Worship Bulletin Sunday, July 11, 2021

Opening Acclamation
(Officiant 1) – Blessed be God: Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer
And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Opening Collect
Officiant 1) – The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

O God our Creator, we thank you that today you have called us to worship you and learn of you. You alone know our needs. Satisfy them with your unchanging love. In your presence, may we find comfort in sorrow, guidance in perplexity, strength to meet temptation, grace to overcome the fascination of disobedience, and courage to face up to the hostility of this rebellious world. Above all, may we meet Jesus and go out from our worship indwelt by his spirit. This prayer we ask to your glory and in his name. Amen.—Michael Saward

A Reading from the Hebrew Testament Jan Briggs
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. They brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the Lord. When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 24 (please read together the bolded lines)

The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it,
the world and all who dwell therein.

For it is he who founded it upon the seas
and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep.

"Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? "
and who can stand in his holy place?"

"Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn by what is a fraud.

They shall receive a blessing from the Lord
and a just reward from the God of their salvation."

Such is the generation of those who seek him,
of those who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is this King of glory?"
"The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle."

Lift up your heads, O gates;
lift them high, O everlasting doors;
and the King of glory shall come in.

"Who is he, this King of glory?"
"The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory."

A Reading from the Greek Testament Sally Gamble
Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn 488
Be Thou My Vision, vs. 1 and 2

(Deacon) - The Gospel                 Mark 6:14-29
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

King Herod heard of Jesus and his disciples, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

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

Sequence Hymn 488
Be Thou My Vision, vs. 3

3.      High King of heaven, when victory is won,
         May I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s Sun!
         Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
         Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Homily The Rev. Marya DeCarlen

Prayers of the People                Allen Hill
O God, draw us near to You with holy reverence and confidence, as children of God, as we pray for others, knowing You are able and ready to help us as we pray for the needs of our world.

Spirit of life, your breath of life fills the whole world, and holds all things together. If you withdraw your breath, everything turns to dust.
Breathe on me breath of God.

The sending of your spirit is the revelation of God's indestructible affirmation of life and marvelous joy in life. Today, we offer prayers for our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, and for all bishops, priests, seminarians and deacons, including Alan, Gayle, Marya, Brett and Jim. In our Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for the Parishes of the Mystic Valley Deanery: St. Luke’s Church/Iglesia de San Lucas, Chelsea; Grace Church Federated, East Boston; Grace Church, Everett; Hispanic Ministries; and Creation Care Ministry. In our Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Episcopal Church in the Philippines.
Fill me with life anew.

Jesus, where you are there is life, where you are sick people are healed, sad people are comforted, marginalized people are accepted and the demons of death are driven out. Give to the sick your healing, and to the suffering your hope, especially Carol and Ken Bouffard, Julie, Tim, Kristin Blake and Lee LeBeau, Joe Maher, Alex, Stacy Williams, Rose and Sandy. Are there others?
Breathe on me breath of God.

Where your holy spirit is present, there is life; the powers and energies of eternal life are experienced. Spirit of the new creation, break into the here and now, bringing foretastes of the age to come, when all things are made new, and creation is set free from the powers of death. We
pray for all who have died. Are there souls whose names you would like to offer in prayer?
Fill me with life anew.

Spirit of God, renew the face of the earth. Today we give thanks for the blessings of this life. We pray for those who celebrate birthdays this week, especially Amy Sweeney. Are there other blessings you would like to offer?
Breathe on me breath of God.

Give us hearts of flesh for hearts of stone, that we may love as you would love, and do what you would do. Amen

Confession
How many times, O Lord, do we live in unbelief?
Our doubts surround us
and we find it hard to know what is true and what is real.

Help us, gracious Savior,
to know what is the right way to live
according to God’s Holy Word.

Forgive us for the ways in which we live
according to what is right in our own eyes.

Help us, merciful God,
to look beyond knowing Jesus only as a good teacher,
a righteous and holy person.

Forgive us when we fail to understand and accept
Your guiding Holy Spirit,
to open our hearts to be led and taught
in the ways of the kingdom of God.

Forgive us when we seek to please others
more than we seek to love and please God.

Help us, O Holy One, to turn our hearts,
to offer our prayers
and to accept the forgiveness you offer
to all who come to You,

The Passing of the Peace
(Officiant 2) Christ is here right now making peace among us!
The peace of the Lord be always with you,
And also with you.

