October 30, 2022
| St. Matthew’s is a parish of the Diocese of Louisiana The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Thompson, Jr. Bishop The Rev. Canon Shannon Duckworth, Bishop-Elect |
From the Senior Warden:
Welcome to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. What a joy it is to have you with us here today! We pray by grace you will find your soul refreshed and your spirit renewed as we hear God’s word, give thanks and receive the sacrament of Holy Eucharist.
Blessings and peace,
Dr. Rob Alexander, Senior Warden
Dr. Rob Alexander Senior Warden
David West Music Minister
Courtney Rulf Youth Christian Formation
Erica Polk Office Manager
To help everyone more fully participate in the worship service:
*A gentle reminder to please silence your cell phones.
*Your parts are printed in bold.
*Come to the Lord’s Table.
*If you wish to receive Communion: Please do come forward. (we will bring communion to you if you are unable to come forward).
*Extend your hands, palms up to receive the bread. All are welcome.
*A special bulletin (and crayons) is available for children on the table at the entrance.
Music used with permission of License CCLI:2542584
Happy Anniversary Herb and Andrée Alexander
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, Nicole, Tasha & Twins, Earl, Gerard, 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.
We Gather in the Name of God
Prelude
Hymn in Procession I sing a song of the saints of God Grand Isle
Words: Lesbia Scott (b. 1898); Music: John Henry Hopkins (1861-1945)
Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
Glory to God for ever and ever.
The Collect for Purity
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 of Praise Glory Hallelujah Sung three times
The Collect of the Day
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
We Proclaim and Respond to the Word of God
A Reading from the Book of Daniel 7:1-3,15-18
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me.
I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: “As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever.”
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 149 Bold parts said by all, regular print said by women, italics said by men.
Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; * sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; * let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his Name in the dance; * let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people * and adorns the poor with victory.
Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; * let them be joyful on their beds.
Let the praises of God be in their throat * and a two-edged sword in their hand;
To wreak vengeance on the nations * and punishment on the peoples;
To bind their kings in chains * and their nobles with links of iron;
To inflict on them the judgment decreed; * this is glory for all his faithful people. Hallelujah!
A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Church in Ephesus 1:11-23
In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory.
In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of
your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Let us greet the Gospel of Christ by singing By all your saints still striving
Words: : Horatio Bolton Nelson (1823-1913); Music: Finnish Folk melody; adapt. David Evans (1874-1948)
The Holy Gospel
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ According to Luke
Glory to you, Lord Christ
Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.”
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and
weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you Lord Christ
The Homily The Rev. Gigi Conner
We Affirm Our Faith Together
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: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. 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 and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He 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.
We Pray for the Church and the WorldEternal God, on this day, we remember the unseen cloud of witnesses around us: Those who in every age and generation witnessed to their faith in life and in death, those who by their courage and their sacrifice won for us the freedom and the liberty we enjoy,
those who served their fellow humans at the cost of pain, of persecution and of death, those for whom all the trumpets sounded as they passed over to the other side.
We remember also those whom we have loved and who have gone to be with you and whose names are written on our hearts, especially those who have died: Herbert R. & Frances Alexander, Sr. Edward N. and Charlotte Breen, W. Clifford Smith, Harold Belanger, Sr., Roy H. and Frances Baker, Cathleen Baker Chaisson, Don Rampp, Jacob and Sis Niette, Keri Lynn Niette, Ron Chaisson, Camille Alyse Begnaud, Eula McElroy, Louise Dupont, Jules Dupont, Sr., Karl and Emily Samuels, Jacques and Margot Fortier, Bill and Polly Davis, Calvin and Rhea Babin, Lincoln Lirette, Tyler Lirette, Robin Elizabeth Pellegrin, Raymond Trahan,Gerald Bergeron, Felix Dixon Lewis, Jr., Felix Dixon Lewis, III, Merle Smith Lewis, Linda Babin, Karl and JoAnne Plessala, Spencer and Doris Lindsay, Diane Adams, Thomas and Betty Adams, T.J., Earl, and Donald Adams, Lance and Laura Brien, Ed, Gene, George and Bonnie Pontiff, Edward Pontiff, Sr., Vesta Mae Woodard, Earl Woodard, Sr., Lou Ostheimer, Helen B. Ostheimer, Patrick Neigel, Ray Neigel, Jr., Dorothy Sutherland, Henry, Duhé, Daisy, DeHart Families, Ralph Dunagin, Charlie Bourque.
