The Chancel at Christ & Saint Stephen’s. Photo by Gwendolyn R. Chambrun.
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Year A, Proper 18
September 6, 2020
Introduction and Welcome from Mother Liles
Click on the image for the video introduction and a new window will open.
Opening Hymn 371
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Parker Ramsay, Organ
Click on the image for the Hymn and a new window will open.
Leonardo da Vinci. The Baptism of Christ. The Uffizi, Florence.
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!
2. Thou who didst come to bring
on thy redeeming wing
healing and sight,
health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind,
now to all humankind,
let there be light!
3. Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy Dove,
speed forth thy flight!
Move on the waters’ face
bearing the gifts of grace,
and, in earth’s darkest place,
let there be light!
4. Holy and blessèd Three,
glorious Trinity,
wisdom, love, might;
boundless as ocean’s tide,
rolling in fullest pride,
through the world, far and wide,
let there be light!
Words: John Marriott (1780–1825), alt.
Music: Moscow, Felice de Giardini (1716–1796); harm. The New Hymnal, 1916, based on Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875, and Lowell Mason (1792–1872)
Andrei Rublev, The Trinity (The Three Angels being hosted by Abraham at Mamre),
between 1408 and 1425, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.
The Acclamation
Celebrant BLESSED BE GOD: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity
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.
Gloria
GLORY TO GOD in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Evelyn De Morgan, Gloria in Excelcis, 1893.
The Salutation
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Priest: Let us pray.
The Collect of the Day
GRANT US, O LORD, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Fra Angelico, The Harrowing of Hell, c. 1440, Museo di San Marco, Florence.
The Word of the Lord
The Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 33:7–11
Cullen Wheeler, Reader
Click on the image for the Old Testament Reading and a new window will open.
SO YOU, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.
Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thank be to God.
Michelangelo, Ezekiel, detail, 1510, Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.
Psalm 119:33–40 ~ He – Legem pone
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Click on the image for the Psalm and a new window will open.
Cosmè Tura. St John the Evangelist on Patmos. c. 1470.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid.
Fra Bartolomeo. Vision of St Bernard with Sts Benedict and John the Evangelist. 1504.
Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
Albrecht Dürer. John the Evangelist and Peter. 1526.
Alte Pinakothek, Munich.
Master of Moulins. Anne of France, Presented by St John the Evangelist. 1492–93.
Musée du Louvre, Paris.
Piero della Francesca. Polyptych of St Augustine: St John the Evangelist. c. 1460.
Frick Collection, New York.
33. TEACH ME, O LORD, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
34. Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
I shall keep it with all my heart.
35. Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for that is my desire.
36. Incline my heart to your decrees *
and not to unjust gain.
37. Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *
give me life in your ways.
38. Fulfill your promise to your servant, *
which you make to those who fear you.
39. Turn away the reproach which I dread, *
because your judgments are good.
40. Behold, I long for your commandments; *
in your righteousness preserve my life.
Heinrich Hoffman, Jesus in the Temple, 1881.
The Epistle Reading: Romans 13:8–14
Cullen Wheeler, Reader
Click on the image for the Epistle Reading and a new window will open.
OWE NO ONE ANYTHING, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thank be to God.
Valentin de Boulogne, Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, between circa 1618 and circa 1620.
Sequence Hymn 674
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Parker Ramsay, Organ
Click on the image for the Sequence Hymn and a new window will open.
Antonello da Messina:
Virgin Annunciate. c. 1476. Galleria Regionale della Sicilia, Palermo.
The Dead Christ Supported by an Angel. 1475–78. Museo del Prado, Madrid.
St Sebastian. 1476–77. Gemäldegalerie, Dresden.
Salvator Mundi. 1465. National Gallery, London.
1. “FORGIVE OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE”
you taught us, Lord, to pray;
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.
2. How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?
3. In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly knew,
how small the debts men owe to us,
how great our debt to you.
4. Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,
and bid resentment cease;
then, reconciled to God and man,
our lives will spread your peace.
