The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 19, 2021

10:00 am

The Holy Eucharist, Rite Two

Trinity Church, Swarthmore

Welcome! Wherever we are as we prepare to worship this morning, we seek to be as one Body

enlivened by the one Spirit in our worship, relationships, and loving service.

Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them,

“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me,

and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

~ Mark 9:36-37

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Our worship today follows Rite Two of the Holy Eucharist in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer (BCP), beginning on p. 355. We also gather for this service of worship by Zoom (linked here). After the service of worship, the feast continues! Please join us for time in fellowship: on site (outdoors, weather permitting) or on Zoom.

Voluntary

Opening Hymn “Immortal, invisible, God only wise” Hymnal 1982 #423

Welcome

Opening Acclamation BCP p. 355

Presider Blessed be the one, holy and living God. People Glory to God, for ever and 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.

Gloria Hymnal 1982 S-279

Liturgy of The Word

The Collect of the Day BCP p. 357

Presider The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Presider Let us pray.

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. First Reading Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22

Lector A Reading from the book of Wisdom.

The ungodly by their words and deeds summoned death; considering him a friend, they pined away and made a covenant with him, because they are fit to belong to his company. For they reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, “Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end, and no one has been known to return from Hades. Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training. He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord. He became to us a reproof of our thoughts; the very sight of him is a burden to us, because his manner of life is unlike that of others, and his ways are strange. We are considered by him as something base, and he avoids our ways as unclean; he calls the last end of the righteous happy, and boasts that God is his father. Let us see if his words are true, and let us test what will happen at the end of his life; for if the righteous man is God’s child, he will help him, and will deliver him from the hand of his adversaries. Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance. Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected.” Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray, for their wickedness blinded them, and they did not know the secret purposes of God, nor hoped for the wages of holiness, nor discerned the prize for blameless souls.

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

Psalm of the Day Psalm 1, Beatus vir qui non abiit Congregation joins in singing the antiphon

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1) Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, * nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2) Their delight is in the law of the LORD, * and they meditate on his law day and night.

3) They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; * everything they do shall prosper.

4) It is not so with the wicked; * they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5) Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, * nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

6) For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, * but the way of the wicked is doomed.

Second Reading James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Lector A Reading from the Letter of James.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

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

Sequence Hymn “O sing to the Lord” Hymnal 1982 # 628

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The Holy Gospel Mark 9:30-37

Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus and his disciples passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

+ + + After the proclamation of the Gospel, young children (Kindergarten – 5th grade) are invited to follow Natalee Hill out

of the sanctuary to hear a message through stories and activities, then return for the sharing of God’s peace. + + +

The Sermon

An Affirmation of Faith The Nicene Creed, BCP p. 358

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

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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 p. 388

Prayer leader Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

The following response is sung before and after the Prayers. The choir sings once, the congregation then joins choir in repeating.

©1991 Ateliers et Presses de Taizé

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love and reveal your glory in the world.

Prayer leader Lord, in your mercy People Hear our prayer.

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. (Silence) Lord, in your mercy…

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. (Silence) Lord, in your mercy…

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. (Silence) Lord, in your mercy… 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. (Silence) Lord, in your mercy… 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. (Silence) Lord, in your mercy…

The Presider adds a concluding Collect, after which the antiphon is sung by choir and people.

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Confession of Sin and Absolution BCP p. 331

The Deacon or Presider says the following

Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved thee with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in thy will, and walk in thy ways, to the glory of thy Name. Amen.

The Presider concludes with an absolution.

Sharing a Sign of Christ’s Peace

Presider The peace of Christ be always with you. People And also with you.

All are invited to share a sign of Christ’s peace, during which time the children who left with Natalee Hill for the Children’s Message return to their families. Announcements follow.

An Invitation to Communion

Presider The table of bread and wine is now to be made ready. It is the table of company with Jesus, and all who love him. It is the table of sharing with the poor and marginalized of the world, with whom Jesus identified himself. It is the table of communion with the earth, in which Christ became incarnate. So come, let us gather as we are able. It is Christ who invites us to meet him.

