The St. Augustine’s eCho - staugnyc.org · The St. Augustine’s eCho ... Jesus goes on to teach us that we need to stop worshiping God from the ... carrying a bible in our homes

The St. Augustine’s eCho

Mission Statement St. Augustine’s Church is a Christ-centered ministry where everyone is

invited and welcome. We are a loving Christian body that seeks to en-

hance spirituality and community. We confirm this by developing minis-

tries that empower the mind, body and soul. We are nurtured through

service to others and one another.

BCP (Book of Common Prayer) LEVAS (Lift Every Voice & Sing) Hymnal 1982 OSOP (One Song of Praise)

Weekly Services and Programs

Summer Sundays

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

Wednesdays

12 Noon Healing Service with Holy Eucharist

Fourteenth Sunday after

Pentecost:

A Par ish of the Episcopal Diocese of New York

Holy Eucharist Serv ice—Year B

AUGUST 30, 2015

9:00 AM Holy Eucharist

ORDER OF SERVICE

Processional Hymn #423 (1982 Hymnal)

THE WORD OF GOD

Opening Acclamation BCP p. 355

Gloria in Excelsis

Collect: Proper 17 BCP p. 233

The Old Testament Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Psalm 15 BCP p. 599

The Epistle James 1:17-27

Sequence Hymn #72 (LEVAS)

The Gospel Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

The Sermon: Christian By Tradition

The Reverend Nathanael Saint-Pierre

The Nicene Creed BCP p. 358

Prayers of the People: (Available on screen only)

Confession of Sin BCP p. 359

The Peace BCP p. 360

THE HOLY COMMUNION: Eucharistic Prayer A

OFFERTORY

Offertory Hymn #594 (1982 Hymnal)

The Doxology

The Great Thanksgiving BCP p. 361

Sanctus

Memorial Acclamation BCP p. 363

The Lord’s Prayer BCP p. 364

The Fraction Anthem

Agnus Dei

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

Administration of the Sacrament

Communion Hymn #138 (LEVAS)

Homeless/Soup Kitchen Offering

Welcome & Announcements

Post Communion Prayer BCP p. 365

Recessional Hymn #344 (1982 Hymnal)

Dismissal BCP p. 366

2

Fourteenth Sunday af ter Pentecost August 30, 2015

Every time I have the chance to welcome young children into the Christian faith (perform baptism

that is), I almost always ask the same question to the parents and sponsors during the instructions:

“Why do you want your child to be baptized?”. The answer that is the most popular is that they want

their children to be raised with the same set of moral values that they have been raised with. Some

would go to the extent of telling how many generations of their family were baptized in the church.

Some would ask me to go to the baptismal fonts and not use a vessel at the altar because they want

their children to walk in the steps of the many generations who were baptized at the fonts.

What does the lectionary selection of readings tell us today? In Deuteronomy, Moses invites Israel to

be a nation under God. He asks them to keep God's statutes and be a great nation of wise and dis-

cerning people. In the Epistle, James wrote to the church that God’s people need to “be doers of the

word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves”. Jesus, in the Gospel, topped it all by quoting

Isaiah:

“This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

In vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.”

Jesus goes on to teach us that we need to stop worshiping God from the outside: putting up a show that is not carried over with

authenticity and integrity. We are not Christians to comfortably sit and perpetuate the doctrines of our forefathers. We are Chris-

tians because we are called to carry our own cross; that means to take it where Jesus left it and continue the transformation

and the redemption of the world. The Right Rev. Michael Curry in his book “We Need Some Crazy Christians” wrote this:

“following Jesus means changing the world from the nightmare it often is into the dream that God intends.” Christian faith is not

passively repeating invariably the same gestures we have received from our predecessors, dressing a certain way, bowing in

front of altars and genuflecting in front of the Holy Sacrament. We need to find our own sense and purpose. Being Christian is

not having a membership in a selected club of salvaged; it is to actively seek for collective salvation in daily acts of kindness. It

is not conformism; it is to have the audacity to risk knowing that:

“By himself, God won't.

By ourselves, we can't.

But together with God, we can.”

(Attributed to St Augustine of Hippo whom we are celebrating this week)

After my sermon last Sunday, a few people came to me saying they were under the impression I was telling the church to stop

providing for those in need. May God help me to be clearer when he puts his words in my mouth. What I meant to say is that

love does not always say yes. Helping someone, an institution or a country, cannot and should not last forever or else it be-

comes dependence and addiction. When a baby falls, it is a normal human reaction to rush and try to pull him up. But there is

also a time to let the baby pull himself up and try to learn that falling and rising are part of his life. Falling and rising are part of

our Christian faith. We are not going to have a perfect ride to Heaven, there will be some bumps on our way; but we need to

learn that together with one another and with God we can bounce back into the dream God intends for us. Traditions are fine,

but they don’t define who we are. Going to church every Sunday does not make us Christians; carrying a bible in our homes

does not make us Christians. Wearing a cross made of whatever historic or meaningless material around our necks is just sim-

ply jewelry, not exactly the expression of our faith. Singing the Gloria on Sundays and/or the Kyrie during Lent; forgetting and

saying "Alleluia" during penitential season; dressing the altar with the wrong color; or whatever liturgical mistakes, will not make

us all land up or down in Hell. Our daily actions: how we care for one another and love even our enemies… the craziness - so

deep in The Right Rev. Michael Curry’s teaching - that when our actions push us to risk everything in order to gain collective re-

demption, is what makes us Christians. As long as we don’t make sure that our actions are always and consistently motivated

by love, we are just creatures of habit, perpetuating customs that may have lost their significance. Faith is not to go after cer-

tainty; It is against all odds to believe that with God on our side we should keep at it because it is possible… not certain, but

possible.

