A Public Service of Healing with Anointing and the Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m.

St. John’s Episcopal Church Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Constance, and her Companions, 1878 Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Welcome to St. John’s. We are very glad you have joined us for worship this evening.

Please silence all electronic devices so not to disturb the worship of your fellow parishioners.

Silence is kept from the lighting of the candles to the prelude to allow worshipers time for private prayer.

A Public Service of Healing with Anointing and the Holy Eucharist begins on page 166 of the Book of Occasional Services. The lessons are taken from the Holy Bible (New Revised Standard Version). The hymns, unless otherwise noted, are from the Hymnal 1982. All are printed here for your convenience.

All are invited to dinner in the parish hall immediately following the service.

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Constance, Nun, and her Companions, Commonly called “The Martyrs of Memphis,” 1878

In August, 1878, Yellow Fever invaded the city of Memphis for the third time in ten years. By the month’s end the disease had become epidemic and a quarantine was ordered. While 30,000 citizens had fled in terror, 20,000 more remained to face the pestilence. As cases multiplied, death tolls averaged 200 daily. When the worst was over ninety percent of the population had contracted the Fever; more than 5,000 people had died.

In that time of panic and flight, many brave men and women, both lay and cleric, remained at their posts of duty or came as volunteers to assist despite the terrible risk. Notable among these heros were Constance, Superior of the work of the Sisters of St. Mary in Memphis, and her Companions. The Sisters had come to Memphis in 1873, at Bishop Quintard’s request, to found a Girls School adjacent to St. Mary’s Cathedral. When the 1878 epidemic began, George C. Harris, the Cathedral Dean, and Sister Constance immediately organized relief work among the stricken. Helping were six of Constance’s fellow Sisters of St. Mary; Sister Clare from St. Margaret’s House, Boston; the Reverend Charles C. Parsons, Rector of Grace and St. Lazarus Church, Memphis; and the Reverend Louis S. Schuyler, assistant at Holy Innocents, Hoboken. The Cathedral group also included three physicians, two of whom were ordained Episcopal priests, the Sisters’ two matrons, and several volunteer nurses from New York. They have ever since been known as “The Martyrs of Memphis,” as have those of other Communions who ministered in Christ’s name during this time of desolation.

The Cathedral buildings were located in the most infected region of Memphis. Here, amid sweltering heat and scenes of indescribable horror, these men and women of God gave relief to the sick, comfort to the dying, and homes to the many orphaned children. Only two of the workers escaped the Fever. Among those who died were Constance, Thecla, Ruth and Frances, the Reverend Charles Parsons and the Reverend Louis Schuyler. The six martyred Sisters and priests are buried at Elmwood Cemetery. The monument marking the joint grave of Fathers Parsons and Schuyler bears the inscription: “Greater Love Hath No Man.” The beautiful High Altar in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Memphis, is a memorial to the four Sisters.

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At the sound of the bell all stand.

All standing, the Celebrant says

Celebrant Grace and peace be with you, from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ. People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who, in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Reading Isaiah 53:3-5

All sit.

He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account. Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

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Psalm

Remain seated.

Psalm 116:1-8 BCP p. 759

Dilexi, quoniam 1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of

my supplication, * because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.

2 The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; * I came to grief and sorrow.

3 Then I called upon the Name of the LORD: * “O LORD, I pray you, save my life.”

4 Gracious is the LORD and righteous; * our God is full of compassion.

5 The LORD watches over the innocent; * I was brought very low, and he helped me.

6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul, * for the LORD has treated you well.

7 For you have rescued my life from death, * my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.

8 I will walk in the presence of the LORD* in the land of the living.

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Second Reading 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

A Reading from Paul’s Second letter to the Church in Corinth.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.

Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

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Hymn

All stand.

It Is Well with My Soul LEVAS 188

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Holy Gospel John 12:24-28

All stand.

Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. All sit. A period of silent reflection on our readings will follow the gospel reading. The Celebrant will conclude the silence by introducing the Litany of Healing.

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Litany of Healing

The Celebrant introduces the Litany with this bidding

Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers.

All stand and the People audibly name those for whom they are interceding. A Person appointed then leads the Litany, the People responding.

God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation; We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly;

We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence;

We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being;

We praise you and thank you, O Lord.

Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, that they may be made whole; Hear us, O Lord of life.

Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence;

Hear us, O Lord of life.

Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit;

Hear us, O Lord of life.

Bless physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience;

Hear us, O Lord of life.

Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved;

Hear us, O Lord of life.

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Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world;

Hear us, O Lord of life.

You are the Lord who does wonders:

You have declared your power among the peoples.

With you, O Lord, is the well of life:

And in your light we see light.

Hear us, O Lord of life:

Heal us, and make us whole.

Let us pray.

All kneel. A period of silence follows.

The Celebrant concludes the Prayers with the following Collect.

Almighty God, giver of life and health: Send your blessing on all who are sick, and upon those who minister to them, that all weakness may be vanquished by the triumph of the risen Christ; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

The Deacon or 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.

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The Celebrant, 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 service continues with the exchange of the Peace.

The Peace

All stand. The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.

Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord. The Celebrant concludes the Peace with the following offertory sentence. Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High. Psalm 50:14

The Holy Communion The altar is prepared for The Holy Communion.

The Great Thanksgiving

All stand. The Celebrant faces them and says

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 him thanks and praise.

