Third Sunday after the Epiphany - 192nd Annual Meeting

 Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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 Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 O Lord, we give you thanks that you have called us to be your church in this time and place. Bless this congregation and our ministries of care and outreach. Empower us as we seek to serve all people, and offer worship that glorifies you. Enable us to offer your love and care to one another, and to all those whose lives we touch. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle

 O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

 

 Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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 Collect for Martin Luther King, Jr;

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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 Martin Luther King Jr.'s favorite hymn “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” was beautifully sung a cappella for us by Marguerite and Pamela. 

Precious Lord, take my hand,

Lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;

Through the storm, through the night,

Lead me on to the light:

Take my hand, pre­cious Lord,

Lead me home.

When my way grows drear,

Precious Lord, lin­ger near,

When my life is al­most gone,

Hear my cry, hear my call,

Hold my hand lest I fall:

Take my hand, pre­cious Lord,

Lead me home.

When the dark­ness ap­pears

And the night draws near,

And the day is past and gone,

At the ri­ver I stand,

Guide my feet, hold my hand:

Take my hand, pre­cious Lord,

Lead me home.

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  Prayers of the People 

 Gathering our hearts and minds, let us offer God the words of our hearts, saying: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We pray for the church pray for those who serve, those who pray, those who fear to enter its doors. On the Diocesan Cycle we pray for the churches named for St. Paul in North Kingstown, Pawtucket, and our own church in Portsmouth. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We pray for clergy: for bishops, priests and deacons. For lay worship leaders, lay leaders, lay visitors, servers and all who seek to follow where God leads. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We pray for all the responders who are helping with the result of the winds and fires in California, who are working for justice and peace throughout the world, and, and we pray, for those who seek to serve this nation in various offices, that all who serve be guided by your Spirit of fairness, justice, and mercy. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We pray for our communities. Pray for those who work late shifts and long hours, for those who have no possibility of employment; for those who hunger for food: for those who respond to emergencies and those who keep doors open. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We pray for the needs of all the world's people; for good and strong leaders and for responsive politicians who turn their energies and hearts toward solutions that provide lasting peace, adequate resources, and safety for all people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: we humbly beseech you 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 into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name 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. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pray for those who are anxious and depressed: for those who are addicted; those who are weary; for those who are sick and suffering; for those who are waiting for diagnosis and those who are living with a negative diagnosis. We pray for those on our prayer list. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We pray for the dying; pray for those who wait to meet their savior and for those who mourn the loss of them. Bring all souls into the loving embrace of your angels and into the light of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We offer all these prayers with confidence in you, Father of all; and you, Son who came among us; and you, Spirit who flows in us, and throughout the world. Amen.

Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle

 Almighty Father, who inspired Simon Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

First Sunday after the Epiphany - The Baptism of our Lord

 

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

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Something special today! Rev. Pamela Spence-Bakker read the gospel and was our preacher for the sermon. We all know Pam for her lovely voice during the singing of hymns during our services.  We have been blessed to have her with us often this past year. 

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Prayers of the People

Lord God, in thankfulness and confidence we lift our hopes

and needs to you in prayer as we say: Lord in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Raise up in your church leaders whose lives are centered

in love and whose hearts yearn for justice and peace.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for Sean Rowe, the Presiding Bishop, and for

Nicholas, the Bishop of Rhode Island.

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Center

for Reconciliation and all who seek to be reconcilers in the

state, the nation, and the world.

Enter into the hearts of those with authority in our nation

that they might work for the fellowship of all people and

bring about a world where enemies are reconciled and

conflict ceases.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Inspire our congregation, through the in-breaking of the

Spirit into our lives, that our faith may be bolstered and our

commitment to the gospel mission be renewed.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Instill in us awe and thankfulness for the majesty of your

created world that we might be good stewards and develop

sustainable practices so that nature’s abundance might be

available to all future generations.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bring healing to the sick and hurting, especially those who

suffer from the several on-going fires and winds in

California, mend the fractured and broken, grant hope to

the fearful and anxious, and grant to all your peace and the

knowledge of your love for all people.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for those on our Parish Prayer List.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to all the departed peace and rest in your eternal

love and, when our time comes, welcome us into the

resurrection along with all your saints.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Hear our prayers and grant our desires as may be best

for us and in ways that show forth your grace and

mercy. All this we ask through our advocate and Lord,

Jesus, who is the Christ and lives with you and the

Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

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Our Christmas greeting from Ashley and family in Florida.

 

The Epiphany

 O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Second Sunday after Christmas

 O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Name of our Lord

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

First Sunday after Christmas - Lessons and Carols

A Bidding Prayer (Contemporary)

Dear People of God: In this Christmas Season, let it be our duty and delight to hear once more the message of the Angels, to go to Bethlehem and see the Son of God lying in a manger.

Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God's loving purpose from the time of our rebellion against him until the glorious redemption brought to us by his holy Child Jesus, and let us make this place glad with our carols of praise.

But first, let us pray for the needs of his whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church for which he died, and especially for his Church in our country and in this city.

And because he particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who do not know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, let us remember before God his pure and lowly Mother, and that whole multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore.

The Almighty God bless us with his grace; Christ give us the joys of everlasting life; and to the fellowship of the citizens above, may the King of Angels bring us all.

Amen.

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A Service of  📖Lessons and  🎶Carols 

with 🍷🙏🏻 Holy Eucharist.

The Holy Innocents

 We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

 Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

 We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Christmas Day

 O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Our Christmas service was held on Christmas Eve. 

See that entry here.

