August 22nd | 13th Sunday after Pentecost
August 22nd, 2021 | 9 a.m.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church | Williamsburg VA
The Word of God
Opening Hymn Lead on, O King eternal
- Lead on, O King eternal, the day of march has come;
henceforth in fields of conquest thy tents shall be our home:
through days of preparation thy grace has made us strong, and now, O King eternal, we lift our battle song.
2. Lead on, O King eternal, till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper the sweet amen of peace;
for not with swords loud clashing, nor roll of stirring drums,
but deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly kingdom comes.
3. Lead on, O King eternal: we follow, not with fears;
for gladness breaks like morning where’er your face appears.
Thy cross is lifted o’er us; we journey in its light:
the crown awaits the conquest; lead on, O God of might!
Opening Acclamation
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity (together)
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. Amen.
Gloria
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.
The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.Amen.
The First Reading Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the, the God of Israel: “Now therefore revere the, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the. Now if you are unwilling to serve the, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake theserve other gods; for it is theGod who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and theout before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the, for he is our God.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 34:15-22 (in unison)
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, *and his ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, * to root out the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them * and delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted * and will save those whose spirits are crushed. Many are the troubles of the righteous, * but the Lord will deliver him out of them all. He will keep safe all his bones; * not one of them shall be broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, * and those who hate the righteous will be punished. The Lord ransoms the life of his servants, * and none will be punished who trust in him.
The Second Reading Ephesians 6:10-20
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Gospel Acclamation Celtic Alleluia
The Gospel John 6:56-69
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory to you, O Christ.
Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon Ms. Meredith Poole
A period of silence follows the sermon.
The Nicene 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
As we proclaim the gospel of faith, let us pray in the Spirit for the desperate needs of all peoples.
For this holy gathering, for the people of God in every place, and for all who seek the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For mercy, justice, and peace among all peoples. Lord, have mercy. For students and teachers, and all those returning to their studies. Lord have mercy. For abundant fruits of the earth, and for safety from violent storms. Lord, have mercy. For the sick and the suffering, travelers and those on vacation, prisoners, captives, and their families, and all those in danger and need. Lord, have mercy. Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as Christ loves us. We pray for the Call family, Ben, Sandy, Jeannie, Bill, Alan, Allistor, Keebe, Sharon, Mal, Keith, Jerry, Joe and Janet, for the Florimonte Family and for the children of St. Vincent’s School, Haiti. We pray for the dying and those who have died, especially Pauline Call, and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom. Lord, have mercy. For our city and those who live in it, and for our families, companions, and all we love. Lord, have mercy. Lifting our voices with all creation, with Blessed Martin, the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ. To you, O Lord. Blessed are you, God of Israel, whose words are spirit and life. Hear the prayers we offer this day and feed us with the bread of heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession of Sin
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 Absolution
The Peace and Announcements
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
The Holy Communion
The Offertory Anthem The Breaking of the Bread
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B
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 right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord. 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:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power, God of 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. Hosanna in the highest.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Martin and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. 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.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Bread
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Invitation
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Communion Hymn The Cry of the Poor
Refrain: The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Blessed be the Lord.
- I will bless the Lord at all times, with praise ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord, who will hear the cry of the poor. Refrain - Let the lowly hear and be glad: the Lord listens to their pleas;
and to hearts broken God is near, who will hear the cry of the poor. Refrain - Every spirit crushed God will save; will be ransom for their lives;
will be safe shelter for their fears, and will hear the cry of the poor. Refrain - We proclaim your greatness, O God, your praise ever in our mouth;
every face brightened in your light, for you hear the cry of the poor.
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
The Closing Hymn Ev’ry time I feel the spirit
Refrain: Ev’ry time I feel the spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray.
Ev’ry time I feel the spirit, moving in my heart, I will pray.
- Up on the mountain my Lord spoke, out of God’s mouth came fire and smoke.
All around me looked so fine, asked my Lord if all was mine. Refrain - Jordan river chilly and cold, chills the body but not the soul.
There ain’t but one train runs this track, runs to heaven and runs right back. Refrain
The Dismissal
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Thanks be to God.
“Alleluia, alleluia” is only said during Easter season.
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Jack Headden by his wife, Lois, and his family.
1333 Jamestown Rd 757.229.1111 Williamsburg VA 23185 www.martinburg.org