October 17, 2021 | 9:15 a.m. | 21st Sunday after Pentecost

The Word of God

Opening Hymn     Come with me into the fields

     1    The fields are high and summer’s days are few; green fields have turned to gold.

           The time is here for the harvesting, for gathering home into barns.

                Refrain:    The harvest is plenty, laborers are few. Come with me into the fields.  Your arms may grow weary; your shoes will wear thin. Come with me into the fields.

     2    The seeds were sown by other hands than yours; nurtured and cared for they grew.

           But those who have sown will not harvest them; the reaping will not be their care.   Refrain

Opening Acclamation

      Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.  Glory to God for ever and ever.

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.

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession 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     Hebrews 5:1-10

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.  So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”  In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 91:9-16  (in unison)

Because you have made the Lord your refuge, * and the Most High your habitation, There shall no evil happen to you, * neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, * to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you in their hands, * lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and adder; * you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet. Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him; *  I will protect him, because he knows my Name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; *  I am with him in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him to honor.  With long life will I satisfy him, * and show him my salvation.

The Gospel Acclamation     In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful

      In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful, in the Lord I will rejoice! Look to God, do not be afraid;

     Lift up your voices, the Lord is near; lift up your voices, the Lord is near.

The Gospel     Mark 10:35-45

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark.  Glory to you, Lord Christ.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”  When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon                                                                                                          The Rev. Cathy Boyd    

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

      Let us approach the throne of grace and pray in the name of Jesus, who bore the sins of many.

      For this holy gathering, and for the people of God in every place. Lord, have mercy.

      For all peoples and their leaders, and for mercy and justice in the world. Lord, have mercy.

      For good weather, abundant fruits of the earth, and peaceful times. Lord, have mercy.

      For doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, and for all who work in the medical arts. Lord, have mercy.

      For the sick and the suffering, travelers and refugees, and prisoners and their families. Lord, have mercy.

      For our city and those who live in it, and for our families, companions, and all those we love.

      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 Courtney and Brad, Ben, Carol, Diane, Lee, Betsy, Bob, for the children of St. Vincent’s School, Haiti, and for an end to the pandemic. We pray for the dying and those who have died, and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.  Lord, have mercy.

Please add your own intentions, silently or aloud.

Lifting our voices with all creation, with Blessed Martin and 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.

Source of eternal salvation, who gave us a great high priest in heaven, hear the prayers of your servants and let all your beings sing for joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession of Sin

God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives.  We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created.  We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf.  Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen. 

Absolution

The Peace and Announcements

     The peace of the Lord be always with you.  And also with you.

The Holy Communion

The Offertory                                                                                   

The Offering of Gifts     Take, O take

      Take, O take me as I am; summon out what I shall be; set your seal upon my heart and live in me. 

The Great Thanksgiving     Enriching Our Worship, Prayer 3

      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.

All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; and so as the morning stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:

            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.

Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering. Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.

We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.” And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:  

        Dying, you destroyed our death. Rising, you restored our life. Christ Jesus, come in glory!

Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ. Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Martin and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise. Blessed are you now and for ever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer   (contemporary words)

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.

The Breaking of the 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     Just as I am

1      Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,

        and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2      Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt;

        fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3      Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind,

        yea, all I need, in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4      Just as I am, thou wilt receive; wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,

        because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5      Just as I am, thy love unknown has broken every barrier down;

        now to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6      Just as I am, of thy great love the breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,

        here for a season, then above: O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

The Post-Communion Prayer

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

The Blessing

The Closing Hymn     I sing the almighty power of God

     1      I sing the almighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,

            that spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.

            I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;

            the moon shines full at his command, and all the stars obey.

     2      I sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food;

            he formed the creatures with his Word, and then pronounced them good.

            Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,

            if I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

     3      There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes thy glories known,

            and clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne;

            while all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care,

            and everywhere that I could be, thou, God, art present there.

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 in loving memory of Hilary Ennis Armstrong.

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