What would it mean to be truly seen — not for your labels, your past, or your failures, but for who you really are?In this sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Craig Swan explores the story of the Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42) — a Samaritan woman, ostracized by her community, who encounters Jesus at noon by Jacob's Well. Fr. Craig draws a moving parallel between her experience of being fully seen by Christ and a group of Fall River middle schoolers — many carrying labels of poverty, special needs, or family instability — who were cheered by name after their school production of Alice in Wonderland.The sermon's central insight: every one of us carries something that makes us feel unclean, unlovable, or unworthy. The gospel's radical promise is that God sees past every label — and loves what God sees.Scripture ReadingsJohn 4:5-42 — The Woman at the Well; "living water"Psalm 139 — "You knit me together in my mother's womb"Jeremiah 1 — "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you"

What does it mean to truly trust God — not just believe in God, but let go of everything you know and step out in faith?In this sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent, The Rev. Craig Swan explores the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-17) — a leader who comes to Jesus in the night, drawn toward a teacher whose radical message both thrills and unsettles him. Fr. Craig traces the thread of trust across this week’s readings: from Abraham’s astonishing leap of faith at age seventy-five (Genesis 12), to Paul’s declaration that righteousness comes through faith, not works (Romans 4), to Nicodemus standing at the threshold of transformation.The central question of this Lenten season, Fr. Craig reminds us, is the same one God has always asked: Do you trust me?Scripture ReadingsGenesis 12:1–4a — God calls Abram to leave everythingPsalm 121 — “I lift up my eyes to the hills”Romans 4:1–5, 13–17 — Abraham’s faith reckoned as righteousnessJohn 3:1–17 — Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night; “For God so loved the world”Holy Week & Easter at St. Peter’sPalm Sunday, March 29 — 8:00 AM & 10:15 AMMaundy Thursday, April 2 — Shared meal 5 PM + Holy Eucharist 6 PM at St. Augustine’s, KingstonGood Friday, April 3 — Stations of the Cross 12 PM; Liturgy 7 PM (joint service with St. Augustine’s)Easter Vigil, April 4 at 7 PM — Deanery-wide event; Bishop presiding & preachingEaster Sunday, April 5 — Festival Eucharist with brass, timpani & full choirSt. Peter’s by-the-Sea is an Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island.Sunday worship rooted in Anglican liturgy, scripture, and thoughtful preaching.Plan a visit: https://www.stpetersbythesea.com

First Sunday in LentThe Holy Eucharist Rite OneGreat Litany, Eucharistic Prayer 1Sunday, February 22, 2026The Word of GodGREAT LITANY All stand.The People respond with the words in italics.I.Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth.Have mercy on us.Holy and Mighty, Redeemer of the world,Have mercy on us.Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,Have mercy on us.Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, One God,Have mercy on us.II.From all evil and mischief; from pride, vanity and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred and malice; and from all evil intent.Savior, deliver us.From sloth, worldliness and love of money; from hardness of heart and contempt for your word and your laws,Savior, deliver us.From sins of body and mind; from deceits of the world, flesh and the devil,Savior, deliver us.From famine and disaster; from violence, murder, and dying unprepared,Savior, deliver us.In all times of sorrow; in all times of joy; in the hour of our death and at the day of judgment,Savior, deliver us.By the mystery of your holy incarnation; by your birth, childhood and obedience; by your baptism, fasting and temptation,Savior, deliver us.By your ministry in word and work; by your mighty acts of power; by the preaching of your reign,Savior, deliver us.By your agony and trial; by your cross and passion; by your precious death and burial,Savior, deliver us.By your mighty resurrection; by your glorious ascension; and by your sending of the Holy Spirit,Savior, deliver us.III.Hear our prayers, O Christ our God.Hear us, O Christ.Govern and direct your holy Church; fill it with love and truth; and grant it that unity which is your will.Hear us, O Christ.Give us boldness to preach the gospel in all the world, and to make disciples of all the nations.Hear us, O Christ.Enlighten your bishops, priests and deacons, especially Nicholas our Bishop, and Craig our Rector, with knowledge and understanding, that by their teaching and their lives they may proclaim your word.Hear us, O Christ.Give your people grace to witness to your word and bring forth the fruit of your Spirit.Hear us, O Christ.Bring into the way of truth all who have erred and are deceived.Hear us, O Christ.Strengthen those who stand; comfort and help the fainthearted; raise up the fallen; and finally beat down Satan under our feet.Hear us, O Christ.IV.Guide the leaders of the nations into the ways of peace and justice.Hear us, O Christ.Give your wisdom and strength to Donald, the President of the United States, and Daniel the Governor of this state, that in all things they may do your will, for your glory and the common good.Hear us, O Christ.Give to the Congress of the United States, the members of the President’s Cabinet, those who serve in our state legislature, and all others in authority the grace to walk always in the ways of truth.Hear us, O Christ.Bless the justices of the Supreme Court and all those who administer the law, that they may act with integrity and do justice for all your people.Hear us, O Christ.Give us the will to use the resources of the earth to your glory and for the good of all.Hear us, O Christ.Bless and keep all your people,Hear us, O Christ.V.Comfort and liberate the lonely, the bereaved and the oppressed.Hear us, O Christ.Keep in safety those who travel and all who are in peril.Hear us, O Christ.Heal the sick in body, mind or spirit and provide for the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.Hear us, O Christ.Guard and protect all children who are in danger.Hear us, O Christ.Shower your compassion on prisoners, hostages and refugees, and all who are in trouble.Hear us, O Christ.Forgive our enemies, persecutors and slanderers, and turn their hearts.Hear us, O Christ.Hear us as we remember those who have died and grant us with them a share in your eternal glory.Hear us, O Christ.VI.Give us true repentance; forgive us our sins of negligence and ignorance and our deliberate sins; and grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to your word.To be sung three timesHoly God,Holy and Mighty,Holy Immortal One.Have mercy on us.THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (BCP p. 325)CelebrantThe Lord be with you.PeopleAnd with thy spirit.CelebrantLet us pray.Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; 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 LessonsFIRST READING Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7The people sit.A Reading from the book of Genesis.The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’“ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.Silence may follow.PSALM Psalm 32 Beati quorumRemain seated.1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *and whose sin is put away!2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *and in whose spirit there is no guile!3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *because of my groaning all day long.4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *and did not conceal my guilt.6 I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." *Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; *when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.8 You are my hiding-place;you preserve me from trouble; *you surround me with shouts of deliverance.9 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *I will guide you with my eye.10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *who must be fitted with bit and bridle,or else they will not stay near you."11 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; *shout for joy, all who are true of heart.SECOND READING Romans 5:12-19The people sit.A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans.As sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned-- sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much...

