A Church on a Mission: To embody the love of God as Christ's heart, mind and hands.

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost August 9, 2020, 11:00

Welcome to St. Peter’s Church

We are so glad that you are with us today. Even though we are not all in the same physical space, our worship is still a shared experience. Please join in the service as fully as you are comfortable doing. If you would like more information about St. Peter's please fill out the welcome form found on this page http://www.stpetersphila.org/about-st-peters/welcome/.

313 PINE STREET, PHILADELPHIA / 215-925-5968 / WWW.STPETERSPHILA.ORG

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Today’s service will be broadcast on our Facebook Live page (http://facebook.com/stpetersphila/videos) at 11:00am.

Opening Voluntary “When in the hour of utmost need” BWV 641 J.S. Bach  Opening Hymn "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord" Foundation

Opening Acclamation Celebrant: Blessed be the one, holy, and living God. People: Glory to God for ever and ever. Celebrant: 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.

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Song of Praise A Song of God's Love 1 John 4:7-11 Celebrant and People: Beloved, let us love one another, * for love is of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, * for God is Love. In this the love of God was revealed among us, * that God sent the Only Begotten into the world, so that we might live through the Anointed One. In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us * and sent the Only Begotten that sins might be forgiven. Beloved, since God loved us so much, * we ought also to love one another. For if we love one another, God abides in us, * and God’s love will be perfected in us.

The Collect of the Day Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray. The Celebrant prays the Collect of the Day. Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson: 1 Kings 19:9-18 At Horeb, the mountain of God. Elijah went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of YHWH came to him:  “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for YHWH God Omnipotent. The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death by the sword. I am the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me, too.”  God said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of YHWH, for YHWH is about to pass by.”  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks by YHWH’s power—but YHWH was not in the whirlwind. After the wind there was an earthquake—but YHWH was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire—but YHWH was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for YHWH God Omnipotent. The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death by the sword. I am the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me, too.” YHWH told Elijah, “Go back the way you came, to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael as ruler of Aram. Also anoint Jehu ben-Nimshi as ruler over Israel, and anoint Elisha ben-Shaphat, from Abel Meholah, to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve 7,000 in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Ba’al and all whose mouths have not kissed his images.” Lector: Hear what the spirit is saying to God’s people. People: Thanks be to God.

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Psalm 85:8-13 The people read the psalm in unison.

8 I will listen to what you are saying, * for you are speaking peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you.

9 Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you, * that your glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth have met together; * righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, * and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12 You, O God, will indeed grant prosperity, * and our land will yield its increase.

13 Righteousness shall go before you, * and peace shall be a pathway for your feet.

Second Lesson: Romans 10:5-15 Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from the Law: “Those who do these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend to heaven?’ ”—that is, to bring Christ down—“or ‘Who will descend into the underworld?’ ”—that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. But what does it say?  “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart.” This is the Word of faith. For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Sovereign and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. Faith in the heart leads to being put right with God, confession on the lips to our deliverance.  Scripture says, “No one who believes in God will be put to shame.” Here there is no difference between Jew and Greek; all have the same Creator, rich in mercy toward those who call: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Most High will be saved.”  How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One about whom they have not heard? And how can they hear if no one preaches to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the Good News!” Lector: Hear what the spirit is saying to God’s people. People: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33 The people stand. The Priest reads the Gospel, first saying The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ, according to Matthew. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ. Jesus insisted that the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side. Having sent the crowds away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray, remaining there alone as night fell. Meanwhile the boat, already a thousand yards from shore, was being tossed about in the waves which had been raised by the fierce winds. At about three in the morning, Jesus came walking toward them on the lake. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified. “It is a ghost!” they said, and in their fear they began to cry out. Jesus hastened to reassure them: “Don’t worry, it’s me! Don’t be afraid!” Peter spoke up and said, “If it is really you, tell me to come to you across the water.” “Come!” Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened. He began to sink, and cried out, “Save me!” Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and caught Peter. “You have so little faith!” Jesus said to him. “Why did you doubt?” Once they had climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat showed great reverence, declaring to Jesus, “You are indeed God’s Own!” Priest: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Reflection The Rev. Dr. Joseph G. Schaller

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Offertory Hymn “Precious Lord, take my hand" Thomas A. Dorsey

The Nicene Creed The people stand and say together:

Prayers of the People Intercessor: Let us pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, have mercy. Please remember those who have asked for our prayers: Kathie Agnes Reuben Chris Gerald Jim JoAnn Jerome Colin Nadine Beaty Margaret Katie Pozi Dawn Johanna Bobbi Bill Ben Shelly Hank & Pat Amie & Emily

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. 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.

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Confession of Sin Celebrant: Let us confess our sins to God and our neighbor. Silence may be kept. Celebrant and People: 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. The Celebrant concludes: 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 Celebrant: The peace of Christ be always with you. People: And also with you.

The Lord’s Prayer Celebrant: As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray, All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

A Blessing for After from Circle of Grace Jan Richardson

This blessing  is for the moment  after clarity has come,  after inspiration,  after you have agreed  to what seems  impossible. 

This blessing  is what follows  after illumination departs  and you realize 

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there is no map  for the path  you have chosen,  no one to serve  as guide,  nothing to do  but gather up  your gumption  and set out. 

This blessing  will go with you.  It carries no answers,  no charts,  no plans. 

It carries no source  of light  within itself. 

But in its pocket  is tucked a mirror  that, from time to time,  it will hold up to you 

to remind you  of the radiance  that came  when you gave  your awful and wondrous  Yes.

Dismissal Celebrant: Let us go forth rejoicing in the risen Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia! Response: Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Closing Voluntary “If thou but suffer God to guide thee” BWV 642 J.S. Bach

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Serving This Morning Organist: Matthew Boatmon Lectors: Holly Wright, Cecilie Baker Preacher: The Reverend Dr. Joseph G. Schaller Hymn Soloist: Michael Aiello Officiant: The Reverend Sarah Hedgis Bell Recording: Ben Cornelius Video Technician: William Lim

Go in peace, and return often to worship with us.

All services have been moved online while the Shelter-in-place orders due to Covid-19 are in effect. Visit https://www.stpetersphila.org for worship schedule and details.

Sunday: 9 AM – Children's Story

11 AM – Sacrament of the Word and Prayer 7 PM – Compline

Monday: 8:30 AM – Morning Prayer

Tuesday: 8:30 AM – Morning Prayer

Wednesday: 5 PM – Evening Prayer

Thursday: 8:30 AM – Morning Prayer

Friday: 8:30 AM – Morning Prayer

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St. Peter’s Church 313 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 925-5968 / www.stpetersphila.org

Parish office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

The Rev. Claire Nevin-Field, Rector: nevin-field@stpetersphila.org The Rev. Sarah Hedgis, Associate Rector: hedgis@stpetersphila.org

The Rev. Dr. Joseph Schaller, Assisting Priest: schaller@stpetersphila.org Dr. Darryl Roland, Director of Music and Organist: roland@stpetersphila.org

Matthew Boatmon, Associate Organist Kate Randall, Parish Administrator: randall@stpetersphila.org

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At St. Peter’s all we are and do is guided by and grounded in Christ, and the two most basic tenets of Christianity are that we love God, and that we love our neighbors as ourselves, with a special consideration and care for the weak and the vulnerable. Additionally, as Easter people, we are called to live in hope and confidence in God’s presence and love, not in fear. This era of COVID-19 has presented many challenges for all of us, but these foundations of faith remain constant. And so, out of love for each other St. Peter’s will be closed to in-person worship until all of us can safely gather. We do not know when that time will be, but we know it will come. For now, we worship and gather virtually knowing we are still the Body of Christ. We are still a community of faith and love. We still worship together online. We still care for each other and support each other. We still trust in God’s steadfast presence and love- a presence and love that will walk with us through these times and into the future. Thank you for joining us this morning. Peace, Claire+