the angel of st. paul’s

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Concord NH

A Sacred Meal for a Dispersed Community

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany ~ 31 January 2021

Annual Parish Meeting Sunday

Acknowledging that we are not in the same physical space in the same way that Jesus gathered in the Upper Room with his disciples on the night before he suffered, we come together nonetheless via online technology. We do so out of the spiritual yearning for closeness expressed by our Savior who said, “I have eagerly desired to share this Passover with you before I suffer.” (Luke 22:15)

Participants are invited to have ceremonial food – bread and wine, grape juice, or water – prepared and laid out

on a table.

The Prelude Mary, Did You Know? by M. Hayes Catharine Dornin

The Opening Hymn Holy God, we Praise Thy Name Hymn 366

Holy God, we praise thy name; Lord of all, we bow before thee;

all on earth thy scepter claim, all in heaven above adore thee.

Infinite thy vast domain, everlasting is thy reign.

The

Angel of St. Paul’s

Christ, thou art our glorious King, Son of God enthroned in splendor;

But deliverance to bring thou all honors didst surrender

and wast of a virgin born humbly on that blessed morn

Thou didst take the sting from death, Son of God, as Savior given;

On the cross thy dying breath opened wide the realm of heaven.

In the glory of that land Thou art set at God’s right hand

The Confession of Sin

Let us confess our sins to God.

We confess our sin, and the sins of our society, in the misuse of God's creation. Gracious God, we are sorry for the times when we have used your gifts carelessly, and acted ungratefully. We enjoy the fruits of the harvest, but sometimes forget that you have given them to us. We belong to a people who are full and satisfied, but ignore the cry of the hungry. We are thoughtless, and do not care enough for the world you have made. We store up goods for ourselves alone, as if there were no God and no heaven. Gracious God, in your mercy, forgive us and help us.

The Absolution

May the God of love and power forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by the Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Gloria Hymn S280

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

O Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus, only Son of the Father Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayers.

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

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

A Reading from the book of Deuteronomy (18:15-20) Bob Samson

Moses said: The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die.” Then the LORD replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak—that prophet shall die.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 111 Sarah Nyhan

1 Hallelujah!I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, * in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are the deeds of the LORD! * they are studied by all who delight in them.

3 His work is full of majesty and splendor, * and his righteousness endures for ever.

4 He makes his marvelous works to be remembered; * the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He gives food to those who fear him; * he is ever mindful of his covenant.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works * in giving them the lands of the nations.

7 The works of his hands are faithfulness and justice; * all his commandments are sure.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, * because they are done in truth and equity.

9 He sent redemption to his people; he commanded his covenant for ever; * holy and awesome is his Name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; * those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever.

A Reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 8:1-13) Linda Douglas

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists,” and that “there is no God but one.” Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. “Food will not bring us close to God.” We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

Thanks be to God.

Guitar Solo Here I Am, Lord by J.M. Talbot Larry Maconaghy

The Gospel Brother Charles Edward OLW

The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (1:21-28)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught.

They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just

then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us,

Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus

rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with

a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A

new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame

began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

The gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Angel of St. Paul’s

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers of the People Form IV Led by Mary Farrell

Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.


Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.


As we pray through our Parish List, we lift the following people to you, giving thanks for each of them and asking for your blessing on their lives:

Dennis Doucette; Linda Douglas; Robert & Carla Drew-Moyer; Sean Dugan & Robert Robotiello; Chris & Ellie Duhaime; Dan & Kristin Dunklee; Susan Dunton & Jim Tanner;

Steve Duprey; Deborah & Renaud Dupuis

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.


Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially today … Please add the names of those you are carrying in your heart… Give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.


We commend to your mercy all who have died, especially today … We pray too for Gayle Braley, Sylvia Yuoconis, Nancy Wood, and Ann Hasbany, in whose memory altar flowers were given. Please add the names of those whose loss you are grieving today… May your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.


Collect for Hope and Renewal

God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world:

A people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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 Peace

The Announcements

The Agape Meal

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to

eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the

kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell

you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Luke 22:14-20

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Creator of the universe.

You bring forth bread from the earth;

you have fed us with the bread of life in the Body of your Son.

Feed us now with your presence among us and your presence in your Word.

As grain scattered upon the earth is gathered into one loaf,

so gather your Church in every place into the kingdom of your Son.

To you be glory and power for ever and ever.

Amen.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Creator of the universe.

You create the fruit of the vine;

and you refresh us with the cup of salvation

in the Blood of Jesus Christ, crucified yet risen.

May the time come quickly when we can share that cup again,

even as you are with us now in our very thirst for you.

Glory to you for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Closing Prayer

Generous God, we have shared together this sacred meal.

Kindle us with the fire of your Spirit

that when Christ comes again, we may shine like lights before his face;

who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Blessing

The Closing Hymn Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing Hymn 686

1 Come, thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace! Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! Oh, fix me on it, mount of God's unchanging love.

3 Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be! Let thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to thee: prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here's my heart, oh, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

The Dismissal

The Postlude Lord, You Gave the Great Commission by J. Rowthorn Heather Maconaghy

We are all (including you!) called to be ministers to one another

and to those around us by participating in God’s work in the world.

Ministers participating in this service Clergy The Rev. Kate Atkinson

The Rev. Peggy Schnack Brother Charles Edward OLW

Director of Music Ministries Heather Maconaghy Musicians Catharine Dornin and Larry Maconaghy Lectors Bob Samson, Sarah Nyhan, Linda Douglas Intecessor Mary Farrell

The flowers were given today to the glory of God, and in loving memory of

Gayle Braley by Phil, Laura, and Cecily Braley,

her parents, Fred and Judy Morrell, and her brothers and sister

Sylvia Youconis by Penny Halversen and Sarah Nyhan

Nancy Wood by her children, Martin Wood and Joyce Thorpe

Ann Hasbany by AshleyJane Boots and her extended family

Would you like to make a gift to St. Paul’s via your credit card? St. Paul’s has partnered with Tithe.ly, a reputable mobile platform designed to help churches meet their fundraising goals. Donating via Tithe.ly is as simple as sending a text from your smartphone:

1) Text the word “give” to (603)786-7126

2) You will receive a text back from Tithe.ly immediately with a link.

3) Click on the link and make your donation via the credit card of your choice. Note: You don’t even need to enter your 16 digit credit card number – your phone’s camera can scan the

card and read the numbers for you.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 21 Centre Street, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 224-2523, [email protected], www.stpaulsconcord.org

A place to belong ~ Whoever you are ~ Just as you are

the angel of st. paul’s

Documents