St. Chris Weekly
THE WORD OF GOD
Opening Hymn
Opening H82# 511 “Holy Spirit, Ever Living”
Officiant Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Canticle D A Song of the Wilderness Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Our Purpose
The Holy One is in our midst: O come let us worship.
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.
The Collect of the Day
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Social Justice
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Jeremiah 28:5-9
The prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord; and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. But listen now to this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
1 Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing; *
from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2 For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *
you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3 "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *
I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4 'I will establish your line for ever, *
and preserve your throne for all generations.'"
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout! *
they walk, O Lord, in the light of your presence.
16 They rejoice daily in your Name; *
they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength, *
and by your favor our might is exalted.
18 Truly, the Lord is our ruler; *
the Holy One of Israel is our King.
Second Reading: Romans 6:12-23
Do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.
When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. So what advantage did you then get from the things of which you now are ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Bringing Our Sins into the Light
Merciful God, we have sinned against you, against other people, and against creation. Please bring to the forefront of our minds the sins that we need to confess today.
Sins are whispered to God.
Admitting Our Wrongdoing: Confession
Minister leading and People joining silently
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.
God’s Forgiveness
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins
through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.
Praise Before the Gospel
H82 # 660 “O Master Let Me Walk with Thee”
The Gospel: Luke 8:26-35
Officiant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
Glory to you, Lord Christ
Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”— 29 for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. 31 They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
32 Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34 When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.
Officiant The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Christ’s Healing Work Continues
Holy Scripture teaches us that Jesus healed many who were sick as a sign of the reign of God come near, and he sent the disciples to continue this work of healing through prayer in his name, that the afflicted might be raised up and their sins forgiven, bringing them to eternal salvation. The disciples witnessed to the marvelous power and presence of God. We pray that as we follow their example, we may experience Christ’s unfailing love.
The Apostles' Creed
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.
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.
Acclamation
There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole.
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Bringing our Wounds to the Lord
I invite you to name before God people who have harmed you.
Names are whispered to God.
Luke 6:27-28
Jesus said
“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.”
A Prayer of Forgiveness
O God, we come before you recalling people who have wounded our bodies, minds or spirits. Some harm has been done to us personally, some to people we love, some to whole groups or societies. Whether the actions have been accidental, thoughtless, purposeful, or with true malice and evil intent, damage has been done. Our Savior showed us real forgiveness; give us godly power to forgive these people who have wronged us. We turn over to you our distraught and bitter feelings; our rage and longing to retaliate. Release these people and us from the bondage that this pain has caused. Pour out the healing that we and they need. We ask you to care for the deepest needs of those who have injured us. Give us the grace and the strength to walk in the forgiveness of Jesus and to do good to hurtful people. We ask these things in the name of him who died and rose for the sins of the world. Amen.
John 14:12
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.
Inner Healing
I invite you to name before God the mentally ill, those who are addicted, and individuals and groups those whose souls are sick, especially those who are enslaved to racism and prejudice.
Names are whispered to God.
Matthew 8:16-17
That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Physical Healing
Recite names from our Prayer List.
I invite you to name before God other people who are sick.
Names are whispered to God.
Luke 7:21-23
Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
Comfort
I invite you to name before God the brokenhearted, the fearful, the grief-stricken and the abused.
Names are whispered to God.
Psalm 25:16-18
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distress.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
Healing of Communities
I invite you to name before God families or groups of people that are in need of healing.
Names are whispered to God.
Galatians 3:26-29
For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27 As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.
Prayer During a National Crisis
from The Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church USA © 1993
Westminster/ John Knox Press
God of ages, in your sight nations rise and fall,
and pass through times of peril.
Now when our land is troubled,
be near to judge and save.
May leaders be led by your wisdom;
may they search your will and see it clearly.
If we have turned from your way,
help us to reverse our ways and repent.
Give us your light and your truth to guide us;
through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.
People Impacted by Our Sin
Holy One, we bring you before people we have hurt or offended, those we are aware of and those we do not recognize.
Names are whispered to God.
Healing for Our Harm
Heavenly Father, we cannot change history, nor can we undo the damage we have caused, but your power is infinite. We thank you for your great love for those we have harmed as well as for us. Hear our plea, Lord our God. Out of your deep mercy, we beg you to heal, restore and provide for those that we have harmed. And grant us grace to change our ways, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 32
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Ourselves
I invite you to name before God your worries, your fears and your needs.
Burdens are whispered to God.
Matthew 11:27-28
All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Litany of Healing
Holy God, source of health and salvation,
Hear us and have mercy.
Holy and Mighty, wellspring of abundant life,
Holy Immortal One, protector of the faithful,
Holy Trinity, the source of all wholeness,
Hear us and have mercy.
Blessed Jesus, your Holy Name is medicine for healing and a
promise of eternal life,
Hear us and have mercy.
Jesus, descendant of David, you healed all who came to you in faith,
Hear us and have mercy.
Jesus, child of Mary, you embraced the world with your love,
Hear us and have mercy.
Jesus, divine physician, you sent your disciples to preach the
Gospel and heal in your name,
Hear us and have mercy.
Jesus our true mother, you feed us the milk of your compassion,
Hear us and have mercy.
