St. Luke’s Episcopal ChurchSequim, Washington

Morning Prayer, Rite II

Proper 25, Year AOctober 25, 2020 – 10 am

Opening Hymn - Hymnal #423 - Immortal, invisible God, only wise

Opening Sentences

Officiant Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

The Confession

Deacon Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned.I will confess my sins to the Lord,I will not conceal my wrongdoings.

Silence

God forgives us and heals us.

All We need your healing, merciful God:give us true repentance.Some sins are plain to us;some escape us,some we cannot face.Forgive us;set us free to hear your word to us;set us free to serve you.

Officiant God forgives you.Forgive others;forgive yourself.Through Christ, God has put away your sin:approach your God in peace. Amen.

The Invitatory and PsalterThen follows one of the Invitatory Psalms, Venite or Jubilate.

One of the following Antiphons may be sung or said with the Invitatory Psalm.

Officiant Lord, open our lips.People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

All Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

Officiant Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; People Come let us adore him. Alleluia.

Then follows the Venite, said by all

Come, let us sing to the Lord; *    let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *    and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, *    and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *    and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *    and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *    and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God,and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *    Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

All Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen.

Then follows, all saying together

The Psalm or Psalms Appointed

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-171 Lord, you have been our refuge *

from one generation to another.2 Before the mountains were brought forth,

or the land and the earth were born, *from age to age you are God.

3 You turn us back to the dust and say, *"Go back, O child of earth."

4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past *and like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep us away like a dream; *we fade away suddenly like the grass.

6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; *in the evening it is dried up and withered.

13 Return, O Lord; how long will you tarry? *be gracious to your servants.

14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; *so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us *and the years in which we suffered adversity.

16 Show your servants your works *and your splendor to their children.

17 May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; *prosper the work of our hands;prosper our handiwork.

The Lessons

The First Lesson Deuteronomy 34:1-12The lesson, as appointed, is read, the Reader first saying

A Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy

Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.

Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against

Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

Reader       The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Song After the First Lesson – Hymnal #680 - O God, our help in ages past

The Second Lesson Thessalonians 2:1-8The lesson, as appointed, is read, the Reader first saying

A Reading from the first Letter to the Thessalonians

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in

our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great oppo-sition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure mo-tives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flat-tery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mor-tals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

Reader       The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

Song After the Second Lesson – The Servant Song

Won’t you let me be your servant?Let me be as Christ to youPray that I may have the grace toLet you be my servant too.

We are pilgrims on a journeyWe are travelers on the road.We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold a Christ light for youIn the nighttime of your fearsI will hold my hand out to youSpeak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weepingWhen you laugh, I laugh with you.I will share your joys and sorrows Til we see this journey through.

When we sing to God in heavenWe will find such harmony,Born of all we’ve known togetherOf Christ’s love and agony.

Won’t you let me be your servant

Let me be as Christ to youPray that I may have the grace toLet you be my servant too.Written by Richard Gillard, arranged by Betty Pulkinghan, copyright 1977, Scripture in Song, used by permission.

The Third Lesson Matthew 22:34-46The lesson, as appointed, is read, the Reader first saying

A Reading from Matthew

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? 

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

The Sermon The Rev. ClayOla GitaneAfter the sermon, a time of silence is observed.

Affirmation of FaithOfficiant and People speak responsively

We believe in God, the creator of all life and beauty,who blesses our journey.

We believe in Jesus Christ,who lived as a friend and savior to all he metas he traveled,and who ate and laughed, wept and celebratedwith them in love.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,who rides on the gentle breeze,who strengthen our bindings, and who offers hope eternal.

We believe in the church,which stands open to all travelers,and bears witness to the everlasting love of God.

The Lord’s PrayerOfficiant and People

Our Father, in heaven,    hallowed be your Name,     your kingdom come,     your will be done,         on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And 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 PrayersThen follows the Prayers of the People

The Leader and People pray responsively

Deacon We are aware of the deepening darkness, but we are not afraid. We know you are in the darkness, as well as in the brightness of day. As we enter the fallow season, may the quiet darkness help us tend to the soul work we must all do. Accept our

petitions, oh Lord, on our behalf, and on behalf of a wounded world.

Leader For our clergy, spiritual directors, prophets, and wisdom teachers…

People Source of all holiness, protect and inspire them for they bring your light to our hearts as they guide us through the wilderness.

Leader For our nation, and our world in desperate need of leaders who will act with wisdom and compassion.