Then, 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.

Because in the obedience of your saints you have given us an example of righteousness, and in their eternal joy a glorious pledge of the hope of our calling.

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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:

Celebrant and 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.

The people stand or kneel. Then 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.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it or lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.

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.

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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. 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, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Breaking of the Bread The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

and may add Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Communion and Anointing with Oil The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people. The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.] The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. [Amen.]

Those who wish to receive the laying on of hands and anointing with oil come forward and kneel at the altar rail.

The Celebrant lays hands on each person (and, having dipped a thumb in the oil of the sick, makes the sign of the cross on their foreheads), and says one of the following

[N.,] I lay my hands upon you and anoint you with oil in the Name of he Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Hymn

Heal me, hands of Jesus WLP 773

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Postcommunion Prayer

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and People

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Celebrant pronounces this blessing

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

A Deacon, or the Celebrant, dismisses the people.

Deacon Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. People Thanks be to God.

Prayers for the Week of September 6, 2015 Altar flowers are given to the honor and glory of God by Judy Ashby in memory of her husband,

Charles Ashby and her brother-in-law, Wayne Efaw. Madonna flowers are given to the honor and glory of God by Toni Norman in memory of Mark

Norman and Robert K. Hanlin. This week we remember Deedy Munro, and Charles C. Ashby.

This week we celebrate the birthdays of Jacqueline Walli, Ame Severson, Gene Newman and Kenneth Cole, Pedro Littleton, Mason Ackerman, Angela Ross, Tony Taylor, Taylor Fayard,

Harriett, Lenoir, and Anna Chataginer. This week we celebrate the anniversary of Chuck & Marjorie Aldrich, and Harold & Jan

Roberts. In our Diocesan Prayer Cycle we pray for St. Matthew’s, Kosciusko; and St. Francis,

Philadelphia. On our Panamanian Prayer Cycle we pray for the retired clergy of the diocese.

In the Anglican Prayer Cycle we pray for the Dioceses of Sialkot (Pakistan). Prayer for those in the Armed Forces: Joey Ranson, Corey David Ingraham, Elizabeth Daniels,

Thomas Daniels, Lance Simon and James Wise.

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Prayers are offered daily by the Daughters of the King.

Prayers for the Sick Almighty God, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their

weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Parish Family: Bob Kluck, Gene Newman, Kay Woods, Jan Waterhouse, Ed Krecker, Marge Aldrich, Chuck Aldrich, Roselyn & Lindy Ross, Ouida Atkins, Jim & Linda Shaw, Hazel Hall, Charlie Ashby, Jean Boley, Terry Armstrong, Amanda N., Pat Spear, Charlie Melton, William Lewis, Fran Newby, Jim Lancaster, Charles Fowler, Frank Hedges, Marilyn Hoard

Extended Family: Ann Kolesar, Stephen Griffies, Brett Ashley, Vera Barton, Marlene Mclean, Leota Ray, Gladys Efaw, Roger Collier, Lillian Delzell, Judy Braun, Will Newman, Frances Kennedy, Claudia Reda, Teri Coate, Keith, Blake Jackson, Judy Nash, Donna Brown, Emily Lee, Lois Majure, Diane Hutchinson, Joan Mercer, Frannie Brown, David Kulick, Huron & Bessie Virden, Scott, Floyd Patrick, George Sparkman Greater Community: Heather Ross Toche, Shirley Angus, Eric Smith, Jackson Tharpe, Karen Sock, Rosemary Gonzalez, Belle McCann, Judy Williams, Julia Gregg, Butch and Paula, Mikel Anthony, Karen Nelson, Gail Banks, Hannah Raymo, Monty Noblitt, Norma Langdale, Betty Smith, Melissa Lee, Dee Smelly, Connie Avera, Betty Page, Delores Carter, Gary Michaels, Brianna Medina, Robert, Kathy Grizzard, Glen Angus, Stacey Randall, Angela Clary, Daisy Clauselet Pilot, Arthur Carlisle, Helen Lloyd, Margaret Moniet, Leroy, Patrick, Victoria, Glenn, P. Bell,Tim Cyrus, Vanessa, Amy, Donna & Rodney, Brian Gurney, Kendall Lamb, Nichole Gilbert.

Welcome

Welcome! Thank you for worshiping with us this evening. If this is your first time to worship at St. John’s, please fill out the visitor’s card and place it in the alms basin. And, please join us for dinner in the Parish Hall following the service.

Nursery Care is available for young children during this evening’s worship service. The “Joy” Room next to the nursery has live video and audio of the service is also available for use.

Parish Announcements for the Week of September 6, 2015

The Lord is My Help. St. John’s is responsible for volunteers for The Lord is My Help this

week. If you can volunteer, contact Peggy Butera (228-875-7049) or Jim Lancaster. Our remaining weeks for 2015 are: September 7-11; and November 2-6.

Another Op'nin Another Show: The Gulfport High Madrigal Singers will present a free concert from the golden age of M-G-M and classic Broadway musicals. The concert will be hosted by St. John's Episcopal Church of Ocean Springs on Thursday, September 10th. The concert will begin at 7pm in the parish hall, with the doors opening at 6:30 each night. Admission is free.

Merry Widows. The Merry Widows will meet on September 11 at 5:00 p.m. at Vestige and October 9 at Saki. Contact Ame Severson to RSVP at 228-327-0689.