Jesus, Son of God, you take away our sin and make us whole,
Hear us and have mercy.
Jesus, eternal Christ, your promised Spirit renews our hearts and minds,
Hear us and have mercy.
Grant your grace to heal those who are sick, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Give courage and faith to all who are disabled through injury or
illness, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Comfort, relieve, and heal all sick children, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Give courage to all who await surgery, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Support and encourage those who live with chronic illness,
we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Strengthen those who endure continual pain, and give them hope,
we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Grant the refreshment of peaceful sleep to all who suffer, we pray
to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Befriend all who are anxious, lonely, despondent, or afraid,
we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Restore those with mental illness to clarity of mind and hopefulness
of heart, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Give rest to the weary, and hold the dying in your loving arms,
we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Help us to prepare for death with confident expectation and hope
of Easter joy, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Give your wisdom and compassion to health care workers, that
they may minister to the sick and dying with knowledge, skill,
and kindness, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Uphold the family members and friends of the sick, we pray to you,
O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Guide those who search for the causes and cures of sickness and
disease, we pray to you, O God,
Hear us and have mercy.
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
Hear us and have mercy.
A Collect for Healing
Compassionate God: You so loved the world that you sent us Jesus to bear our infirmities and afflictions. Through acts of healing, he revealed you as the true source of health and salvation. For the sake of your Christ who suffered and died for us, conquered death, and now reigns with you in glory, hear the cry of your people.
Have mercy on us, make us whole, and bring us at last into the fullness of your eternal life. Amen.
Psalm 28:6-9
6 Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever.
A Prayer to Our Changeless God
O God, you are the LORD, the Compassionate One, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. You have done marvelous things, surpassing understanding. We praise you for your mighty acts of the past. In the name of Jesus, we ask you to exercise your loving power again among us, and among those for whom we pray. We thank you for all that you have done, all that you are doing, and all that you will do. 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 our vocation and ministry we may truly and devoutly serve you. Bless and guide our bishops, priests, deacons and other ministers and all your faithful people. Grant wisdom, grace and strength to Presiding Bishop Michael, to our Bishops, Mariann and Chilton; to the leaders of the Diocese, to the Diocesan staff; to Pastor Melana and Father Elliott, to James; to Chaplain Rachelle; to Howard; to our Vestry, to Pauline, Mike and Robert, and Emilia; to Rachelle and Carmen; to Pastor Rudy and the people of Cristo Viene Ya, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Concluding Collect
God our healer, whose mercy is like a refining fire: by the lovingkindness of Jesus, heal us and those for whom we pray; that being renewed by you, we may witness your wholeness to our broken world; through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit. Amen.
Honoring God with our Resources: Offering Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you are God, and there is no other, you are God, and there is none like you. You love us with an eternal love and we give you our offerings as an expression of our love for you. We pray that our gifts be useful in strengthening our congregation and advancing your kingdom. May you, the God of all grace, who has called us into eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make us holy, strong and filled with peace. To you be glory and honor for ever and ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Thanksgiving for the Diversity of Races and Cultures
O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until
our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A General Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have
done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole
creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life,
and for the mystery of love.
We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for
the loving care which surrounds us on every side.
We thank you for setting us at tasks which demand our best
efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments which satisfy
and delight us.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures
that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the
truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast
obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying,
through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life
again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know him and
make him known; and through him, at all times and in all
places, may give thanks to you in all things. Amen.
Resting in the Lord Our God
We praise and honor you, Elohim. You are the Strongest of all, and the Creator of everything and everyone that is. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, El Shaddai. You are God Almighty, the God of the Covenants. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, El Elyon. You are The Most High God, and there is no other. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, El Olam. You are The Everlasting God, from generation to generation. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh, Jehovah. You are The Great I AM, who was, and who is, and who is to come. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Jireh. You are The LORD who provides, the LORD who supplies our needs. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Rafa. You are The LORD our healer, who bears our infirmities and carries our diseases. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Nissi. You are The LORD my Banner, the LORD who gives victory. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Shalom. You are The LORD our Peace, the LORD of pardon, the LORD of all blessing and fullness of life. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Sabbaoth. You are The LORD of the heavenly armies, the LORD of legions of angels. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Mekaddeshcem. You are The LORD our Sanctifier. You make us holy and call us to keep your Sabbaths and commandments. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Rohi. You are The LORD my Shepherd, who leads me to all that I need, who restores me, who guides me into righteousness. You give your life for the sheep. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Tsidkenu. You are The LORD our Righteousness, who executes justice and brings salvation. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Yahweh-Shammah. You are The LORD who is present, the God who dwells with his people, who will never leave us or forsake us. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Adonai. You are our Master, the One to whom we give our allegiance and the One we obey. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Theos. You are the one true God. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Kurios. You are Lord, the divine Son in whom we believe and whom we follow. Blessed be your Name.
We praise and honor you, Abba. You are God our Parent: Father; Papa; Dad; the One into whose family Jesus has brought us; the One who loves us as his children. Blessed be your Name.
You are “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” Blessed be your Name. Amen.
The Peace
Priest: May the peace of Christ be with us always. Amen.