A SERVICE OF CONFIRMATION & The HOLY EUCHARIST
Saturday, June 12, at 3:00 pm
The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 355. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.
Prelude: “My Shepherd will Supply my Need” Alice Jordan
The Entrance Rite
Hymn 525: “The Church’s one foundation”
1. The Church’s one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the word:
from heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
4. Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation
of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious
her longing eyes are blessed,
and the great Church victorious
shall be the Church at rest.
5. Yet she on earth hath union
with God, the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.
Opening Acclamation
Bishop Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Bishop continues
There is one Body and one Spirit;
People There is one hope in God’s call to us;
Bishop One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
People One God and Father of all.
The Collect of the Day
Bishop The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Let us pray.
Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel.
The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.’ Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.’ And the Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you, and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.” Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.’ Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, ‘Do you come peaceably?’ He said, ‘Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.’ And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, ‘Neither has the Lord chosen this one.’ Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, ‘The Lord has not chosen any of these.’ Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’ He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.’ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 20 The cantor sings the Psalm.
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble, *
the Name of the God of Jacob defend you;
Send you help from his holy place *
and strengthen you out of Zion;
Remember all your offerings *
and accept your burnt sacrifice;
Grant you your heart’s desire *
and prosper all your plans.
We will shout for joy at your victory
and triumph in the Name of our God; *
may the Lord grant all your requests.
Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed; *
he will answer him out of his holy heaven,
with the victorious strength of his right hand.
Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, *
but we will call upon the Name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall down, *
but we will arise and stand upright.
O Lord, give victory to the king *
and answer us when we call.
Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17
We are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Alleluia
The cantor sings the Alleluia.
The Gospel: Mark 4-26-34
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez, Bishop
After the sermon, cantor sings a sentence of Scripture in response.
CONFIRMATION
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
Bishop The Candidates will now be presented.
Presenters I present these persons for Confirmation.
Presenters I present these persons to be received into this Communion.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidates I do.
Bishop Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidates I do, and with God’s grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.
After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People We will.
Bishop Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant
Bishop Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Bishop Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People 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.
Bishop Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People 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.
Bishop Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
Prayers for the Candidates
Bishop Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.
Leader Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Bishop Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to
come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
A period of silence follows.
Then the Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you have made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Candidates then approach the Bishop, who says
For Confirmation
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit; empower him for your service; and sustain him all the days of his life. Amen.
For Reception
N., we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.
For Reaffirmation
N., may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen.
The Bishop then concludes with this prayer
Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
Bishop The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.
The Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The Holy Communion
The Bishop begin the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good your vows to the Most High.
During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
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Offertory Anthem: “Teach Me, O Lord” Thomas Attwood
Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes;
and I shall keep it unto the end.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
The people stand and the Bishop says
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Bishop Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The Bishop continues
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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:
Sanctus: “Holy, holy, holy Lord”
The Bishop continues
Holy and gracious Father: 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:
Bishop and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Bishop continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, 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 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.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Bishop breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Bishop 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.
Spiritual Communion: Act of Reception
During Communion, you are invited to say the following prayer form for receiving Spiritual Communion. Know that the grace of God is made present in your heart, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.
In union, blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are offered this day, I long to offer you praise and thanksgiving, for creation and all the blessings of this life, for the redemption won for us by your life, death, and resurrection, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.
I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart in the fullness of your strength; be my wisdom and guide me in right pathways; conform my life and actions to the image of your holiness; and, in the power of your gracious might, rule over every hostile power that threatens or disturbs the growth of your kingdom, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Communion Anthem: “This is the day” Jacob Gallus
This is the day, this is the day
that the Lord has made,
that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice,
we will rejoice and be glad in it,
and be glad in it.
This is the day
that the Lord has made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the day,
this is the day
that the Lord has made.
After Communion, the Bishop says
Let us pray.
All
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.
The Episcopal Blessing
The Bishop blesses the people with these words
May the peace of Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May he speak to you in those long silences and hold you in the darkness of the night. May he make his heart your heart, so that you will bless everyone that you meet. And may he bring you home rejoicing, with the wonders that he has shown you. Filled with his hope, his peace, and his never-ending love. And my brothers and sisters, may you see Christ in every person that you encounter, and may they see Christ through you.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “Alleluia” Victor Togni
Candidates for Confirmation
Andela Dozier
Beth Guffey
Heath Miller
Mitch Miller
Candidates for Reception
Anthony Barth
Emery Kohut
Service Participants
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez
XVI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of PennsylvaniaAssisting Priest: The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Deacon: The Rev. Dennis Coleman
Eucharistic Minister: George Wiemann
Lectors: Beth Guffey, Widgette Kelly
Flowers: Lisa Farina, Kay Johnson
Cantor: Jim Shute
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, Jill Dulany, Muriel Hastings, Nick Lindberg, Lisa Nordland, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Caitlin Stein, David Taylor, Deborah Taylor, Marian Wentworth
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