THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

St. John’s Episcopal Church

The Liturgy of the Word

The Third Sunday after the Epiphany

24 January 2021 10 a.m.

Welcome to St. John’s! We are so glad you are joining us at home online.

All of the prayers & responses can be found bolded in this bulletin.

We hope you will join in from home!

Welcome The Rev. Candace Sandfort

The Word of God

Presider Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

PresiderLord, have mercy.

People Christ, have mercy.

PresiderLord, have mercy.

The Collect of the Day

The Presider says to the people

The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

PresiderLet us pray.

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Book of Jonah Dean Squires

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. (3:1-5, 10)

Lector The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Please join us at home as we say the Psalm in unison

Psalm 62:6-14 Nonne Deo? Dean Squires

For God alone my soul in silence waits; * truly, my hope is in him.

God 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 Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians David Kelley

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. (7:29-31)

Lector The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn 661: “They cast their nets in Galilee”

They cast their nets in Galilee

just off the hills of brown;

such happy, simple fisher-folk,

before the Lord came down.

Contented, peaceful fishermen,

before they ever knew

the peace of God that filled their hearts

brimful, and broke them too.

Young John who trimmed the flapping sail,

homeless, in Patmos died.

Peter, who hauled the teeming net,

head down was crucified.

The peace of God, it is no peace,

but strife closed in the sod.

Yet let us pray for but one thing—

the marvelous peace of God.

The Gospel: Mark 1:14-20

People’s response before the GospelGlory to you, Lord Christ.

People’s response after the GospelPraise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon The Reverend Candace Sandfort

Please join us at home

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 s/he is worshiped and glorified.

S/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 People respond to each petition from their home.

The Prayers of the People David Kelley

LeaderGod of Peace: We pray for our country in this time of transition as our new President and Vice President become the leaders of this nation. We ask for an orderly transition of power and wise decisions in the days ahead. Bring healing to our nation Lord, help us listen to one another with respect, always seeking the good in the other. Reconcile families and friends divided. Help us learn to love each other despite our differences and focus on the work before us: the work of truth-telling, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. Inspire the people of this nation to speak out against racism, and resist all forms of injustice and oppression, as we strive to form a more perfect union in 2021.

Leader God of Peace:

People Hear our prayers for reconciliation.

Leader God of Freedom: We pray for all who have been elected to serve in our national and local government, especially Joe our President and Kamala our Vice President. May they, and all those chosen to carry the burden of office, be given the wisdom to know what is right, the compassion to seek the common good, and a spirit of service to this nation.

Leader God of Freedom:

People Hear our prayers for this nation.

Leader God of Grace: We pray for our Presiding Bishop, Michael, our Bishop, Carlye, and all other bishops and ministers. Nurture and refresh them with the water of life, that they may have the strength to carry the weight of office in this difficult and demanding time.

LeaderGod of Grace:

People Hear our prayers for your servants.

Leader God of Compassion: We pray that you keep the merciful face of Christ ever before us as we strive to be more fully your healers of this broken world. We pray for the first-responders, scientists, medical personnel, and essential workers on the frontlines of this pandemic. We pray for those who are lonely, isolated, sick or suffering physically or financially. We pray for the poor, the refugees, the immigrants, and all who are without homes, or food, or meaningful work. We pray especially for those unfairly incarcerated who received no justice or mercy from our court system because of the color of their skin.

Leader God of Compassion:

People Hear our prayers for those who are exhausted, despondent, or suffering in

any way.

LeaderGod of Creation: We pray for the Earth, entrusted to our care: For animals, atmosphere, aquifers, rainforests, oceans, and all parts of your creation struggling with global warming that have no voice of their own. Throughout the world stir up a spirit that seeks to protect the Earth and all its resources, that we may leave to our children’s children’s children the beauty and abundance you have given us.

LeaderGod of Creation:

People Hear our prayers for the Earth.

Leader God of Mercy: We pray for those who have died, especially those who have died alone from Covid-19. For the faithful in past generations and for the prophets who called us to racial reconciliation, sometimes at the cost of their own lives. We pray that you would continue to bring prophets into our midst who can tell the truth so there could be real healing and justice for the black people of this nation who have been unfairly incarcerated, mistreated and oppressed for centuries. Help us remember the saints of the past that they might inspire us to proclaim your Good News to all people, by our words and actions, and bring us at last into the glorious company of the saints in light.

Leader God of Mercy:

People Hear our prayers for the faithful in all generations.

Leader We pray for the special needs and concerns of this congregation.

Leader The People may add their own petitions silently or aloud from home.

Please remember to unmute yourself, and then mute yourself again when finished.

The Presider adds a concluding Collect

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of this nation and our newly elected officials as we begin this new year; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession & Absolution Church of England BCP

Presider

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

All

Almighty God, source of all that is,

and giver of every good gift.

You create all people in your image

and call us to love one another as you love us.

We confess that we have failed to honor you

in the great diversity of the human family.

We have desired to live in freedom,

while building walls between ourselves and others.

We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are,

while judging others based on the color of their skin,

or cultural differences.

Forgive us, Holy God.

Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people.

Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love.

Restore us in your image, to be the Beloved Community,

united in our diversity;

even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit,

Holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen.

The Presider says

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.

The Presider then says

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.