Sometimes, you will feel the urge to fix the crooked candles at one’s altar, some days you may feel that you need to smell burn-

ing incense in order to have a full prayer experience, some days you may see the priest washing his hands (performing ablution)

after the peace instead of before consecration. Some priests knock at their chest three times before communion, some don’t.

Some people are fully immersed in water at baptism, some only receive a cup of water on their forehead. These are important

liturgical options, but they are not essential; they provide just a glimpse of who we are to outsiders. What we are inside, the way

we carry out our commission, by revealing God’s love to the world, is what matters. Being baptized and becoming Christians is

to bear witness that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon (me) us, because he has anointed (me) us to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent (me) us to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty all those who are

Meditation

The Clergy’s

Corner

The Rev. Nathanael Saint-Pierre

Priest-In-Charge

The Reverend Nat hanael Sain t -Pierre

3

ANNOUNCEMENTS


Welcome Visitors: We welcome you this

morning. We are happy that you have come to

worship with us. If you have no church home,

we invite you to unite with us. Please ask an

usher for Parish Census Form. After you have

filled in the form, you may give it to an usher

and we will be in touch with you very soon. If

you are just passing through, we are honored

by your presence, and we wish you Godspeed

as you complete your journey.

Daily Lectionary Readings:

Monday: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Psalm 96;

Luke 4:16-30

Tuesday: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Psalm 27:1-

6,17-18; Luke 4:31-37

Wednesday: Colossians 1: 1-8; Psalm 34:9-22;

Luke 4:38-44

Thursday: Colossians 1: 9-14; Psalm 98; Luke

5:1-11

Friday: Colossians 1: 15-20; Psalm 100; Luke

5:33-39

Saturday: Colossians 1: 21-23; Psalm 54; Luke

6:1-5

Mr. Doadie Brown: A beloved member of our

church, passed away on Tuesday, August 25.

His funeral was yesterday, August 29, here at

St. Augustine’s. We extend our deepest

condolences to his daughters Susan, Linda and

Annie, grandchildren, great grandchild, rela-

tives and friends.

Doadie was born in 1916 in Mississippi and

moved to New York to be with his love, Thelma,

in 1946 when he was honorably discharged

from the army in 1945. He entered the seg-

regated armed forces in 1941 to what had

been called “The generation that saved the

world”. He married the love of his life, Thelma

in 1946 and stayed in NY to raise his family.

He was known as “Mr. Fix it” to friends and

neighbors as he took apart all their appliances

and got them working again, probably better

than before. He never charged a fee. He loved

coming to church and the community he found

here. Mr. Brown will be truly missed by every

member of St. Augustine’s Church. May he

Rest In Peace!

Mr. Vernell Langley, brother of Mrs. Vernestine

Exum, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, in

Richmond, VA. We extend our deepest condo-

lences to his family, relatives and friends. May

he Rest In Peace!

Join Us for the Healing Service every Wednes-

day at 12:00 noon. We gather in the Common

Room. Entrance on 333 Madison Street.

Spanish Ministry: There is no Spanish service

during the summer.

SCOPE- “Senior Citizen (Church) Outreach

Program and Eldership” is seeking volunteers.

Bingo is now the only activity we have for the

Senior Citizens. Please contact Ms. Irene Al-

ladice or Father Nat for assistance. It would be

great to have some help and to develop this

ministry to include other health and

recreational activities.

The Men’s Guild “Oldies, but Goodies” Reunion

Dance on Friday, September 25, from 9 pm—2

am. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

Raffle tickets are on sale. Jackpot $100. See

any guild member or call the office for tickets.

Bishop Dietsche will preside over the service at

St. Augustine’s on Sunday, October 25, 2015,

to Baptize, Confirm and Receive those desiring

to fully integrate into our church.

Need Prayer? Call the church office and re-

quest that your name be added to our prayer

list. Let us know when you are available so we

may visit you or pray with you over the phone.

If you are celebrating a special

occasion; birthday, anniversary,

graduation, etc. Please let us know so

we may offer congratulations to you.

The Parish Hall and common room are

available for conferences and for recreational

group use. These spaces have capability for

projection and Internet access.

Our website is being revamped and you are

invited to provide feedback. Now available to

download online are the Bulletins and the Or-

der of Service.

We are accepting Articles and Advertisements

to publish in the St Augustine's eCho.

During our worship, please remember

to put your phone on vibe or silent. But

we invite you to use them if you want to

record the entire (or part of) the ser-

vice, take pictures, post video on Facebook,

Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter. Let your friends

know you are at St Augustine’s. We are a

Techno-Friendly Church.

Moving forward, let us get together as a team,

and put our time, talents and treasure to the

service of our church.

