Epiphany 4B

31 January 2021

all saints’ episcopal church and preschool

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PRELUDE MUSICHank Curtis

Come Sunday Sarabande

Duke Ellington Claude Debussy

Cristofori’s DreamFrom Thee All Skill and Science Flow

David Lanz19th-Century Traditional American Tune,

“The Church’s Desolation”

OPENING ACCLAMATION

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

COLLECT FOR PURITY

Almighty God, in this season of Epiphany, in which we see afresh new visions of the appearance of your Son: Purify our hearts as we gaze upon Him who is the perfect blend of the divine and of our nature, and make us holy in the likeness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

GLORIA

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. 

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, 

we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. 

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us; 

you are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. 

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, 

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

FIRST READINGDeuteronomy 18:15-20

Today’s reading is part of Moses’ final sermon as the people are about to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the desert. Moses assures the people that God will continue to guide them with prophets, and that God will one day send a great “Prophet like Moses.”

A reading from Deuteronomy.

Moses said to the Israelites, “Adonai, your God, will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people; to that Prophet you must listen. This is what you asked of Adonai your God at Mt. Sinai on the day of the assembly, when you said, ʻLet us not directly listen again to the voice of Adonai, our God, nor see this great fire again, or we will die.’

“And Our God said to me, ʻThis is well said. I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their people, into whose mouth I will put my words, and that person will tell them all that I command. If any person will not listen to my Prophet who speaks my words in my Name, I myself will call that person to answer for this. But if anyone claims to be a prophet speaking in my Name yet gives a message that I have not commanded, or speaks in the name of other gods – that ‘prophet’ must die.”

ReaderThe Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

PSALMPsalm 111

1 Hallelujah! I will give you thanks, O Adonai, with my whole heart, *in the assembly of the upright, in the congregation.

2 Great are your works, *to be pondered by all who love them.

3 Your work is full of majesty and splendor, *and your justice stands firm forever.

4 You make your marvelous works to be remembered; *you are gracious and full of compassion.

5 You give food to those who revere you; *you are ever mindful of your covenant.

6 You have shown your people the power of your works *in giving them the lands of the nations.

7 The works of your hands are truth and justice; *all your precepts are sure.

8 They stand fast forever and ever, *because they are done in truth and equity.

9 You sent redemption to your people; you commanded your covenant forever; *holy and awesome is your Name.

10 Reverence for you is the beginning of wisdom; *those who act accordingly prove themselves wise;your praise endures forever!

SECOND READING1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Paul is concerned about the way some Corinthian Christians use their freedom in Christ as license to engage in non-Christian behavior that sets a damaging example to otherwise impressionable believers. Christians have a responsibility to each other that their behavior does not cause another to sin.

A reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.

Now, concerning food sacrificed to idols: we all possess knowledge; but whereas knowledge tends to puff up, love instead builds up. You may think you know something, yet you still don’t know it in the right way. But anyone who loves God is known completely by God.

Well then, what about eating food sacrificed to idols? We know that idols have no real existence, that there is no God but the One. Even though there are so-called gods in the heavens – and on earth as well, where there seem to be many gods and sovereigns – for us there is only One God, from whom all things come and for whom we live. And there is one Sovereign, Jesus Christ, through whom everything was made and through whom we live.

Some people, who worshipped idols until recently, are consumed with guilt every time they eat meat they buy in the market, because they know that the meat had been sacrificed to idols. Their conscience, because it is weak, gets defiled every time they eat. But food in itself cannot bring us closer to God. We lose nothing if we refuse to eat, and we gain nothing if we choose to eat.

Be on your guard that this liberty of yours does not become a pitfall for the weak. Suppose someone who has this knowledge sees you eating in some idol’s temple – won’t this person be tempted to eat meat offered to idols? Even though you know that idols are nothing and the meat is fine, this could lead to the ruination of a weak sibling in Christ, for whom he died. By sinning against your spiritual siblings in this way and injuring their weak consciences, you are sinning against Christ. Therefore, if meat causes my sibling to stumble, I will never eat it again – I don’t want to be the cause of them to sin.

