St. John’s Episcopal Church
Helena, Arkansas
Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King
Proper 29
November 21, 2021
The Holy Eucharist Rite Two
Entrance Rite, Eucharistic Prayer A,
The Word of God
ENTRANCE RITE
Entrance Hymn Crown him with many crowns (H 494)
The people standing, the Celebrant says
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Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. |
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People |
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. |
The Celebrant may say
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.
Opening Anthem or Song of Praise
The following is sung, all standing
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,
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. Amen.
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Celebrant |
The Lord be with you. |
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People |
And also with you. |
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Celebrant |
Let us pray. |
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
THE LESSONS
First Reading Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
The people sit.
A Reading from the book of Daniel.
9As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. 10A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 13As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. 14To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.
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Reader |
The Word of the Lord. |
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People |
Thanks be to God. |
Silence may follow.
Psalm Psalm 93
Remain seated and recite responsively by whole verse.
1The Lord is King;
he has put on splendid apparel; *
the Lord has put on his apparel
and girded himself with strength.
2He has made the whole world so sure *
that it cannot be moved;
3Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
you are from everlasting.
4The waters have lifted up, O Lord,
the waters have lifted up their voice; *
the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.
5Mightier than the sound of many waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea, *
mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.
6Your testimonies are very sure, *
and holiness adorns your house, O Lord,
for ever and for evermore.
Second Reading Revelation 1:4b-8
The people sit.
A Reading from the Revelation of John.
4bGrace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, 6and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. 8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
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Reader |
The Word of the Lord. |
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People |
Thanks be to God. |
Silence may follow.
Sequence Hymn Let all mortal flesh keep silence (H 324)
All stand.
Gospel John 18:33-37
All stand.
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Priest |
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. |
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People |
Glory to you, Lord Christ. |
33Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” 35Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
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Priest |
The Gospel of the Lord. |
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People |
Praise to you, Lord Christ. |
The Sermon Rev. Teresa Cantrell
The Creed
All stand.
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
All remain standing or kneel.
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; especially those suffering from Covid-19 and their caregivers and all those who are in distress, lonely or afraid.
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest;
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
We remember and celebrate today the wedding anniversary of Lindalu and Alan Hargraves.
Almighty God, giver of every gift we receive: Look graciously on your Church, and guide those who shall discern who shall discern whom God is calling to be rector for this parish. Grace us with patience, trust, and hope through the interim times of doubt and uncertainty. We pray that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us to continue, improve, expand, and reach out with our ministries to all whom we can touch; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions.
The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you: “Regard not our sins, but the faith of your church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
Confession of Sin
The Celebrant says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People
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 Priest stands and 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 Peace
All stand.
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Celebrant |
The peace of the Lord be always with you. |
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People |
And also with you. |
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
Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; bring offerings and come into his courts. Psalm 96:8
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 also with you. |
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Celebrant |
Lift up your hearts. |
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People |
We lift them to the Lord. |
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Celebrant |
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. |
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People |
It is right to give him thanks and praise. |
Facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
For you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus
All sing
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.
The People stand or kneel.
The Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he 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 shed for you and for many 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
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
And now, as our Savior Christ has 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
All sing.
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Celebrant says
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.
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 our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in everlasting life. [Amen.]
Communion music
Post-Communion Prayer
After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
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.
Blessing
The Priest blesses the people, saying
The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Post-Communion Hymn All hail the power of Jesus' Name (H 450)
Dismissal
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Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. |
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People |
Thanks be to God. |
POSTLUDE
A Note on Today’s Readings
Proper 29: The Reign of Christ or Christ the King—Year B
Welcome to our parish. Today is the final Sunday of the church year. Through the year the liturgy unfolds, Sunday by Sunday, the full story of God’s redemption in Jesus’ earthly life, his ministry, his death, resurrection and ascension, his sending the Holy Spirit, and then, in the past several months, his teaching. Now, on this final Sunday, all of this is summed up, and we celebrate the universal rule of Christ over all creation.
The Gospel reading, from John’s account of the Passion of Jesus, recalls that it was not through power but through the self-giving love of Jesus as he endured his passion and death that he was revealed as Messiah and King.
We end the liturgical year today gathered to contemplate the End which is to come, when Christ will be revealed as King, as the ruler of all things. Even now, as we gather, week by week, in the Eucharist, our liturgy reveals a foretaste of the reign of Christ that is to come.
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 are joining us to worship today.
Please keep the following in your prayers: Debra Richardson, Kathy Sullivan, Lynn Jordan, Parker Pace, Courtney Turner, Jo Boone Wild, Gloria Higginbotham, Kathleen Gibson, Cole Jefferies, Carol Spencer, Bonnie & Charles Rowland, Jo Liddy, Joan Henderson, Janet Juengel, Vivian Wright, Jim Howe, Pat Wheeler, Cliff Clark, Linda Dowling, Susan Taylor, and Sylvia Ross.
St. John’s continues to support the Angels of Grace and the Anchor Mission ministries. Choose from their list which includes: cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, laundry detergent, bleach and dish soap.
Please place your donations at the back of the church or drop by the office.
Grace Food Pantry labeled container in the narthex is for any plastic bags you might want to donate.
Thank you for your weekly donations. They are all so very greatly appreciated.
Donations for Camp Mitchell can be mailed to Rev. Joanna Seibert, 27 River Ridge Rd, Little Rock, AR 72227. Or given to St. John’s or Lindalu Hargraves. Thank you for your continued support of Camp Mitchell.
The Rev. Russ Snapp will be here with us on Sunday, November 28. We will have special music also.
Members of St. John's are invited to participate in an Advent workshop with Canon Jason Alexander. We will meet on Saturday, December 4 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon in the undercroft.
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
Rev. Teresa Cantrell
The Vestry of St. John’s Church, Helena
Mike Fielder, Senior Warden (2021)
Ed Pat Wright, Junior Warden (2023)
Brooke Tappan, Clerk (2023),
Ben Pittman (2021), Ann Lee (2021), Mark Rogers (2022),
Allison Biederman (2022), Susan Carter (2022),
Tap Jennings (2023)
Walter Morris, Treasurer
Organist – Dr. Gabriel Statom
Pianist –Dagmar Bergan
Lay Reader – Gina Miles
Acolyte – Ed Pat Wright
Altar Guild – Julie Pittman
Ushers – Brooke Tappan & Tait Owens
The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God
and in celebration of the 42nd anniversary of Lindalu & Alan Hargraves.
Given by their children, Alan & Stephanie Hargraves
and Natalie & David Bohannan