Weekly

Collections

August

23rd

August 16th

Pledges 307.00 1572.00

Open Plate 23.00 21.00

Special Services 35.00 0.00

Regular Support 0.00 0.00

Special Offerings 9.00 30.00

Tenants 1500.00 2400.00

Rentals 190.00 1100.00

Jackie’s Fund 0.00 200.00

Other Sources 0.00 101.78

Fundraising 0.00 0.00

Soup Kitchen 46.00 44.00

SCOPE/Bingo 105.21 211.00

Total $2,215.21 $5,679.78

Happy Birthday, Father Nat

Welcome

Bienvenido

Bienvenue

Nou kontan wè w

oppressed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18,19) Until we understand baptism in these words we are

just Pharisees and scribes. We sit and over-analyze the proclaimed words to find the mispronounced syllable and the politically

incorrect sentence that can be used to avoid real wisdom and discernment. “Therefore rid (y)ourselves of all sordidness and rank

growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save (y)our souls.” We are not saved

by rituals and correctness; we are saved by praxis. Jesus is the only one who has gone to that extent, the gift and sacrifice of him-

self. My prayer is that we will pull up our sleeves to be Christians by ACTIONS. Now, let’s GO!

http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Thessalonians+4:13-18

http://satucket.com/lectionary/Psalm96&100.html

http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+4:16-30

http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Thessalonians+5:1-11

http://satucket.com/lectionary/Psalm23&27.html#psalm27



http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Colossians+1:1-8

http://satucket.com/lectionary/Psalm34.html#verse9














4


C H U R C H I N T E R C E S S I O N S

Shut-Ins & Homebound: Ellen Bradley, Robert & Mittiefrances Combs, Eleanor Suriel.

Prayers: Frederick Albritton, Mr. Basile, Doadie Brown, Sandra Brown, Juan Cosme,

Minnie Curry, Ellen Daley, Maybelle & Sanford Daly, Nichole Dunn, Diane Ellis, Robert & Vernestine Exum, Rev. Deacon Nydia Flores, Luis & Annie Garcia, Mildred Hancock, Dorothy Henderson, Bernice Henry, Rev. Deacon Edgar Hopper, Joyce Johnson, Kenny Johnson, The Krauser Family, Norberta Mieles, The Mussenden Family, Marissa Nicolo, Jacynth Paterson Orridge, James Rainge, Lawrence Rainge, James Robinson-Parran, Terri Rogers, Beverly Rosario, Nancy Scott, Ruth Strother, Rodger Taylor, Walford Fam-

ily, Marlene Ward-Torain, Tyrone Wong.

Armed forces: Bobby Carter, Andrew Davis, Francis Heard, Frank Magezi Johnson,

Todd LeGroan, Brian Robertson, Kevin Ruddell.

We remember those celebrating their birthday during the month of August, espe-

cially: August 1st Aiesha Clyde, Celia Harley, Jonathan Perez; 2nd Mary Scott, Ella Styron; 3rd Monica Jones; 5th Maurice Cuprill, Tracy Graham; Ellen Bradley, Nicholas Cromwell, Fred Errol Harvey, Angelica Marrero, Raymond Rogers, Kermit Scott, Kermit Sullivan, Cyril Taylor, Richard Williams; 6th Joseph Daley, Christina Gonzalez, Lauren Harris; 7th Nkenge Foster, Eleanor Murray, Ricardo Sanchez, Olivette Taylor; 8th Jasmine Agudo, Kimberly Agudo, Zamora McGee, ; 9th Selena Daley, Steven Daley, Curtis Saltes; 10th Rasheedah Bradley, Gladys Brown; 13th Jordan Tolbert; 14th Desiree Saltes; 15th Michael Garcia; 16th Betina Hall, Bernard Mack, Shawn Mayo, Jonathan Worthy, Leon Wright, ; 17th Laura Curry, Tracy Dickerson, Matthew Hernandez, Armand Pretlow, Donnaq Riley, Garnet Strother; 18th Antara Haggins;

19th Charisse King; 20th Rendall Kelly, Raven Malachi; 21st Yvette Brown, Shilynn Fogle; 23rd Symphone Ellison, Brenda O’Neal, C. Vody Ryan, Christine Walford; 24th Teangelo McGee, Hunter Petaway, Kiara Williams; 25th Irene Alladice, Gloria Gooden, Winnifred Johnson, Nathanael Saint-Pierre, Eleanor Suriel; 27th Angel Cruz, Janell Jones, Piena Washington; 30th Dawn Harris, Andrea Murray; 31st Giovanna Gordon,

Jason Jeffrey.

We pray for those who have died: Doadie Brown, Ronald Brown, Kathleen Davis, Frances Diaz, Harry & Dorothy Fiyalko, Rev. Charles Henry Howell, Vernell Langley, Geraldine Newkirk, Evelyn Newlin, Alice Saltes Richards, Dorothy Rodriguez, Alma

Suarez, Lucille Williams.

We pray for Justice and Peace in all lands: Especially: Afghanistan, Africa, China, Darfur, Haiti, the Holy Land, India, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon, Niger, Sierra Leone,

The Sudan, This Nation and the United Nations.