Words: Rosamond E. Herklots (1905–1987)
Music: Detroit, from Supplement to Kentucky Harmony, 1820;
acc. Margaret W. Mealy (b. 1922)
The Holy Gospel: Matthew 18:15–20
The Rev. James Hagen, Gospeler
Click on the image for the Holy Gospel and a new window will open.
Gospeler The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Matthew.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
JESUS SAID, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Gospeler The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
James Tissot, Two or Three Gathered in my Name
(Deux ou trois personnes assemblées en mon nom),
between 1886 and 1894, Brooklyn Museum.
The Sermon: Pentecost 14, Year A, Proper 18
The Rev. L. Kathleen Liles, Rector
To see and hear the sermon, click on the image and a new window will open.
The 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 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 VI
The Prayers of the People Form VI are found on page 392 of the Book of Common Prayer:
IN PEACE, we pray to you, Lord God.
(Short silence)
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For Michael our Presiding Bishop, and for Andrew, Allen, and Mary, our Bishops in New York; and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation, In our Parish cycle of prayer, we pray for Lorinda Lee, the Poynor/Wyche Family, and Toni Coffee.
In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of South Africa; and in the Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for the Union of Black Episcopalians, Diocese of New York Chapter, and for those who will be our guests at our Brown Bag program this week.
For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; especially: Frank, Pat, Father Breiner, Bob, Bennie, Margaret, and John.
Hear us, Lord.
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life;
We give thanks for the anniversary of the marriages of Tom & Nancy and Guy & Sally, and for the anniversary of the birth of John.
On this weekend, as we think about our labor, O Lord,
We thank you for the blessing of work.
We ask for strength to complete each day,
We ask for rest when we are weary.
We ask your guidance for everyone seeking employment,
And we ask that you be with those whose faces we might never see, but who work tirelessly each day for the good of us all.
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died; especially Alice Byrne and Sharon Daly; and for those whose memorial of death falls this week, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
(Short silence)
HAVE MERCY ON 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 Celebrant concludes with absolution.
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.
Prayers of Petition
For our Bishops
Our Presiding Bishop Michael and our Bishops in New York, Andrew, Allen and Mary
For the Church
Anglican Church of South Africa
Union of Black Episcopalians, Diocese of New York Chapter
For Parish Members and Friends
Lorinda Lee
The Poynor/Wyche Family
Toni Coffee
For the Sick
Frank Stephan, father of David Stephan
Pat Wheeler, mother of Cullen Wheeler
Father Bert Breiner
Bob Russell, organist emeritus
Bennie Garcia
Margaret McQuilken, cousin of Ann Kelly
John Haskin
For the Departed
Alice Byrne, sister of Dorothy Taishoff
Sharon Daly
Prayers of Thanksgiving
For those whose Anniversary of Marriage falls this week
Tom Stockdale & Nancy Cunningham
Guy & Sally Davidson
For those whose Birthday falls this week
John Haskin
+ + +
Prayer List
CSS members and their Families
To add a name to the CSSeNews Prayer List,
contact the rector at liles@csschurch.org.
Names will be included for one month but may be renewed.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
Offertory Anthem
Teach me, O Lord
William Byrd (1543–1623)
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Parker Ramsay, Organ
Click on the image for the Offertory Anthem and a new window will open.
Antonello da Messina. St Jerome in his Study. c. 1460. National Gallery, London.
Giovanni Bellini. St Jerome Reading in the Countryside. c. 1480. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.
Hieronymus Bosch. St Jerome in Prayer. c. 1505. Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent.
Domenico Ghirolando. St Jerome in his Study. 1480. Ognissanti, Florence.
Bartolomeo Montagna. St Jerome c. 1500. Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan
TEACH ME, O LORD, the way of thy statutes : and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law : yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments : for therein is my desire.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies : and not to covetousness.
O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity : and quicken thou me in thy way.
O stablish thy word in thy servant : that I may fear thee.
(Psalm 119: 33–38)
Jan van Eyck, Saint Jerome in His Study, 1442, Detroit Institute of Arts.
Offertory Hymn 531
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Parker Ramsay, Organ
Click on the image for the Offertory Hymn and a new window will open.
Giotto. The Pentecost. The National Gallery, London.