David Hickman, Pellegrin Family, Jeremiah Turner, Clara and Wallace Ellender, Wallace Ellender. Bessie Melancon, George Melancon. Kenneth Melancon, Phil Melancon, John Melancon. Dot Daye, Jere Daye, Sr., Jay Daye, Julio D. Medina, Julio and Justa Alberdi Medina, Nicasio and Emelina Reyes Olazabal, Otmara Medina, Nadia Olazabal, Gwendolyn, William T., Norman, William H. Nettie, Rod, Esther, Menville, Sr., Clemmie, Bobby, Junior, Emma, Peggy Lovell, Gertie DeHart, Bernice, Sidney, Sr., Dudley Smith, Sr., Leroy Foret, Jr., Sue Sue Foret, Nolan Guise, Glorietta Lovell, Morris Liner, Mrs. Delores Harson, Mr. Leslie Harson Sr., Mr. Leslie Harson, Jr. , Joseph Blanchard, Bill Dettmer, Mary Lou Dettmer, Edward DeMouy, Hilda Brady Duplantis, Gay Nell Van Lue, E.P. and Verna T. Usie, Kevin Chauvin, Greg Steele, Ronald LeBouef. Phyllis Dupré, Roland and Marian Champagne, Alice, Leonard, and Justin Greenburg, Paulette Hopkins, Tandy Webb, Ludger Lirette, Scotty Lirette, Una Arcement, Lloyde Lapeyrouse, Jason Ellis Adams, Nancy Fritsche, Kent Benjamin, Kim Rogers Phillips, Ralph Usé, Todd Usé, Forrest and Myrtle Cannon, and Liz Cannon.
Help us to walk in a way worthy of those in whose unseen presence our lives are lived.
We honor those who have been killed in this or other countries, because of hatred or intolerance.
Teach us, O God, to honor the souls we have lost by raising our hands and voices together in the cause of peace.
We thank you for the physical gifts that sustain us: for fresh water piped to our homes and for bread upon our tables. We pray for those whose lives lack the basic things that we take for granted.
Help us to hear Christ’s message of love, calling us to respond to our neighbors’ needs.
We give thanks for those who work in challenging circumstances to secure our way of life.
For the men and women of the armed forces, for those who serve with the emergency services, for those who work in health and social care, and for all who work for restoring wholeness in place of brokenness.
We pray for our bishop, Morris, our Bishop-elect, Shannon, for the clergy of the diocese and for all the parishes in the diocese. And we pray for St. Matthews Day School—those who teach and those who learn, we pray for ourselves, that our parish may be a beacon of light to those who feel lost or forgotten or who are searching for a spiritual home.
Celebrant Holy and mysterious God, open the door of our hearts to the truth that you are there when tears are shed, in solidarity when people suffer and that the resources of your Spirit which cannot be exhausted, run far deeper than the human capacity for love and kindness.
Make us humble and ready to be surprised for so often we find you ahead of us and among those whom we seek to serve in Christ’s name. Amen.
The Confession
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor
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.
The Absolution
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.
We Exchange the Peace
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Announcements – Birthdays, Anniversaries
We Set the Table
As the gifts of bread and wine and our offerings are brought forward we sing
The Offertory Hymn Ye watchers and ye holy ones Lasst uns erfreuen
Words: John Athelstan Laurie Riley (1858-1945); Music: adapt. Ralph Vaughan Williams, (1872-1958)
We Celebrate the Eucharist
The Great Thanksgiving : Eucharistic Prayer B
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is right and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. For in the multitude of your saints you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses, that we might rejoice in their fellowship, and run with endurance the race that is set before us; and, together with them, receive the crown of glory that never fades away. 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:
A Soulful Mass Grayson Brown, B. 1948 #255 LEVAS
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 the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, 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 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, according to his command, O Father,
we remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory;
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord 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 to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, 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 all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. 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
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.
We Break the Bread
We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
The Communion of the People
All who seek God and a deeper life in Christ are welcome to receive Holy
Communion.
Communion Hymn Taste and see
Words: Psalm 34; Music: James E. Moore, Jr.
The 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.
The Blessing
Beloved, remember that life is short, and we do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be quick to love, quicker still to forgive. Always show kindness to strangers. And may the blessing of God Almighty, Father Son and Holy Spirit, be with you now and forever. Amen.
Hymn in Procession For all the saints Sine Nomine
Words: William Walsham How (1823-1897); Music: Ralph Vaughn Williams
We Are Sent Out Into the World
Let us go forth, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Sharing in the hospitality of Christ continues after this service with refreshments in the Parish Hall—go through the door to the left of the pulpit. Please do join us for conversation and coffee.
Announcements
The women’s Bible Study group will meet on November 16, at 10:30 am. This session will focus on the story of Vashti and Esther.
The church year has six seasons: Advent, Christ mas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. In church the color of the vestments and hangings, the readings from the Bible and the music all change with the seasons. November 20, is Christ the King Sunday and the Last Sunday of the season of Pentecost.
The First Sunday of Advent is November 27th. Advent means “coming.” During this time we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth — God’s coming among us (Emmanuel means God with us). On this first Sunday of Advent, the Church enters into Lectionary Year A, which focuses on the Gospel of Matthew. What stories about the birth of Jesus appear in Matthew but not in Luke? What is included in Luke but not in Matthew? What birth stories appear in Mark or John?
In Advent our Liturgical colors change from Green to Sarum Blue (in some churches purple). This is a time of hope in the life of the church.