People Holy Sovereign, inspire those in authority to acts of reconciliation and community building.

Leader For our common home, earth; our planet is deeply wounded by our failures to love and protect what you gave us. For our disrespect and abuse of your gift, we beg your forgiveness.

People Creator, protect those who work to heal the damage, and the creative ones who show us less wasteful ways to satisfy our needs. May we be willing to tolerate inconvenience, for the sake of those who suffer, due to lack of access to basic resources.

Leader For families anxious over how they will meet the demands of winter, made more difficult by the protocols for Covid-19.

People Loving God, help us ease their burdens where and when we can, and to be a loving supportive community to them.

Leader For our sick, injured and those facing surgery; for the lonely, depressed and those disconnected from loved ones due to Covid-19.

People Healing Lord, quiet their fears, ease their pain and help us, help them.

Deacon reads the names from the prayer list

Leader For those at the threshold of eternal life, and in memory of those who have entered it…

People Gentle God, help us remember we are flesh of your flesh, bone or your bone, we are your own.

Deacon reads the names from the prayer list

Deacon Lord of the Universe, hear our prayers, help us act out the laws of love upon which all others hang. When we resist loving our neighbor as ourselves, show us, again, what is possible with your help. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for an Election

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Prayer for MissionThen prayer for mission is added

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and ha-treds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.All say together

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.

A Litany of ThanksgivingOfficiant and People

Caring God, we thank you for your gifts in creation:for our world,the heavens tell of your glory;for our land, its beauty and its resources,for the rich heritage we enjoy.

We thank you for giving us life:for all who enrich our experience.

We thank you that you have called us to celebrate your creation:Give us reverence for life in your world.

We thank you for your redeeming love;may your Holy Spirit strengthen us to love as you love us.

God, Creator, bring us new life.Jesus, Redeemer, renew us.Holy Spirit, strengthen and guide us. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. 

Then the Officiant says this prayer

Holy One, in love you created us and called it good: Grant us the deep wisdom of your love that, wherever this day leads, our lives may remain rooted in your goodness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The BlessingThe Officiant blesses the congregation

Holy eternal Majesty,Holy incarnate Word,Holy abiding Spirit,Bless you for evermore. Amen.

Closing Hymn – Hymnal #551 - Rise up, ye saints of God

The DismissalThe Deacon concludes with a dismissal

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,wherever he may send you.May he guide you through the wilderness,protect you through the storm.May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.May he bring you home rejoicingonce again into our doors. Amen.

Please keep in prayer…

Parishioners Kathy Brown (Grief)Natalie Brown (Grief)Stacie Koochek (Healing)Hyesuk Haglin (Peace)Britt-Nicole Peterson (Healing)Susan Kaiser (Peace)Marc Povondra (Healing)Jeanne Fisher (Healing)Paula Jellinghaus (Healing)Bill Newblom (Healing)Pat Oden (Healing)Stina Pope (Healing)Lee Teed (Healing)Patricia Rhoads (Healing, strength and support)

Those Who Have DiedPhil BrownEdwin Mitchell (Brother of Bill Mitchell)Bob RaberKim Chol Sun (Mother of Hyesuk Haglin)Sherrie Raber

Family and FriendsJohn Bryant (Healing) (Steve Cole's nephew)Jody Baldwin (Peace) (Steve Cole's sister)Bob and Joan Shea (Peace) (Susan Kaiser)Mary Pitts (Healing) (Alkires)Allison Erickson (Healing) (Cousin of Sue Clary)Carol F. Johnson (Healing)Kathleen Kaplan (Patience and Peace) (Mother-in-law of Stina Pope and Sue Thompson)Patricia Morton (Healing) (Friend of Sue Clary)Karl Pope (Patience, Persistence and Courage) (Brother in-law of Stina Pope and Sue Thompson)Debbie Raub (Healing)Alice Thompson (Courage, Peace and Endurance) (Sister-in-law of Sue Thompson and Stina Pope)Teresa – (Successful surgery, comfortable healing) (Claire Alkire)Fran Webb (Healing)

Our Parish Cycle of PrayerHarry Alford and Barbara Kent-AlfordGeorge and Claire AlkireDonna Atwood and Diane GroveBarbara Arnoldsen

ThanksgivingsNancy Jones (Healthy new hip)For the ordination of Deacon Diane Moore and for her ministry among usNancy Drew (Birthday)Jean Greenwell (Birthday)Christine Hill (Birthday) Sandra Ristow (Birthday)