10:30 Sunday June 6, 2021
Second Sunday after Pentecost
You will find our live stream on our homepage, on Facebook (where you can interact with others watching with comments), and on Youtube.
The congregation is invited to say the words together in bold. Please sing along with us! To prepare for worship, you may want to place a candle or two in the place where you worship, to light during the opening prayer.
Prelude
The service begins with several minutes of preludes from the Holy Communion music archives.
Procession
The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy enter and reverence the altar.
Welcome
A priest welcomes the congregation. If you are new to us, consider filling out our “get connected” form, let us get to know you better.
Opening Dialogue and the Collect of the Day
Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.
The congregation watching from home are invited to light a candle with us as the candles on the altar are lighted.
Let us pray.
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Opening Hymn
Jerusalem My Happy Home - 1982 Hymnal #620
The Lessons
We hear the stories of the experience of God from our spiritual ancestors. Following an ancient pattern originally from Jewish synagogue worship, readings follow a set calendar for what will be read when. The translation used at Holy Communion is the Common English Bible translation.
A Reading from the first book of Samuel (1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15))
So all the Israelite elders got together and went to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “Listen. You are old now, and your sons don’t follow in your footsteps. So appoint us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.” It seemed very bad to Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” so he prayed to the Lord.
The Lord answered Samuel, “Comply with the people’s request—everything they ask of you—because they haven’t rejected you. No, they’ve rejected me as king over them. They are doing to you only what they’ve been doing to me from the day I brought them out of Egypt to this very minute, abandoning me and worshipping other gods. So comply with their request, but give them a clear warning, telling them how the king will rule over them.”
Then Samuel explained everything the Lord had said to the people who were asking for a king. “This is how the king will rule over you,” Samuel said:
“He will take your sons, and will use them for his chariots and his cavalry and as runners for his chariot.
He will use them as his commanders of troops of one thousand and troops of fifty, or to do his plowing and his harvesting, or to make his weapons or parts for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, or bakers. He will take your best fields, vineyards, and olive groves and give them to his servants. He will give one-tenth of your grain and your vineyards to his officials and servants.
He will take your male and female servants, along with the best of your cattle and donkeys, and make them do his work. He will take one-tenth of your flocks, and then you yourselves will become his slaves! When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you chose for yourselves, but on that day the Lord won’t answer you.”
But the people refused to listen to Samuel and said, “No! There must be a king over us so we can be like all the other nations. Our king will judge us and lead us and fight our battles.”
“Let’s go to Gilgal,” Samuel told the people, “and renew the monarchy there.” So everyone went to Gilgal, and there at Gilgal they made Saul king in the Lord’s presence. They offered well-being sacrifices in the Lord’s presence, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration there.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Psalm (Psalm 138)
The Psalm is read responsively. The congregation is invited to read the verses in bold.
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name,
because of your love and faithfulness;
for you have glorified your name
and your word above all things.
When I called, you answered me;
you increased my strength within me.
All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O Lord,
when they have heard the words of your mouth.
They will sing of the ways of the Lord,
that great is the glory of the Lord.
Though you are high, you care for the lowly;
you perceive the haughty from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe;
you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;
your mighty hand shall save me.
O Lord, you will make good your purpose for me;
your love endures for ever;
do not abandon the works of your hands
Gospel Procession
Do Lord, Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal #164
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Mark (Mark 3:20-35)
Jesus entered a house. A crowd gathered again so that it was impossible for him and his followers even to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they came to take control of him. They were saying, “He’s out of his mind!”
The legal experts came down from Jerusalem. Over and over they charged, “He’s possessed by Beelzebul. He throws out demons with the authority of the ruler of demons.”