ReaderThe Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPELMark 1:21-28

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

THE SERMONKahu Kawika Jackson

MUSICAL REFLECTION

Trust and Obey

D B. Towner

THE NICENE CREED

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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord, saying, “E ka Haku, e aloha mai” (“Lord, have mercy”) (A brief silence.)

For the unity of all people, that there may there be a growing spirit of respect and forbearance among communities and nations; for the peace of belonging to your ʻohana; and for your loving-kindness for the salvation of our souls; we pray to you, O Lord.

E ka Haku, e aloha mai.

For the welfare of the Holy Church of God worldwide, especially for the clergy and people of the Diocese of Lucknow (India) and the Diocese of Guatemala; we pray to you, O Lord.

E ka Haku, e aloha mai.

For Michael, our Presiding Bishop; for Bob, our own Bishop; for Kahu Kawika, our Priest; for all other ministers and people of the Diocese of Hawaiʻi; and for this congregation – those present, online, and absent – that you would strengthen us all to be ambassadors of your love, grace, and acceptance; we pray to you, O Lord.

E ka Haku, e aloha mai.

For the good earth graciously given by our Creator; for the care of our global environment; and for the wisdom and will to conserve it for your glory and for the blessing of all, we pray to you, O Lord.

E ka Haku, e aloha mai.

For those in positions of public trust, that they may deal justly and promote the dignity and freedom of every person, that your wisdom and compassion may govern their decisions, priorities, and actions. We pray against the use of violence of any kind to achieve political and social ends, and ask that your healing balm of peace and mutual respect would hold sway in our land. We pray to you, O Lord.

E ka Haku, e aloha mai.

For the sick and the suffering in body, mind, and spirit, especially: Those affected by the Pandemic; Kellie McVey; Suzanne Woodruff & Harold Nelson; Rosie Terao; The Nishijo Family; Janis Wright; Jody Brown; Larry Guest; and those we name silently or aloud. (Brief silence) May we join their voices in a new song, assuring them that you call them each by name. We pray to you, O Lord.

E ka Haku, e aloha mai.

God of new life, as you raised Jesus from the dead, so raise up those who have died in you, whom we name silently or aloud, especially Michelle Nishijo, Milfred Brown, & Linda Brown. (Brief silence) We give you thanks for their witness, confident of your rescuing welcome for all. We pray to you, O Lord.

E ka Haku, e aloha mai.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, Queen Lili‘uokalani and all the saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life to Christ our God.

Ho‘omaika‘i iā e ka Haku. (Praise to you, O Lord.)

CONCLUDING COLLECT

I ke Ali‘i mua loa, make ‘ole, ‘ike maka ‘ole ‘ia, ke Akua akamai ho‘okahi wale nō, ka mahalo, a me ka ho‘onani ‘ia, a mau loa aku. ‘Āmene.

(“To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”  -- 1 Timothy 1:17)

THE PEACE

The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

(The ‘Ohana of God are invited to greet one another silently and at a safe distance in the name of the Lord.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HAWAIIAN DOXOLOGY

Ho‘onani i ka Makua mau,Ke Keiki me ka ‘Uhane nō,Ke Akua mau ho‘omaika‘i pū,Ko kēia ao, ko kēlā ao.‘Āmene.

THE HOLY COMMUNION

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 mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

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!

Holy and gracious God: 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:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption 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 God, now and forever. 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.

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. 

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

COMMUNION MUSIC

Deck Thyself, My Soul, with GladnessThou Art the Way, to Thee Alone

Melody: Johann CrugerRaphael Courteville

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

Eternal God, heavenly Father,

you have graciously accepted us as living members

of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,

and you have fed us with spiritual food

in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.

Send us now into the world in peace,

and grant us strength and courage

to love and serve you

with gladness and singleness of heart;

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSING & DISMISSAL

Be blessed, so that you may be a blessing. May our God enable you to be Ambassadors of God’s light, life, and love; and the blessing of the Triune God be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

Thanks be to God.

Alleluia, Alleluia! Alleluia!

POSTLUDE

Tell Out My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord

Walter Greatorex