Morning Prayer Rite II Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – July 5, 2020

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 218 W. Ottawa St. Lansing, MI 48933

www.stpaulslansing.org Office: 517-482-9454

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St. Paul’s Staff: The Rev. Karen C. Lewis, Rector; Ms. Stephanie Gewirtz, Minister of

Music; Ms. Theresa Milne, Parish Administrator; Ms. Jackie Womble, Christian Formation

Director; Mr. Christopher Hart, Interim Sexton; Ms. Ciera Wilson, Nursery Attendant;

Ms. Kathy Vogel, Wedding Coordinator.

St. Paul’s Vestry: Maria Wawro, Sr. Warden; Sue LeDuc, Jr. Warden; Jack Baker, Jane

Bryce, Michael Hart, Jennifer Humphries, Bob Merriman, Dave Parks, Libby Richardson,

Margaret Schulte, Gloria Sutton, Jeff Irwin, Treasurer, Sally Boron, Secretary.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER

Today we begin using a supplemental liturgical text entitled Enriching Our Worship for

Morning Prayer. The Episcopal Church initiated the development of supplemental worship

texts in response to the need to be more inclusive in language and scripture readings; and to

reflect the diversity of the Church. Morning Prayer was the first such service to be provided

in 1998. Changes included many new canticles (particularly those voices of women in the

Hebrew Scriptures (such as the Song of Hannah); and the use of inclusive language (non-

gender).

In creating the supplemental texts, the commission was guided by the following:

“All liturgical texts are rich in what they say about God but also what they say

about ourselves in relationship with God. This is at the heart of any theological

reflection upon the experience of liturgical prayer. Who does the text say God is,

who does it say we are, and—most importantly—what does this mean for us?

These questions form the basis upon which the community can explore how these

prayers speak in the hearts, minds, and spirit of the community of faith.

The task for the Church is not merely to translate but to find the voice of prayer in

the heart, spirit and mind of the people praying.

It is the hope that the whole Church will begin to have prayers which expand the

breadth and depth of the Church’s prayer life.”

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MORNING PRAYER RITE II – PROPER 9

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST – JULY 5, 2020

Saint Paul reminds us that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39). For the time being, we are physically separated from one another; yet, our community will continue to strive to be loving, joyous and inclusive. All you need to participate in this time of prayer is found in this bulletin.

OPENING SENTENCE

God is Spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

CONFESSION OF SIN

The Officiant says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Silence may be kept. Officiant and People say together

God of all mercy we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen. The Officiant says

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

THE INVITATORY AND PSALTER

Officiant O God, let our mouth proclaim your praise. People And your glory all the day long.

Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Then follows an Invitatory Psalm, the Officiant and People saying together

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VENITE Psalm 95:1-7

Antiphon The Holy One is in our midst: O come, let us worship.

Come, let us sing to the Lord;* let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving* and raise a loud shout to him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God,* and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth,* and the heights of the hills are his also. The sea is his, for he made it,* and his hands have molded the dry land. Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee,* and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.* Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

Antiphon The Holy One is in our midst: O come, let us worship.

Then follows the appointed Psalm. The People sit for the psalm.

PSALM 45:11-18 11 “Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely;* forget your people and your father’s house. 12 The king will have pleasure in your beauty;* he is your master; therefore do him honor. 13 The people of Tyre are here with a gift;* the rich among the people seek your favor.” 14 All glorious is the princess as she enters;* her gown is cloth-of-gold. 15 In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king;* after her the bridesmaids follow in procession. 16 With joy and gladness they are brought,* and enter into the palace of the king. 17 “In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons;* you shall make them princes over all the earth. 18 I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another;* therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever.” At the end of the Psalm is said by all

Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

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THE FIRST LESSON Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67

Reader A reading from the book of Genesis

The man said to Rebekah and her household, “I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.’ I came today to the spring, and said, ‘O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also” – let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son. Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Naor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son. Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.” And they called Rebekah, and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will.” So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “May you, our sister, becomes thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.” Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. Now Isaac had come from Beerlahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb. Isaac went out in the evening to walk and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, “Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

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All stand. The following Canticle is said by all

A SONG OF THE WILDERNESS Isaiah 35:1-7, 10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,* the desert shall rejoice and blossom; It shall blossom abundantly,* and rejoice with joy and singing. They shall see the glory of the Lord,* the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weary hands,* and make firm the feeble knees. Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear!* here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.” Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,* and the ears of the deaf be unstopped. Then shall the lame leap like a deer,* and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness* and streams in the desert; The burning sand shall become a pool* and the thirsty ground, springs of water. The ransomed of God shall return with singing,* with everlasting joy upon their heads. Joy and gladness shall be theirs,* and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

THE SECOND LESSON Romans 17:15-25a

Reader A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans

I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do what is good, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

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The following Canticle is said by all

A SONG OF FAITH 1 Peter 1:3-4, 18-21

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,* by divine mercy we have a new birth into a living hope; Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,* we have an inheritance that is imperishable in heaven. The ransom that was paid to free us* was not paid in silver or gold, But in the precious blood of Christ,* the Lamb without spot or stain. God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory* so that we might have faith and hope in God.

THE GOSPEL READING Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Reader A reading from the gospel of Matthew

Jesus said to the crowd, “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in

the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not

dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and

they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a

glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by

her deeds.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because

you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to

infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me

by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father

except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you that

are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,

and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. People Thanks be to God.

