PREPARING FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP Saturday, 29 August 2020 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Included in today's update: A Message from Father Keith, the Liturgy for Tomorrow's Worship, Birthdays in the Week Ahead, and more.

FROM THE RECTOR

Saturday, 29 August 2020

Dear Friends:

This Sunday's first lesson from Exodus recounts one of my favorite stories: God's calling of Moses from the burning bush. And the second lesson, from Paul's Letter to the Romans, is also one of my favorite passages. These verses remind me of two prayers . . .

The first one I offer to you is a morning prayer and takes its theme from Romans:

God of love,

today help us to live peaceably with all.

Help us to live in genuine love:

to love our neighbors as ourselves,

and to love you, O God,

with our whole heart, mind and strength,

in Jesus' loving name. Amen.

This second prayer, appropriate for evening, is inspired by the Exodus passage:

Most Holy God,

because you have been with us this day,

we have stood on holy ground. Thank you!

We know that you will remain with us through this night ahead. Thank you!

We know that you will be with us again tomorrow, Thank you!

We pray in Jesus' holy name. Amen.

In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ,

and our God who wants only health and wholeness for his children,

I send you blessings, peace and grace in these uncertain, confusing and anxious times.

Blessings! Peace! Grace! And love!

- Keith

BIRTHDAYS IN THE WEEK AHEAD

O God, our times are in your hands: Look with favor, we pray, on these your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• Dennis Byrnes

• Jeff Christman

• Geoffrey Grivner

• Alexandra Knowles

• Lauren Hales

• Betty Buchecker

LITURGY FOR TOMORROW'S WORSHIP

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

30 August 2020

** At a time convenient for you, open the church website - www.messiahgwynedd.org - for the video presentation of the Sunday service; then use the liturgical pieces below to actively participate. The video is available all week.

OPENING PROCLAMATION

The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you. Alleluia!

And also with you. Alleluia! Alleluia!

COLLECT FOR THE DAY (Proper 17)

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.​

COLLECT FOR CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH

Gracious God: through your Fatherly goodness, make Church of the Messiah a Christian community united to serve others; enrich our life in Christ, that we might celebrate and share Christ’s love with the world; and send your Holy Spirit to give us strength and courage to proclaim the Good News of your grace through word and deed. Amen.

LESSONS

Exodus 3:1-15; Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:21-28

PSALM 105

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to him, sing praises to him; *

and speak of all his marvelous works.

Glory in his holy Name; *

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Search for the Lord and his strength; *

continually seek his face.

Remember the marvels he has done, *

his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

O offspring of Abraham his servant, *

O children of Jacob his chosen.

Israel came into Egypt; *

and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.

The Lord made his people exceedingly fruitful; *

he made them stronger than their enemies;

Whose hearts he turned, so that they hated his people, *

and dealt unjustly with his servants.

He sent Moses his servant, *

and Aaron whom he had chosen. Hallelujah!

APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,

and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of Saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Response: Hear us, O God.

PRAYER FOR NATIONAL HEALING AND UNITY

O God, who created all peoples in your own image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and peoples who have come together in this great nation, and strengthened our culture with the many gifts, talents, perspectives and flavors they have each brought and shared. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, abolish all prejudices that separate us, open our eyes to recognize, and acknowledge, and celebrate your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

SUNDAY WORSHIP MUSIC

Be sure to check out the weekly music and carillon recordings. Go to the Gallery tab on the parish website; select videos; there you will find hymns selected for the day, along with the ringing of Messiah's church bells. This music is presented each week by Hannah Albrecht, Sam Frenkel and friends. Thank you, Hannah and Sam - and all who contribute each week!

SUNDAY SERMON AVAILABLE EACH WEEK

Each week, the text of the Sunday sermon is posted to the website. Feel free to print it out if you find that helpful. And perhaps you might also print a copy and send to someone who doesn't have computer access. This would be greatly appreciated and provide a way for these parishioners to also stay connected.

BISHOP GUTIERREZ PREACHES EACH SUNDAY

Bishop Gutierrez continues to broadcast Sunday morning Eucharist services. You can watch at 9 a.m. on YouTube or Facebook, (@Episcopal PA) and any time afterward on the Diocesan Website (DIOPA.org)

PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGE UP TO DATE

Thank you to all of you who have dropped off or sent in your pledge over the past several weeks! Your faithfulness has allowed us to stay current with payroll and bill payment. Can it really be midway through August already? Please remember to submit this month's pledge.

Thank you!