Liturgy - St. Thomas Episcopal Church

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
June 20, 2021
Holy Eucharist Rite II
The Canon Rev. Claire Woodley Preaching and Presiding
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First Reading       Barbara Reichling
Psalm               Dottie Zimmerman
Second Reading       Carol Eskesen Smith
Prayers          Judy Aubin

Prelude
GATHERING RITES

Welcome
Opening Hymn:
Ye Servants of God           Hymnal 535

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
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.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

The Collect of the Day

The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your lovingkindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Job 38:1-11
The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
"Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb?-- when I made the clouds its garment,
and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed bounds for it,
and set bars and doors, and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stopped'?"
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
23 Some went down to the sea in ships *
and plied their trade in deep waters;
24 They beheld the works of the Lord *
and his wonders in the deep.
25 Then he spoke, and a stormy wind arose, *
which tossed high the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and fell back to the depths; *
their hearts melted because of their peril.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards *
and were at their wits' end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper *
and quieted the waves of the sea.
30 Then were they glad because of the calm, *
and he brought them to the harbor they were bound for.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people *
and praise him in the council of the elders.

2 Corinthians 6:1-13
As we work together with Christ, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see-- we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In return-- I speak as to children-- open wide your hearts also. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Hymn
How Wondrous and Great        Hymnal 533

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Mark. Glory to you, Lord Christ

When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Mark 4:35-41
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Homily
followed by silent reflection

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.

Prayers of the People Form VI
Presider: In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
Silence
The Litanist continues
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone
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 those in the military and public service who risk their lives for our safety, and 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 the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the truth.
For Michael our Presiding Bishop, Lawrence our Diocesan Bishop, Geralyn, William and Daniel our Bishops, John our new Deacon and Priest-to-be, and for all other ministers For all who serve God in his Church
For the sick and suffering, for those who seek employment, housing, and hope, and those we now name, silently or aloud (time is given). Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.

Silence
We thank you. Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially those we now name, silently or aloud
(time is given).
We will exalt you, O God our King
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all those who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom, especially those we now name, silently or aloud (time is given).
We pray for those who are bereaved, that they find your comfort and peace. Lord, let your loving kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Silence

For our failure to appreciate and enjoy the good things you provide for our lives; for our insensitivity to the needs of others, and for our oversensitivity when we are hurt by them; for becoming consumed in the business of life, and for losing faith in your sovereignty and power; for moods of disobedience and for outright rejection of your will; for consenting to wrong practices by our silence: In your mercy, Lord, forgive us. Reform our will, strengthen our courage: create in us a new heart, O God, and put your righteousness in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Presider

God loves a truly penitent heart. Receive God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness through our Lord Jesus Christ. Be strengthened in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy
Spirit live in the hope of eternal life.
Amen.

  The Exchange of the Peace
Please Stand

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

THE OFFERTORY

Offertory Sentence
“Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2
The offerings are brought forward as the doxology is sung:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The Celebrant blesses the offerings:
Bless these gifts to our use, O Lord, and us to your service, In Jesus’ Name we pray.
Amen.

Offertory Anthem
When the Storms of Life are Raging

THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A
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 by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world. 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 and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the high0est. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Remain standing, or kneel

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is Risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the + Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. + Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. 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
As Jesus taught, we now pray:
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 Fraction
We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.
We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

The Invitation
Be what you see, receive who you are: the body of Christ, broken and poured out for the world. Amen.

The Distribution
Come forward with arms extended to receive the Sacrament, or with arms across your heart for a blessing.
The Body of Christ, the Bread of heaven. Amen.

Communion Hymn:
Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life       Hymnal 487

A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Those Unable to Receive Holy Communion We come before you without bread or wine, hungry for Jesus, the bread of life and cup of salvation. The Spirit reminds us there is only one thing needful: to give ourselves away with the abandon of love we know in him. Heavenly Father, we come before you offering our bodies as bread, our blood as wine. Do for us we what we cannot do for ourselves; transform us into Christ. Father, take us, bless us, break us open by the Power of your Holy Spirit, and give us to each other, and to the world, for his love’s sake. Amen

Post Communion Prayer
Let us pray.
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.

SENDING RITES
The Blessing
God’s Blessing + be with you, Christ’s peace be with you, The Spirit’s outpouring be with you, Now and always. Amen.

Departing Hymn
Lead Us, Heavenly Father           Hymnal 559

Announcements

The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve. Thanks be to God.

Postlude