Saturday, October 26, 9:30 A.M.
Gathering Music
Bless the Lord, my soul
Jacques Berthier (1923-1994), arr. William Z Cleary (b. 1986)
God’s eye is on the sparrow
Words: Civilla Durfee Martin (1866-1948), alt., arr. W.Z. Cleary Music: Sparrow, Chas. H. Gabriel (1856-1932)
Esa Montaña (La Montaña)
Author unknown, arr. W.Z. Cleary
The Liturgy of the Word
Processional Hymn
I come with joy to meet my Lord
Land of Rest, arr. W.Z. Cleary
- I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved, and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me. - I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread. - As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
That love that made us makes us one,
and strangers now are friends. - And thus with joy we meet our Lord.
His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known:
we see, and praise him here. - Together met, together bound,
we’ll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world,
we’ll live and speak his praise.
Opening Acclamation
Celebrant Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
People And blessed be God’s reign, now and for ever. Amen.
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.
Song of Praise
There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place
Sweet, Sweet Spirit, arr. W.Z. Cleary
- There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,
and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord.
There are sweet expressions on each face,
and I know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Refrain:
Sweet Holy Spirit,
Sweet Heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us,
filling us with your love.
And for these blessings
we lift our hearts in praise;
Without a doubt we’ll know
that we have been revived
when we shall leave this place.
- Hay un dulce Espiritu aquí,
y yo sé que es el Espíritu del Señor.
Cada rostro expresa el gozo sí,
pues sentimos la presencia del Salvador.
Estribillo:
Santo Espíritu,
fiel, celestial,
que date aquí
y llénanos de tu amor.
Y por tus obras
te damos hoy loor;
y sin dudar yo sé
que nueva vida en ti
tendremos siempre aqui.
The Collect
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Please be seated for the reading of Holy Scripture.
Hebrew Scripture Joshua 1:7-9
A reading from the book of Joshua.
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm Psalm 146:1, 7-9, antiphon by Isaac Everett
The worship leader sings the psalm text, and the people repeat the sung response when invited.
1 Hallelujah! Praise the LORD, O my soul! *
I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *
who keeps his promise for ever;
6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *
and food to those who hunger.
7 The LORD sets the prisoners free;
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind; *
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
8 The LORD loves the righteous;
the LORD cares for the stranger; *
he sustains the orphan and widow,
but frustrates the way of the wicked.
9 The LORD shall reign for ever, *
your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.
Hallelujah!
Epistle Romans 12:1-18
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn
Like the murmur of the dove’s song Bridegroom
- Like the murmur of the dove’s song,
like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigor of the wind’s rush,
like the new flame’s eager might:
come, Holy Spirit, come. - To the members of Christ’s Body,
to the branches of the Vine,
to the Church in faith assembled,
to her midst as gift and sign:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
- With the healing of division,
with the ceaseless voice of prayer,
with the power to love and witness,
with the peace beyond compare:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
The Gospel John 15:1-8
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
English (NRSV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”
Español (Nueva Versión Internacional)
“Yo soy la vid verdadera y mi Padre es el labrador. Toda rama que en mí no da fruto la corta; pero toda rama que da fruto la poda para que dé más fruto todavía. Ustedes ya están limpios por la palabra que les he comunicado. Permanezcan en mí y yo permaneceré en ustedes. Así como ninguna rama puede dar fruto por sí misma, sino que tiene que permanecer en la vid, así tampoco ustedes pueden dar fruto si no permanecen en mí. Yo soy la vid y ustedes son las ramas. El que permanece en mí, como yo en él, dará mucho fruto; separados de mí no pueden ustedes hacer nada. El que no permanece en mí es desechado y se seca, como las ramas que se recogen, se arrojan al fuego y se queman. Si permanecen en mí y mis palabras permanecen en ustedes, pidan lo que quieran y se les concederá. Mi Padre es glorificado cuando ustedes dan mucho fruto y muestran así que son mis discípulos.
Créole Haïtienne (Haitian Creole Version)
Mwen se pye rezen tout bon an. Papa m’ se moun k’ap okipe pye rezen an. Li koupe tout branch nan mwen ki pa donnen. Li netwaye tout branch ki donnen pou yo ka donnen plis toujou. Nou menm, avèk tou sa m’ moutre nou yo, nou deja nan kondisyon pou n’ fè volonte Bondye. Se pou n’ fè yonn ak mwen, menm jan mwen fè yonn ak nou. Yon branch pa ka donnen pou kont li si l’ pa fè yonn ak pye rezen an. Konsa tou, nou p’ap kapab donnen si nou pa fè yonn ak mwen. Mwen se pye rezen an, nou se branch yo. Moun ki fè yonn avè m’, moun mwen fè yonn ak li, l’ap donnen anpil, paske nou pa kapab fè anyen san mwen. Moun ki pa fè yonn ak mwen, y’ap koupe l’ voye jete; l’ap cheche tankou yon branch bwa. Lè branch bwa yo cheche, yo ranmase yo, yo jete yo nan dife, yo boule yo. Si nou fè yonn ak mwen, si nou kenbe pawòl mwen yo nan kè nou, nou mèt mande sa nou vle, y’a ban nou li. Men ki jan pouvwa Papa m’ lan va parèt aklè: se lè nou donnen anpil, lè nou fè wè se disip mwen nou ye.
