Confirmation (The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Covid-tide)
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
14 March 2021
according to the Book of Common Prayer (p. 413ff.)
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Preparing for the Liturgy
During this season of coronavirus infections, please demonstrate your love for your friends and neighbors by wearing a mask (covering both mouth and nose) and maintaining six feet of social distancing from those not living in your house. If you have been fully vaccinated then masks are optional outdoors , at 15’ of distance, while leading liturgy (e.g., while serving as a lector).
If you are feeling ill or think you may have been exposed to someone ill within the last two weeks, please stay home and participate with us online instead of in person.
We Gather in God’s Name
BCP 355
The people stand as able.
Greeting
Officiant:
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People:
God’s mercy endures for ever.
Officiant:
There is one Body and one Spirit;
People:
There is one hope in God’s call to us;
Officiant:
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
People:
One God and Father of all.
The Collect of the Day
Officiant:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Officiant:
Let us pray.
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
People:
Amen.
The people are seated.
We Hear God’s Word
The First Lesson: Numbers 21:4-9
Lector:
A reading from the book of Numbers.
From Mount Hor the Israelites set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.” Then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.
Lector:
The word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Confitemini Domino
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *
and his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let all those whom the Lord has redeemed proclaim *
that he redeemed them from the hand of the foe.
3 He gathered them out of the lands; *
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.
17 Some were fools and took to rebellious ways; *
they were afflicted because of their sins.
18 They abhorred all manner of food *
and drew near to death’s door.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, *
and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent forth his word and healed them *|
and saved them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his mercy *
and the wonders he does for his children.
22 Let them offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.
The Second Lesson: Ephesians 2:1-10
Lector:
A reading from Paul’s epistle to the church in Ephesus.
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else. But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ– by grace you have been saved– and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God– not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Lector:
The word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
The people stand as able.
The Holy Gospel: John 3:14-21
Deacon:
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People:
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Deacon:
Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
Deacon:
The Gospel of the Lord.
People:
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The people are seated.
A brief homily, spiritual conversation, or moment of silence may be placed here.
Silence follows the homily.
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
The people stand as able.
Bishop:
The Candidates will now be presented.
Presenters:
I present N. N. for Confirmation.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Bishop:
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.
The people stand as able. After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying
Bishop:
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 Renewal of Baptismal Vows
Bishop:
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People:
I do.
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.
A period of silence follows.
Bishop:
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 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
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.
or this
Defend, O Lord, your servant N. with your heavenly grace, that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
The Bishop concludes with this prayer
Bishop:
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.
People:
Amen.
Passing the Peace is primarily a liturgical practice, not a social one. While the threat of Covid-19 is prominent, the peace will be brief. Please do not move around or make contact (shaking hands, hugs) with others. Instead you are invited to look to the person on either side of you and wish them peace with a bow or a wave.
The Peace
Presider:
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People:
And also with you.
We greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The people are seated.
The Announcements
We Offer Ourselves to God
The Offertory Hymn will only be sung at liturgies meeting outdoors.
The altar is prepared
The people stand as able.
Come, Thou font (LEVAS 111)
1
Come, Thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, O fix me on it.
Mount of God’s unchanging love.
2
Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Surely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand’ring from the fold of God.
He, to save my soul from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
3
O, to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I’m constrained to be;
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter,
Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it from thy courts above.
BCP 361
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer A
Presider:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Presider:
Lift up your hearts.
People:
We lift them to the Lord.
Presider:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The Presider 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.
A Proper Preface may be used here.
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
Presider and People:
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.
The Presider 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.”
Presider:
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
People:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Presider 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.
Presider:
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.
People:
AMEN.
BCP 364
The Lord’s Prayer
Presider:
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Officiant and People:
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
Presider:
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People:
Therefore let us keep the feast.
Presider:
The Gifts of God for the People of God.
We Receive the Gift of God
Receiving Communion during Covid:
Please remain where you are, standing or seated in prayer. After the presider has received the Sacrament in both kinds, donned a mask, and carefully sanitized hands, the presider will bring the sacrament to each person in turn.
If you wish to receive communion physically:
- Hold out your cupped hands to receive the bread. The presider will drop the host into your hands without making contact. (If you prefer to receive gluten-free bread, please tell the presider so.)
- Wait until the presider has moved away to remove your mask, consume the host, and replace you mask.
- Communion will be offered in one kind only (just the bread). This is still full communion.
If a person desires to receive the Sacrament, but, by reason of extreme sickness or physical disability, is unable to eat and drink the Bread and Wine, the Celebrant is to assure that person that all the benefits of Communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth. (BCP, 457)
If you do not wish to receive communion physically:
- Cross your arms over your chest. The presider will offer you a blessing instead, again without touching.
- You are invited to utter the Prayer for Spiritual Communion while communion is being distributed.
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
(from The Prayer Book for the Armed Services)
BCP 365
The Post-communion Prayer
Presider:
Let us pray.
People:
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
Bishop:
Our help is in the Name of the Lord;
People:
The maker of heaven and earth.
Bishop:
Blessed be the Name of the Lord;
People:
From this time forth for evermore.
Bishop:
The blessing, mercy, and grace of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you for ever.
People:
Amen.
The Processional Hymn will only be sung at liturgies meeting outdoors.
Processional
In Christ There Is No East or West (Hymnal 529)
1
In Christ there is no East or West,
in him no South or North,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
2
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate’er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as his child
is surely kin to me.
3
In Christ now meet both East and West,
in him meet South and North,
all Christly souls are one in him,
throughout the whole wide earth.
BCP 366
The Dismissal
Deacon:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
In order to minimize the possibility of infecting others,
please exit the campus immediately.