Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 27, 2020

10:00 a.m.

COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR WORSHIP

In order to facilitate everyone’s safety in this difficult time, the current Epiphany

guidelines for worship are as follows:

• For your convenience, a touchless Hand-sanitization station is set up at the main

doors (#1). Please use this to clean your hands as you enter.

• Please enter and exit as directed by the ushers and as the signs on the floor

indicate.

• A mask must be worn at all times in the building. It should cover the nose and

mouth. If you do not have one, please ask the ushers who can provide you with a

disposable one.

• Maintain a minimum of 6-foot distance from non-family members when you are

inside the building. If you have children, please keep them with you at all times.

Please share the peace only with bows or the peace hand sign. Feel free to converse

with fellow congregants in the parking lot while at a safe distance from one another.

• Please note that to minimize contact, all hymnals and other paper materials

have been removed from the pews.

• A one-use paper bulletin will be available to you which you may take home or

drop in the recycle bin near the exit door as you leave the Worship Space.

• To ensure everyone’s safety, there is no singing is permitted inside the building.

• Please note that the water fountains are temporarily turned off to ensure your

safety.

If you are unable to follow the above guidelines for any reason, please visit us

online through our website – epiphanyec.org, or via YouTube -

www.youtube.com/epiphanyepiscopal.

If you are new to Epiphany, WELCOME! Please ask one of the ushers for a

newcomers’ folder which you can take home with you to learn more about us.

The Liturgy of the Word

Prelude Jiji Park

Presider: Please join in reading our Prayer for Worship

ALL: Almighty God of the Cross and loving God of Community, we are different as the Church today, but we know you are with us.

We remember especially that we are the body of Christ in your suffering world.

We know that our vocation is to be the light of this Christ whose Body we are.

Give us courage to be the Church as we keep our minds on what matters, which is to keep loving the World which you have called good.

Buildings crumble, the church year passes, but your church endures from generation to generation.

Make this day a feast day of your protection, your plenty, your purpose, your plan, and your peace.

All this we ask as we pray with all the saints and with one another. Amen.

Presider: Please enjoy our Song of Entrance as sung by the Epiphany Choir

Song of Entrance Sing Ye Faithful Hymnal 492

Words: John Ellerton (1826-1893), alt.

Music: Finnian, Christopher Dearnley (b. 1930) Copyright: Music: By permission of Oxford University Press.

Opening Acclamation Prayer Book Page 355

Presider: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

Presider: 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.

Presider: Please join in saying the Gloria together.

Gloria Prayer Book Page 356

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.

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

The Prayer for the Day Prayer Book Page 234

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Reading

Reader: A reading from Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

The word of the Lord came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? As I live, says the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Presider: Please join in reading today’s psalm together.

Psalm 25:1-8 1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; * let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; * let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, * and teach me your paths. 4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, * for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. 5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, * for they are from everlasting. 6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; * remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord. 7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; * therefore he teaches sinners in his way. 8 He guides the humble in doing right * and teaches his way to the lowly. The Second Reading

Reader: A reading from Philippians 2:1-13

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Reader: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God.

Presider: Please enjoy our Song Before the Gospel.

Song Before What Wondrous Love Is This Hymnal 439 The Gospel

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss

to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul, to lay aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,

to God and to the Lamb, I will sing. To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,

while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, while millions join the theme I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,

and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on. And when from death I’m free I’ll sing and joyful be,

and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on.

Words: American folk hymn, ca. 1835 Music: Wondrous Love, from The Southern Harmony, 1835; alt. acc. Carlton R. Young, (b. 1926)

Presider: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The Gospel Matthew 21:23-32

When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

Presider: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Message Susan Buckner

All are invited to stand as they are able.

The Nicene Creed Prayer Book Page 358

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. Please be seated.

Prayers of the People

Reader: Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

For families with young children at home for the foreseeable future: God, please help mothers and fathers to partner together creatively for the care and flourishing of their children. For single mothers and fathers, help grow their networks of support. For parents who cannot stay home from work but must find care for their children: God, we ask you present them with creative solutions.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles and bring them the joy of your salvation. Please guide and support all those affected by the recent hurricanes and wildfires. May they find strength and courage through your love.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

For those impacted by the Coronavirus, please bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. We pray that you will restore wellness in body, mind, and spirit for you are God and we need you.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy,

ALL: Hear our prayer.

Presider: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to you 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.

