Trinity Episcopal Church

Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany

January 31st, 2021

Liturgy of the Word

Processional Hymn Hymnal 437

Tell Out My Soul

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;Tender to me the promise of His Word;In God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.

The Word of God BCP pg. 355

Celebrant: Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins;

People: His mercy endures forever.

Celebrant: 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.

Hymn of Praise Hymnal 371

Thou Whose Almighty Word

1. Thou, whose almighty word

chaos and darkness heard,

and took their flight;

hear us, we humbly pray,and, where the Gospel day

sheds not its glorious ray,let there be light!

Collect of the Day

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Let us pray.

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.

First Reading Deuteronomy 18:15-20

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.”

Reader: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Psalm 1111. 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 forever.

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 forever; *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 forever.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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.

Reader: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Gradual Hymn Hymnal 493

O For A Thousand Tongues

1. O for a thousand tongues to singmy great Redeemer's praise,the glories of my God and King,the triumphs of his grace!

4. He speaks; and, listening to his voice,new life the dead receive,the mournful broken hearts rejoice,the humble poor believe.

5. Hear him, ye deaf; ye voiceless ones,your loosened tongues employ;ye blind, behold your Savior comes;and leap, ye lame, for joy!

Holy Gospel Mark 1:21-28

Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark

People: Praise 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.

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ

Sermon: Father Bill McGinty

It was 1961 when our Parish priest Fr. Bernard Hewitt sent four of us Altar Servers to a Vocation Exhibition in Bidston, Birkenhead. It took place in the local Primary School and had stalls from many of the church’s Religious Orders and Dioceses. I had been to these occasions before, spending time collecting the leaflets and handouts from all the different congregations.

On the way back to West Kirby, the boys could not stop talking about ‘Salesians’ and somebody called ‘Don Bosco'. David Jelley was one of the boys and a friend of mine from school. We served at St Agnes’ Church so knew each other well, often riding the same bus five miles to school. The trip to Birkenhead really affected David and in the Summer of 1961, he signed up for the Salesian Missionary College, Shrigley Park in Bollington, Cheshire. David was greatly missed, especially by his family, and the parish. Boys occasionally went off to study for the priesthood, only returning for the Summer vacation.

In the Spring of 1962, the Jelley family were heading to see David at the Shrigley College and they invited me along. The College was high in the Pennine Hills, a large mansion style building in 300acres of countryside with a large blue stone church next to it. There were soccer games going on as we arrived; later I saw black-robed figures playing soccer in the playground. Strange, everyone seemed to be having so much fun. So these were the ‘Salesians’, Don Bosco’s men. Really different from the usual priests I had ever encountered. When I returned home, I began to read about this Don Bosco character determined to find out what made him so special.

Today is St. John Bosco’s feast day, the 31st of January. As you may expect a big day in Salesian circles. He was born in 1815 right at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. His father died shortly after his birth and he was brought up by his mother Margaret in an isolated farm, bullied by an older brother, who mocked his dreams of becoming a priest.

He became a priest after many years of struggle and study and was sent to the poorest area of the industrial city of Turin. The streets were filled with hoards of children, living in alleyways and under the bridges. One day a boy named Bartholomew Barelli came into John Bosco’s church. The sexton tried to throw him out, but Don Bosco stopped him and invited the boy to serve his Mass. From there he had Bartholomew introduce him to the gangs of boys. Soon Don Bosco’s church, hall and soccer field were a regular date every Sunday afternoon for hundreds of boys. Soccer, being fed by Mama Margaret, before John Bosco gave them some religious instruction. He taught them games, magic and most of all music. It was the beginning of his life’s work. He would find an Order to work for Youth. He called it the Salesian Order and it would circle the world to every country in a mission for the welfare of young people.

David Jelley had stumbled into a work and ministry for youth around the world. Don Bosco’s Salesians had spread around the world, working for youth for a man who died in 1888. In the next hundred years his work and legacy spread throughout the world. Schools, colleges, universities, children’s homes and many ways of saving children at risk and in danger. Don Bosco’s Salesians had spread to many missionary countries. The small Salesian College at Shrigley Park, had contributed many young men to those foreign fields. Davi Jelley dreamt of being one of them. His dream never materialized. David died tragically aged twenty-six. He was responsible for introducing me to the Salesians, who would teach me the spirit and ways of Don Bosco.

