(Officiant 1) – Convene Worship
 
Prelude
Take Time to be Holy                                                                    Arr. Charles Callahan
 
(Officiant 1) - Rules for the Road in Virtual Worship
 
 (Officiant 1) - Opening Hymn 7
Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies, vs. 1, 3

 

(Officiant 1) - Opening Acclamation
Officiant: Blessed be God: the One who Creates, Redeems and Sustains us.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
 
(Officiant 1) – Collect
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.
 
A Reading from the Hebrew Testament Lesson                                   Kat Lemieux
1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
 
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
 
Pause to reflect on reading.
 
Today’s Psalm is Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17 (please read together the bolded lines).
 
Lord, you have searched me out and known me;
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
 
You trace my journeys and my resting-places
and are acquainted with all my ways.
 
Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
 
You press upon me behind and before
and lay your hand upon me.
 
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
 
 
For you yourself created my inmost parts;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
 
I will thank you because I am marvelously made;
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
 
My body was not hidden from you,
while I was being made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
 
Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;
all of them were written in your book;
they were fashioned day by day,
when as yet there was none of them.
 
How deep I find your thoughts, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
 
If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.
 
A Reading from the Greek Testament Lesson                                 Sally Gamble
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
 
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
 
(Deacon) - The Gospel                                                                       John 1:43-51
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
 
Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
 
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
 
Homily                                                                                                 Ginna Coulson
 
(Officiant 1) – Hymn 439
What Wondrous Love is This, vs. 1, 2

 

 
Prayers of the People                                                                           Sue Spencer
Let us pray to God, who is made manifest in Jesus Christ.
 
As the prophet Isaiah rang out, “Arise, shine; for your light has come”; empower your Church, O God, to ring out the Good News of the Light of your son Jesus, which pierces even the deepest darkness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
 
As a star rose high into the nighttime sky to draw the nations to the Christ-child; send your blessing, O God, on this nation, and every nation, and draw the whole world to your peace and truth. We pray for Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Alan and Gayle, our Bishops, Marya, our priest, Jim, our deacon, and Brett, our seminarian. In our Diocesan cycle of prayer, we ask for prayers for the people and ministry of the Parishes of the Boston Harbor Deanery; St. Stephen’s Church, Boston; Trinity Church, Boston; B-SAFE; B-PEACE for Jorge; and Hospitality Homes. In our Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Australia. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
 
As John the Baptist guided throngs of people to the edge of the wilderness and baptized Jesus in the River Jordan, we pray that you would guide our country and our leaders in the ways of justice and righteousness. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Like the Magi who traveled from afar to bring gifts and celebrate the Savior’s birth; we pray for this community, and for those who celebrate their own birthdays and anniversaries; especially Bruce Manning and Tafari Kibunja. Are there other thanksgivings? We will pause while people add their prayers. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
 
As Jesus climbed the mountaintop, and proclaimed blessings on the people of the world; we pray for all who suffer, bless them and honor their presence with us, as we ask for your healing touch for the sick, the homebound, patients, families, and communities affected by substance use, and also by untreated and under-treated pain and chronic diseases, and whose needs are known to you. Today we pray especially for Carol and Ken Bouffard, Carolyn Dennis, Lizzie, Harry, Susan Sahoveyor, Jordan Zennia, Drew Howard, Mary Pettus, Frank, Pat and Steven Swasey, the Fiorentino Family, Leah Olendenski, Gail, Paul, Rick, Julie, Tim, Miriam Gelfer, Carol Quinn, David and Ann Gentry, Amy, Charles Boulanger, Larry Chisholm, Joe Maher, Victoria, Bob Lomprey, Sharon, Peter, Amy, and Charlotte, Thea Keith-Lucas and Kristin Blake. Are there others? The people add their prayers for all who suffer in body, mind or spirit. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
 
As Jesus called his disciples to leave their nets and boats and follow him; we pray for those who have answered your call to follow Jesus to your Heavenly Kingdom. Give them your peace. Are there others? Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
 
Lord Jesus, Light of the World, hear our prayers, and make us reflections of your Light, that the places of darkness in our world would be pierced by your Light, and that all nations would be drawn to you and be overwhelmed with joy. Amen.  -by Rick Morley (adapted)
 
(Officiant 2) - Blessing of new pledges
God, whose giving knows no ending, today we offer up the treasure that you have entrusted to us; receive these gifts by your grace. Multiply and use them through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish Christ’s work of love in the world. Amen— by Joanna Harader (adapted)
 
Shared Agape Meal (bread and wine or juice before each person)
 
(Officiant 2) - The Sanctuary Lamp burns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, in celebration of the birthday of Lisa Dayaa, given by Barbara Hooper. The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Elaine and Kenneth Briggs, by Jan Briggs.
 
(Deacon) – Invitation to Share the Feast
Agape is the Greek word for love, and was a love feast of the early Christians. It was a time for sharing nourishment, of food for the body, for thanking God, for prayers, songs, and scripture for the soul, and a time for an offering of money for God's mission in the world.
 
(Preacher) - Agape Prayer
We are viewing and hearing others from the hearths of the gathered to celebrate our love of Jesus, to share our faith in Christ, and to listen to one another. We have gathered together for healing…to be renewed. We are ready to be fed. God of all seasons and senses, grant us the sense of your timing to yield gracefully and rejoice quietly in the turn of the seasons. In this Epiphany season of marvelous light, help us to proclaim God’s justice and love that has overcome the darkness, and brought new life in our lives. Teach us the lessons of companionship with Christ, who has redeemed our world and drawn us into a loving family from every tribe, and family, and culture. Be present to us as the Holy Spirit equips us for service to love our neighbors as we do ourselves, to bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. As we pause, assist us in recognizing and knowing Jesus in the sharing of this love feast. May it nourish our bodies, and give us strength to carry out your plan for peace in our lives. And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
 
(Preacher) -
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.
 
(Preacher)
Let each person take a portion of bread and a cup of wine or juice in their hands
(Preacher) - Let us share the feast with each other! Experience the grace of God! Alleluia, Alleluia!!!
 
Agape Meal
I Am the Bread of Life
 
(Officiant 2) - Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of all grace, may we live in expectation and hope, and may the gifts we have received at this table remind us not only of the gift of your Christ, but of your steady presence among us, that we may act faithfully in response to your love. Amen (Adapted from progressivechristianity.org)
 
(Officiant 2) - The Passing of the Peace
 
(Marya) - Announcements and Prayers for Birthdays and Anniversaries
 
(Officiant 2) – Final Blessing
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Go now as a light to the nations. Honor the Lord; preach what you know of the risen Christ, and fulfill all righteousness. And may God strengthen you and bless you with peace; May Christ Jesus bring forth justice for you and among you; And may the Holy Spirit alight on you and affirm you as God’s beloved ones. AMEN By Nathan Nettleton, Laughingbird.net
 
(Officiant 2) - Closing Hymn (Wonder Love and Praise 812)
I, the Lord of Sea and Sky, vs. 3

 
Sung Benediction (Mute your microphones and sing along with the Benediction)

God Be with You Till We Meet Again                                                Jeremiah Rankin