The St . Augustine ’ s eCho is a newsletter to keep our members and the larger com-

munity informed about what is happen ing a t S t August ine’s and beyond. We we lcome s tory contr ibu tors to submit a r t ic les , poe try , advert is ing , and any in format ion one may want to share. Please submit your contr ibu t ion by e -mai l to in [email protected] no la ter than on Wednesdays fo r the Sunday ed it ion .

The Staff

The Rev. Nathanael Saint-Pierre,

MIS, MCPD, Priest-In-Charge

(917) 232-9583

[email protected]

Ms. Nancy Jeffrey, Administrative

Assistant ([email protected])

Ms. Sandra Joseph, Bookkeeper

[email protected]

Ms. Carolyn Bensen,

Director of Music

Mr. Roberto Perez, Sexton

Mr. Oland Saltes, Verger

The St. Augustine’s Project

Mr. Rodger Taylor, Chair

Ms. Minnie Curry, Vice Chair

www.staugsproject.org

The Vestry

Ms. Irene Alladice, Warden

Ms. Susan Brown, Warden

2016

Ms. Barbara Allie

Mr. Christopher Morris

Ms. Gwendolyn Pereira

Ms. Bobby Wright

2017

Mr. William Gordon

Ms. Raquel Murray

Ms. Sharifah Seña

Mr. Rodger Taylor

2018

Mr. William (Kim) Curry

Ms. Annette Dudley

Ms. Barbara H. King, Clerk

Mr. Oland Saltes, Treasurer

In an effort to reach a broad audience, St. Augustine’s Church occasionally records, through video and photography, its services for publication on the Internet. Your atten-

dance at a service or event constitutes your consent to be included in any filming, photographing, audio recording or broadcast and for any other use in whole or in part, includ-

ing publicity and promotion.

S E R M O N N O T E S :

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Office Hours

9:00-12:00/1:00-4:00

Church: 286-290 Henry Street

Office: 333 Madison Street

New York, New York 10002

T: (212) 673-5300 -- F: (212) 673-5201

Email: [email protected]

Website:

http://www.staugnyc.org

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/staugnyc

https://www.facebook.com/staugnyc

The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two: Eucharist Prayer A Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Year B, RCL August 30, 2015

1

The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two

Opening Hymn: IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE (4 v) #423 (1982 Hym nal)

The Word of God BCP p. 355

The people standing, the Celebrant says

Blessed be God: Fat her , Son, and Holy Spir it .

People And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen

The Celebrant may say

Alm ight y God, t o you all hear t s are open, all desires know n, and f rom you no

secret s are h id : Cleanse t he t hought s of our hear t s by t he insp irat ion of your

Holy Spir it , t hat w e m ay per fect ly love you, and w or t h ily m agnify your ho ly

Nam e; t hrough Chr ist our Lord. Amen.

When appointed, the following hymn or some other song of praise is sung or said, all standing.

Gloria in Excelsis

The Collect of the Day

The Celebrant says t o t he people

The Lord be w it h you.

People And also w ith you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

The Celebrant says the Collect.

Proper 17 BCP p. 233

Lord of all pow er and m ight , t he aut hor and g iver o f all good t h ings: Graf t in our

hear t s t he love of your Nam e; increase in us t rue relig ion; nour ish us w it h all

goodness; and br ing for t h in us t he f ru it o f good w orks; t hrough Jesus Chr ist

our Lord, w ho lives and reigns w it h you and t he Holy Spir it , one God for ever and

ever . Amen

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Moses urges t he Israelit es t o observe t he law w it h care, avoid ing t he ido lat ry t hat

leads t o dest ruct ion.



2

A reading (lesson) from the Book of Joshua:

Moses said: So now , Israel, g ive heed t o t he st at ut es and ord inances t hat I am

t eaching you t o observe, so t hat you m ay live t o ent er and occupy t he land t hat

t he LORD, t he God of your ancest ors, is g iving you. You m ust neit her add

anyt h ing t o w hat I com m and you nor t ake aw ay anyt h ing f rom it , but keep t he

com m andm ent s o f t he LORD your God w it h w hich I am charg ing you.

You m ust observe t hem diligent ly, for t h is w ill show your w isdom and

d iscernm ent t o t he peop les, w ho, w hen t hey hear all t hese st at ut es, w ill say,

"Surely t h is great nat ion is a w ise and d iscern ing people!" For w hat o t her great

nat ion has a god so near t o it as t he LORD our God is w henever w e call t o h im ?

And w hat o t her g reat nat ion has st at ut es and ord inances as just as t h is ent ire

law t hat I am set t ing before you t oday?

But t ake care and w at ch yourselves closely, so as neit her t o forget t he t h ings

t hat your eyes have seen nor t o let t hem slip f rom your m ind all t he days of your

life; m ake t hem know n t o your ch ildren and your ch ild ren 's ch ildren .

Hear w hat t he Spir it is saying t o God ’s peop le

People: Thanks be to God

Psalm 15 Page 599, BCP

1. LORD, w ho m ay dw ell in your t abernacle? *

w ho m ay abide upon your ho ly h ill?

2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does w hat is right , *

w ho speaks the truth from his heart .

3 There is no guile upon h is t ongue;

he does no evil t o h is f r iend; *

he does not heap cont em pt upon h is neighbor .

4 In his sight the w icked is rejected, *

but he honors those w ho fear the LORD.

5 He has sw orn t o do no w rong *

and does not t ake back h is w ord.