Absolution
Go forth in the power of the almighty, who forgives you and loves you. Amen.~ Joanna Harader

Offertory Sentences
(Deacon) - May the offerings brought this day be used as seeds, planted faithfully, and nurtured lovingly, so that God’s way may be realized anew in this world. Grant us the humility we need to plant, and then tend, your precious garden. Amen~ written by Katherine Hawker

Offertory Anthem
Bless the Lord My Soul              Jacques Berthier

Please use this time for reflection about how to give gifts of love to your neighbors and your community.

(Deacon) - The Sanctuary Lamp burns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament; and in celebration of the birthday of Dillon Bouffard, given by Carol and Ken Bouffard; and in loving memory of Clem Gunn, given by Ginna Coulson. The altar flowers are given to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Clem Gunn, given by Ginna Coulson, in loving memory of Grace Burns, given by Carol and Ken Bouffard; and in loving memory of George Delp, given by Phyllis Endicott.

Eucharistic Prayer and Agape Prayer

Agape Meal Prayer
(Agape is the Greek word for love, and it was a love feast of the early Christians. This meal is another way of living out Jesus’ commandment, to love one another. We give thanks for the invitation to be at our tables, for here we are shown our lives.)

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 our thanks and praise.

Be with us, Spirit of God; nothing can separate us from your love.
Breathe on us, breath of God; fill us with your saving power.
Speak in us, wisdom of God: bring strength, healing, and peace.

May we join our hearts together as we prepare to eat with Jesus; to share His vision of remembrance. Let this love feast shine through us, as the Spirit awakens us to God's Love. Amen.

(For those joining us on Zoom, bring the food of your Love Feast before you, to prepare for sharing after the Lord’s Prayer)

May we this day join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you as we say:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to himself, yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.

Then the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you. On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

Pour out your Spirit upon this gift that it may be the Body of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made. In the fullness of time bring us, with all your saints, from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world. 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.

And now, let us imagine sitting on the hillside with Jesus, filled with love, as He teaches us to pray:

The Lord’s Prayer
Translated from Jesus’ original language (Aramaic)
Officiant 1 will read the unbolded lines; Voice of the People will read the bolded.

Our Father who art in heaven:
O Birther of the Cosmos, you create all that moves in light.

Hallowed be thy name
Focus your light within us — make it useful: as the rays of a beacon show the way.

Thy kingdom come
Unite our “I can” to yours, so that we walk as kings and queens with every creature.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Create in me a divine cooperation — from many selves, one voice, one action.

Give us this day our daily bread
Grant what we need each day in bread and insight.

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Forgive our hidden past, the secret shames, as we consistently forgive what others hide.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Deceived neither by the outer nor the inner — free us to walk your path with joy.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
From you is born all ruling will, the power and life to do, the song that beautifies all from age to age it renews. Amen.

Let us share the feast with each other! Experience the grace of God! Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, Alleluia! The gifts of God for the people of God, take it in remembrance that Christ lives within you and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving. Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, Alleluia!

(Now, each person is invited to take a portion of food and drink of the love feast, as others join around the altar rail for Holy Eucharist.)

Agape Meal and Communion Anthem
Shall We Gather at the River                     arr. Patti Drennan

Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of all blessings, source of all life, giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life: for the breath that sustains life, for the food of this earth that nurtures life, for the love of family and friends without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation: for the beauty that the eye can see, for the joy that the ear may hear, for the unknown that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder, for the expanse of space that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities: for families who nurture our becoming, for friends who love us by choice,
for companions at work, who share our burdens and daily tasks, for strangers who welcome us into their midst, for people from other lands who call us to grow in understanding, for children who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn, who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day: for life and one more day to love, for opportunity and one more day to work for justice and peace, for neighbors and one more person to love and by whom be loved, for your grace and one more experience of your presence, for your promise: to be with us, to be our God, and to give salvation. For these, and all blessings, we give you thanks, eternal, loving God, through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Announcements

Final Blessing
Go forth into the world in faithfulness. Join all those who have danced with the Lord throughout the generations. Take the song and rhythm of God’s Word into the world, and invite others to celebrate the joy with you. And may the Blessing of God: Eternal Majesty, Living Word and Abiding Spirit, be with you now and forever more! AMEN

(Officiant 2) - Closing Hymn
Lead On, O Cloud of Presence