When Jesus called them together he spoke to them in a parable: “How can Satan throw Satan out? A kingdom involved in civil war will collapse. And a house torn apart by divisions will collapse. If Satan rebels against himself and is divided, then he can’t endure. He’s done for. No one gets into the house of a strong person and steals anything without first tying up the strong person. Only then can the house be burglarized. I assure you that human beings will be forgiven for everything, for all sins and insults of every kind. But whoever insults the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. That person is guilty of a sin with consequences that last forever.” He said this because the legal experts were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”
His mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside and sent word to him, calling for him. A crowd was seated around him, and those sent to him said, “Look, your mother, brothers, and sisters are outside looking for you.”
He replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Looking around at those seated around him in a circle, he said, “Look, here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon:
The Rev. Julie Graham
Anthem:
We walk in Love by Deanna Witkowski
The Prayers
Let us pray in the way Christ taught us, and in the language of our hearts.
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.
Those worshiping online with us are invited to add your prayers in the comments at any time, or by using the form on our homepage. Know that people will pray for you.
Gracious God, you send your Spirit to renew the face of the earth. We pray for the church throughout the world. Give us a Spirit of Renewal: Come Holy Spirit!
As the Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning of the world, as the Creator breathed life into every creature, we pray that the Spirit might help us see the blessedness of all life. We pray especially for those celebrating birthdays this week: Laurie Hansell, and Lisa Hummel; and for those celebrating anniversaries, Rebecca Hatlelid Boester & Ralph Boester. Give us your Spirit of gratitude: Come Holy Spirit!
Your Spirit gave the disciples power to proclaim the good news in every language, to every people and tribe and nation. Help us likewise to tell the good news in a nation and a world so desperate for good news. We pray for the courage to tell the good news, even when it means standing up for justice. Give us your Spirit of Proclamation: Come Holy Spirit!
Your Spirit stays close to those who suffer from division, pain, disease, disaster and war. We pray especially for the people of Palestine and Israel. We pray for our partners in Human Rights work in El Salvador and Central America. We pray for all who suffer. Give us your Spirit of Peace and Perseverance: Come Holy Spirit!
Your Spirit unites us with one another, and the living with the dead. We pray for those we love, but see no longer. Give us your Spirit of Perpetual Light: Come Holy Spirit!
The Rev. Marc Smith, the Bishop’s deputy for violence prevention, adds a concluding collect.
O Lord, on whose protection our health, safety and security depend: we implore your healing of a nation divided and unable to find common purpose in resolving the scourge of gun violence; lift souls and offer hope to all whose desperation would end in self-inflicted death; bring forbearance and love to our homes so that frustration and anger may be diffused through conversation not violence; oversee those places where we gather to learn and worship that they may be safe sanctuaries for all who enter them; be present where we work that mutual respect and just relationships might govern our economic lives and disagreements be resolved through engagement not revenge; join us where we walk and play that our streets and turf may cradle dreams not bodies; and strengthen, encourage and support all who strive to find shared cause in preventing gun violence; all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Concluding Prayers
Please stand, as you are able.
The presider prays a prayer or collect appropriate to the day.
The people respond: Amen.
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 service,
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.
The Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
The Peace is then exchanged. Consider sending a text, a message on Facebook, or even writing a letter or email to someone who could use some peace. If you are in the space, please do not approach people outside your household. A wave, a peace sign, or a “smize” (a smile with your eyes) will do.
Concluding Hymn
God of Grace and God of Glory - 1982 Hymnal #594
Dismissal
The Deacon dismisses the congregation:
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Procession
The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy exit and reverence the altar.
Postlude
If you are in the church, please make your way outside as soon as you can after the service. The clergy will greet you outdoors.
Service Leaders
Preacher and Presider: The Rev. Mike Angell
Assisting: The Rev. Marc Smith
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Readers: Peter Tchoukaleff
Ushers: Susan Norris
Intercessor: Alisa Williams
Musician: Andrew Carpentier
Director of Music: Mary Chapman
Stream Producers: Tyler Schwartz, Cecily Hawksworth
Music reprinted and broadcast with permission by OneLicense # A-704988
The Psalms are copyright of the Anglican Church of Canada. The Scripture Translation is the Common English Bible. All are used by permission.
The Prayers of the People were composed by our rector.
