• November 6, 2022

    The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
    Morning Prayer

    10:00 AM  Rite II
    November 6, 2022

    The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr., Bishop
    The Rev. Canon Shannon Duckworth, Bishop-Elect
    Dr. Robert Alexander, Senior Warden

    St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
    243 Barrow Street, Houma LA 70360


    Daily Morning Prayer:  Rite Two



    Opening Hymn: Praise to the living God                              Hymn 372

    Officiant: The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.

    Habakkuk 2:20

    Confession of Sin

    Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.

    Silence may be kept.

    Officiant and People together, all kneeling

    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.

    Officiant:

    Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.


    Invitatory and Psalter

    All stand

    Officiant :  Lord, open our lips.
    People:     And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

    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.
    Alleluia.


    Venite Psalm 95:17  (Said in unison)

    The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.
    Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
    let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
    Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
    and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
    For the Lord is a great God, *
    and a great King above all gods.
    In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
    and the heights of the hills are his also.
    The sea is his, for he made it, *
    and his hands have molded the dry land.
    Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
    and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
    For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
    Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
    The earth is the Lord’s for he made it: Come let us adore him.


    The Psalms Appointed (all seated)


    Psalm 93

    The Lord is King; he has put on splendid apparel; *
    the Lord has put on his apparel and girded himself with strength.
    He has made the whole world so sure *
    that it cannot be moved;
    Ever since the world began, your throne has been established; *
    you are from everlasting.
    The waters have lifted up, O Lord,
    the waters have lifted up their voice; *
    the waters have lifted up their pounding waves.
    Mightier than the sound of many waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea, *
    mightier is the Lord who dwells on high.
    Your testimonies are very sure, *
    and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore.


    Psalm 96

    Sing to the Lord a new song; *
    sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.
    Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *
    proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.
    Declare his glory among the nations *
    and his wonders among all peoples.
    For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *
    he is more to be feared than all gods.
    As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *
    but it is the Lord who made the heavens.
    Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *
    Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!
    Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *
    ascribe to the Lord honor and power.
    Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *
    bring offerings and come into his courts.
    Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *
    let the whole earth tremble before him.
    Tell it out among the nations: “The Lord is King! *
    he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
    he will judge the peoples with equity.”
    Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
    let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *
    let the field be joyful and all that is therein.
    Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy
    before the Lord when he comes, *
    when he comes to judge the earth.
    He will judge the world with righteousness *
    and the peoples with his truth.
    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 Lessons


    First Reading

    A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians (14:1-12).

    Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but to God; for nobody understands them, since they are speaking mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound. If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.

    Reader:   The Word of the Lord.
    People:    Thanks be to God.


    The Song of Zechariah (Said in unison)                       Luke 1: 68-79

    Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
    he has come to his people and set them free.
    He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *
    born of the house of his servant David.
    Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
    that he would save us from our enemies, *
    from the hands of all who hate us.
    He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
    and to remember his holy covenant.
    This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
    to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
    Free to worship him without fear, *
    holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
    You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
    To give his people knowledge of salvation *
    by the forgiveness of their sins.
    In the tender compassion of our God *
    the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
    To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
    and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
    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.


    Second Reading (All Seated)

    A Reading from the Gospel According to Matthew (20:1-16).

    “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

    Reader:   The Word of the Lord.
    People:    Thanks be to God.


    Canticle   21. You are God (said in unison)

    You are God: we praise you;
    You are the Lord; we acclaim you;
    You are the eternal Father:
    All creation worships you.
    To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,
    Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:
      Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
        heaven and earth are full of your glory.
    The glorious company of apostles praise you.
    The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.
    The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.
    Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
    Father, of majesty unbounded,
        your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
        and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
    You, Christ, are the king of glory,
    the eternal Son of the Father.
    When you became man to set us free
    you did not shun the Virgin’s womb.
    You overcame the sting of death
    and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
    You are seated at God’s right hand in glory.
    We believe that you will come and be our judge.
        Come then, Lord, and help your people,
        bought with the price of your own blood,
        and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.


    The Apostles’ Creed       (Officiant and People together, all standing)

    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.

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

    Officiant and People  (Please kneel)


    The Lord’s Prayer

    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.


    Suffrages B
    V.          Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance;
    R.          Govern and uphold them, now and always.
    V.          Day by day we bless you;
    R.          We praise your name for ever.
    V.          Lord, keep us from all sin today;
    R.          Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
    V.          Lord, show us your love and mercy;
    R. For we put our trust in you.
    V. In you, Lord, is our hope;
    R. And we shall never hope in vain.


    Officiant:  The Collect of the Day

    O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    A Collect for Sundays

    O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    A Prayer for Mission

    Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

    A Prayer for a New Rector (Officiant and People)

    Almighty God, giver of every gift we receive:  look graciously on your Church, and guide those who shall discern whom God is calling to be rector for this parish. Grace us with patience, trust, and hope through the interim times of doubt and uncertainty. We pray that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us to continue, improve, expand, and reach out with our ministries to all whom we can touch; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    A Prayer for the Search Committee (Officiant and People)

    Dear Heavenly Father, help us fulfill the Episcopalian mission through our beliefs, thoughts, and actions.; oversee all that we do and say. Let us trust in your wisdom, guidance and grace as we move from the known to the unknown. Bring us clarity of vision, so that we may hear, comprehend, and act in accordance with your will. Help us Lord to become comfortable with the uncomfortable and trust in your love which never fails. Amen

    Hymn: Ye holy angels bright                                            Hymn 625


    Prayers of the People Form IV                                         BCP Page 388


    Pray for people on our Parish Prayer List

    Andrèe, Jay, Norma, Sybil, Lydicia, Jere and Emilie, Shirley, Lona and Sidney, Earl, Bonnie, Jamie, Shirley, AnnaBelle, Betty, Kim, Jane, Ursula, Kathy, Randy, and Legion Park School.  We give thanks and pray for St. Matthew’s Episcopal School, Head of School, Thomas Souldelier, members of the Board,  faculty, staff and students, our Parish Vestry and Search Committee. 

    Birthdays and Anniversaries

    Week of 11/6—11/12:  Dana Davis

    Watch over Your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be.  Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their life; through
    Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


    The General Thanksgiving

    Officiant and People
    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.

    A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
    Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

    Officiant:  Let us bless the Lord.
    People:      Thanks be to God.

    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

    2 Corinthians 13:14

    Closing Hymn:  God, my King, thy might confessing         Hymn 414

    Reader: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord
    People: Thanks be to God.

    This Sunday’s Altar Flowers are given to the Glory of God by the  Buquet Family.

    Worship Team Schedule

    Eucharistic Ministers Emilie Daye, Bruce Jenkins
    Ushers Julio and Rina Medina, Karen Kelly
    Vestry Member on Duty Debby Fortier
    Altar Guild Sandy Ostheimer, Karen Kelly
    Flower Guild Carolyn Lirette
    Hospitality Linda Greenburg, Emilie Daye