Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 4 October 2020

LITURGY FOR WORSHIP

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

4 OCTOBER 2020

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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 22)

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; 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

Isaiah 5:1-7; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46

PSALM 80:7-14

Restore us, O God of hosts; *

Show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

You have brought a vine out of Egypt; *

you cast out the nations and planted it.

You prepared the ground for it; *

it took root and filled the land.

The mountains were covered by its shadow, *

and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.

You stretched out its tendrils to the sea, *

and its branches to the river.

Why then have you broken down its walls, *

so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?

The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, *

and the beasts of the field grazed upon it.

Turn now, O God of hosts; look down from heaven;

behold and tend this vine: *

      preserve what your right hand has planted.

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.

   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 worshiped 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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Response: In Christ's name, hear our prayer.

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.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

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 God thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing . . .

proclaim the glory of your Name:

Celebrant & People    

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.

Holy and gracious Father: . . .

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant & People    Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption . . .

Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER OF

ST. ALPHONSUS de LIGUORI (1696-1787)

While others are receiving the Sacrament, you are invited to pray this prayer:

My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things, and long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER, BLESSING & DISMISSAL

Eternal God, heavenly Father, 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.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

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