Processional: Hymnal #473

Lift High the Cross

Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred Name.

1 Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. [Refrain]

2 Each newborn servant of the Crucified
bears on the brow the seal of him who died. [Refrain]

3 O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. [Refrain]

4 So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory. [Refrain]

The people standing, the Bishop says

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

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.

The Bishop then 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.  

Bishop The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Bishop Let us pray.

Collect of the Day
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah 55:1-5

Thus says the Lord:

"Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;

and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.

Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.

I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.

See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.

See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,

because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you."

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

The Response is Psalm 145:8-9,15-22

We will speak it responsively by verse.

8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 The Lord is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.

15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.

19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.

20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.

21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.

22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans (9:1-5)

I am speaking the truth in Christ-- I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit-- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Gradual: Hymnal #488

Be Thou My Vision, O Lord of My Heart

1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
all else be nought to me, save that thou art—
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father; thine own may I be;
thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

3 High King of heaven, when victory is won,
may I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (14:13-21)

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon - The Rt. Rev. Kevin D. Nichols

Presentation of the Candidates, p. 415
The Bishop says

The Candidate(s) will now be presented.

Presenters I present these persons to be received into this
Communion.

The Bishop asks the candidates

Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?

Candidate I do.

Bishop

Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?

Candidate

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.

The Bishop then says these or similar words

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

The Bishop then says to the congregation

Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their
commitment to Christ.

A Person appointed leads the following petitions

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.

The Celebrant says

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 forever. Amen.

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.

The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says

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.

The Bishop 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

All stand.

Celebrant:  The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:  And also with you.

Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

Announcements

Offertory: Choir Anthem

Doxology:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer A

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Celebrant: 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 you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

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:

Hymnal #S 129:   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 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:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

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.

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.

Fraction Anthem p.#S 155

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; 
therefore let us keep the feast.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The Invitation

Celebrant:  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People: Therefore let us keep the Feast.

Celebrant:  The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Communion: Hymnal #321

My God, Thy Table Now is Spread

1 My God, thy table now is spread,

thy cup with love doth overflow;

be all thy children thither led,

and let them thy sweet mercies know.

2 O let thy table honored be,

and furnished well with joyful guests:

and may each soul salvation see,

that here its sacred pledges tastes.

3 Drawn by thy quickening grace, O Lord,

in countless numbers let them come

and gather from their Father’s board

the Bread that lives beyond the tomb.

4 Nor let thy spreading Gospel rest

till through the world thy truth has run,

till with this Bread all men be blest

who see the light or feel the sun.

Post-Communion Prayer p.365

Let us pray.
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.

Prayer for Birthdays:

Let us Pray: 

O God, our times are in your hand:  Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year.  Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Prayer for those we love:

Let us Pray: 

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Blessing for Season after Pentecost

Recessional: Hymnal #388

O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!

1 O worship the King, all glorious above!
O gratefully sing God's power and God's love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

2 O tell of God's might, O sing of God's grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space,
His chariots of heaven the deep thunderclouds form,
And bright is God's path on the wings of the storm.

3 The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, Thy power hath founded of old;
Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

4 Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

5 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end,
Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend.

Dismissal

The People respond: Thanks be to God.