Grace Church of Martha's Vineyard
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​The Fourth Sunday in Lent

​Spiritual Communion


Grace Episcopal Church, Martha’s Vineyard
 
March 14, 2021


THE HOLY EUCHARIST RITE II: SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
 
All music printed by permission in accordance with ONE LICENSE, License #A-734784.   Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with License #A-734784.
All rights reserved.

Prelude

Welcome & Announcements
Throughout the service, the people remain muted, but join in the responses in bold in the
​ bulletin, voiced by Bernadine Prygrosky.

Picture

Celebrant    Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People         God’s mercy endures for ever.

Celebrant says
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all your 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.

Picture

Collect of the Day
 
Celebrant     The Lord be with you.
People           And also with you.
Celebrant     Let us pray.
 
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for Bishop Harris

Everliving God, in every generation you cause fresh winds to renew, refresh, and refine your people and in your Word summon us to live courageously as Easter people in an often Good Friday world. Defend us in our own day to make no peace with oppression; that boldly following the example of your servant Barbara Clementine Harris, chosen bishop in your church, we may strive not for ease or fame but gladly toil and walk with you all along our pilgrim journey; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

​

The Lessons
The First Reading:  Numbers 21:4-9, read by John Hickey
 
From Mount Hor the Israelites set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
 
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

 Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22, read by Roger McGary
 
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
      and his mercy endures for ever.
Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
      that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
He gathered them out of the lands; *
      from the east and from the west,
      from the north and from the south.
Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
      they were afflicted because of their sins.
They abhorred all manner of food *
      and drew near to death's door.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
      and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent forth his word and healed them *
      and saved them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
      and the wonders he does for his children.
Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
      and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.

The Second Reading Ephesians 2:1-10, read by Ann Palches
​
​You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-- by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-- not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
 
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Picture

A Reading from the Gospel According to John 3:14-21

​Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
​
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Reflections on 30 years a Bishop       
​The Right Reverend Barbara C. Harris 
Bishop Harris' remarks on the Eve of Diocesan Convention, November 2, 2018,
​the 30th Anniversary of her Consecration to the Episcopate.
Bishop Harris' reflection, intended as the sermon for Grace Church, begins at 1:37:00 in the video below.

The Nicene Creed
 
We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth,
    of all that is, seen and unseen.
 
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only Son of God,
    eternally begotten of the Father,
    God from God, Light from Light,
    true God from true God,
    begotten, not made,
    of one Being with the Father.
    Through him all things were made.
    For us and for our salvation
        he came down from heaven:
    by the power of the Holy Spirit
        he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
        and was made man.
    For our sake he was crucified under Pontius
        Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
        On the third day he rose again
            in accordance with the Scriptures;
        he ascended into heaven
            and is seated at the right hand of the
            Father.
 
He will come again in glory to judge the living 
     and the 
dead, and his kingdom will have no
     end.


We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver
    of life, who proceeds from the Father and the
    Son. With the Father and the Son he is
    worshiped and glorified. He has spoken
    through the Prophets.
 We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic
     Church. We acknowledge one baptism for
     the forgiveness of sins. We look for the
     resurrection of the dead, and the life of the
​     world to come. Amen.

​

The Prayers of the People Form IV
​

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
Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
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
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
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.

Silence

Lord, in your mercy
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
Hear our prayer.

The Peace

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


Picture

The Holy Communion
 Eucharistic Prayer A
 
Celebrant    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.
 
Celebrant    It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who was in every way tempted as we are, yet did not sin; by whose grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer unto ourselves, but unto him who died for us and rose again.
 
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever say this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Picture
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.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People


Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues
​
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
 
The Lord’s Prayer 
​

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 Breaking of the Bread
 
Celebrant     Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People           Therefore let us keep the feast. 
 
Celebrant       
 
Behold the Lamb of God.  Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world.
 
Celebrant and People
 
In union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of Your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, we desire to offer You praise and thanksgiving.  We present to you our souls and bodies with the earnest wish that we may always be united to you.  And since we can not now receive you sacramentally, we beseech you to come spiritually into our hearts. We unite ourselves to you, and embrace you with all the affections of our souls. Let nothing ever separate you from us. May we live and die in your love. Amen.
 
Celebrant continues
 
Let us spend a few moments reflecting on the fact that God so loved  one of us that God sent God's Only-Begotten Son into the world for all of us.
The Post Communion Prayer

Let us pray.
 
Celebrant and People
 
Almighty and ever-living God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.  And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Blessing

Dismissal
 
Leader          Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People          Thanks be to God.

Picture

Postlude

Sunday Prayers

Michael, our Presiding Bishop;  Alan and Gayle, our Bishops
The Very Reverend Amy McCreath & the Cathedral Congregation of St. Paul
The Manna Community
The Cape & Islands Deanery
 
Joe, our President, Kamala, our Vice President
 The Members of Congress; Charlie our Governor, and our elected officials
Our Country, as we make the transition to a new administration
 
The Campers, Counselors, and Staff of Camp Jabberwocky
The People of Pine Ridge

To all those who are affected by the storms in Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana
Christine & Richard
Deborah & her family
Don & Joan
Elizabeth
Fernando
Gary
Jan
​Janice
Jeff & Gail
The Hall family
Julie
Kate
​Mary
Mike & Sarah
Deborah, Chris, Gunnar; Bill & Marcia; Valerie and all their family
Ralph
Suzanne Goldstein
Tara
Wes
 
All Staff of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital
Our Vineyard EMS, Fire, and Police Departments
All the Members of the New York City Fire Department
 
We pray for all those who are sick with Covid-19; all those who are dying from it; all who have survived it;
those who have died from it; their families; and all who are caring for them
Those who by virtue of their work are putting themselves at risk
Those staying home and practicing social distancing, and
All those involved in the vaccination effort
 
All those working for racial justice 
 
Those who have died:
Carol Merry deBettencourt, Tom, Stephen
​Sarah Everard, and on the anniversary of their deaths, John Pearson & Bishop Barbara Harris
All those killed because of oppression, hatred or the color of their skin

ASSISTING IN OUR WORSHIP

Rector:  The Rev. Stephen Harding
Associate Priests:  The Rev. Sharon Eckhardt, The Rev. Dr. Storm Swain
Master of Ceremony: The Rev. Dr. Storm Swain
Parish Administrator: Maureen O’Malley
Videographer & Curator: Karen Huff
Music Director:  Wesley Nagy
Cellist: Jan Hyer
Singers:  Elizabeth Bates, Rev. Stephen Harding, Ann Palches
Readers: John Hickey, Roger McGary, Ann Palches
Respondent on behalf of Grace Church:  Bernadine Prygrosky
  • WELCOME
    • Contact Us
  • Leadership
  • Annual Report 2023
  • Online Sunday Services at Grace
    • The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany February 5, 2023
    • Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany January 29, 2023
    • Sung Compline
    • Third Sunday after the Epiphany January 22, 2023
    • The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, January 15, 2023
  • Church and Faith
    • Our Three-Year Plan
    • Weddings
    • Mission of Grace and Who We Are
    • History of Grace Church
  • Climate Change
  • Photographs
  • Liturgies to Say at Home
    • Spiritual Communion
    • Morning Prayer
    • Daily Devotions
    • Noonday Prayer
    • Evening Prayer
    • Compline for nightly use
    • The Angelus
    • BCP Services
  • Community Suppers and More
    • Community Suppers
    • Summer Lobster Rolls
  • Playground
  • The Tisbury Connection