Trinity 4, 2023 – Holy Communion

Audio recording of full service including sermon
Sermon only

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

July 2, 2023

Organ Prelude: Reflection – Kerry J. Beaumont (b. 1957)

THE HYMN: # 526 God Is Our Fortress and Our Rock

God is our fortress and our rock, 
our mighty help in danger; 
he shields us from the battle’s shock 
and thwarts the devil’s anger; 
for still the prince of night 
prolongs evil’s fight; 
he uses all skill 
to work his wicked will; 
no earthly force is like him. 

Our hope is fixed on Christ alone, 
the Man of God’s own choosing; 
without him nothing can be won 
and fighting must be losing; 
so let the powers accursed 
come try do their worst; 
Christ Jesus shall ride 
to battle at our side, 
and he shall have the victory. 

The word of God will not be slow 
while demon hordes surround us, 
though evil strike its cruelest blow 
and death and hell confound us: 
for though we meet distress, 
lose all we possess; 
those planning our ill 
may ravage, wreck, or kill; 
God’s kingdom is immortal! 

INTROIT PSALM: 27:1-7

THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? / the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came upon me to eat up my flesh, / even mine enemies and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid; / and though there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
ONE thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will require: / even that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to visit his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; / yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
And now shall my head be lifted up / above mine enemies round about me.
Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness: / I will sing, and speak praises unto the LORD.

COLLECT FOR PURITY

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SUMMARY OF THE LAW

OUR Lord Jesus Christ said: Hear O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and write both these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.
Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us.

The Lord be with you; And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY

O GOD, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.

EPISTLE: Romans 8:18-25

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

R./ Thanks be to God

PSALM: 9:9-12

THE LORD also will be a defence for the oppressed, / even a refuge in the time of trouble.
And they that know thy Name will put their trust in thee; / for thou, LORD, hast never failed them that seek thee.
O PRAISE the LORD who dwelleth in Sion; / show the people of his doings.
For he that avengeth blood remembereth them, / and forgetteth not the complaint of the poor.

THE HYMN: # Lead Me, Lord

Blessed are the poor in spirit, longing for their Lord,
For God’s coming kingdom shall be theirs.
Blessed are the sorrowing, for they shall be consoled,
And the meek shall come to rule the world.


Refrain: Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth
To seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way; be my truth; be my life, my Lord,
And lead me, Lord, today.

Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs,
And the pure in heart shall see their God.
Blest are they whose hunger only holiness can fill,
for I say they shall be satisfied.

Blest are they who through their lifetimes sow the seeds of peace;
All will call them children of the Lord.
Blest are you, though persecuted in your holy life,

for in heaven, great is your reward.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 6:36-42

R. / Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. ’He also told them a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.

R. / Praise be to thee, O Christ.                                

THE NICENE CREED

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
     And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father before all worlds; God, of God; Light, of Light; Very God, of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; Through whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.
     And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, The Giver of Life, Whoproceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

THE SERMON                                                                 

THE OFFERTORY

THE HYMN: # 51 Now, My Tongue, the Mystery Telling

Now, my tongue, the mystery telling
of the glorious body sing,
and the blood, all price excelling,
which the Gentiles’ Lord and King,
in a Virgin’s womb once dwelling,
shed for this world’s ransoming.

Given for us, and condescending
to be born for us below,
he, with us in converse blending,
dwelt the seed of truth to sow,
till he closed with wondrous ending
his most patient life of woe.

That last night, at supper lying,
‘mid the Twelve, his chosen band,
Jesus, with the law complying,
keeps the feast its rites demand;
then, more precious food supplying,
gives himself with his own hand.

Word-made-flesh, true bread he maketh
by his word his flesh to be,
wine his blood; which whoso taketh
must from carnal thoughts be free:
faith alone, though sight forsaketh,
shows true hearts the mystery.

Therefore we, before him bending,
this great sacrament revere:
types and shadows have their ending,
for the newer rite is here;
faith, our outward sense befriending,
makes our inward vision clear.

Glory let us give and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
honour, might, and praise addressing,
while eternal ages run;
ever too his love confessing,
who, from both, with both is One. Amen.

OFFERTORY ANTHEM

BLESSED be thou, LORD God of Israel, for ever and ever. All that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chronicles 29. 10, 11, 14.

THE BIDDINGS

THE INTERCESSION.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
     We beseech thee also to lead all nations in the way of righteousness; and so to guide and direct their governors and rulers, that thy people may enjoy the blessings of freedom and peace: And grant unto thy servant Charles III our King, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
   Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and specially to thy servant GREGORY our Metropolitan and Helen our Bishop, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and living Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments: Prosper, we pray thee, all those who proclaim the Gospel of thy kingdom among the nations: And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and specially to this congregation here present, that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.

   And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succourall them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, especially those for whom our prayers are desired. 
     We remember before thee, O Lord, all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, and we bless thy holy Name for all who in life and death have glorified thee; beseeching thee to give us grace that, rejoicing in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the Saints, we may follow their good examples, and with them be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION 

YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead the new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgiveus all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him: Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

COMFORTABLE WORDS

THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION

THE Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts;
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
It is meet and right so to do.

Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord’s Table, and say:

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, Creator and Preserver of all things. THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore with Angels, and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee and saying: (sing)

HOLY, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
BLESSED is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

BLESSING and glory and thanksgiving be unto thee Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of that his precious death, until his coming again.
     Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took Bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the Cup; and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all, of this; for this is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
    Wherefore, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thy humble servants, with all thy holy Church, remembering the precious death of thy beloved Son, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again in glory, do make before thee, in this sacrament of the holy Bread of eternal life and the Cup of everlasting salvation, the memorial which he hath commanded; And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion; And we pray that by the power of thy Holy Spirit, all we who are partakers of this holy Communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen, Amen, Amen

THE peace of the Lord be always with you;
And with thy spirit.

PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, Trusting in our own righteousness, But in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy So much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, Whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, So to eat the Flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, And to drink his Blood, That our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, And our souls washed through his most precious Blood, And that we may evermore dwell in him, And he in us. Amen.

THE COMMUNION

What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people
In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. 

(Psalm 116.12-14, 17-19)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let us pray.
OUR Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, Thykingdom 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 them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

     ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee that thou dost graciously feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; assuring us thereby of thy favourand goodness towards us; and that we are living members of his mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom.
     And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. And although we are unworthy, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

GLORIA

GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
     O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
     For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

BLESSING

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN: # 485 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
all Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion;
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation;
enter ev’ry trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
into ev’ry troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning:
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, Almighty, to deliver;
let us all Thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
perfectly restored in Thee.
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.

DISMISSAL

Organ Postlude: Toccatino – Christopher Tambling (1964-2015)