Presider: We pray for those impacted by the Coronavirus:

ALL: God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; Restore wellness in body, mind, and spirit, for you are God, and we need you. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Presider: We pray for Peace and Justice

ALL: Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly ask that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or language, remembering that You love us all, no exceptions.

Provide wisdom to those to whom we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.

When we are blessed with prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness; when we are troubled, help us to trust in You.

All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession Prayer Book Page 360

Presider: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

ALL: 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.

Presider: May the almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

October Birthdays and Anniversaries

Presider: We acknowledge all those celebrating a birthday and/or anniversary during the month of October. Presider: Loving, Creator Lord, we give thanks for these folks who are celebrating a birthday and/or an anniversary next month as they begin another year in your favor. Watch over these fine people as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be as they continue to grow in your wisdom and grace. Strengthen them when they stand; raise them up when they fall; put their trust in your great goodness and love this day and in all the days of their life and for ever more. Thank you for the continuing completion of their life in you. In the name of the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit, bless them and keep them.

ALL: Amen.

The Peace Prayer Book Page 360

Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

The people are invited to greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Welcome and Announcements

Video from Servanthood Ministry

Prayer of Offering

ALL: Lord we understand that all that we have is a gift from you.

We pray for insight and for understanding of how we can commit to sharing the gift of the time you have given us to support our parish and our community.

Lord, you created each of us beautifully different. You have blessed us all with special gifts. We are challenged to discern and understand our gifts, and we ask for Your help in sharing these gifts with our parish and our community.

You have provided us with the ability to share a portion of our wealth, according to our means, to support our parish and our community. We pray for your guidance in helping us make a financial commitment to support your work.

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to use our gifts to support your work, knowing that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. Amen.

Offertory

During these unprecedented times, we are called into community in unprecedented ways. Your financial gifts to Epiphany are of vital importance to support our ongoing ministries and outreach to the most vulnerable among us.

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us,

an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray…

People and Presider

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. The General Thanksgiving Prayer Book Page 101

Presider: Let us pray.

Presider and People

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.

Presider: Please enjoy our Song of Sending as sung by the choir.

Song Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing Hymnal 344 of Sending

Words: Att. to John Fawcett (1739/40-1817)

Music: Sicilian Mariners, Sicilian melody; first published The European Magazine and London Review, 1792, alt.

Dismissal Prayer Book Page 366

Presider: May we go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Response: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Postlude Jiji Park

Special thanks to Art Buck for presiding, to Susan Buckner for today’s message, and to our volunteer readers and choir

for helping with our worship today.

The Life of Epiphany (To find out more, go to www.EpiphanyEC.org)

TODAY AT EPIPHANY 10:00am Blended Worship via YouTube Livestream; Art Buck presiding

11:15am Sunday School via Zoom, click here to add it to your calendar

11:15am Sunday Circle Youth Group via Zoom, 11:15am

THIS WEEK

Sep 29 Stronger Together: Reconnect Parent Chat Online, 8:30pm

Oct 1 Stronger Together: Reconnect for GrownUps Chat Online, 8:30pm

LOOKING AHEAD Oct 4 Family Worship, 10am, Fr. Matthew Dumont-Machowski presiding

Oct 4 CYFM Ministry Meeting via Zoom, 11:30am

Oct 4 Virtual Fellowship Hour Online via Zoom, 11:30am

Oct 4 Celtic Worship, 5:30pm, Art Buck presiding

Oct 6 National Night Out, CERT-sponsored, Parking Lot, 6-9pm

Oct 8 B&G/Admin/Ops Ministry Meeting via Zoom, 7-9pm

Ways to Help

Food Pantry at Community of Faith UMC 13224 Franklin Farm Road – Volunteers Needed: Mon 11am-1pm, Tues 11am-1pm & 3 to 6pm.

Food/Supplies/Monetary Donations Needed: Non-perishable items like soup, rice,

beans, pasta, spaghetti sauce, tuna fish, canned chicken, fruit cups, healthy snacks; Supplies: Egg cartons & plastic grocery store bags; Also Cash donations for the purchase of eggs, meat & produce. Donations can be dropped off at CoF

UMC for the Food Pantry anytime. Donation boxes are available outside the church entrance 24 hours/day, but no perishable items are accepted inside them.

If you have any questions, please contact: Sally Savas (EEC) at savas.sally@gmail.com or Cathy Spaine (CoF) at cfspaine@gmail.com or 703-223-1270.