Jan Joest de Kalkar; The Pentecost. Nikolaikirche, Kalkar Kreis Kleve.
.
1. O SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD,
in all thy plenitude of grace,
where’er the foot of man hath trod,
descend on our apostate race.
2. Give tongues of fire and hearts of love,
to preach the reconciling word;
give power and unction from above,
whene’er the joyful sound is heard.
3. Be darkness, at thy coming, light;
confusion, order in thy path;
souls without strength inspire with might,
bid mercy triumph over wrath.
4. Convert the nations! far and nigh
the triumphs of the cross record;
the Name of Jesus glorify,
till every people call him Lord.
Words: James Montgomery (1771–1854), alt.
Music: Melcombe, Samuel Webbe (1740–1816)
Juan de Roelas, Adoration of the Name of Jesus, detail, between 1604 and 1605,
University Chapel, Seville.
Eucharistic Prayer A
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.
Celebrant 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 you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your 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.
Then the Celebrant continues
HOLY AND GRACIOUS FATHER: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it,
or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or
place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be
consecrated.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
The Lord’s Prayer
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Agnus Dei
LAMB OF GOD, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.
Communion Anthem
Love Bade Me Welcome
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Parker Ramsay, Organ
Click on the image for the Communion Anthem and a new window will open.
Ugolino di Nerio. The Last Supper. 1325–28. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Duccio di Buoninsegna. Last Supper. 1308–11. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena.
Peter Paul Rubens. Last Supper. 1631–32. Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.
Otto van Veen. The Last Supper. 1592. O.-L. Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp.
Jacopo Bassano. The Last Supper. c. 1546. Galleria Borghese, Rome
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. The Last Supper. 1745–47. Musée du Louvre, Paris
Tintoretto. The Last Supper. 1579–81. Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice.
LOVE BADE ME WELCOME. Yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked any thing.
A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
“Love III” George Herbert (1593–1693)
Plautilla Nelli, The Last Supper, detail, 1550s,
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, Florence.
Communion Hymn 321
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Parker Ramsay, Organ
Click on the image for the Communion Hymn and a new window will open.
Leonardo da Vinci. The Last Supper. Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan.
Giampietrino. The Last Supper. Royal Academy of Arts, London.
Andrea Solar. The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Tongerlo Abbey.
1. MY GOD, THY TABLE NOW IS SPREAD,
thy cup with love doth overflow;
be all thy children thither led,
and let them thy sweet mercies know.
2. O let thy table honored be,
and furnished well with joyful guests;
and may each soul salvation see,
that here its sacred pledges tastes.
3. Drawn by thy quickening grace, O Lord,
in countless number let them come
and gather from their Father’s board
the Bread that lives beyond the tomb.
4. Nor let thy spreading Gospel rest
till through the world thy truth has run,
till with this Bread shall all be blessed
who see the light or feel the sun.
Words: Sts. 1-3, Philip Doddridge (1702–1751), alt.; st. 4, Isaac Watts (1674–1748), alt.
Music: Rockingham, melody from Second Supplement to Psalmody in Miniature, ca. 1780; adapt. Edward Miller (1731–1807); harm. Samuel Webbe (1740–1816)
Joos van Cleve, The Last Supper, detail, predella of Altarpiece of the Lamentation,
c. 1530, Louvre, Paris
Post-Communion Prayer
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 Blessing
THE PEACE OF GOD, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you this day and remain with you always. Amen.
Closing Hymn 665
Hannah Spierman, Soprano
Parker Ramsay, Organ
Click on the image for the Closing Hymn and a new window will open.
Bernardino Lanino. Triumph of Christ with Angels and Cherubs.
Private collection.
Marten de Vos. Christ Triumphant over Death and Sin. 1590.
Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp.
Fra Bartolomeo. Christ with the Four Evangelists. 1516.
Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti), Florence.
.
1. ALL MY HOPE ON GOD IS FOUNDED;
he doth still my trust renew,
me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown, he alone
calls my heart to be his own.
2. Mortal pride and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray our trust;
though with care and toil we build them,
tower and temple fall to dust.
But God’s power, hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.