6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *

nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

7 Whoever does t hese t h ings *

shall never be over t hrow n.



3

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit : *

As it w as in the beginning, is now , and w ill be for ever. Amen.

James 1:17-27

Jam es urges Christ ians t o put t heir belief in t o pract ice, lest t heir w ords ring

hollow .

A reading (lesson) from the Letter of James:

Every generous act o f g iving, w it h every per fect g if t , is f rom above, com ing

dow n f rom t he Fat her o f light s, w it h w hom t here is no var iat ion or shadow due

t o change. In fu lf illm ent o f h is ow n purpose he gave us b ir t h by t he w ord o f

t ru t h, so t hat w e w ould becom e a kind of f irst f ru it s o f h is creat ures.

You m ust underst and t h is, m y beloved: let everyone be quick t o list en, slow t o

speak, slow t o anger ; for your anger does not produce God 's r ight eousness.

Therefore r id yourselves of all sord idness and rank grow t h o f w icked ness, and

w elcom e w it h m eekness t he im plant ed w ord t hat has t he pow er t o save your

souls.

But be doers of t he w ord, and not m erely hearers w ho deceive t hem selves. For

if any are hearers of t he w ord and not doers, t hey are like t hose w ho look at

t hem selves in a m ir ror ; for t hey look at t hem selves and, on going aw ay,

im m ediat ely forget w hat t hey w ere like. But t hose w ho look in t o t he per fect

law , t he law o f liber t y, and persevere, being not hearers w ho forget but doers

w ho act -t hey w ill be b lessed in t heir do ing.

If any t h ink t hey are relig ious and do not br id le t heir t ongues, but deceive t heir

hear t s, t heir relig ion is w or t h less. Relig ion t hat is pure and undef iled before

God, t he Fat her , is t h is: t o care fo r o rphans and w idow s in t heir d ist ress, and t o

keep oneself unst ained by t he w or ld .

Hear w hat t he Spir it is saying t o God’s people

People: Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn: JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE (3 v) #72 (LEVAS)

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Jesus rebukes t he Pharisees for elevat ing hum an precept s t o doct rinal

im port ance. Jesus rebukes t he Pharisees for elevat ing hum an precept s t o

doct rinal im port ance.



4

Then, all standing, the Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying

The Holy Gospel o f our Lord Jesus Chr ist , accord ing t o Mark.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ .

Now w hen t he Phar isees and som e of t he scr ibes w ho had com e f rom Jerusalem

gat hered around Jesus, t hey not iced t hat som e of h is d iscip les w ere eat ing w it h

def iled hands, t hat is, w it hout w ashing t hem . (For t he Phar isees, and all t he

Jew s, do not eat un less t hey t horoughly w ash t heir hands, t hus observing t he

t rad it ion of t he elders; and t hey do not eat anyt h ing f rom t he m arket un less

t hey w ash it ; and t here are also m any o t her t rad it ions t hat t hey observe, t he

w ashing of cups, pot s, and bronze ket t les.)

So t he Phar isees and t he scr ibes asked h im , "Why do your d iscip les not live

accord ing t o t he t rad it ion of t he elders, but eat w it h def iled hands?" He said t o

t hem , "Isaiah prophesied r ight ly about you hypocr it es, as it is w r it t en ,

'Th is people honor Me w it h t heir lips, but t heir hear t s are far f rom Me; in

vain do t hey w orship Me, t each ing hum an precept s as doct r ines.'

You abandon t he com m andm ent of God and hold t o hum an t rad it ion."

Then he called t he crow d again and said t o t hem , "List en t o m e, all o f you, and

underst and: t here is not h ing ou t side a person t hat by go ing in can def ile, but

t he t h ings t hat com e out are w hat def ile. For it is f rom w it h in , f rom t he hum an

hear t , t hat evil in t ent ions com e: forn icat ion, t hef t , m urder , adult ery, avar ice,

w ickedness, deceit , licent iousness, envy, slander , pr ide, fo lly. All t hese evil t h ings

com e f rom w it h in , and t hey def ile a person."

The Gospel o f t he Lord

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ

The Sermon: The Reverend Nathanael Saint -Pierre

CHRISTIAN BY TRADITION…

Every t im e I have t he chance t o w elcom e young children in t o t he Chr ist ian

fait h (perform bapt ism t hat is), I alm ost alw ays ask t he sam e quest ion t o

t he parent s and sponsors dur ing t he inst ruct ions: “Why do you w ant your

ch ild t o be bapt ized?” . The answ er t hat is t he m ost popular is t hat t hey

w ant t heir children t o be raised w it h t he sam e set o f m oral values t hat

t hey have been raised w it h . Som e w ould go t o t he ext ent o f t elling how

m any generat ions of t heir fam ily w ere bapt ized in t he church. So m e w ould

ask m e t o go t o t he bapt ism al font s and not use a vessel at t he alt ar



5

because t hey w ant t heir children t o w alk in t he st eps of t he m any

generat ions w ho w ere bapt ized at t he font s.

