The Feast of The Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle
Sunday, January 26, at 9:00 am
The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 323. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.
Prelude: “Von Himmel Hoch da Komm ich her” J.S. Bach
The Word of God
Hymn 231: “By all your saints still striving” (Conversion of St Paul, January 25)
1. By all your saints still striving, for all your saints at rest,
your holy Name, O Jesus, for evermore be blessed.
You rose, our King victorious, that they might wear the crown
and ever shine in splendor reflected from your throne.
2. Praise for the light from heaven and for the voice of awe,
praise for the glorious vision the persecutor saw.
O Lord, for Paul’s conversion, we bless your Name today.
Come shine within our darkness and guide us in the Way.
3. Then let us praise the Father and worship God the Son
and sing to God the Spirit, eternal Three in One,
till all the ransomed number who stand before the throne
ascribe all power and glory and praise to God alone.
Opening Acclamation
Celebrant ✠ Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are 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.
Gloria: “Glory to God in the highest”
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, who, by the preaching of thine apostle Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Word
First Lesson: Acts 26:9-21
Paul said to King Agrippa, “Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is what I did in Jerusalem; with authority received from the chief priests, I not only locked up many of the saints in prison, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being condemned to death. By punishing them often in all the synagogues I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was so furiously enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.
“With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you. I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
“After that, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Psalm: 67
1 May God be merciful to us and bless us, *
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
2 Let your ways be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; *
let all the peoples praise you.
6 The earth has brought forth her increase; *
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
7 May God give us his blessing, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
Second Lesson: Galatians 1:11-24
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 255: “We sing the glorious conquest before Damascus’ gate”
1. We sing the glorious conquest before Damascus’ gate,
when Saul, the church’s spoiler came spreading fear and hate.
God’s light shone down from heaven and broke across the path.
His presence pierced and blinded the zealot in his wrath.
2. O Voice that spoke within him; O strong, reproving Word;
O Love that sought and held him a prisoner of his Lord;
help us to know your kingship that we, in every hour,
in all that may confront us, will trust your hidden power.
3. Your grace, by ways mysterious, our sinful wrath can bind,
and in those least expected true servants can you find.
In us you seek disciples to share your cross and crown
and give you final service in glory at your throne.
The Gospel: Matthew 10:16-22
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant The ✠ Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
Jesus said to the twelve, “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise be to thee, O Christ
The Sermon “U-Turns Permitted” by The Rev. Robert H. Linders
The Nicene Creed Said in unison
I believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only begotten Son of God,
begotten of his 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;
by 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 will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, and Giver of life,
who proceedeth from the Father and the Son;
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified;
who spake by the Prophets.
And I believe in 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 Prayers of the People
Let us pray for the whole state of Christ’s Church and the world.
Almighty and everliving God, who in thy holy Word hast taught us to make prayers, and supplications, and to give thanks for all men: 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 those who do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all bishops and other ministers, especially ______, that they may, both by their life and doctrine, set forth thy true and lively Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and especially 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.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
We beseech thee also so to rule the hearts of those who bear the authority of government in this and every land:________, that they may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
Open, O Lord, the eyes of all people to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works, that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, they may honor thee with their substance, and be faithful stewards of thy bounty.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
And we most humbly beseech thee, of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succor all those who in this transitory life, are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. We especially pray for _________, and for those we now name: The congregation may add their own petitions at this time.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
We remember and pray for our sister church of St. Mary’s, Sololá, in our companion diocese of Guatemala.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
And we also bless ✠ thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, especially all departed priests who have served St. Paul’s Church, beseeching thee to grant them continual growth in thy love and service; and to grant us grace so to follow the good examples of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Paul the Apostle, and of all thy saints, that with them we may be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.
Lord, in thy mercy
Hear our prayer.
Celebrant
Grant these our prayers, O Father, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
The Confession of Sin
Celebrant Let us humbly confess our sings unto Almighty God.
Silence is kept.
Celebrant and People
Almighty God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
maker of all things, judge of all men:
We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins
and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have committed,
by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine Majesty,
provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us.