The Blessing

The flowers today are given to the Glory of God

by Joyce McGirr, Darren Lolk & Delica Reduque

in loving memory and thanksgiving for the life of our beloved

John McGirr

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Enrich yourself during Lent,

and make good use of another 40 days of the Pandemic…

Lent begins February 17th and I am putting together a study of the Old Testament Book of Job and the meaning of suffering—a timely subject—I hope you’ll consider joining in what could be your “Lenten Discipline” perhaps? We will read the contemporary play “JB,” which tells the story of Job through a twentieth-century American banker/millionaire whom God commands be stripped of his family and wealth, but who refuses to turn his back on God. J.B. won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and the Tony Award for best play. We will also watch (at home) and discuss two movies in the course of the 40 days: The Tree of Life, from the great director Terrence Malick, and A Serious Man, directed by the equally amazing Coen brothers. Let me know if you’re interested by calling the office, texting me, or emailing: Rectorstjmontclair@gmail.com

Stephen Ministry Corner

Update: Ellen Lentz has completed the Stephen Ministry Leader training, and will be commissioned at our regular Sunday service on January 31st. Ellen will also be giving the Homily that day and telling us why she felt inspired to begin this ministry at St. John’s, and what additional inspiration she found during her recent training intensive.

Ellen has now begun training our five future St. John’s Stephen Ministers. The 50-hour training course for these volunteers requires twice a week 2 ½ hour sessions for ten weeks (!) Once trained, the Stephen Ministers will be available to help (on a weekly basis) anyone going through a difficult time in their life.

Our first Stephen Minister volunteers are:

· Paul Sugarman

· Reina Smith

· Angela Roy

· Monique Omar

· Lorita Jackson.

Our St. John’s community, and our community beyond the doors of St. John’s, is very blessed by the love, patience and commitment of these future Stephen Ministers now preparing themselves to walk with people experiencing a difficult time in their lives. We ask for your prayers and blessing for them as they go through this demanding training process.

Give thanks in all circumstances.

I Thessalonians 5:18

THE STATE OF OUR UNION

LAST YEAR @ this time

61 households

pledged $194,197

THIS YEAR

59 households

have pledged $187,819

We’re in the home stretch!

Only $23,000 is still needed

to support our

Absence makes the heart grow fonder… $200,000 operating budget!

Need a pledge card? Let Michelle know at the office and she’ll send one out to you pronto!

Pledging made easy:

· Just fill out your card and drop it in the mail or the mail slot next to the Parish Hall door.

· OR use the “Online Payments” tab on our website to set up automatic pledge payments on our secure Vanco page.

· OR easier yet, use this QR code which will go directly to our Vanco page to pledge:

How to use the QR code:

1. Simply point your phone’s camera at the QR code below (don’t click!)

2. Tap the drop-down message that appears.

3. You will automatically be taken to our website’s “Online Payments” page.

Here’s what you’ll see when you get to the Vanco page:

Prayer & Share

Peace be with you, Brothers and Sisters! A few of us get together to share and pray together in the following ways. You are most welcome to join us!  

 

1. Please join us in "the Prayer and Share Zoom Meeting", weekly at 7 p.m. every Thursday.

Join Zoom Meeting (Same link, same password every week)

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/823943733

Meeting ID: 823 943 733

Password: 406925

2. You are welcome to post prayer requests for participants to keep in their prayers. The prayers will also be read at the Sunday service. Besides sharing prayer requests, you are also welcome to share useful information or meaningful messages with us in the GoogleDoc below: 

This document is titled "Share, Pray & Come Alive Together." https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mvaRdENeWL0NKbREuAKE1BQNbHnbhX4SvLMxxEhrujU/edit?usp=sharing

No Friend Left Behind

NORTH PORCH

North Porch serves infants and toddlers in Newark, Dover, Jersey City and Morristown. The number of children served by North Porch has grown from 250 monthly before the pandemic to 400 per month now. The essential supplies provided include formula, diapers, wipes, and baby food. Before the pandemic Moms came to a North Porch center and in addition to essential supplies, they may receive a wide array of donated items including clothing, children’s books, toys, bottles and other supplies not ordinarily on their budget such as a baby swing, boppy pillow or baby carrier.

Today, only essential supplies are provided out the trunk of the director’s car at an outdoor location. North Porch has always relied heavily on churches and other organizations that sponsor collections of essential supplies throughout the year. During the pandemic, as churches and many businesses are operating virtually, collections of items has been difficult and monetary donations have become very important. St John’s Outreach Budget and donations made through the website allowed us to continue to be generous with our support during the pandemic. We look forward to again sponsoring collection of needed supplies and supplementing them with monetary donations and again having hands-on volunteer opportunities in Newark when we emerge from the pandemic. You can contribute to North Porch at the St. John’s website.

The "Bishop's Study Group: Pursuing Racial Reconciliation

Here is a list with links to all the readings/movies recommended by the Bishop during the first half of our study. I highly recommend all of them!

· Watch the film Harriet

· Watch the film 12 Years a Slave

· Watch Alvin Ailey’s Revelations

· Read: Frederick Douglass, Fourth of July Address

· Read John Newton’s biography entry. Open attachments at bottom of the webpage to read his account of slavery and original lyrics of Amazing Grace.

· Read William Lloyd Garrison's 1854 speech, No Compromise with the Evil of Slavery

· Read Angelina Grimke's Address to the Massachusetts Legislature, 1938

· Read Angelina Grimke Weld's speech at Pennsylvania Hall

· Read Sojourner Truth's 1851 speech, Ain't I a Woman?

· Watch The Free State of Jones

· Watch Lincoln

Dismissal

PresiderGo in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

PeopleThanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

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