What does t he lect ionary select ion of readings t ell us t oday? In

Deut eronom y, Moses invit es Israel t o be a nat ion under God. He asks t hem

t o keep God's st at ut es and be a great nat ion of w ise and d iscern ing

people. In t he Epist le, Jam es w rot e t o t he church t hat God’s people need

t o “be doers of t he w ord and not m erely h earers w ho deceive

t hem selves”. Jesus, in t he Gospel, t opped it all by quot ing Isaiah:

“This people honors m e w it h t heir lips, but t heir hear t s are far

f rom m e. In vain do t hey w orship m e, t eaching hum an precept s

as doct r ines.”

Jesus goes on t o t each us t h at w e need t o st op w orshiping God f rom t he

out side: put t ing up a show t hat is not carr ied over w it h aut hent icit y and

in t egr it y. We are not Chr ist ians t o com fort ab ly sit and perpet uat e t he

doct r ines of our forefat hers. We are Chr ist ians because w e are called t o

carry our ow n cross; t hat m eans t o t ake it w here Jesus lef t it and cont inue

t he t ransform at ion and t he redem pt ion of t he w or ld. The Right Rev.

Michael Curry in h is book “We Need Som e Crazy Chr ist ians” w rot e t h is:

“ fo llow ing Jesus m eans changing t he w o r ld f rom t he n ight m are it o f t en is

in t o t he dream t hat God in t ends.” Chr ist ian fait h is not passively repeat ing

invar iably t he sam e gest ures w e have received f rom our predecessors,

dressing a cer t ain w ay, bow ing in f ront o f alt ars and genuf lect ing in f ront

o f t he Holy Sacram ent . We need t o f ind our ow n sense and purpose. Being

Chr ist ian is not having a m em bership in a select ed club of salvaged; it is t o

act ively seek for co llect ive salvat ion in daily act s of kindness. It is not

conform ism ; it is t o have t he audacit y t o r isk know ing t hat :

“By him self , God w on't .

By ourselves, w e can 't .

But t oget her w it h God, w e can.”

(At t ribut ed t o St August ine of Hippo w hom w e are celebrat ing t h is w eek)

Af t er m y serm on last Sunday, a few people cam e t o m e saying t hey w ere

under t he im pression I w as t elling t he church t o st op providing for t hose

in need. May God help m e t o be clearer w hen he put s his w ords in m y

m out h. What I m eant t o say is t hat love does not alw ays say yes. Helping

som eone, an inst it u t ion or a count ry, cannot and should not last forever

or else it becom es dependence and addict ion. When a baby falls, it is a



6

norm al hum an react ion t o rush and t ry t o pu ll h im up. But t here is also a

t im e t o let t he baby pull h im self up and t ry t o learn t hat falling and r ising

are par t of h is life. Falling and r ising are part of our Chr ist ian fait h. We are

not go ing t o have a per fect r ide t o Heaven, t here w ill be som e bum ps on

our w ay; but w e need t o learn t hat t oget her w it h one anot her and w it h

God w e can bounce back in t o t he dream God in t ends for us. Tradit ions are

f ine, but t hey don’t def ine w ho w e are. Going t o church every Sunday does

not m ake us Chr ist ians; carrying a b ib le in our hom es does not m ake us

Chr ist ians. Wear ing a cross m ade of w hat ever h ist or ic or m eaningless

m at er ial around our necks is just sim ply jew elry, not exact ly t he expression

of our fait h . Sing ing t he Glor ia on Sundays and/ or t he Kyr ie dur ing Lent ;

forget t ing and saying "Allelu ia" dur ing penit ent ial season; dressing t he

alt ar w it h t he w rong co lor ; or w hat ever lit urg ical m ist akes, w ill not m ake

us all land up or dow n in Hell. Our daily act ions: how w e care for one

anot her and love even our enem ies… t he craziness - so deep in The Right

Rev. Michael Curry’s t eaching - t hat w hen our act ions push us t o r isk

everyt h ing in order t o gain collect ive redem pt ion, is w hat m akes us

Chr ist ians. As long as w e don’t m ake sure t hat our act ions are alw ays and

consist ent ly m ot ivat ed by love, w e are just creat ures of habit ,

perpet uat ing cust om s t hat m ay have lost t heir sign if icance. Fait h is not t o

go af t er cer t ain t y; It is against all odds t o believe t hat w it h God on our side

w e should keep at it because it is possible… not cer t ain , but possib le.

Som et im es, you w ill feel t he urge t o f ix t he crooked candles at one’s alt ar ,

som e days you m ay feel t hat you need t o sm ell burn ing incense in order t o

have a fu ll prayer exper ience, som e days you m ay see t he pr iest w ashing

h is hands (per form ing ablut ion) af t er t he peace inst ead of before

consecrat ion. Som e pr iest s knock at t heir chest t hree t im es before

com m union, som e don ’t . Som e people are fu lly im m ersed in w at er at

bapt ism , som e only receive a cup of w at er on t heir forehead. These are

im port ant lit urgical opt ions, but t hey are not essent ial; t hey provide just a

g lim pse of w ho w e are t o out siders. What w e are inside, t he w ay w e carry

out our com m ission , by revealing God’s love t o t he w or ld , is w hat m at t ers.