REFLECTION The Rev. Karen C. Lewis

The following is said by all

THE 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.

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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.

THE PRAYERS

Officiant Hear our cry, O God. People And listen to our prayer. Officiant Let us pray.

Officiant and People pray together

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.

SUFFRAGES

V. Help us, O God our Savior; R. Deliver us and forgive us our sins. V. Look upon your congregation; R. Give to your people the blessing of peace. V. Declare your glory among the nations; R. And your wonders among all peoples. V. Do not let the oppressed be shamed and turned away; R. Never forget the lives of your poor. V. Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you; R. And your favor to those who are true of heart. V. Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; R. So shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

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THE COLLECTS

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God, source of all freedom, this day is bright with the memory of those who declared that life and liberty are your gift to every human being. Help us to continue a good work begun long ago. Make our vision clear and our will strong: that only in human solidarity will we find liberty, and justice only in the honor that belongs to every life on earth. Turn our hearts toward the family of nations: to understand the ways of others, to offer friendship, to find safety only in the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Come to prayer, all who labor and are heavy laden, and God will give us rest. Come to praise, saying: Lord, hear our prayer. We thank you for the revelation of your gift of abundant life and for the rest coming to those who put their trust in you. For such life and rest, Lord, hear our prayer.

We thank you for entrusting us with the message of grace, that we might speak a reconciling word to our age. For such mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

We thank you for leading us into the ways of peace and for all who have given of their lives so that we may be a nation of freedom and peace and a home to those who dream of a better life. For such freedom, Lord, hear our prayer.

We thank you for the people of faith who surround us and for the family and friends, teachers and clergy who assist our growth in grace especially Michael our presiding bishop and Bonnie, our bishop. For such companions through life, Lord, hear our prayer.

We thank you for the gifts of creation and for wholesome times of recreation. For such times of harmony, Lord, hear our prayer.

We thank you for those who tend the sick, accompany the frustrated, visit the lonely, comfort the dying, confront the addicted, or minister to any in need. For such attention to human needs, Lord, hear our prayer.

We thank you for your loving presence to those who are sick, hungry, homeless, and those on our parish prayer list. For such grace in our life, Lord, hear our prayer.

We thank you for sustaining all who are oppressed, all who suffer for reasons of conscience, all who are passionate for justice. For such signs of the coming kingdom, Lord, hear our prayer.

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We thank you for granting eternal life to all who have died. For such love and forgiveness, Lord, hear our prayer. The Officiant concludes the prayers by saying the following

Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING

Officiant and People say together

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

Then the Officiant says

Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

The Officiant concludes with the following

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

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Prayer for a Pandemic

May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those who lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel our trips remember those that have no safe place to go. May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all. May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home. As fear grips our country, let us choose love. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbor. Amen.

Author unknown

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER

July 5, 2020

We pray for those who have ongoing needs for healing prayers: Margaret (Peggy)

Richardson, Mason Hill, Marsha Macholz, Sebastian Cuesta, Clint Hogue, John & Grace

Hawkins, Julie, Van Anderson, Marian Boulus, Nancy Rudd, Meadow Rawlins, Thomasina

Canty, Anna Hayward, Harvey Clark & Mary Armstrong, Michelle Levenick, Norma

Lindholm, Audrey & David, Pat Bellinger, Joanne Boulton, Claudia Hamlin, Ronda Peters,

Erica, Marta & Venancio, Mike Jacobs, Rick Wendorf, Chris Krupka, Paul Doersam, Jason

Thomas, Robert Madrigal, Joy Brewer, William Gabel, Pat Seger-Krawczynski, April Cruz,

Karlene Bach, Sally Boron, Pam & John Irwin, Kate Johnson, Doug, Jeff Waters, David

Hemingway, Max Pierce, Michael Crouch, Terry Bryce, Sherry Sutton, Danielle Laurion,

Michael O’Toole, Penny, Peggy, Karen Clarke, Eric, Amy Crabtree, Judy Manson, Patricia

McMartin, Doug Boor, Craig, Odie, Leonard, Sarah, Lyn Zynda, Larry Gut, Delaine

Counseller, and Ellie Doersam.

We pray and remember those in the Military, and those who are serving in dangerous

areas: Brendan Moody, Zachariah Reeves, Zachary Bellinger, Conrad Laurion, Alex Van

Koevering, Tyson Carter, Amy Peryea, Suzette Bauman, John Bellinger, Doug Laurion, Erika

Harkness Wilson, and McKenzie Counseller.

We pray this week for the following St. Paul’s members & family: AJ, Hillary & Violet Walilko, Greg & Cynthia Ward, Ray & Maria Wawro, and Camren

Wilson & Carlie Money.

We pray this week for the following community service agency: YMCA of Metropolitan

Lansing, 119 N. Washington Square, Lansing, MI 48933

We pray for our worshiping communities: St. John’s, Westland; St. Timothy’s, Nizao,

DR; and St. Andrew’s, Ann Arbor.

We pray for those in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for the united Church of

Pakistan, and the Most Revd Humphrey Peters, Bishop of Peshawar & Moderator of the

Church of Pakistan.

We pray for: Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church; Justin

Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; Bonnie A. Perry, our bishop; Karen C. Lewis, our rector;

our worship ministers, and staff at St. Paul’s.