The Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany
9AM Holy Eucharist
February 2, 2025
1314 Spring Street Saint Helena, CA 94574 (707) 963-4157
[email protected] / www.grace-episcopal.org
Prelude
Welcome From Music Minister – Ted von Pohle
Opening Hymn
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High vs.1, 3, 6 – 1982 Hymnal #448
Opening Acclamation
Blessed be the one, holy, and living God
Glory to God for ever and ever.
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
The Collect of the Day
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise vs. 1, 3 1982 Hymnal #135
The Collect of the Day
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your
only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may
be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our
Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord
The Lessons
Malachi 3:1-4
A Reading from the Prophet Malachi..
Thus says the Lord, See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight– indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Psalm 84
1 How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
2 The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young; *
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
3 Happy are they who dwell in your house! *
they will always be praising you.
4 Happy are the people whose strength is in you! *
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.
5 Those who go through the desolate valley will
find it a place of springs, *
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
6 They will climb from height to height, *
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.
7 Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; *
hearken, O God of Jacob.
8 Behold our defender, O God; *
and look upon the face of your Anointed.
9 For one day in your courts is better than a
thousand in my own room, *
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
10 For the Lord God is both sun and shield; *
he will give grace and glory;
11 No good thing will the Lord withhold *
from those who walk with integrity.
12 O Lord of hosts, *
happy are they who put their trust in you!
Hebrews 2:14-18
A Reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
Since God’s children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God
Gospel Song
Ubi caritas et amor
The Gospel Luke 2:22-40
Gospeller The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.
People Glory to You, Lord Christ.
When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed– and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Gospeller The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to You, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Nicene Creed
Sung to the tune Ode to Joy.
We believe in God almighty,
author of all things that be,
Maker of the earth and heavens,
Keeper of the sky and sea.
We believe in God’s son, Jesus,
now for us both Lord and Christ,
of the Spirit and of Mary
born to bring abundant life.
We believe that Jesus suffered,
scourged and scorned and crucified;
taken from the cross, was buried—
True Life there had truly died.
We believe that on the third day
Christ was raised up from the grave,
then ascended to God’s right hand.
He will come to judge and save.
We believe in God’s own Spirit,
bonding all the saints within
One church catholic, one church holy,
where forgiveness frees from sin;
in the body’s resurrection,
for the breaking of death’s chain
gives the life that’s everlasting.
This the faith that we have claimed.
The Prayers of the People
Confession of Sin BCP, p. 360
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.
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
Song at the Peace
La paz este con nosotros. (3x)
Que con nosotros siempre, siempre este la paz.
Translation
Peace be with us… may peace always,
always be with us.
Announcements, Birthdays, Anniversaries
Offertory Music
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; O praise him, O praise him,
The Holy Communion
Eucharistic Prayer B
God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to God.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.
Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy Lord 1982 Hymnal #S130
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which
you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to
be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets;
and above all in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. For in these last
days you sent Jesus to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the
Savior and Redeemer of the world. In Christ, you have delivered
us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In Christ,
you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness,
out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Savior 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 Jesus 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, according to his command, O Father,
We remember Christ’s death,
We proclaim Christ’s resurrection,
We await Christ’s coming in glory;
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O
Savior of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and
this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit
upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of
Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant.
Unite us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through whom we are acceptable
to you, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness
of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us
to that heavenly country where, with the blessèd Virgin Mary, and
all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons
and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Savior, the firstborn of all
creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and for
ever. AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, 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 king- dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Fraction Anthem
Spirit of the Living God
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
Melt me mold me
Fill me use me
Spirit of the Living God
Fall fresh on me
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Hymn
Jesus is Lord of All the Earth v.1-4 1982 Hymnal #178
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
(for those not receiving communion)
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
If you have special prayer requests, our Intercessors are available to pray for you at any time. You may send prayer requests to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Our intercessors are ready to pray with you for whatever needs you have in this time.
Post-Communion Prayer
God of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ’s body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Eucharistic Visitors
In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts that those to whom you go may share with usin the com- munion of Christ’s body and blood. We who are many are one body; because we all share one bread, one cup.
Blessing
Closing Hymn
Muchos resplandores / Many are the Light Beams WLP #794
Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
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