THE LITURGY OF THE WORD



1638300390525St. John’s Episcopal ChurchThe Liturgy of the WordThe Second Sunday after the EpiphanyA Celebration of the Life of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.17 January 2021 10 a.m.00St. John’s Episcopal ChurchThe Liturgy of the WordThe Second Sunday after the EpiphanyA Celebration of the Life of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.17 January 2021 10 a.m.Welcome to St. John’s! We are so glad you are joining us at home online.All of the prayers & responses can be found bolded in this bulletin. We hope you will join in from home!Welcome The Rev. Candace Sandfort The Word of GodPresider Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. PresiderLord, have mercy.People Christ, have mercy.PresiderLord, have mercy.The Collect of the DayThe Presider says to the people The Lord be with you.People And also with you. PresiderLet us pray.Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Reading from the Prophet Jeremiah Delica ReduqueThus says the?Lord:Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;proclaim, give praise, and say,"Save, O?Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel."See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth.Among them the blind and the lame, those with child andthose in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here.With weeping they shall come,and with consolations I will lead them back,I will let them walk by brooks of water,in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;For I have become a father to Israel,and Ephraim is my firstborn.Hear the word of the?Lord, O nations,and declare it in the coastlands far away; Say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him,and will keep him as a shepherd a flock."For the?Lord?has ransomed Jacob,and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the?Lord,over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd.Their life shall become like a watered garden,and they shall never languish again.Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,and the young men and the old shall be merry.I will turn their mourning into joy,I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.I will give the priests their fill of fatness,and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the?Lord. (31:7-14)Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.Please join us at home as we say the psalm in unison Psalm 77:1-20 Voce mea ad Dominum Delica ReduqueI cried out to God?for help;????I cried out to God to hear me.When I was in distress,?I sought the Lord;????at night?I stretched out untiring hands,????and I would not be comforted.I remembered?you, God, and I groaned;????I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing;????I was too troubled to speak.I thought about the former days,????the years of long ago;I remembered my songs in the night.????My heart meditated and my spirit asked:“Will the Lord reject forever?????Will he never show his favor?again?Has his unfailing love?vanished forever?????Has his promise?failed for all time?Has God forgotten to be merciful?????Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:????the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.?I will remember the deeds of the?Lord;????yes, I will remember your miracles?of long ago.I will consider?all your works????and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”Your ways, God, are holy.????What god is as great as our God?You are the God who performs miracles;????you display your power among the peoples.With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,? the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.The waters?saw you, God,????the waters saw you and writhed;????the very depths were convulsed.The clouds poured down water,????the heavens resounded with thunder;????your arrows?flashed back and forth.Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,????your lightning?lit up the world;????the earth trembled and quaked.Your path?led through the sea,????your way through the mighty waters,????though your footprints were not seen.You led your people?like a flock????by the hand of Moses and Aaron.A Reading from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s Selma Speech Monica LavoskyI know you are asking today, "How long will it take?" Somebody’s asking, "How long will prejudice blind the visions of men, darken their understanding, and drive bright-eyed wisdom from her sacred throne?" Somebody’s asking, "When will wounded justice, lying prostrate on the streets of Selma and Birmingham and communities all over the South, be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men?" Somebody’s asking, "When will the radiant star of hope be plunged against the nocturnal bosom of this lonely night, plucked from weary souls with chains of fear and the manacles of death? How long will justice be crucified, and truth bear it?" I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because "truth crushed to earth will rise again." How long? Not long, because "no lie can live forever." How long? Not long, because "you shall reap what you sow." How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.Sequence Anthem: “Revelations,” Alvin Ailey & the American Dance TheatreThe Gospel: Luke 6:27-36People’s response before the GospelGlory to you, Lord Christ.“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,?bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.?If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.?Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.?Do to others as you would have them do to you.“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you??Even sinners love those who love them.?And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.?And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you??Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.?But love your enemies, do good to them,?and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children?of the Most High,?because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.?Be merciful,?just as your Father?is merciful.People’s response after the GospelPraise to you, Lord Christ.The Sermon The Reverend Candace SandfortPlease join us at homeThe 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 s/he is worshiped and glorified.S/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. AmenThe People respond to each petition from their home.The Prayers of the People Monica LavoskyLeaderGod of Peace: We pray for our nation in this time of transition as we approach the inauguration of our new President, and new Vice President. We ask for an orderly transition of power on Wednesday to this new administration. Bring healing to our nation Lord, help us listen to one another with respect, always seeking the good in the other. Reconcile families and friends divided. Help us learn to love each other despite our differences and focus on the work before us: the work of forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. Inspire the people of this nation to speak out against racism, and resist all forms of injustice and oppression, as we strive to form a more perfect union in 2021.Leader God of Peace:People Hear our prayers for reconciliation.Leader God of Freedom: We pray for all who have been elected to serve in our national and local government, especially Joe our President-elect and Kamala our Vice President-elect as they are sworn into office Wednesday. May they, and all those chosen to carry the burden of office, be given the wisdom to know what is right, the compassion to seek the common good, and a spirit of service to this nation.Leader God of Freedom:People Hear our prayers for this nation.Leader God of Grace: We pray for our Presiding Bishop, Michael, our Bishop, Carlye, and all other bishops and ministers. Nurture and refresh them with the water of life that they may have the strength to carry the weight of office in this difficult and demanding time.LeaderGod of Grace:People Hear our prayers for your servants. Leader God of Compassion: We pray that you keep the merciful face of Christ ever before us as we strive to be more fully your healers of this broken world. We pray for the first-responders, scientists, medical personnel, and essential workers on the frontlines of this pandemic. We pray for those who are lonely, isolated, sick or suffering physically or financially. We pray for the poor, the refugees, the immigrants, and all who are without homes, or food, or meaningful work. We pray especially for those unfairly incarcerated who received no justice or mercy from our court system because of the color of their skin. Leader God of Compassion:People Hear our prayers for those who are exhausted, despondent, or suffering in any way.LeaderGod of Creation: We pray for the Earth, entrusted to our care: For animals, atmosphere, aquifers, rainforests, oceans, and all parts of your creation struggling with global warming that have no voice of their own. Throughout the world stir up a spirit that seeks to protect the Earth and all its resources, that we may leave to our children’s children’s children the beauty and abundance you have given us.LeaderGod of Creation: People Hear our prayers for the Earth.Leader God of Mercy: We pray for those who have died, especially those who have died alone from Covid-19. For the faithful in past generations; for the prophets who called us to racial reconciliation, sometimes at the cost of their own lives. We pray especially on this day of remembrance for Martin and all that he did to tell the truth so there could be real healing and justice for all people, especially the black people of this nation who have been unfairly incarcerated, mistreated and oppressed for centuries. Help us remember the saints of the past that they might inspire us to proclaim your Good News to all people, by our words and actions, and bring us at last into the glorious company of the saints in light.Leader God of Mercy:People Hear our prayers for the faithful in all generations.Leader We pray for the special needs and concerns of this congregation. The People may add their own petitions silently or aloud from home. Please remember to unmute yourself, and then mute yourself again when finished.The Presider adds a concluding CollectAlmighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of this nation and our newly elected officials as we begin this new year; 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.Confession & Absolution Church of England BCPPresiderLet us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.AllAlmighty God, source of all that is, and giver of every good gift. You create all people in your image and call us to love one another as you love us.We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family. We have desired to live in freedom, while building walls between ourselves and others.We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are, while judging others based on the color of their skin, or cultural differences.Forgive us, Holy God.Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people.Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love.Restore us in your image, to be the Beloved Community, united in our diversity; even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit, Holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen. The Presider says Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.The Presider then saysAnd now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,All sayThe Lord’s PrayerOur 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 BlessingThe flowers today are given to the Glory of God by Chrissy, Russell & Fox Bouchelle in loving memory of Doris Bens“She gave love and hope to all she met, and will be greatly missed.”ANNOUNCEMENTSEnrich yourself during Lent, and make good use of another 40 days of the Pandemic…Lent begins February 17th and I am putting together a study of the Old Testament Book of Job and the meaning of suffering—a timely subject—I hope you’ll consider joining in what could be your “Lenten Discipline” perhaps? We will read the contemporary play “JB,” which tells the story of Job through a twentieth-century American banker/millionaire whom God commands be stripped of his family and wealth, but who refuses to turn his back on God. J.B. won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and the Tony Award for best play. We will also watch (at home) and discuss two movies in the course of the 40 days: The Tree of Life, from the great director Terrence Malick, and A Serious Man, directed by the equally amazing Coen brothers. Let me know if you’re interested by calling the office, texting me, or emailing: Rectorstjmontclair@THE STATE OF OUR UNION26670013271500 LAST YEAR @ this time 61 households had pledged $194,197 THIS YEAR 50 households have pledged $166,979 We’re in the home stretch! Only $33,000 is needed to support our $200,000 operating budget! "Give?thanks?in all circumstances” I Thessalonians 5:18 We are so grateful to those who have pledged, and so grateful for those we are counting on to help us reach the $200,000 minimum we need to run St. John’s.Need a pledge card? Let Michelle know at the office and she’ll send one out to you pronto! Pledging made easy:Just fill out your card and drop it in the mail or the mail slot next to the Parish Hall door.OR use the “Online Payments” tab on our website to set up automatic pledge payments on our secure Vanco page.OR easier yet, use this QR code which will go directly to our Vanco page to pledge:How to use the QR code: Simply point your phone’s camera at the QR code below (don’t click!) Tap the drop-down message that appears. You will automatically be taken to our website’s “Online Payments” page. 2095500-12192000Here’s what you’ll see when you get to the Vanco page:Only one flower donation date available until Easter: January 24th Notice on the Vanco page above: Flowers, weekly ($75) It’s so easy! Just go online and donate flowers to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, remember a loved one, or give thanks for a blessing in your life. Call Michelle to reserve one of the date: 973-746-2474, request particular flowers, and choose what’s written int the bulleting. Then mail your $75 donation to St. John's or drop it in the mail slot outside the Parish Hall door.OR EASIER YET: Quickly pay online on the VANCO page of our website (see above). Prayer & SharePeace be with you, Brothers and Sisters!?A few of us get together?to?share and pray together in the following ways.?You are most welcome?to?join us!???1.?Please join us in "the Prayer and Share Zoom Meeting",?weekly at?7 p.m. every Thursday.Join Zoom Meeting?(Same link, same password every week) ID: 823 943 733Password:?4069252. You are welcome to post prayer requests for participants to keep in their prayers. The prayers will also be read at the Sunday service. Besides sharing prayer requests, you are also welcome to share useful information or meaningful messages with us in the GoogleDoc below:?This document is titled "Share, Pray & Come Alive Together." Friend Left BehindMESH“Brother could you spare a dime?”Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless (MESH) is a local, faith-based organization that provides essential services to Montclair’s most vulnerable homeless adults and families. MESH partners with local churches, synagogues & other community members to provide an evening meal, 6 days a week and overnight respite during extreme weather.? St. John's provides meals the first Friday of the month from September through June.??Due to Covid, St. John's volunteers can no longer serve in our Parish Hall.? Instead, we now provide 40 "grab-n-go" meals that are distributed to the MESH guests at the Salvation Army parking lot.? The cost is roughly $250 per month.? The MESH volunteers have donated enough money to cover meals through March but we are in need of funds for April, May and June.? The hope is we'll back to serving in our Parish Hall come September.? Please consider making a donation by visiting the donation page on our website.? Whatever you give will be put to good use and appreciated by all.DismissalPresiderGo in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.PeopleThanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia. ................
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