Grace Church of Martha's Vineyard
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​The Third Sunday in Lent
Spiritual Communion
Grace Episcopal Church, Martha’s Vineyard
 
March 7, 2021


THE HOLY EUCHARIST: RITE 11: 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 Roger McGary.


Picture

Celebrant   Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People        God’s mercy endures for ever.
Confession of Sin
 
The Celebrant says
 
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Celebrant  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.

​
​Celebrant 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.

Picture

Collect of the Day
 
Celebrant     The Lord be with you.
People           And also with you.
Celebrant     Let us pray.
 
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lessons

The First Reading:  Exodus 20:1-17, read by Deborah Medders
 
Then God spoke all these words:

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.

Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
​
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
​

Psalm 19, read by Bernadine Prygrosky
 
The heavens declare the glory of God, *
     and the firmament shows his handiwork.
One day tells its tale to another, *
     and one night imparts knowledge to another.
Although they have no words or language, *
     and their voices are not heard,
Their sound has gone out into all lands, *
     and their message to the ends of the world.
In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; *
     it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
     it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
     and runs about to the end of it again; *
     nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect
     and revives the soul; *
     the testimony of the Lord is sure
     and gives wisdom to the innocent.
The statutes of the Lord are just
     and rejoice the heart; *
     the commandment of the Lord is clear
     and gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean
     and endures for ever; *
     the judgments of the Lord are true
     and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
     more than much fine gold, *
     sweeter far than honey,
     than honey in the comb.
By them also is your servant enlightened, *
     and in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can tell how often he offends? *
     cleanse me from my secret faults.
Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
     let them not get dominion over me; *
     then shall I be whole and sound,
     and innocent of a great offense.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
     heart be acceptable in your sight, *
     O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

The Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:18-25, read by Ann Palches

T
he message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

     “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
            and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
​Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
​

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Picture

A Reading from the Gospel According to John 2:13-22

​The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Homily                                     The Rev. Stephen Harding

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
 
Eucharist 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
Henry and his family
Jan
Jeff & Gail
Jon & Abby
The Hall family
Judy, Luke and Annie
Julie
Kathy & Tom
Kate
Lorraine & Richard
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
 
Those protesting racial violence and racial injustice
 
Pray also for the police
 
Ourselves, that we may have the strength to call out injustice and racism
 
Those who have died:
Carol Merry deBettencourt, Riley Deeble, Tom, Stephen
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: Deborah Medders, Ann Palches, Bernadine Prygrosky
Respondent on behalf of Grace Church:  Roger McGary

  • 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