So here we are in 2021, and each of us need to capture that spirit because John Bosco's approach was based on Christ and his teaching. He saw young people as real people. He believed in them, in their dignity and personhood. He did not believe in failure, but in the potential of each boy or girl. He believed in encouragement and building up esteem, developing talent and skills. Most of all he believed that every child should be protected from evil and the darkness of this world. He believed that they were all ‘children of God’.

There is one characteristic of Don Bosco’s work that deserves mentioning. It is illustrated in the following story. One Sunday afternoon John Bosco went into the church to pray. There he found a teenage boy named Dominic Savio kneeling in prayer. He asked him what he was doing and Dominic replied that he was going to spend the entire afternoon in prayer. “No,” said Don Bosco. “Your place is out there on the soccer field. A game of soccer can be a prayer. Anything can be a prayer, a hobby, a game, even the work that you do. Just make that your intention, that is your prayer.”

In our busy lives that is an important lesson for all of us. None of us have the time to spend the entire day on our knees in prayer. Monks can do that, but not us. No, our entire life has to be a prayer, our work, our play, our music and all we do. On this the Feast of John Bosco, we should celebrate the joy and fun that young people bring to our lives. Amen.

Nicene Creed (All stand)

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

The Prayers of the People Form IV BCP 388

Leader: Let us pray for the Church & for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all

who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love &

reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy*

Hear our prayer.

Leader: 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.

Lord, in your mercy*

Hear our prayer.

Leader: For this community, the nation, the world and for all who work for justice,

freedom and peace; especially among our servicemen and women we are asked to

pray for;

Lord in your mercy*

Hear our prayer

Leader: 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.

Lord, in your mercy*

Hear our prayer.

Leader: 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.

Lord, in your mercy*

Hear our prayer.

Leader: Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your salvation. Among the sick we are asked to remember;

Lord, in your mercy*

Hear our prayer

Leader: We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom; remembering

Lord, in your mercy*

Hear our prayer

Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God & our neighbor.

Leader and People:

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Priest stands and 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

Peace:

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Offertory Anthem Hymnal 535

Ye Servants Of God

1. Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,and publish abroad his wonderful Name;the Name all-victorious of Jesus extol:his kingdom is glorious; he rules over all.

2. God ruleth on high, almighty to save;and still he is nigh: his presence we have.The great congregation his triumph shall sing,ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

3. Salvation to God who sits on the throne!Let all cry aloud, and honor the Son.The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,fall down on their faces, and worship the Lamb.

Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise him all creatures here below.

Praise him above ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Great Thanksgiving (Eucharistic Prayer B, Page 367)

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 him thanks and praise.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds: 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 forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of our Name:

Celebrant and People:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

The Celebrant continues:

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness & love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil & made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life

On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,

Celebrant and People:

We remember his death,

We proclaim his resurrection,

We await his coming in glory;

The Celebrant continues:

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By him, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now & forever. Amen

Celebrant then continues:

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:

People and Celebrant:

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, forever and ever. Amen

Fraction Anthem Hymnal S164

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Communion Hymn Hymnal 457

Thou Art The Way

1. Thou art the Way, to thee alonefrom sin and death we flee;and all who would the Father seek,must seek him, Lord, by thee.

2. Thou art the Truth: thy word alonetrue wisdom can impart;thou only canst inform the mindand purify the heart.

3. Thou art the Life, the rending tombproclaims thy conquering arm;and those who put their trust in theenor death nor hell shall harm.

4. Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life:grant us that way to know,that truth to keep, that life to win,whose joys eternal flow.

Since we are unable to physically receive communion at this time,

Let us pray the Prayer of Spiritual Communion:

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you were already there, I embrace you and unite myself wholly to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

Celebrant: Let us pray

Celebrant and People:

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 & serve you with gladness & singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen

Blessing/Dismissal:

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever.

People: Amen.

The Procession into the World Hymnal 671

Amazing Grace

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the soundthat saved a wretch like me!I once was lost, but now am found,was blind, but now I see.

NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS January 31st, 2021

Today and During the Week our Prayers are asked for:

Trinity Church: Patty, Matty Sr., Sean, Veronica, Glen, Jack, Kathryn, Christine, Maureen, Tracy, Margaret, Edie, Joseph, Bob, Jennifer, Chris, Alex, Nancy, Donna, Bobby, Kristie, Gil, Elissa, Carson, Brian, Jean, Jim, Mary Theresa, Gary, Karen, Dave, Brielle, Bonnie, Ann Marie, Ashley, Tom, Marilyn, Kevin, Rane & Toots

Christ Church: We pray for those in nursing homes, assisted living, rehab centers and those with special needs, especially: Joe Gliha, Rick Walker, Bob Cheshul, Warren Morgan, Stanley Sheldon, JoAnne Wychowanec, Julia Lukimski, Rachelle Ladouceur, Joseph Fobes, Mark Walsh, Velma Hornbeck, Sophia Fedak, Angie Albanese, Julie Lee, Ivy Carpenter, Terry Wojekoski, Robert Ott, Pam Carey, Kathy Henning, Craig Trella, Karen Woodward, Michael Newfrock, Jodi Hilliker, Ruth (Rudy) Peterka, Cecilia Sirianni, Ellen Foster, Richard Hoffmire, Jack Devine, Camryn Hicks, Scott Rood, GeorgeAnn Frey, Dick Lambertson, Bill Glavich, Mike Murnin, Joseph Brennen, Nancy Jones, Frank Gliha, Richard Kemman, Patty Hugaboom, Ron Kulasinsky, Linda Corey, Nancy Jones, Stephen Dreater, Maureen Matylewicz, Joe Forbes, Ian Matthew Kamora, James Moore, Ed Shipshinski, Lynn Murphy, Joe Moran, Tommy Walker, Dawn Pentecost, Delores Levine, John Munch, Cathy Yoder, Eli Rodala, Jerome Burke, Kevin Ennis, Clarissa Wimmers, Ethan Howell, Fern Cornall, and Gus DeMark.

Among our servicemen and women, we are asked to pray for: Kyle Maxey, Sean O’Neill and Patrick Dougherty

Among the deceased we are asked to remember all who have died,

In case of Emergency when the office is closed, please call: Bonnie Bay: (570) 396-8650 or Jerry Minton: (850) 723-7385

Trinity Mission Statement: “Trinity Church strives to be a beacon of light in the community & to welcome all people to join us in celebrating God, by doing good works for His people.”

Fundraising: We are selling the following items along with assorted home-made crafts.

Soup: Donation: $5 per pint; $9 per quart.

Available Soups are:

⦁ Chicken Noodle⦁ Beef Vegetable⦁ Beef Barley⦁ Clam Chowder⦁ Italian Wedding⦁ Split Ham and Pea

⦁ Broccoli and Cheese

⦁ Broccoli

Fudge: Donation: $9 1lb. or ½ lb for $4.50 (Peanut Butter, Chocolate & Chocolate Nut)

Savory Nuts: Donation: $5– 5oz bag

Stewardship: Epiphany 4 - Psalm 11:1 says “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart…” Our Catechism (see the Prayer Book, p. 856) has at least one set of suggestions about how to do this. We are to follow Christ, to come together week by week for corporate worship, and to work, pray, and give for the spread of his kingdom. What a concise list for a “steward-in-training”!

Diocese Reopening News: Any updates will be listed in the bulletin and also on our Facebook & Website.

Remember to turn in your pledge!

If you have already turned yours in Thank You!

Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center: We received a thank you note from Gino J.

Merli Veteran’ Center for our recent donation. It reads: “On behalf of the residents

of the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center, we thank you for the recent donation of

socks. Your donation will make a real and lasting contribution to the comfort of

residents now and in the future. Your support for our veterans is greatly

appreciated by everyone at the center

LENTEN

PIZZA SALES

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

700 Delaware Street

Forest City PA

Fridays:

February 19

th

- April 2

nd

Prepared & ready to heat

12-cut Three-Cheese Pizza: $10

12-cut Pagash Pizza (potato, cheese, onion) : $12

Call to order: 570 -785-3425

Pick-up: 3:00pm -6:00pm

HOMEMADE SOUPS

FOR TAKE -OUT

Wednesday , February 10

th

(snow date February 11

th

)

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

700 DELAWARE STREET , FOREST CITY

Noon- 6:00pm – Take-out Only

$9 per frozen quart

12 Varieties Available

CALL EARLY for your favorite

Reserve yours at:

570-785-3425