THE SUNDAY OF THE PASSION

Insert with Announcements and Birthdays

The Liturgy of the Palms

Celebrant: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

Celebrant: Let us pray.
Assist us mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (21:1-11)
When Jesus and his disciples had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, just say this, `The Lord needs them.’ And he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Celebrant: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
People: Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: Let us go forth in peace.
People: In the name of Christ. Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

Processional Hymn: All glory, laud and honor Hymn 154

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Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day
Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Celebration of a New Ministry

The Wardens, standing before the bishop with the new minister, say these or similar words

Bishop Duckworth, we have come together today to welcome James Morrison who has been chosen to serve as Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church We believe that he is well qualified, and that he has been prayerfully and lawfully selected.

The Bishop may read the Letter of Institution, or else may state the purpose of the new ministry.

The Bishop then says
James Morrison, do you, in the presence of this congregation, commit yourself to this new trust and responsibility?

New Minister: I do

The Bishop then addresses the congregation
Will you who witness this new beginning support and uphold James Morrison in this ministry?

People: We will

Let us then offer our prayers to God for all his people, for this congregation, and for James Morrison their Rector.

The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Let us pray.

Everliving God, strengthen and sustain  James., that with patience and understanding he may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The new Minister, if a priest, may then kneel in the midst of the church, and may say

O Lord my God, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; yet you have called your servant to stand in your house, and to serve at your altar. To you and to your service I devote myself, body, soul, and spirit. Fill my memory with the record of your mighty works; enlighten my understanding with the light of your Holy Spirit; and may all the desires of my heart and will center in what you would have me do. Make me an instrument of your salvation for the people entrusted to my care, and grant that I may faithfully administer your holy Sacraments, and by my life and teaching set forth your true and living Word. Be always with me in carrying out the duties of my ministry. In prayer, quicken my devotion; in praises, heighten my love and gratitude; in preaching, give me readiness of thought and expression; and grant that, by the clearness and brightness of your holy Word, all the world may be drawn into your blessed kingdom. All this I ask for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bishop: May the Lord who has begun this good work in you carry it through to
completion

The Lessons
Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

Psalm 31:9-16
9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow, and also my throat and my belly.
10 For my life is wasted with grief, and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction, and my bones are consumed.
11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.
12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
I have said, “You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.”

Philippians 2:5-11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
(The customary responses before and after the Gospel are omitted)

Text can be found in the enclosed leaflet (Please do not take leaflet home)

The Homily The Right Reverend Shannon Duckworth, Bishop

Presentation and Examination of the Candidates

Baptism
Linda Trahan
Confirmation
Linda Trahan
Reception
Hunter Rulf

Celebrant: The Candidates for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

Sponsor: I present Linda to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
Celebrant: Do you desire to be baptized?
Candidate: I do.

Question: Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer: I renounce them.

Question: Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer: I renounce them.

Question: Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer: I renounce them.

Question: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior?
Answer: I do.

Question: Do you put your whole trust in His grace and love?
Answer: I do.

Question: Do you promise to follow and obey Him as your Lord?
Answer: I do.

When there are others to be presented, the Bishop says
Bishop: The other Candidate will now be presented.
Presenters: I present Hunter to be received into this Communion.

The Bishop asks the candidates
Bishop: Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidate: I do.
Bishop: Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidate: I do, and with God’s grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.

Celebrant: Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support Hunter in his life in Christ?
People: We will.

Celebrant: Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
(All Stand)

The Baptismal Covenant
Priest: Do you believe in God the Father?
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: 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.

Priest: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Priest: Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Priest: Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Priest: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Priest: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People: I will, with God’s help.

Prayers for the Candidates

The Celebrant then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for this person who will receive the Sacrament of new birth and for this person who have renewed their commitment to Christ.

Leader: Deliver Linda and Hunter, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People: Lord, hear our prayer.

The Celebrant says:

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water

The Celebrant blesses the water, first saying:
The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant : We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water

Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

At the following words, the Celebrant touches the water
Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Baptism

Linda, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When this action has been completed for all candidates, the Priest, at a place in full sight of the congregation, prays over them, saying

Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised her to the new life of grace. Sustain her O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give her an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

Then the Bishop places a hand on the person’s head, marking on the
forehead the sign of the cross [using Chrism if desired] and saying to each one

Linda, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever. Amen.

For Confirmation

The Bishop lays hands upon Linda and says
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant Linda. with your Holy Spirit; empower her for your service; and sustain her all the days of her life. Amen.

The Celebrant says
Let us welcome the newly baptized.

Celebrant and People
We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

At Reception

The Bishop: Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.

Silence may be kept.
Then the Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in Hunter your servant the covenant you made with him at his Baptism. Send him forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before him; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For Reception
Hunter, we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.

Then the Bishop says
Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over this our servant; let your Holy Spirit ever be with him; and so lead him in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that he may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements

The Offertory
Offertory Hymn: King of Love Hymn 645 (vs 1,2,6)

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Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant faces them and says

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.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

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:

Celebrant and People
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.
The people stand or kneel.

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,

All:
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

At St. Matthew’s we welcome all persons, regardless of denomination, who have been baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to share in the communion at this Altar. Those wishing to receive a blessing only may cross their hands over their heart.

Communion Music: We fall down By Chris Tomlin
The flight of the Angels By David West

Post Communion Prayer

Almighty and everliving 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.

Recessional Hymn: At the Name of Jesus Hymn 435 (vs 1/4)

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The Dismissal
Priest: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.