3. God’s great goodness e’er endureth,
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendor, light and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore from his store
newborn worlds rise and adore.
4. Daily doth the almighty Giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.
5. Still from earth to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ, his Son.
Christ doth call one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.
Words: Robert Seymour Bridges (1844–1930) (alt.)
Music: Michael, Herbert Howells (1892–1983)
Words: Granton Douglas Hay (b. 1943); alt.;
based on Paraphrases, 1781; para. of Romans 8:34–39
God as Architect-Geometer, from the frontispiece of French Codex Vindobonensis 2554, ca. 1250.
.
The Dismissal
The Deacon, or the Celebrant, dismisses them with these words
LET US GO FORTH in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Happy Labor Day!
At Christ & Saint Stephen’s, it’s customary for us to sing a rousing rendition of “Come, Labor On” in honor of the holiday. A little known fact about the hymn is that it was written right here in New York City by T. Tertius Noble, founder of the Choir of Men and Boys at St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue. I know we all look forward to the day when we can sing together again, so here’s a recording of the hymn played at St. Thomas by his successor, Gerre Hancock, as well as a fantastic organ improvisation afterwards.
Parker Ramsay
Click on the image for the postlude and a new window will open.
COME, LABOR ON.
Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain,
while all around us waves the golden grain?
And to each servant does the Master say,
“Go work today.”
Come, labor on.
The enemy is watching night and day,
to sow the tares, to snatch the seed away;
while we in sleep our duty have forgot,
he slumbered not.
Come, labor on.
Away with gloomy doubts and faithless fear!
No arm so weak but may do service here:
by feeblest agents may our God fulfill
his righteous will.
Come, labor on.
Claim the high calling angels cannot share--
to young and old the Gospel gladness bear;
redeem the time; its hours too swiftly fly.
The night draws nigh.
Come, labor on.
No time for rest, till glows the western sky,
till the long shadows o’er our pathway lie,
and a glad sound comes with the setting sun.
“Servants, well done.”
Text: Jane Bothwick
Tune: T. Tertius Noble
George Cole, The Last Load, 1865, Sotheby’s.
Evening Zoom Prayer
Sundays and Wednesdays at 5:00 pm
Photo of the Chapel by Gwendolyn R. Chambrun (May 18, 2018).
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
LORD JESUS, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love.
Amen.
To Join the Zoom Evening Prayer, click here.
The EMMAUS Walk will be in Recess
on Monday, September 7
in observance of Labor Day
It will resume on
Monday, September 14
at 5:00 pm
When the disciples were walking along the road to Emmaus, Jesus himself – as the stranger – opened their eyes and hearts to scripture. Only then could they recognize it was Jesus.
The Emmaus Walk is an informal exploration of the upcoming Sunday scripture by fellow pilgrims. No need to be a bible scholar, just someone who knows there is always more to share and to learn.
Mondays, 5:00 to 6:00 pm
To Join the Zoom Virtual Emmaus Community, click
here.
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us
on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Eugène Burnand, Jean et Pierre, 1898.
Church School . . . to go!
Thoughts for Proper 18 for September 6, 2020
Good Morning! Our Gospel reading today is from Matthew 18:15–20. This reading can be uncomfortable. This applies to all of us. Let’s think about if we have ever been not so nice to someone. And, I think we can come up with times when someone has been unkind to you.
We are called in this reading to try and resolve conflict. A tall order. This is something we will encounter for our whole life long. Hopefully the more we try to live this way it becomes how we conduct ourselves in the world.
Our life together as a Christian community is to be seen as special. The famous line in this reading “when two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them” always grabs my heart. It will live forever. It is what I think about every Sunday when we are gathered together.
In conclusion, the idea in this lesson is to work things out. Remember, in a conflict the other person is loved by God just as you are.
Hopefully we make the effort to get along with others in all parts of our life.
Please take care.
Stay well,
Teresa Conway
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To download and print a PDF of the Year A Proper 18 edition of The Sunday Paper, and have FUN with CRAYONS, click HERE!!
To download and print a 6-page PDF of Proper 18 images to color, click HERE!!
To download and print a PDF from Joellen Schertz, click HERE!!
