St. John’s Episcopal Church
Helena, Arkansas
Second Sunday in Lent
March 13, 2022
THE HOLY EUCHARIST RITE ONE
Penitential Order, Eucharistic Prayer 2
The Word of God
PENITENTIAL ORDER
The priest and procession all enter in silence.
Opening Acclamation
The people standing, the Celebrant says
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Celebrant |
Bless the Lord who forgiveth all our sins. |
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People |
His mercy endureth for ever. |
Confession of Sin
All kneel.
The Celebrant says
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The Celebrant then says
Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against thee
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved thee with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in thy will,
and walk in thy ways,
to the glory of thy Name. Amen.
The Priest stands and says
The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Anthem or Song of Praise
The following is said 3 times, all standing
Celebrant: Holy God,
Holy and Mighty,
Holy Immortal One.
People: Have mercy upon us.
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Celebrant |
The Lord be with you. |
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People |
And with thy spirit. |
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Celebrant |
Let us pray. |
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of thy Word, Jesus Christ thy Son; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE LESSONS
First Reading Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
The people sit.
A Reading from the book of Genesis.
1The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” 4But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” 5He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. 7Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” 8But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. 17When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. 18On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.”
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Reader |
The Word of the Lord. |
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People |
Thanks be to God. |
Psalm Psalm 27
Remain seated while the following is read responsively by whole verse.
1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.
3Though an army should encamp against me, *
yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4And though war should rise up against me, *
yet will I put my trust in him.
5One thing have I asked of the Lord;
one thing I seek; *
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;
6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *
and to seek him in his temple.
7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *
he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
8Even now he lifts up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
12Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13You have been my helper;
cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the Lord will sustain me.
15Show me your way, O Lord; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
17What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the Lord *
in the land of the living!
18Oh, tarry and await the Lord‘s pleasure;
be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
wait patiently for the Lord.
Second Reading Philippians 3:17--4:1
The people sit.
A Reading from Paul's letter to the Church in Philippi.
17Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. 4:1Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
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Reader |
The Word of the Lord. |
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People |
Thanks be to God. |
Sequence Hymn My faith looks up to thee (Olivet) (H 691)
All stand.
Gospel Luke 13:31-35
All stand.
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Priest |
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. |
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People |
Glory be to thee, O Lord. |
31Some Pharisees came and said to [Jesus,] “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
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Priest |
The Gospel of the Lord. |
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People |
Praise be to thee, O Christ. |
The Sermon Rev. Teresa Cantrell
The Creed
All stand and read in unison.
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 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.
The Prayers of the People
People may stand or kneel for the following.
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church and the world.
After each paragraph of this prayer, the People may make an appropriate response, as directed.
Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: Receive these our prayers which we offer unto thy divine Majesty, beseeching thee to inspire continually the Universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grant that all those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers especially Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Larry, our Bishop, and Teresa, our minister, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.
And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially to this congregation here present; that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word, truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear the authority of government in this and every land especially, Joe, our President, and Asa, our governor, that they may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world.
Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor all those who, in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. We especially remember all those who suffer from Covid -19, their families, and caregivers. We also lift in prayer all those who are alone or afraid.
Additional petitions and thanksgivings may be included here.
And we also bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear especially Payton Clark, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of St. John the Evangelist, St Joseph and all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.
Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
The Peace
All stand.
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Celebrant |
The peace of the Lord be always with you. |
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People |
And with thy spirit. |
Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Announcements and birthday and anniversary blessings.
The Holy Communion
Offertory Sentence
The Celebrant says
If you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that thy brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Offertory Music
Doxology
The Great Thanksgiving
The People remain standing.
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Celebrant |
The Lord be with you. |
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People |
And with thy spirit. |
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Celebrant |
Lift up your hearts. |
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People |
We lift them up unto the Lord. |
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Celebrant |
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. |
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People |
It is meet and right so to do. |
Facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was in every way tempted as we are, yet did not sin; by whose grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer unto ourselves, but unto him who died for us and rose again.
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
Sanctus
Celebrant and People say (S 114)
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The people kneel or stand.
Then the Celebrant continues
All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own image; and, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. He made there a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make, with these thy holy gifts which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and looking for his coming again with power and great glory.
And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ.