Christmas Eve

 O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Prayers of the People for Christmas

Brothers and sisters, on this most holy day of our

Lord’s birth, that we may find peace, joy, and

contentment in this holy season, let us pray for

ourselves and all those in need of our prayers, saying:

Lord, in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For the church of Christ, and especially for Justin, the

Archbishop of Canterbury, our Presiding Bishop Sean,

and the bishop of this diocese, Nicholas, that they may

faithfully proclaim the good news of salvation and care

for the needs of God’s people. We pray to you: Lord,

in your mercy… Hear our prayer.

For peace in our troubled world, that the darkness of

war, disease, violence, poverty, and injustice may be

replaced by the light of peace and love, we pray to

you: Lord, in your mercy.. Hear our prayer.

For all those in need of our prayers: The homeless, the

unemployed, the under-employed, the hungry, the

lonely, the addicted, those who are hospitalized, those

who are imprisoned in body or soul; and for all those

for whom this season is one not of joy but of trial and

sadness, we pray to you, Lord, in your mercy..

Hear our prayer.

For the sick, that their illnesses may be turned to

health and their sorrow into rejoicing, we pray to you,

Lord, in your mercy.. . Hear our prayer.

For those who labor this day on behalf of others:

doctors and nurses, caregivers, police and fire fighters,

store clerks, bus and taxi drivers, train conductors and

pilots and crew, for all whose work prevents them from

sharing this day with those they love, and those who

serve in the armed forces and especially those away

from home, we pray to you: Lord, in your mercy..

Hear our prayer.

With thanksgiving, we remember the lives of those who

have gone before us in the faith, that we, like them,

may remain faithful to the end and live forever in the

light of your eternal glory. We pray to you: Lord, in your

mercy…Hear our prayer.

Celebrant: Almighty God, mercifully hear the prayers

of your people. Give us zeal in our ministries and joy

in our work, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Upcoming Events as of December 22

Today - Vestry Meeting

December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM 

December 25 - Rev. Liz will celebrate and Marguerite play guitar and she and Rev. Pam will sing at St. Michael's in Bristol at 10 AM

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Prayers of the People

May our hearts leap for joy as we gather in prayer to await the

Lord’s coming. With Mary, may our souls proclaim God’s

greatness as we say,

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for the church. As the celebration of your incarnation

draws near, we remember the many ways your revelation is

lifted up in the world and we pray for our sisters and brothers in

Christ throughout the world, and especially for those whose very

faith endangers their lives.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For an end to violence, oppression and injustice: As you lead

us, Lord, from darkness to light, may we be among those who

exalt the lowly and fill the hungry with good things, rooting out

the proud of heart and drawing courage from your power.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our own spirits: May our hearts be magnified and made

much bigger than we think possible. May this season of Advent

stir in us such faith that we exert ourselves to be your light in a

darkened world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this community: May we be enriched by welcoming the

stranger and be drawn to a bright future in service to you, while

also remembering and honoring those in the past who guided us

into faith.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the sick and suffering. May they find healing and peace.

Especially we pray for those on our Parish Prayer List.

The flowers are given in memory of Shirley Silvia.

May she, and all who have died and whom we remember

in our hearts this day, rest in the peace of the Lord.

We pray for Sean Rowe, our Presiding Bishop and the

Bishop of Rhode Island, Nicholas Knisely.

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and

clergy of St. Stephen’s in Providence; St. John’s

in Barrington; St. John the Evangelist, Newport; and,

the Chapel of St. John the Divine, Saunderstown.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we gather up the prayers of this household, confident in

your promise to be with us always.

Guide us in wisdom and faith, that we might live our lives trusting in you. Amen.

Saint Thomas the Apostle

 Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Upcoming Events as of December 15

Today - Holiday Potluck, music by Louis Couto

December 22 - Vestry Meeting

December 24 - Christmas Eve Service at 5:00 PM 

December 25 - Rev. Liz will celebrate and Marguerite play guitar at St. Michael's in Bristol at 10 AM

Third Sunday of Advent

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. 

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Prayers of the People

For peace in the church: May we intensify our efforts at peace-making with the separated churches, that peace may prevail over conflict, and that we may be reconciled into one family, exercising one baptism, one eucharist, and one common ministry in its many forms.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for our Presiding Bishop, Sean Rowe, the Bishop of Rhode Island, Nicholas Knisely, and for all bishops and other ministers, and for all who serve God in his Church.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

On the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, for the people and clergy of St. Thomas in Alton and St Thomas in Greenville.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For peace in the world: May conflicts cease, may refugees and survivors find new homes and the spirit to begin again.May wounds be healed, losses grieved, and honorable deeds remembered. May grace abound in all lands, and may the lion and the lamb be content.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this assembly. That the world might know us by our love. Help us with the grievances we harbor within our families and communities and among our co-workers and friends. Help us build trust and teach us forgiveness that we might know reconciliation in your love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For peace where we live, work and play, and for peace within ourselves. May the noises in and around us diminish so that we can hear the quiet sounds of Creation. And grant us time and space to listen for you, our hearts’  true desire.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all those who suffer, may we be messengers of hope, peace and healing. Especially we pray those on our prayer list.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The flowers are given in honor of Marilyn and Ken Brockway.

For those who are gone and beyond our reach, fill the empty spots in our hearts and souls with reassurance of your love for them and fill them also with the hope of our reuniting someday in your eternal kingdom.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O Lord, fill our minds and hearts with everything that is good and loving and worthy of thanksgiving and praise, everything that comes to us under the sign of your peace and in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

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