The Second Sunday after the Epiphany - January 17, 2021
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The Second Sunday after the Epiphany
January 17, 2021
One Morse Road | Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776
www.st-elizabeths.org | office@st-elizabeths.org | 978-443-6035
Welcome to St. Elizabeth’s!
Thank you for choosing to worship at St. E’s today! If the church can be of support to you during
this difficult time, or if you are new and have questions, please let us know. Your clergy are availa-
ble to serve you; and our work together as the church, continues.
If you are new to St. E’s, we would love to hear from you!
Contact, office@st-elizabeths.org and we will be delighted to be in touch with you.
An Order for Morning Prayer & Worship
Opening Hymn Christ whose glory fills the skies H, 7 Instrumental
Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise!
Triumph o’er the shades of night:
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Daystar, in my heart appear.
Dark and cheerless is the morn
unaccompanied by thee;
joyless is the day’s return,
till thy mercy’s beams I see,
till they inward light impart,
glad my eyes, and warm my heart.
Visit then this soul of mine!
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief!
Fill me, radiancy divine;
scatter all my unbelief;
more and more thyself display,
shining to the perfect day.
The Opening Sentence & Collect for Purity
Officiant Blessed be God: Creator, Redeemer, and Comforter.
People And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.
Officiant 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2Gloria S-278, Choir
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, Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Music: William Mathias
Copyright: ©1976 Oxford University Press. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726006. All rights reserved.
The Collect of the Day
Everyone Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the
world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacra-
ments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be
known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Je-
sus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and
reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Lesson 1 Samuel 3:1-20
Reader A reading from the First Book of Samuel.
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of
the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see,
was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was
lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then
the LORD called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and
said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So
he went and lay down. The LORD called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went
to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son;
lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of
the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, a third
time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then
3Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go,
lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listen-
ing.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And
Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Then the LORD said to Samuel,
“See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who
hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning
his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his
house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming
God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the
iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”
Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD.
Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel,
my son.” He said, “Here I am.” Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide
it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of
all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then
he said, “It is the LORD; let him do what seems good to him.”
As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the
ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy
prophet of the LORD.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
To be said responsively by half verse.
1 LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
but you, O LORD, know it altogether.
44 You press upon me behind and before *
and lay your hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
12 For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
13 I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *
your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
14 My body was not hidden from you, *
while I was being made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
15 Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;
all of them were written in your book; *
they were fashioned day by day,
when as yet there was none of them.
16 How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
how great is the sum of them!
17 If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *
to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Second Reading 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Reader A reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful
for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach
and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body
is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God
raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies
are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make
them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to
a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.”
But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every
sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the
5body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within
you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought
with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s People.
People Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn I the Lord of sea and sky WLP #812 Duet
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Refrain
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me,
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
Refrain
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them,
6My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Refrain
Copyright: © 1981, Daniel L. Schutte; and New Dawn Music, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726006. All
rights reserved.
The Gospel John 1:43-51
Officiant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now
Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael
and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the
prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can
anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite
in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know
me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Na-
thanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus
answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You
will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you
will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the
Son of Man.”
Officiant The Good News, the Gospel of Christ.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Andrew Suitter Bentley
You are invited into a moment of reflection and contemplation after the sermon and before the Creed.
7The Apostles’ Creed
The Reader leads us in the 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.
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 modified from Epiphany prayers by Rick Morley
Intercessor
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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
Following every petition, the congregation is invited to reply with:
“Light of the World, kindle our hearts.”
As the prophet Isaiah rang out, “Arise, shine; for your light has come”; empower your
Church, O God, to ring out the Good News of the Light of your son Jesus, which
pierces even the deepest darkness.
Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
8As a star rose high into the nighttime sky to draw the nations to the Christ-child; send
your blessing, O God, on this nation, and every nation, and draw the whole world to
your peace and truth. We pray that you will guide our country and our leaders to the
ways of justice and peace.
Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
Like the Magi who traveled from afar to bring gifts and celebrate the Savior’s birth; we
pray for this community, and for all the joys and sorrows we bear. Let us be for one
another a blessing, a gift, and a source of hope.
Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
As Jesus climbed the mountaintop and proclaimed blessings on the people of the
world; we pray for the sick and the distressed, the broken-hearted, and the weary. We
pray for all those suffering from the Coronavirus, and those who live with a new kind
of loneliness. We pray for front-line workers, their families, and all those who are put
at risk every day to care for us, and provide for our well-being. We pray also for those
on our parish prayer list, including: Mandy, Derek, Mary, Annette, Laura, Carol, Robert,
Connie, Mark, Brenda, Kathy, Meg, David, Andrew, Marion, Art, Cheryl, Catherine, Jim, Jane,
Sara, and Zachary; and all those we now name:
Restore us in body, mind, and spirit.
Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
We pray for those in our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, including: St. Stephen’s Church,
Boston; Trinity Church, Boston; B-SAFE; B-PEACE for Jorge; Hospitality Homes.
Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
We pray for those who have died, that they might rest in your presence and see with
clarity the love you have always had for them.
Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
We pray for our bishops, Michael, Alan, and Gayle; as well as our staff, Andrew, Lau-
ren, and Peg; as well all those who offer their gifts towards our common life of faith
through worship, outreach, and fellowship.
Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
Loving God, renew our sense of the holy. Give us wisdom to treat the world with care
and respect the dignity of every human being.
9Light of the World, kindle our hearts.
Officiant Light of the World, because of the Word made flesh, you have caused a
new light to shine in our hearts. Accept these prayers and look with com
passion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O
lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Creator, Redeemer, and
Comforter, now and forever. Amen.
The General Thanksgiving
Altogether, saying
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 ser
vice, 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.
As we are unable to gather in person for Communion, please use this time of special music for prayer and
meditation as we commune in our hearts.
Hymn Strengthened for service, Lord H, 312 Instrumental
Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands
that holy things have taken;
let ears that now have heard thy songs
to clamor never waken.
Lord, may the tongues which “Holy” sang,
keep free from all deceiving;
the eyes which saw thy love be bright,
thy blessed hope perceiving.
10The feet that tread thy hallowed courts
from light do thou not banish;
the bodies by thy Body fed
with thy new life replenish.
The Blessing
Officiant Christ, who by the incarnation gathered into one things earthly and
heavenly, fill you with peace and goodwill and make you partakers of the
divine nature; and may the blessing of our all loving God: the Eternal
Majesty, the Incarnate Word, and the ever-abiding Spirit be with you, and
all those you love, this day and always. Amen.
The Dismissal
Deacon Go in peace, with joy, to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia. Alleluia.
People Thanks be to God! Alleluia. Alleluia.
Closing Hymn Let every tongue confess H, 477 Instrumental
All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine,
didst yield the glory that of right was thine,
that in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine.
Alleluia!
Thou cam’st to us in lowliness of thought;
by thee the outcast and the poor were sought;
and by thy death was God’s salvation wrought.
Alleluia!
Let this mind be in us which was in thee,
who wast a servant that we might be free,
humbling thyself to death on Calvary.
Alleluia!
Wherefore, by God’s eternal purpose, thou
art high exalted o’er all creatures now,
11and given the Name to which all knees shall bow.
Alleluia!
Let every tongue confess with one accord
in heaven and earth that Jesus Christ is Lord;
and God the Father be by all adored.
Alleluia! Amen.
Copyright Words: © The Church Pension Fund. Music: Descant © 1979, G.I.A. Publications, Inc.
Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726006. All rights reserved.
Thanks to all who turned in their Stewardship pledge cards. If you have not already turned
in your card, or of your children have not turned in their pledge cards, please send them to
the office as soon as you are able. Cards can be sent to your home, and they are available on
our website as well. Remember, it takes all of us giving of our time, talent, and treasure.
