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February 5, 2023 – The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany
9:30 a.m. In-Person and Zoom Service
A Warm Welcome to All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore
All Saints welcomes all people, without exception, to our church. We know that Christ is present in each person here, and we celebrate the diversity of the body of Christ. If this is your first visit, please introduce yourself today, and please visit again sometime. If you’ve been away, welcome back. If you are here every week, it’s always great to see you! We worship in the Anglican tradition, and are a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, which is part of the Episcopal Church USA. We honor individuals of every age, gender, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, and religious background. We respect the dignity of every human being.
Land Acknowledgement
For thousands of years, First Nations people walked on this land in Danvers; their relationship with the land is at the center of their lives and spirituality. All Saints is gathered on the traditional territory of the Naumkeag, and we give thanks to them, and acknowledge their stewardship of this land throughout the ages. They followed the seasons, hunted, fished, raised families, grieved for their dead, nourished their living, shared the stories of their ancestors, and considered themselves the caretakers of this place.
Newcomers’ Welcome
If you’re new to All Saints, or just visiting, and we missed you at the door, please accept our warmest welcome. We hope you will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our worship together. Please greet the clergy and ushers as you leave. We hope to see you again! A restroom is located on the left side of the front lobby.
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Prelude
Spanish Dance #2 Enrique Granados
Welcome, and an invitation to a moment of silence after the ringing of the bell.
Processional Hymn 450, vs. 1-3
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
The Liturgy of the Word
Blessed be God: the One who Creates, Redeems and Sustains us.
And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for Purity
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.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
The Collect of the Day - Together
Jesus, You are the Light of the World. Shine Your light in us today. Chase away the darkness of sin, the darkness of fear and doubt and despair. Fill us with the light of Your truth, Your Word. Produce in us the fruit of righteousness – the evidence that Your Holy Spirit lives in us, and works in is and works through us. Teach us what is pleasing to You. Make us a shining example of Your amazing grace, redeeming love, and life=changing power. May others be drawn to You through each of us. Amen. ~ posted on beliefnet.com.
Hebrew Testament Lesson Erika Bianchi
Isaiah 58:1-9a
Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
Pause to reflect on reading.
Psalm: The appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 112:1-9. Please join me in reading it responsively.
Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord
and have great delight in his commandments!
Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in their house,
and their righteousness will last for ever.
Light shines in the darkness for the upright;
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.
It is good for them to be generous in lending
and to manage their affairs with justice.
For they will never be shaken;
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.
They will not be afraid of any evil rumors;
their heart is right;
they put their trust in the Lord.
Their heart is established and will not shrink,
until they see their desire upon their enemies.
They have given freely to the poor,
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honor.
Greek Testament Lesson Sally Gamble
1 Corinthians 2:1-12
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him”— things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn 488
Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart, vs. 1-2
Gospel Matthew 5:13-20
The Holy Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, according to Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sequence Hymn 488
Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart, vs. 3 (see above)
Homily Kathy Johnson
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 worshipped 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 Sue Spencer
Our Heavenly Parent, we come to the one who “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us” to pray for the needs of our world. We begin by asking that all who profess to follow you would seek new paths toward unity, and new ways of showing your love to others.
God, make me a peacemaker. God, help me love others the way you love me.
Risen Christ, as a new Congress convenes this month, and a new governor begins her term here in Massachusetts, we remember that you tell us to pray for “all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives, marked by godliness and dignity.” We ask that the lawmakers and law enforcers of our country view their role as a weighty honor, and serve their constituencies with integrity and compassion.
Jesus, may they be faithful and honest in their duties.
Holy Spirit, so much of the world is in turmoil, upheaval, and war. We sometimes despair of hoping for unity, yet you assure us that, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” We particularly pray for the people in Ukraine, Syria, and Afghanistan. We pray also for the peace and unity of the Church of God. In our Diocesan cycle of prayer, we pray for the Parishes of the Boston Harbor Deanery: Our Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston; The Crossing; MANNA Community; The Cathedral Chapter; Episcopal Boston Chinese Ministry; and Postulants and Candidates for Holy Orders. In our Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea.
Holy Spirit, find a way of salvation for all those suffering violence.
Our Heavenly Parent, we thank you for placing each of us in this congregation, and in our various towns and homes. We are grateful that you’ve told us that we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” As we bloom in that light, we thank you for the birthdays of Johanna Hill, Chuck Orphanos, Paula Gates and Deane Smith. Are there other thanksgivings? [pause]. With gratitude for our calling, and your blessings, we pray.
God, let our light shine before others in such a way that our good works glorify you. (cf. Mt 5:16)
Risen Christ, our hearts go out to all whose hearts or bodies are aching. In particular, we pray for those who use our building to find a supportive community to aid in recovery from addiction. We pray for all those who have a loved one in the iron-tight grip of addiction. We pray for those in difficulty because of poor decisions, as well as for those in difficulty through no fault of their own. We hold in our hearts those who have asked for prayers of healing and comfort: Sam Noyes, Sean Grogan, Mary Ellen Murphy, Andrew B., Cathy Doyle, Dean Carter, Mary Carney, Robin, Brayden, Jan Eschanauzier, Katie, Debbie, Paul Rutter, Janet Kelly, Donnie Mailloux, Paula Gates, Sue and Fred Morley, Ingrid Sanborn, Diane Manning, Ina Jean Wagner, Sally Symmes, Phyllis Endicott, Grace Mallia, Gary Nistler, Linda Perkins, Lisa Fitzgerald, Ed Carle, Theresa W., Malaki, Desiree, Sean, Becca, Jean Baptiste and family, Bob Schubert, and Jamie and Andy, parents of Ava Harlow. Are there any others? [pause] We also hold in our hearts those who have died. Are there any you would like to name at this time? [pause] Lord, be their strength.
Jesus, have compassion and let us sense your loving presence.
Holy Spirit, we are reminded of Julian of Norwich’s firm assurance that “all shall be well…for there is a force of love moving through the universe that holds us fast and will never let us go.” We earnestly want to be part of your force of love, and so we bring to you our hopes, our broken hearts, and our abilities.
Holy Spirit, show me where I can join you in being a force of love moving through my world.
Confession
We let our hearts grow cold and dark to match the weather, rather than face our transgressions. In the cold, dim winter, God's light is hard to see. We long to hear God's message to unburden our hearts. God calls us to repentance, and offers us the light of Christ. Amen
Absolution
The Light comes not to sear and blind us, but to save us. Christ Jesus came into this world to save the broken. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! — Bruce Prewer
The Passing of the Peace
Christ is here right now making peace among us. The peace of the Lord be always with you!
And also with you.
Offertory Sentences
Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are. Put together as one congregation in three locations, bless our gifts!
Musical Offering
O Holy City, Seen of John Allen Hill
The offertory plate is now brought forward.
Doxology: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
The Sanctuary Lamp burns in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, and in loving memory of Sarah Putnam, given by Paula and Sam Noyes. The altar flowers are given to the glory of God.
Eucharistic Prayer
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 him thanks and praise.
Worship and praise belong to you, God our maker. Out of nothing, you called all worlds into being, and still you draw the universe to its fulfillment. Day and night celebrate your glory till time shall be no more. In Christ, your only-begotten Son, you have revealed yourself to the world. By the guiding of a star, you made him known to the nations as the son of David and king of Israel; that in following him, we might be led from darkness and into his marvelous light. Filled with the Spirit, who descended upon your Son at his Baptism in the Jordan, we who are baptized in his name strive for his heavenly kingdom in whose radiance we are transfigured and the earth is transformed. As children of your redeeming purpose, we offer you our praise, with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven saying the hymn of your unending glory:
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.
Glory and thanksgiving be to you, most loving God, In Jesus the Messiah you have come to us. Our hope is built on him in whom you are well pleased. Having been shown to the world as your beloved Son, he proclaimed the good news of your kingdom. The blind received their sight, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, and the captives set free. At his word, water became wine, the hungry were filled with bread, and the dead were raised.
Before he was given up to suffering and death, desiring to complete the work for which he came into the world, at supper with his disciples he took bread and offered you thanks. He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying: “Take, eat. This is my Body: it is broken for you.” After supper, he took the cup, he offered you thanks, and gave it to them saying: “Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new covenant; it is poured out for you, and for all, that sins may be forgiven. Do this in remembrance of me.”
We now obey your Son's command. We recall his blessed passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension; and we look for the coming of his Kingdom. Made one with him, we offer you these gifts and with them ourselves, a single, holy, living sacrifice. Hear us, most merciful One, and send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and this wine, that, overshadowed by his life-giving power, we may be kindled with the fire of your love and renewed for the service of your Kingdom. Help us, who are baptized into the fellowship of Christ's Body to live and work to your praise and glory; may we grow together in unity and love until at last, in your new creation, we enter into our heritage in the company of the apostles, and prophets, and of all our brothers and sisters living and departed. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be to you, Lord of all ages, world without end. Amen. -from Eucharistic prayers for Epiphany, www.scotland,anglican.org
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 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.
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
This is the table not of the church, but of the Lord. It is to be made ready for those who love God and want to love God more. So come if you have followed, come if you have stumbled, come if you have been here often, or if you have never been here before. Come because it is God who invites you. It is one of God’s purposes, that those who want to find God, will find God here.—Adapted from the Iona Community.
(Now each person is invited to take a portion of food and drink, joining with the entire congregation on three platforms in our love feast.)
Communion Instrumental
Sarabande George Frederic Handel
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Let us pray: Eternal God, 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.
Announcements and Alleluia Prayers for Birthdays, Anniversaries and Travel
Final Blessing
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
Recessional Hymn 493
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Postlude
Fire of Commitment Jason Shelton
(Usage of music images is authorized through Church Publishing, Inc., for The Riteseries Online. Reprinted/podcast/streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE A-726450. All rights reserved.)
Special thanks to our worship assistants this morning:
Celebrant: The Rev. Marya DeCarlen
Homilist: Kathy Johnson
Musician: Michael Mazurkiewicz
Soloist: Allen Hill
Hybrid Hosts: Fran Weil
Dave Benman
Carol Bouffard
Greeter/Usher: Linda Marsh
Zoom Prayer Host: Fran Weil
Liturgical Assistant: Sue Spencer
1st Lesson and Psalm: Erika Bianchi
2nd Lesson: Sally Gamble
Voice of the People: Ginna Coulson
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