Being bapt ized and becom ing Chr ist ians is t o bear w it ness t hat “The Spir it

of t he Lord is upon (m e) us, because he has anoint ed (m e) us t o preach

good new s t o t he poor . He has sent (m e) us t o proclaim release t o t he



7

capt ives, recovery of sight t o t he b lind, t o set at liber t y all t hose w ho are

oppressed, and t o proclaim t he accept able year of t he Lord.” (Luke 4:18,19)

Unt il w e underst and bapt ism in t hese w ords w e are just Phar isees and

scr ibes. We sit and over -analyze t he proclaim ed w ords t o f ind t he

m ispronounced syllable and t he polit ically incorrect sent ence t hat can be

used t o avoid real w isdom and discernm ent . “Therefore r id (y)ourselves of

all sord idness and rank grow t h of w ickedness, and w elcom e w it h

m eekness t he im plant ed w ord t hat has t he pow er t o save (y)our souls.” We

are not saved by r it uals and correct ness; w e are saved by praxis. Jesus is

t he only one w ho has gone t o t hat ext ent , t he g if t and sacr if ice of h im self .

My prayer is t hat w e w ill pu ll up our sleeves t o be Chr ist ians by ACTIONS.

Now , let ’s GO!

On Sundays and other Major Feasts there follows, all standing

The Nicene Creed BCP p. 358

We believe in one God, t he Fat her , t he Alm ight y, m aker of heaven and ear t h , o f

all t hat is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Chr ist , t he only Son of God, et ernally begot t en of

t he Fat her , God f rom God, Light f rom Light , t rue God f rom t rue God, begot t en ,

not m ade, o f one Being w it h t he Fat her . Through h im all t h ings w ere m ade. For

us and for our salvat ion he cam e dow n f rom heaven: by t he pow er of t he Ho ly

Spir it he becam e incarnat e f rom t he Virg in Mary, and w as m ade m an.

For our sake he w as crucif ied under Pont ius Pilat e; he suf fered deat h and w as

bur ied. On t he t h ird day he rose again in accordance w it h t he Scr ip t ures; he

ascended in t o heaven and is seat ed at t he r ight hand of t he Fat her . He w ill com e

again in g lory t o judge t he living and t he dead, and h is kingdom w ill have no

end. We believe in t he Ho ly Sp ir it , t he Lord, t he g iver o f life, w ho proceeds f rom

t he Fat her and t he Son. Wit h t he Fat her and t he Son he is w orshiped and

g lor if ied. He has spoken t hrough t he Prophet s.

We believe in one holy cat holic and apost o lic Church. We acknow ledge one

bapt ism for t he forg iveness of sins. We look for t he resurrect ion o f t he dead,

and t he life o f t he w or ld t o com e. Amen.

The Prayers of the People: (Unknow n Source)

Deacon or other leader

Let us pray for peace in t he Church and in t he w or ld .



8

Wit h all our hear t and all our m ind, w e pray t o you, O Lord:

Make us instruments of your peace.

For t he peace of t he w or ld ; t hat a sp ir it o f respect and forbearance m ay grow

am ong nat ions and peoples, w e pray t o you, O Lord:

Where there is hatred, let us sow love.

For our enem ies and t hose w ho w ish us harm , and for all w hom w e have in jured

or o f fended, w e pray t o you, O Lord:

Where there is injury, let us sow pardon.

For all w ho fear God and believe in you, Lord Chr ist , t hat our d ivisions m ay cease

and all m ay be one as you and t he Fat her are one, w e pray t o you, O Lord:

Where there is discord, let us sow union.

For t hose w ho do not yet believe, for t hose w ho have lost t heir fait h , and t hose

in despair and darkness t hat t hey m ay receive t he light o f t he fait h , w e pray t o

you, O Lord:

Where there is doubt, let us sow faith.

For t he poor , t he persecut ed, t he sick, especially t hose w ho have asked of our

prayers, for all w ho suf fer and t hose w ho are in danger ; t hat t hey m ay be

relieved and prot ect ed, w e pray t o you, O Lord:

Where there is despair, let us sow hope.

For t he m ission and m in ist ry o f t he Episcopal Church especially in t h is d iocese of

New York and at St . August ine’s Church , t hat in fait h fu l w it ness w e m ay preach

t he Gospel t o t he ends of t he ear t h , w e pray t o you, O Lord:

Where there is darkness, let us sow light .

For all w ho have d ied in t he hope of t he resurrect ion, for all t he depar t ed and

t hose w ho are gr ieving, m ay t hey f ind com for t and be at peace, w e pray t o you,

O Lord:

Where there is sadness, let us sow joy.

Let us pray for our ow n needs and t hose of o t hers (people m ay of fer t heir

prayers, eit her silent ly o r aloud).

SILENCE

Grant that w e may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be

understood, as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that w e

receive; it is in pardoning that w e are pardoned; and it is in dying that w e are

born to eternal life. Amen.

The Deacon or Celebrant says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor .



9

Silence may be kept. Minister and People

Confession of Sin BCP p. 359

Most merciful God, w e confess that w e have sinned against you in thought,

w ord, and deed, by w hat w e have done, and by w hat w e have lef t undone. We

have not loved you w ith our w hole heart ; w e have not loved our neighbors as

ourselves. We are truly sorry and w e humbly repent. For the sake of your Son

Jesus Christ , have mercy on us and f orgive us; that w e may delight in your w ill,

and w alk in your w ays, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Bishop when present, or the Priest, stands and says

Alm ight y God have m ercy on you, forg ive you all your sins t hrough our Lord

Jesus Chr ist , st rengt hen you in all goodness, and by t he pow er of t he Holy Sp ir it

keep you in et ernal life. Amen.