People Jesus, we cannot all gather in community round your altar as we desire. Yet, you are with God; you are of God. Give us grace so to be in communion with you and one another, that we may know your presence in and among us. Amen.

Offertory motet: “A Song of Trust” C. Villiers Stanford

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from when cometh my help. My help cometh even from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, and he that keepeth thee will not sleep. Behold. he that

keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself is thy keeper: the Lord is thy defense upon thy right hand; So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, neither the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil;

yea, it is even he that shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall prepare thy going out and thy coming in, From this time forth for evermore.

Liturgy of the Table: Holy Communion

All who are drawn to God in the way of Jesus Christ are welcome to receive the consecrated host in the community of Trinity Church. If you wish to receive, please come up the center aisle, maintaining six feet of physical space between you and non-family members. Please stretch out your arms at full length to receive, holding both hands palm up, then return down a side aisle. Gluten-free wafers are available upon request. If possible, please let an usher know in advance. Those who would like to receive a blessing instead may come to the rail and fold their arms across their chest.

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A, BCP p. 361

Presider The Lord be with you.

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People And also with you. Presider Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Presider Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The presider continues with an acclamation praising God, concluding

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 your Name:

Sanctus, Hymnal 1982 S-131

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 Presider continues with an account of God’s saving grace as focused in the last supper, at which Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion, concluding

Therefore according to his command, O Father:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption…

The Presider then calls on the Holy Spirit to bless the elements of bread and wine, that through them we may be connected to God in the sacrifice of Christ and in risen life with him, and that we may be connected to one another in the Spirit. The service continues with the Lord’s Prayer.

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

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 trespasses 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.

The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread, then follows Agnus Dei, Hymnal 1982 S-166

Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us. Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us. Jesus, redeemer of the world: give us your peace.

The Presider says

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Those wishing to receive the host or a blessing are invited to come forward.

At the Communion “I’m going to eat at the welcome table” Spiritual, arr. J.S.

The congregation is invited to sing softly with the choir

Communion Hymn “O saving Victim, opening wide” Hymnal 1982 #310

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After Communion, the Presider says

Presider Let us pray.

All 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.

The priest (or bishop, if present) may bless the congregation.

Closing hymn “All my hope on God is founded” Hymnal 1982 #665

Dismissal BCP p. 366 Presider Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.

Participants online are invited to remain in Zoom after the postlude to share in fellowship.

Participants on-site are invited to stay for popsicles and fellowship in the Circle Drive (weather permitting).

Vaccinated persons are welcome to remove their masks outdoors.

We ask that unvaccinated persons and children continue to wear their masks outdoors when not eating.

The image at the top is in the public domain.

Assisting this morning:

Preacher and Presider The Rev. Bert Zug Organist and Choirmaster James Smith Lectors Claire Larson and Tom Izbicki Intercessor Carol Williamson Ushers Claire Larson and Andy Millett Altar Guild Betsy Breakell, Suzanne West, Angela Cimino, Nancy Adams A/V Ministers: On-site Ed West Zoom Host Bella Englebach Zoom Chat Host Tom Izbicki Rector The Rev. Dr. Edward E. Thompson, Ph.D. Associate Rector, Children and Youth Ministries The Rev. Sabrina LaBelle

Vestry Members and Officers

Catherine Gardner (Rector’s Warden) * Bill Scarborough (People’s Warden) Jay Gillespie (Treasurer, non-voting) * Sharon Graham (Secretary) Jim Meehan * Kristin Cardi * Angela Cimino * Rebecca Clemmer

Jan Dreachslin * John McCurry * Andy Millett * John Sturgis * Suzanne West

Trinity Church, Swarthmore

301 N. Chester Rd. * Swarthmore, PA 19081 Tel: 610-544-2297 * Email: office@trinity-swarthmore.org

Web: www.trinity-swarthmore.org

A parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania