St.

Stephen’s Episcopal
Church

1 9 0 Ra ughl e y Hi l l Rd.
Ha rri ngton, De l aw are
3 0 2 -39 8 -3 71 0
www.ststephensde.org

O ur Mi s s i on i s to grow a c ongre ga ti on tha t

w el c ome s a l l , to c ome toge the r to c e l e bra te
our be l i e f i n J es us Chri s t through bi bl i c a l
te a c hi ngs a nd pra ye r w hi l e s tri vi n g to a c hi e ve
a s pi r i tual c onnec ti on a nd fe l l ow shi p w i thi n i ts
m e m be r s hi p a nd c ommuni t y w e s er ve .

Holy Eucharist
March 17, 2024
th
5 Sunday in Lent
 Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Pr o ce s s i on al H y mn S t an d H 408

Blessed be Lord who forgives all our sins.

People His mercy endures for ever.

The Celebrant may read one of the following sentences

Jesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel:

The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your
God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love
your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment
greater than these." Mark 12:29-31

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the

truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is
faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8,9

Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us with confidence draw
near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and
find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14,16

The Deacon or Celebrant then says

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People

Most merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

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

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all
goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you
in eternal life. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

The Collect of the Day

The Celebrant says to the people

The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.

The Collect:

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills
and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what
you command and desire what you promise; that, among the
swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely
there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Lessons:

A Reading from Jeremiah 31: 31-34: Ginny Schweiger

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make
a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of
Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their
ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of
the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was
their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I
will make with the house of Israel after those days, says
the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on
their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each
other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the
least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive
their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. The Word of
the Lord! Thanks be to God

Psalm 51: 1-13: Janet Voss

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-

kindness; *
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, *
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you only have I sinned *
and done what is evil in your sight.
5 And so you are justified when you speak *
and upright in your judgment.
6 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
a sinner from my mother's womb.
7 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
8 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
 9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
10 Hide your face from my sins *
and blot out all my iniquities.
11 Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
12 Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
13 Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

The Epistle- Hebrews 5: 5-10: Ginny Schweiger

Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but

was appointed by the one who said to him,

“You are my Son,

today I have begotten you”;
as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and
supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was
able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his
reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned
obedience through what he suffered; and having been made
perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who
obey him, having been designated by God a high priest
according to the order of Melchizedek. The Word of the Lord!
Thanks be to God!

Gospel Hymn Stand H 440

The Gospel- John 12:20-33: Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

People: Glory to you Lord Christ

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival

were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from
Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see
Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip
went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has
come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains
just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those
who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this
world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must
follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.
Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. “Now my soul is
troubled. And what should I say— ‘Father, save me from this
hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.
Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd
standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others
said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This
voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the
judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will
draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of
death he was to die. The Gospel of the Lord! Praise to you
Lord Christ!

Sermon Rev. Bruce Lomas

The Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
 true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of the People- Form III: Janet Voss

The Leader and People pray responsively

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;

People-That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and

humbly serve you;

People-That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for [[The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry our Presiding

Bishop, and The RT. Rev. Kevin S. Brown our Diocesan
Bishop, Bruce Lomas, our Priest, Vestry Group: Lee, Alyce,
George, Susan, Selena and Sonny and the Diocesan Cycle of
Prayer- St. Peter’s Church, Lewes, The Rev. Jeffrey A.
Ross, Rector, The Rev. Douglas Culton, Rector Emeritus,
The Rev. J. Carlyle Gill, Associate Priest, The Rev.
Canon Mark Harris, Associate Priest, The Rev. Ray
Michener, Associate Priest, The Rev. Deacon Laurence
Norfleet, Deacon, and The Rev. Theodore Olsen,
Associate Priest.

People-That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and

Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations
of the world; We pray for those in the Military: Christopher
Dawson, Justin Garey, Jaime Grimes, Justin R. Hudson,
Russell Knaub, Amber Mabrey, Jared Farmer, Bruce Carroll,
Darren Hearn, John Hearn and Garrett Burris.

People-That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

People-That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;

we pray for the following:

For th e S i ck , an d / or i ssu es:

Joh n Maccey Regi n a Mi l l er B i l l Sh aw
L exi Mi l es S h i rl ey B owd en Pau l a S w if t
E mma Fi s h e r Au sti n Dean Jean Moss
B ern i e Du p ras Pr eston B ow d en Ji m Fri el
Kar en Wri gh t B arb ara Fa jn or B ri stol H erd
Nah ei m S mi th Mi ch ael Cl u l ey Don H earn
Don al d Frazi e r Wi l l McCol l ey Cal vi n H i l l
Wh i tn ey Jon es L i n d a S u l li van H u n t H ack ett
Cath i e Fl e mi n g Jack S tew art B i l l Man shi p

For Good H eal th i n O l d er Years:

Mol l i e Revel s Pat B ak e r
People-That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest.

People-Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People-May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. I ask your
thanksgiving for the:

Confirmation of Karen Crouse

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

The Celebrant concludes with an absolution or a suitable Collect

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

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all
goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you
in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace

All stand. The Celebrant says to the people

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People- And also with you.

O f f er to r y S ta n d H 474

The Great Thanksgiving

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

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.
Celebrant Life you 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 him thanks and praise.

Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and every-

where to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.

Here a Proper Preface is sung or said on all Sundays, and on

other
occasions as appointed.

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:

Celebrant 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 people stand or kneel.

Then the Celebrant 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.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to

hold it, or to 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 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:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in

this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death,
resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the

Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new
and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully
receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy,
and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints
into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By him, and
with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor
and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior

Christ has taught us,
we are bold to say,

People and Celebrant

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread.

A period of silence is kept.

Then may be sung or said

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast.
In Lent, Alleluia is omitted, and may be omitted at other times
except during Easter Season.

In place of, or in addition to, the preceding, some other suitable

anthem may be used. Facing the people, the Celebrant says the
following Invitation

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

And may add- Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then

immediately deliver it to the people.

The Bread and the Cup are given to the communicants with these
words

The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in

everlasting life. [Amen.]

or with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

Celebrant and 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 Blessing

Announcements

Re c es s i on al H y mn - Stand H 67 1

Dismissal

Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit!

Thanks be to God

Announcements:
-E as ter L i l l y’s O rd er For m are d u e b a ck tod ay. S ee
H eath er Cr ou s e w i th an y qu esti on s.

-Ves t ry Me eti n g on Mon d ay Mar. 18 t h at 7:00p m.

-H ol y Week S ervi c es:

-Pal m S u n d ay - Mar ch 24 t h at 10:45a m (In

p ers on on l y)
-Maundy Thursday Church Service on March 28th at
Christ Church in Milford at 7:15pm. Dinner at 6pm. Sign-up
Sheet is in the back of the church. We are in charge of
Desserts. Please RSVP by March 17th.
-Good Fri d ay - Ma r ch 29 t h at 7:00p m
-E as ter S u n d ay - March 31 s t a t 10:45a m