Deacon The Gospel of our Savior.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello, Bishop Diocesan
The Prayers of the People
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.” Let us lift our voices in prayer to God the vinegrower for the Church, the human family, and all of creation saying Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God the vinegrower, you have made us one in Jesus the true vine. We pray for the Church and all its members, that we who are grafted together in Christ may bear good fruit. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God the vinegrower, we give thanks for your work in and through the Episcopal Church in Connecticut; for diversity that reflects your wide and wondrous love; and for unity of purpose as followers of Jesus. We are many branches abiding in the one true vine. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God the vinegrower, we pray for this nation and all in authority. Prune away fear, hate, and division, and sow peace, justice, and compassion. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God the vinegrower, you created us out of dirt and divine breath and call us to care for the earth. We pray for the world and all its creatures, that we may steward and protect them as you command. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God the vinegrower, you care for us with tenderness and compassion. Graft in our hearts your own love for prisoners, refugees, climate migrants, and all who suffer from lack of water, food, shelter, or security. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God the vinegrower, whose beloved child healed the sick and gave hope to those in despair: we pray for all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, that they may find wholeness, strength, and peace in the abiding love of God. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God the vinegrower, those who abide in your son will never be separated from you. We pray for all who have died, that they may rest in the nearer presence of God. Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Hear our prayers, O God of Love, and accept them in your great wisdom and mercy. Bless this gathering, that we may be enlivened and empowered to flourish as branches of the one true vine. Tend us and shape us, that we may abide in you and serve you without fail, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Confession of Sin
Let us confess our sins to God.
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
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements
Offertory Sentence
Offertory Anthem
Take me to the water African American spiritual, arr. W.Z. Cleary
Presentation Hymn
From all that dwells below the skies Old 100th
- From all that dwells below the skies,
let the Creator’s praise arise!
Let the Redeemer’s Name be sung
through every land, by every tongue. - Eternal are thy mercies, Lord,
and truth eternal is thy word;
Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore
‘til suns shall rise and set no more. - Proclaim again that God is good,
whose mercy is forever sure,
whose truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure. - Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise God ye creatures here below;
Praise God above ye heav’nly host,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
The Great Thanksgiving
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy. You have filled us and all creation with your blessing and fed us with your constant love; you have redeemed us in Jesus Christ and knit us into one body. Through your Spirit you replenish us and call us to fullness of life. Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:
Sanctus
Holy, Holy, Holy from Mass for a Soulful People Grayson Warren Brown
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace. But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people. Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation.
Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.
On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all 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.
Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray,
The people are invited to prayer the Lord’s Prayer in the language of their heart.
The Breaking of the Bread
A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
People We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
All baptized Christians, regardless of age or denomination, are welcome to receive Holy Communion. When coming forward to receive Holy Communion, please follow the direction given by the ushers. If you are unable to come to the front, please let an usher know and the Sacrament will be brought to you.
Communion Hymns
Let us break bread together on our knees Let us break bread together, arr. W.Z. Cleary
- Let us break bread together on our knees;
Let us break bread together on our knees.
Refrain:
When I fall on my knees,
with my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me.
- Let us drink wine together on our knees;
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
(Refrain) - Let us praise God together on our knees;
Let us praise God together on our knees.
(Refrain)
El espíritu de Dios está en este lugar Arreglos Pedro Hilari
| El Espíritu de Dios está en este lugar El espíritu de Dios está en este lugar El espíritu de Dios se mueve en este lugar Está aquí para consolar, está aquí para liberar Está aquí para guiar, el espíritu de Dios está aquí El espíritu de Dios está en este lugar El espíritu de Dios se mueve en este lugar Está aquí para consolar, está aquí para liberar Está aquí para guiar, el espíritu de Dios está aquí Muévete en mí, muévete en mí Toma mi mente y mi corazón Llena mi vida de tu amor Muévete en mí, Santo Espíritu Muévete en mí (bis) | The spirit of God is in this place The spirit of God is in this place The spirit of God moves in this place It’s here to comfort, it’s here to release It’s here to guide, the spirit of God is here The spirit of God is in this place The spirit of God moves in this place It’s here to comfort, it’s here to release It’s here to guide, the spirit of God is here Move in me, move in me Take my mind and my heart Fill my life with your love Move in me, Holy Spirit move in me (repeat) |
We’ve (not we have) come this far by faith (LEVAS) Albert A. Goodson, arr. W.Z. Cleary
Refrain:
We’ve come this far by faith,
Leaning on the Lord;
Trusting in his holy Word,
He’s never failed me yet.
O can’t turn around.
We’ve come this far by faith.
- Don’t be discouraged when trouble’s in your life.
He’ll bear your burdens and move all misery and strife.
That’s why . . .
(Refrain) - Just the other day I heard someone say
He didn’t believe in God’s word;
But I can truly sat that God had made a way
And He never failed me yet.
That’s why . . .
(Refrain)
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray.
God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing