The Sixthe Sunday after the Epiphany, February 16, 2025 (2025)

Please join the worship by following the liturgy (program) in this bulletin. We encourage you to use the time before worship to pray and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit to keep you centered and focused on what God may be saying to you. After worship, we invite you to pray for God’s strength to help you face and meet the demands of the world from this moment and in the days to come.

Prelude

O Almighty God,who poursout on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our
Lord.Amen.

Celebrant Blessed are you, holy and living One.

People You come to your people and set them free.

Celebrant and People

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.

Refrain: Glory, Glory, hallelujah,

Lord we praise your Holy name,

Glory, Glory hallelujah,

Lord we praise your Holy name.

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. Refrain

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. Refrain

Celebrant God be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

The Collect of the Day

Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.Amen.

The Lessons

The First Lesson Isaiah 42:5-9

Reader A reading from the prophet Isaiah.

Thus says God, theLord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:

I am theLord, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am theLord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.

See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.

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

People Thanks be to God.

At 8:30 a.m.

1When theLordrestored the fortunes of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.

3 Then they said among the nations, *
“TheLordhas done great things for them.”

4 TheLordhas done great things for us, *
and we are glad indeed.

5 Restore our fortunes, OLord, *
like the watercourses of the Negev.

6 Those who sowed with tears *
will reap with songs of joy.

7 Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, *
will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves.

At 10:30 a.m.

Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the entire law. You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

People: Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.”

Gospeller The Gospel of our Savior.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

We will maintain a brief silence to allow for reflection.

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,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary

and became truly human.

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,

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who 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 Litany

Intercessor

O God of freedom and justice: we celebrate this day your servant, Absalom Jones, the first person of African ancestry ordained in the Episcopal Church. Empower us to build a world where righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne as we pray: Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness; let all the nations of the earth praise you.

Let your church continue the ministry of reconciliation and peace. Help us grow Absalom Jones’s ministry of racial justice. Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness;

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God who hears, you put the tears of our forebearers into your bottle, recording them in your book: help the nations of the world here their citizens concerns by responding to injustice, war and slavery with actions that lead to peace. Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness;

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God of our ancestors, Blessed Absalom reminded us that just as your chosen people acknowledged a Syrian, ready to perish, was their ancestor, we too must acknowledge that an enslaved African, ready to perish, was our ancestor: endue our elders and leaders with wisdom and vision to reach back with the purpose of moving forward. Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness;

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God of compassion, you hear your peoples cries and prayers in heaven: accept our intercession and petitions as part of our worship of you. Help us remember that we stand on the prayers of our ancestors. As they prayed for current and future generations, so must we pray for our sisters and brothers today and for those to come. Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness;

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

God who creates, Blessed Absalom reminded us that sacrifices must be accompanied with action: guide our feet to run the race without getting weary. Keep us focused on the fight for equality. Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness;

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

Healing God, deliver those who call upon your name, as we intercede for Gerri, Gayle, Ron, Joy, Gloria, Chuck, Lauriette, O. Ray, Lafayette, Margaret, Darryl, Dennis, Jr., The St. Augustine’s University Community, Elijah, Marissa, Margo, Charles, Ethel, Brian, Terrence, Carolyn, Tyna, Dennis, Marjorie, Ama, Dorothy, Lawrence, Derek, Walter, Danita, Lionell, Vincent, Howard, Sydney, Carol, Robert, Beverly, Harmon, Allen, and Damon.

You inspire our hearts with hope as we offer prayers of thanksgiving. Continue to grow from strength to strengthen those who know you more fully, as we pray for the departed, especially our sister Vivian Patterson. Glory to you, O God, for your precious record of power and goodness;

Let all the nations of the earth praise you.

Oh Lord, move us, who are assembled in your presence, to be always thankful for your mercies, and to act as is becoming of people who owe so much to your goodness. We ask all these blessings and mercies, only in the name of your beloved son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Written by The Rev. Jemonde Taylor, based on “A Thanksgiving Sermon” delivered by Rev. Absalom Jones on January 1, 1808.

The Prayer to End Gun Violence

God of Justice, help us, your church, find our voice. Turn us from the worship of power. Give us courage to confront our false gods and to protest the needless deaths caused by gun violence. Help us rise above our dread that nothing can be done and grant us the conviction to advocate for change. For your dream of a world where children are safe and all of us live together without fear, Loving God, make us instruments of your peace. Amen.

Celebrant

God of every blessing, hear the prayers we offer you this day and plant your people like trees by water in the garden of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant Let us confess our sins to God.

Silence may be kept.

Celebrant and People

God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

Celebrant

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us share the peace with one another and our guests.

The Celebrant and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

The Offertory

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.

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 our thanks and praise.

Celebrant

It is truly right, and good and joyful, to give you thanks, all-holy God, source of life and fountain of mercy.

Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:

The Sanctus [Spoken at 8:30 a.m.] [Sung at 10:30 a.m.] L-255

Holy, holy, holy, holy,

holy Lord God of hosts,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Then the Celebrant continues

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.

But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us, and prepared the way of salvation for all people.

Through Abraham and Sarah you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from slavery, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.

On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, Jesus 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 poured out for you and for all 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

Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine. By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.

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.

The Celebrant says

As our Savior Christ has taught us we are bold to say (sing):

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.

Celebrant We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ.

People We who are many are one body; for we all share in the one bread.

Celebrant

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

A Prayer for Spiritual Communion

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

The Administration of Communion

At the time of communion, you are invited to come forward and receive the bread and wine. The priest will place a wafer in your hand. You may then receive wine either by direct consumption from a chalice (Common Cup), or you may give the wafer to the Eucharistic minister who will dip the wafer in the wine and place the wafer on your tongue. You may also still come forward to receive a blessing. Simply cross your arms over your chest before the priest for the blessing. After receiving communion or a blessing, you may return to your seat.

The Bread and cup are given to the communicants with these words:

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.

The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen.

Celebrant All are welcome to the Lord’s table. Won’t you come?

Celebrant Let us pray.

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Community Announcements

Celebrant

May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

The Dismissal

Celebrant Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.