We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings;
the remembrance of them is grievous unto us,
the burden of them is intolerable.
Have mercy upon us,
have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may ever hereafter
serve and please thee in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of thy Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Celebrant stands and says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who 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.
The people stand.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And with thy spirit.
The ministers and the people greet one another with a sign of peace.
The Holy Communion
The Celebrant begins the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.
During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.
The Offering is brought forward. The people stand and are censed by the acolyte.
To give an offering, choose one of the following:
Text: message 73256 with the phrase saintpauls $X (insert an amount in place of X)
Check: mail your offering to St. Paul’s Church, 84 E Oakland Ave, Doylestown, PA 18901
Anthem: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” Edward Elgar
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because He hath anointed me
to preach the Gospel to the poor:
He hath sent me to heal the broken hearted,
to preach deliv’rance to the captives
recov’ring of sight to the blind,
to preach the acceptable year of the Lord;
To give unto them that mourn a garland for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,
That they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.
For as the earth shall bring forth her bud,
and as the garden causeth the things
that are in it to spring forth;
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring forth before all the nations,
As the earth bringeth forth her bud.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel.
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer II
Celebrant Pray, brothers and sisters, that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
People May the Lord receive this sacrifice at thy hands, to the praise and glory of his Name, both to our benefit and that of all his holy Church.
The people stand and the Celebrant sings
The Celebrant continues
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.
Because thou didst give Jesus Christ, thine only Son, to be born for us; who, by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost, was made very Man of the substance of the Virgin Mary his mother; that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become thy children.
Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and singing,
Sanctus: “Holy, holy, holy Lord”
The Celebrant continues
All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own image; and, 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. He made there a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again.
For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke 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 this, all of you; 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 Lord and heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make, with these thy holy gifts which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and looking for his coming again with power and great glory. And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ.
And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies. Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be X filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all thy whole Church may be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say,
The Fraction
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The 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 we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
The Invitation to Holy Communion
Celebrant Behold the Lamb of God; behold him that taketh away the sins of the world:
People Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; but speak the word only, and my soul shall be healed.
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.
Solo: “Pie Jesu” Gabriel Faure
Caitlin Stein, Soprano
Pie Jesu, Domine, dona eis requiem
dona eis requiem sempiternam requiem.
Merciful Jesus
Grant them rest everlasting
Hymn 318: “Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face”
1. Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
and all my weariness upon thee lean.
2. Here would I feed upon the Bread of God;
here drink with thee the royal Wine of heaven;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
her taste afresh the the calm of sin forgiven.
3. I have no help but thine; nor do I need
another arm to save thine to lean upon;
it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.
4. Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness;
mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing Blood.
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
thy Blood, thy righteousness, O Lord, my God.
After Communion, the Celebrant says
Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
Almighty and everliving God,
we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us,
in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us;
and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son,
the blessed company of all faithful people;
and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom.
And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father,
so to assist us with thy grace,
that we may continue in that holy fellowship,
and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
Welcome & Announcements
Blessing & Dismissal
The Celebrant blesses the people and dismisses them.
The people respond Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “Noel Suisse” Claude D'Aquin
Service Participants
Celebrant : The Rev. Daniel T. Moore
Preacher: The Rev. Robert H. Linders
Eucharistic Ministers: John Black, Jim Massey
Thurifer: Alex Kelly
Crucifer: Weston Massey
Lectors: Laura Pankoe, Leigh DeTato
Ushers: Tom and Mary Smith, Gene Cadwallader, Andy Morse
Altar Guild: Carol Fox, Audrey Jackson
Flowers: Susan Roberts
A/V: Josh Pankoe
Counters: Michael Kelly, Kay Johnson
Organist: W. Edward McCall
Choir: George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, Alexander Famous, Carol Fox, Margery Hoffman, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Amber Robinson, Annie Rogers, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Caitlin Stein, Marian Wentworth
Online giving is available through Realm E-Giving and PayPal. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.
altar Flowers
Today’s flowers are given to the glory of God, and in thanksgiving for all departed priests who have served St. Paul’s Church, Doylestown. Arranged by Susan Roberts