The Peace BCP p. 360

All stand. The Celebrant says to the people

Celebrant The peace of t he Lord be alw ays w it h you.


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

The Holy Communion

The Celebrant may begin the Offertory with one of the sentences on page 376, or with some other sentence of Scripture.

Offertory Sentence

Walk in love, as Chr ist loved us and gave h im self for us, an of fer ing and sacr if ice

t o God. Ephesians 5:2

The Offertory

Offertory Hymn: GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY! (4 v) #594 (1982 HYMNAL)

The Doxology

The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A

The people remain standing. The Celebrant, whether bishop or priest, faces them and sings or says

The Lord be w it h you.




10

Celebrant Lif t up your hear t s.

People We lif t them to the Lord.

Celebrant Let us g ive t hanks t o t he Lord our God.

People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is r ight , and a good and joyfu l t h ing, alw ays and everyw here t o g ive t hanks t o

you, Fat her Alm ight y, Creat or o f heaven and ear t h .

Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on other occasions as appointed.

Proper Preface BCP p. 377

For you are t he source o f light and life, you m ade us in your im age, and called us

t o new life in Jesus Chr ist our Lord.

Therefore w e praise you, jo in ing our vo ices w it h Angels and Archangels and w it h

all t he com pany o f heaven, w ho for ever sing t h is hym n t o proclaim t he g lory of

your Nam e:

Celebrant and People

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow er and might , heaven and earth are full of

your glory. Hosanna in the highest . Blessed is he w ho comes in the name of

the Lord. Hosanna in the highest .

The people stand or kneel.

Then the Celebrant continues

Holy and gracious Fat her : In your in f in it e love you m ade us fo r yourself ; and,

w hen w e had fallen in t o sin and becom e subject t o evil and deat h, you, in your

m ercy, sent Jesus Chr ist , your on ly and et ernal Son, t o share our hum an nat ure,

t o live and d ie as one of us, t o reconcile us t o you, t he God and Fat her of all.

He st ret ched out h is arm s upon t he cross, and of fered h im self in obedience t o

your w ill, a per fect sacr if ice for t he w hole w or ld .

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it or lay a hand upon it;

and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel

containing wine to be consecrated.

On t he n igh t he w as handed over t o suf fer ing and deat h, our Lord Jesus Chr ist

t ook bread; and w hen he had g iven t hanks t o you, he broke it , and gave it t o h is

discip les, and said , “Take, eat : Th is is m y Body, w hich is g iven for you and for all.

Do t h is for t he rem em brance of m e.”



11

Aft er supper he t ook t he cup of w ine; and w hen he had g iven t hanks, he gave it

t o t hem , and said, “Dr ink t h is, all o f you: Th is is m y Blood of t he new Covenant ,

w hich is shed for you and fo r all for t he forg iveness o f sins. Whenever you dr ink

it , do t h is for t he rem em brance of m e.”

Therefore w e proclaim t he m yst ery o f fait h :


Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ w ill come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrat e t he m em or ial o f our redem pt ion, O Fat her , in t h is sacr if ice of

praise and t hanksgiving. Recalling h is deat h, resurrect ion, and ascension, w e

of fer you t hese g if t s.

Sanct ify t hem by your Holy Spir it t o be for your people t he Body and Blood of

your Son, t he holy food and dr ink of new and unending life in h im . Sanct ify us

also t hat w e m ay fait h fu lly receive t h is ho ly Sacrament , and serve you in un it y,

const ancy, and peace; and at t he last day br ing us w it h all your saint s in t o t he

joy of your et ernal kingdom .

All t h is w e ask t hrough your Son Jesus Chr ist . By h im , and w it h h im , and in h im ,

in t he unit y o f t he Holy Spir it all honor and g lo ry is yours, Alm ight y Fat her , now

and for ever . AMEN.

And now , as our Savior Chr ist has t aught us, w e are bo ld t o sing :

People and Celebrant

Our Father, w ho art in heaven,

Hallow ed be thy Name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy w ill be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, As w e forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptat ion, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the pow er, and the glory,

For ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept. Then may be

said



12

[Allelu ia.] Chr ist our Passover is sacr if iced for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast . [Alleluia.]

Agnus Dei

Facing the people, the Celebrant says the following Invitation

The Gif t s of God fo r t he People o f God.

and m ay add Take t hem in rem em brance t hat Chr ist d ied for you, and feed on

h im in your hear t s by fait h , w it h t hanksgiving.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the

people.

Communion Hymn: LORD, I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN (5 v) #138 (LEVAS)

When necessary, the Celebrant consecrates additional bread and wine, using the form on

page 408.

After Communion, the Celebrant says

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 w ith spiritual

food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the w orld in

peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you w ith gladness

and singleness of heart ; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Recessional Hymn: LORD, DISMISS US WITH THY BLESSING (3 V) #344 (1982 HYMNAL)

The Deacon, or the Celebrant, dismisses them with these words

Let us go for t h in t he nam e of Chr ist .

Allelu ia! Allelu ia!

People Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

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