(Officiant 1) – Convene Worship
 
Prelude
My Faith Looks Up to Thee                                                             Arr. Brad Nix
 
(Officiant 1) - Rules for the Road in Virtual Worship
 
(Officiant 1) - Opening Hymn 530
Spread O Spread Thou Mighty Word, vs. 1, 5

(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
Holy One, God of all Creation, you call us to be your people, to carry your vision in this time and place, to go where you send us to help welcome your amazing good news. As we gather in the presence of the risen Christ to spread the news that your realm is near, fill us with your Holy Spirit, O God of all Creation. Fill us with your glorious Spirit, that we may share your good news with a world in need. Amen. —from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2012
 
For the President and Vice President of the United States
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President and the Vice President of the United States, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
 
A Reading from the Hebrew Testament Lesson           Scott McAllister-Dionne
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
 
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
 
Pause to reflect on reading.
 
Today’s Psalm is Psalm 62:6-14 (please read together the bolded lines).
 
For God alone my soul in silence waits;
truly, my hope is in him.
 
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.
 
In God is my safety and my honor;
God is my strong rock and my refuge.
 
Put your trust in him always, O people,
pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.
 
Those of high degree are but a fleeting breath,
even those of low estate cannot be trusted.
 
On the scales they are lighter than a breath,
all of them together.
 
Put no trust in extortion;
in robbery take no empty pride;
though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.
 
God has spoken once, twice have I heard it,
that power belongs to God.
 
Steadfast love is yours, O Lord,
for you repay everyone according to his deeds.
 
A Reading from the Greek Testament Lesson                        Kathy Johnson
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
 
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
 
(Deacon) - The Gospel                                                                  Mark 1:14-20
 
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
 
After John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
 
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
 
Homily                                                                                           Brett Johnson
 
(Officiant 1) – Hymn (LEVAS 136)
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, vs. 1, 2

 

Prayers of the People                                                                  Bill Hooper
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. John’s Church, Charlestown (Boston); St. Mark’s Church, Dorchester (Boston); St. Mary’s Church, Dorchester (Boston); Epiphany School, Dorchester; and The
 
Diocesan Council. In our Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Church of Bangladesh. 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, Bill Hooper, Misty Baker, Gail Woodward, and Bob Bianchi. We also celebrate Olivia Raisner, former member of St. Andrew’s in Marblehead, who has just been appointed to the position of Director of Content at the White House. We also give thanks for the calling of Florence Li Tim-Oi, who in 1944 was the first woman ordained priest in the Anglican Communion. We ask that the grace of your Spirit inspire us to follow her example by serving with patience and happiness as we witness to the love of Christ in our own calls and ministries. 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 and Pat Swasey, the Fiorentino Family, Leah Olendenski, Gail, Paul, Rick, Julie, Tim, Miriam Gelfer, Carol Quinn, David and Linda King, Ann Gentry, Amy, Charles Boulanger, Larry Chisholm, Joe Maher, Victoria, Bob Lomprey, Sharon, Peter, Amy and Charlotte, Thea Keith-Lucas, Nora, Jonathan Geanoulis, David and Charise, Susan Schumann, Eli and Thomas, 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. Today, we pray especially for Doug Carson, 59, friend of Brett Johnson’s family, who had an unexpected heart attack, leaving his wife Donna and two grown children. We pray also for David Gentry, who ended his battle with bladder cancer and died this week, with Ann by his side. 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)
 
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 anniversary of Katie and Ralph Clarkson, given by Carol and Ken Bouffard, and in loving memory of Marjorie Watters Murray, given by Paula and Sam Noyes. The Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God, in celebration of the birthday of Bill Hooper, by his big sister, and in loving memory of Tom and Edna Reily, by Bruce and Diane Manning.
 
(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
In Remembrance of Me
 
(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
 
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.

(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 660
O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee, vs. 1-2

 

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

God Be with You Till We Meet Again                                                Jeremiah Rankin