2021 Dollars Pledged Dollar Pledge Goal % of $ goal
$371,745 $415,000 90%
2021 Pledges Received Pledge Units Goal % of pledge goal
69 95 73%
Thank you to all of those who turned in your pledge cards.
While we are getting closer, we still need more help to achieve our goals.
2021 Stewardship Campaign Goal for Time Pledged: 1,000 hours
(~10 hours per family per year)
2021 Stewardship Campaign Goal: $415,000
• Total pledged to 2021 Stewardship Campaign goal: $371,745
Total number of families that pledged to the 2020 Campaign: 85
Total number of families that pledged so far to the 2021 Campaign: 69 (goal: 95)
12In Christ,
Matt Chafe & Kurt Graham
Stewardship Co-Chairs
Announcements
Save the Date: The Annual Meeting is January 31 at 11am on zoom.
Perhaps God said, "Lauren’s not going to say yes to this, but maybe if I break it down into smaller
things…"
Our curate, Lauren Lukason, recently sat down with parishioner Mary Knox Miller to share about
her 13 year journey to priesthood—complete with a global pandemic—and twists and turns of
hope, affirmation, and learnings.
Listen to the latest episode of our podcast, Hope Driven, today! The link is in this week’s e-News.
We want to feature YOUR voice! Ask a fellow parishioner to join in a conversation. Share your
knowledge on a timely topic. Record a child asking Andrew a question (or telling a joke!). Mary
Knox Miller would love to hear from you. Reach out to her directly: maryknoxmiller@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Mary Knox
St. E´s Book Group Meeting today at 11:30am on Zoom
This month the St. E’s book group is reading "The Red Address Book" by Sofia Lundberg. We will
meet to discuss it via Zoom at 11:30 AM today. Everyone is welcome to join, whether you have
read the book or not. Questions? Contact Win Treese at treese@acm.org.
13The link to sign up is in this week’s e-News.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AA4AF2CAAFA7-stelizabeths
Join us for prayer in this bi-partisan effort to pray for the state of our country, our leadership, and
the hearts of our people. Booklets contain prayers from our Prayer Book and scripture, and are
available, along with a candle, for your picking up at church, anytime.
As we walk through a complicate time in the life of our nation, let us join together in unending
prayer for the state of our country, its inhabitants, and its leadership.
14Can you help a parishioner in need...
Marion, Vernon Clark's beloved widow, is in need of visits.
It would be about three hours usually 12-3 on Tuesdays and Thurs or Fri. If anyone can help with
this ministry please contact me at Janegraham1638@gmail.com.
Marion has dementia, so just needs a calm presence to keep her safe.
15Thank you to all of today’s service participants!
Officiant & Preacher The Rev. Andrew Suitter-Bentley
Gospeler The Rev. Dcn. Annette Molnar
Reader Matt Chafe
Musicians B. Bewick Brown, Carol Davies
St. E’s Choir Graham Daley, Carol Davies, Caroline
Davies, Jane Graham, Georgie Johnson,
Sara Kilkenny, John Knobel, Chris Lowery,
Nancy Morgan, Linda Trail, Kathy Trogolo
Duet Graham Daley and John Knobel
Production Team Paul Grous and Mary Grace Hennessy
Bulletin Production Peg Scarlata
The Staff and Vestry Leadership of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church
Staff
The Rev. Andrew Suitter-Bentley, Rector
The Rev. Lauren Lukason, Curate
Peg Scarlata, Parish Administrator
Vestry
Nancy Kimble & Andrew Heier
Co-Wardens, wardens@st-elizabeths.org
Vestry Members at Large:
Emily Chafe, Jackson Ciccarello, Mary Grace Hennessy, Ed Kenealy,
Bonnie Powell Kuta, Walter Morgan, Nancy Marshall,
Lucie St. George, Andy Sugg, Kiersten Varner, Mark Namchuk
Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE
LICENSE wiyth licenense #A-726006. Al rights reserved.
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