Masks Needed for Haiti – Promise for Haiti's Hôpital Bienfaisance de Pignon, is the 4th largest hospital in Haiti and is in great need of masks. Fabric and

instructions can be provided! If you are able to make and donate masks, please contact Susan Buckner at susanbuckner@yahoo.com.

Pray: Please check on neighbors, friends, and especially those who are alone and

compromised. Lend a helping hand. Pray for them. Thank you!

Welcome to Our We’re glad you’re joining us to worship the Lord. You Are Always Welcome Here. As Epiphany, we’re building a Christ-centered community, growing in God’s grace, welcoming all in love, and providing for God’s world. Your presence with us makes a difference in the community of Epiphany, and beyond. Please, take a moment after worship to visit our website – epiphanyec.org -- to learn more about us. We are also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EpiphanyEpiscopalOakHill/. To sign up for our newsletters, please enter your email HERE. Also, feel free to reach us by calling 703-466-5200 or email at admin@EpiphanyEC.org. We hope you’ll join us on this journey as God has much in store.

Scripture reminds us that we are to pray, unceasingly (1 Thessalonians

5:17) To do so, and with intention, we have begun to implement a policy

regarding the list of people included in our Sunday prayers of the people,

and on the bulletin. Names will stay on the prayer list for 6 weeks or until

we are advised that they may be removed sooner. Please send

communication to admin@coee.org. In the meantime, “be persevering in

your prayers and be thankful as you stay awake to pray” (Colossians 4:2)

We pray for Annie, Arthur, Bill, Clara & Clyde, Cobe & Derek, Carol and Samantha; Dick & Suzanne, Farook, Gary, Gene, Henry, John & Matthew, Julius’ family, Karina, Kay, Maria, Michelle, Nancy D. & family, Pat & Jimmy, Ra’Wan, Rick & Susan, Rob G., Suraiya, Bishop Susan, Tim & Chris D., Tim G., and Tim S.

We pray for all those crossing by this corner day in and day out, that they will come to know you Lord God. We pray for our neighbours throughout, including our friends across the street in the shopping center. We pray for schools, teachers, administrators, cleaning crews, bus drivers, crossing guards and security patrols and students. We pray for migrants at the border, families separated that children will be reunited with their families. We pray for women and men in uniform: those deployed, fire fighters, EMT workers, nurses, doctors, police officers; government workers and all who teach, protect, lead, care for and guide. We pray for the vestry, ministries and staff at Epiphany, and all who share their time, talent and treasure in the life of Epiphany; the Food Pantry; the guests and helpers at the Lamb Center; the Food4Thought volunteers; the Hot Meals ministry; the Sunday School, Sunday Circle Youth Group, Confirmation for Youth, the Episcopal 101 participants and all who seek and learn. As part of the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Episcopal House of Bishops. We pray for Archbishop Justin; Presiding Bishop Michael; Bishops of the Diocese of Virginia, including retired Bishop Shannon, and Bishops Susan, Jennifer, Bob, Ted, David, and Jim and all those who gather as people of faith. We pray for the leaders of our country: President Donald and Vice President Michael, the Cabinet members, and the Congress and Supreme Court and Ralph our governor. We pray for all who suffer from gun violence, racism, famine, flood, fire, war, and especially all those suffering from COVID-19. We pray for those who do not know the experience of practicing their faith in freedom. We pray for our enemies. We pray for those who suffer hurt and loss; those who grieve. We pray for our partners in ministry and friends of Epiphany: Church of Christ, Community of Faith UMC, New Hope Baptist, our friends with the Institute of Islamic-Turkish Studies, friends with the Ezher Bloom Mosque, the Boyle School of Dance, Epiphany Preschool, Scout Troop 1257, girl scout troops, our friends with Promise for Haiti in Pignon, and Hope and Resurrection Secondary School in South Sudan.

Music Copyright Acknowledgements: Except where otherwise noted, music in today's bulletin that is not in the public domain is reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE # A-723865. All rights reserved.

Principal Musician: Ji-Yoon “Jiji” Park

Minister of Music: Cathy Lard

Communications Director Nadia Baker

Epiphany Episcopal Church is building a Christ-centered community, growing in God’s grace, welcoming all in love, and providing for God’s world.

3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Oak Hill, VA 20171 www.EpiphanyEC.org | (703) 466-5200