And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies. Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all thy whole Church may be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord;
By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Celebrant then continues
And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,
People and Celebrant
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,
forever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Fraction Anthem
Celebrant: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
People: Have mercy on us.
Celebrant: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
People: Have mercy on us.
Celebrant: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
People: Grant us peace.
Prayer of Humble Access
The celebrant and people say the following prayer.
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
Distribution
The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people.
The Bread is given to the communicants with these words
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]
Communion Music
Post-Communion Prayer
After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
The People may join in saying this prayer
Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Post-Communion Hymn How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord (H 637)
Dismissal
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Celebrant |
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. |
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People |
Thanks be to God. |
A Note on Today’s Readings
Second Sunday in Lent—Year C
Welcome to our parish. Today the liturgy gives us the account of the covenant between God and the first person of faith: Abraham. There are two parts to this covenant: God’s promise and Abraham’s faith. Abraham’s faith becomes the model for us who have been brought into covenant with God in baptism.
The Gospel reading today tells of Jesus being warned that he is in danger of being killed. He responds by again foretelling his own death and resurrection, the three days in which he will complete his work. Jesus then laments his rejection by the leaders in Jerusalem because he wishes fervently that no one be lost and that he may gather everyone to himself.
The second reading today is concerned with contrasting those who do not live within the covenant and those who do. It reminds us that the self-denial and fasting of Lent are not ends in themselves and certainly are not meant to imply that pleasure is wrong. They lead us on toward the discovery that true joy and pleasure always come from God and always point us to the resurrection of our earthly life and desires, which is God’s ultimate aim for us.
As we draw nearer to Easter and the renewal of our baptismal commitment, and as we pray for those who will be baptized then, the liturgy of Lent takes us ever deeper into the mystery of our redemption. Faith and repentance are our response to the redemption that began to be worked out in Abraham’s day, was fulfilled in Jesus’ dying and rising, and is renewed in us in baptism and Eucharist.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
Welcome to St. John’s. We are so glad you’re here to worship with us today.
Please keep the following in your prayers: Debra Richardson, Kathy Sullivan, Parker Pace, Courtney Turner, Jo Boone Wild, Kathleen Gibson, Cole Jefferies, Carol Spencer, Bonnie & Charles Rowland, Jo Liddy, Janet Juengel, Vivian Wright, Jim Howe, Cliff Clark, Linda Dowling, Susan Taylor, and Sylvia Ross.
St. John’s continues to support the Angels of Grace and the Anchor Mission ministries.
Grace Food Pantry: plastic bags go in the labeled container in the narthex.
Thank you for your donations. They are all greatly appreciated and needed.
ECW will meet Monday, March 14, at 5:00 in the undercroft.
Lenten Tidbits: “God wanted to liberate us not by removing suffering from us, but by sharing it with us. Jesus, is God who suffers with us.” Henri Nouwen
Lenten Evening prayer in St. John’s chapel each Wednesday at 5:30 pm
DATES TO MARK IN YOUR CALENDAR:
April 10....Palm Sunday
April 14....Maundy Thursday service at 6:00 pm in the church
April 15....Good Friday service at noon in the church
April 17.... Easter Sunday
Contact info:
Email: rector@saintjohnshelena.org
St. John’s Church Office:
Phone: 870-338-8115
Email: office@saintjohnshelena.org
Mailing address: P.O. Box 770, Helena, AR 72342
Street address: 625 Pecan St., Helena, Arkansas
The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
The Rt. Reverend Larry R. Benfield, Bishop of Arkansas
The Rev. Teresa Cantrell
The Vestry of St. John’s Church, Helena
Allison Biederman, Senior Warden (2022)
Ed Pat Wright, Junior Warden (2023)
Brooke Tappan, Clerk (2023), Tap Jennings (2023)
Mark Rogers (2022), Susan Carter (2022)
West Hornor (2024), Ned Pillow (2024)
Walter Morris, Treasurer
Pianist –Dagmar Bergan
Organist – Dr. Gabriel Statom
Lay Eucharist Minister – Susan Carter
Acolyte – Katherine Pillow
Altar Guild – Lindalu Hargraves
Ushers – Jack Hornor & Mike Fielder
Facebook Live – Paulette Parker
The flowers in the church today are given to the glory of God
and in memory of Pat Wheeler and Peyton Clark.
Given by Lyle & Lisa Wheeler
