can be found on the Diocese website.
RJGA: In September, RJGA will be in Brunswick for the unveiling of the first RJGA memorial to victims of lynching. The dedication ceremony is Friday, September 20 at 1pm, at the former Risley High School (1800 Albany St, Brunswick 31520), with a reception afterwards at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church. Later that afternoon, the 4th annual St. Anna Alexander Pilgrimage begins at Good Shepherd, Pennick at 4:30 and continues through Saturday. For more information about the dedication ceremony or the pilgrimage, contact RJGA at RacialJusticeGA@gaepiscopal.org.
Thanksgiving Baskets: The ECW will begin taking donations for our Annual Thanksgiving giveaway next week. All donations will have to be in by November 23rd. The ECW goal this year is 10 baskets.
Empty Bowl Fundraiser: The Emmaus House invites you all to the Empty Bowl Fundraiser on Sunday, November 3rd from 12-3 pm in Reynolds Square. Tickets can purchased now. The QR code is located on the bulletin board in the Toomer Walker Hall and on our website.
Glow and Grow gear still available: The Capital Building Campaign is still selling tee-shirts, mugs, etc. If you are interested in purchasing, please email the church office office@st.mattsav.org.
T/W/Th Evening Prayer on Zoom Only: St. Matthew’s gathers for virtual Evening Prayer services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 5:00 PM, but we no longer post these videos to our Facebook page. You can pray with us on Zoom using the same link as before, as found in the e-Newsletter or in the St. Matthew’s Linktree (QR Code above).
The Offertory
Giving to St. Matthew's:
Mail us a check or money order at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 1401 Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd, Savannah, GA 31415; OR
Make a secure online gift to St. Matthew’s and/or automate future gifts at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now; OR
Text “stmattsav” to 73256 to make a secure online donation through your phone.
NOTE: Donations made online (#2 or #3) through Realm incur a processing fee of about 2.5%. Please consider adding an additional 2.5% to your online gift to cover these costs.
The Presider begins the Offertory with a sentence on BCP, p. 376, or some other sentence of Scripture.
Give online at: https://onrealm.org/StMattSav/-/give/now
LEV 139: Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior
The Doxology
Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!
Praise him all creatures here below!
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Amen.
[Words: Thomas Ken, Public Domain. Music: Old 100th, attributed to Louis Bourgeois, Public Domain. All rights reserved.]
LEV #264: The Lord’s Prayer
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing,
Our Father, which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[Music: Albert Hay Malotte; arr. Fred Bock, Copyright © 1934 (renewed) G. Schirmer, Inc. All Rights Reserved.]
The Grace
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.
Hymn 371: Thou, Whose Almighty Word
The Dismissal
[BCP, p. 366]
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! [Alleluia! Alleluia!]
Thanks be to God! [Alleluia! Alleluia!]
The Parish Prayer List
PRAYER LIST: Teresa Blue-Clemons, Betty Bryant (Mother of Patrece Grant), Lazola Cope, Heather Hobbs, Charles Gordon, Marva Harris, David Jones, Donald Jones, Marilyn Jones, Sheila Jones, Beverly Kemp, Whitney Kennedy, Denise Larkin, Jessica Mathis, Marion Mathis, Sada Maxwell, John “Butch” Mitchell, Gordon Moore, Keshia Robinson, Wayne Robinson, Frieda McDew Shorter, Edward Vaughn, and Jewel Wheeler
BIRTHDAYS: Fr. Charles Hoskins and Lavinea Kennedy (09/14)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES: Marquez and Teresa Blue-Clemons (09/14)
RECENT DEATHS: N/A
May the souls of all the departed rest in peace; and may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.
Permissions and Credits: This service is reproduced from The Book of Common Prayer 1979 (BCP), The Hymnal 1982 (Hymn), Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal (LEV), Enriching Our Worship 1 (EOW1), The Book of Occasional Services 2022 (BOS22), and other sources cited. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible.
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