St. Luke's Episcopal Church
313 Main Street
Chester, Vermont 05143
(802) 875 - 6000
Coffee hour afterwards.
About Us
This page will be updated during the week.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
The church bell is rung after the prelude.
This page will be updated during the week.
Organ prelude selected and played by Karlaine Livingston
There will be a short period of silence before the service begins.
Entrance Hymn (The Hymnal 1982)
Presider: Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
People: Glory to God for ever and ever.
Presider: Let us pray.
Presider and people: 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.
Hymn S-280 (The Hymnal 1982 Service Music)
Presider: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
Collect for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (Pentecost(Revised Common Lectionary Prayers)
Presider and people:
Amen.
The First Reading - Exodus 16:2-15.
Reader: A reading from Exodus
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Second Reading - Philippians 1:21-30
Reader: A reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians
Reader: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn (The Hymnal 1982)
The Holy Gospel - Matthew 20:1-16.
Reader: The Holy Gospel according to Matthew
People: Glory to you, O Christ.
21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. 23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25 and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Reader: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon: The Rev. Bruce L. MacDuffie
Nicene Creed
Presider and people: 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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Presider: Each of us is finally accountable to God. So let us pray, saying, “Lord, we are in need of your mercy; have patience with us.”
Presider: Lord, we acknowledge that we all sin against our brothers and sisters in Christ. Forgive us even as we forgive each other. Help us to be merciful to each other in the Church.
Silence
Presider: Lord, we are in need of your mercy;
People: Have patience with us.
Presider: Lord, we acknowledge that we desire to repay violence with violence. Open our hearts to forgive even those who commit evil acts towards us and those we love. Help us to live mercifully in our world.
Silence
Presider: Lord, we are in need of your mercy;
People: Have patience with us.
Presider: Lord, we acknowledge we do not always appreciate the diversity of your creation. Teach us to live in peace with each other and with your creation. Help us to live mercifully with our world.Presider: Silence
Presider: Lord, we are in need of your mercy;
People: Have patience with us.
Presider: Lord, we acknowledge that we do not love our neighbors as you love us. Forgive us for placing ourselves as judge over others when judgment belongs to you alone. Help us to accept the great mercy you choose to show others.
Silence
Presider: Lord, we are in need of your mercy;
People: Have patience with us.
Presider: Lord, we pray for those whose lives are broken by evil. Because of your mercy we believe that whatever befalls them, they belong to you; you care for the brokenhearted. Help us to share your love with all those who are hurting.
Invite the congregation to add their petitions and thanksgivings followed by silence
Presider: Lord, we are in need of your mercy;
People: Have patience with us.
Presider: Lord, we ask your love and grace for those dying in natural disaster, such as the earthquake victims in Morocco and those thousands who died in flood in Libya. Help us bend all our efforts to reduce the climate overheating causing the disastrous rainfalls utterly destroying dams relied on in the past.
Silence
Presider: Lord, we are in need of your mercy;
People: Have patience with us.
Presider: Lord, we remember those who died in violence. We remember those men and women of the armed services of all nations, innocent bystanders, first responders, and even those we have called enemies. The dead belong to you, O Lord. Even as we seek your mercy for ourselves, judge all those who have died with mercy.
Silence
Presider: Lord, we are in need of your mercy;
People: Have patience with us.
Confession of Sin
Presider: Let us confess our sins to God. (Silence may be kept)
Minister and People: God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our
behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will.
Amen.
Absolution
Minister: 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
Presider: The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Offertory Sentence
Presider: Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.(Ephesians 5:2)
(The collection is taken up to the altar during the singing of the following hymn)
Offertory Hymn (The Hymnal 1982)
Presider and people: All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we given thee.
Eucharistic Prayer
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Presider: All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things. You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord; Because you gave Jesus Christ your only Son, to be born for us; who by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we night be delivered from the
bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. And so as the stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:
The Sanctus 133 (Enriching our Music 2)
(The people stand or kneel)
Celebrant: Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise. Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering.
Celebrant: Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life,
reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.
Celebrant: We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Celebrant: After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said:
“Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
Celebrant: And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension, longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:
Celebrant and people:
Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising, you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!
Celebrant: Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ.
Celebrant: Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love.
Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Luke, the patron of this congregation, and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home.
Celebrant: Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise.
Celebrant and people: Blessed are you now and forever. AMEN.
Presider: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say
Presider and people: 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. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
Breaking of the Bread and Invitation to communion
Presider: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast.
Hymn S-164 (The Hymnal 1982 Service Music)
The Communion
Presider: The Holy Gifts of God for the Holy People of God.
This is the table, not of the Church but of Jesus Christ. It is made ready for those who love God and who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time or ever before, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. It is Christ who invites you to be known and fed here. All are welcome to receive communion. Gluten-free bread is available. Inform the priest if you prefer this option. The communion wine contains alcohol. If you prefer a blessing, cross your arms across your chest.
Communion Hymn (My Heart Sings Out)
Post-communion Prayer
Presider: Let us pray.
Presider and People: Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Closing Hymn (Wonder, Love and Praise)
Closing Blessing
Presider: May the Spirit of truth lead you into all truth, giving you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and to proclaim the wonderful works of God; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.
Amen.
Organ Postlude selected and played by Karlaine Livingston
Announcements
Dismissal
Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
PLEASE!! Take this service leaflet with you. Read the scriptures again. Learn a hymn or two. Use the Great Litany all this coming week. Blessings!
Preparing for next Sunday
Below are the Scripture readings for next Sunday, October 1st, the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Read them slowly before Sunday and be better prepared to participate in the Thanksgiving that is the Eucharist.
First or Old Testament reading:
Psalm recited after the Old Testament or Hebrew scripture reading:
Second Reading often called Epistle reading:
Gospel reading:
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
(Choir rehearsal follows coffee hour)
Wednesday, September 27 Midweek Eucharist
5:30-6:10 PM
Commemorating Euphrosyne/Smaragdus of Alexandria
Sunday, October 1 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist
10-11:15 AM
Rev. Dr. Bruce L. MacDuffie
Other Events
Sunday, October 1st
Blessings of animals
9:15 AM On the back lawn of the church.