ENTRANCE HYMN #135 Songs of Thankfulness and PraiseSEQUENCE HYMN #542 Christ Is the World's True LightOFFERTORY ANTHEM Christ, Upon the Mountain Stands (Lehman)COMMUNION ANTHEM Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)POST-COMMUNION HYMN #137 O Wondrous Type! O Vision FairTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYO God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.FIRST READING Exodus 24:12-18Reader A reading from the Book of Exodus.The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm 99 Dominus regnavit1 The Lord is King;let the people tremble; *he is enthroned upon the cherubim;let the earth shake.2 The Lord is great in Zion; *he is high above all peoples.3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *he is the Holy One.4 "O mighty King, lover of justice,you have established equity; *you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob."5 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our Godand fall down before his footstool; *he is the Holy One.6 Moses and Aaron among his priests,and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.8 O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *you were a God who forgave them,yet punished them for their evil deeds.9 Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our Godand worship him upon his holy hill; *for the Lord our God is the Holy One.SECOND READING 2 Peter 1:16-21Reader A Reading from the second letter of Peter.We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.GOSPEL Matthew 17:1-9Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.People Glory to you, Lord Christ. Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”PriestThe Gospel of the Lord.PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ.

ENTRANCE HYMN #372 Praise to the Living GodSEQUENCE HYMN #601 O Day of God, Draw NighOFFERTORY ANTHEM Prayer for Peace (Harlan)COMMUNION ANTHEM I Want to Walk As A Child of the Light (Thomerson, arr. Harlan)POST-COMMUNION HYMN #408 Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns AboveTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYSet us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.FIRST READING Isaiah 58:1-9aReader A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm 112:1-9, [10] Beatus vir1 Hallelujah!Happy are they who fear the Lord *and have great delight in his commandments!2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, *and their righteousness will last for ever.4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.5 It is good for them to be generous in lending *and to manage their affairs with justice.6 For they will never be shaken; *the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.7 They will not be afraid of any evil rumors; *their heart is right;they put their trust in the Lord.8 Their heart is established and will not shrink, *until they see their desire upon their enemies.9 They have given freely to the poor, *and their righteousness stands fast for ever;they will hold up their head with honor.[10 The wicked will see it and be angry;they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *the desires of the wicked will perish.]SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 2:1-12Reader A Reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,nor the human heart conceived,what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.GOSPEL Matthew 5:13-20Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.People Glory to you, Lord Christ. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”PriestThe Gospel of the Lord.PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ.

ENTRANCE HYMN #569 God the Omnipotent!SEQUENCE HYMN #656 Blest Are The Pure In HeartOFFERTORY ANTHEM Be Thou My Vision (arr. Behnke)COMMUNION ANTHEM Beatitudes (Avery & Walsh, arr. Wilson)POST-COMMUNION HYMN #556 Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart, vss. 1-5THE COLLECT OF THE DAYAlmighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.FIRST READING Micah 6:1-8Reader A reading from the Prophet Micah.Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.“O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm 15 Domine, quis habitabit?1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *who may abide upon your holy hill?2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *who speaks the truth from his heart.3 There is no guile upon his tongue;he does no evil to his friend; *he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *but he honors those who fear the Lord.5 He has sworn to do no wrong *and does not take back his word.6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.7 Whoever does these things *shall never be overthrown.SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 1:18-31Reader A Reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.People Glory to you, Lord Christ. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."PriestThe Gospel of the Lord.PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ.In our parish cycle of prayer, we pray for David Spears; Susan Stewart; Susan & Jim Stone;Kelly, Neil, & Liam Sullivan; Fr. Craig & Maureen Swan; and John & Sue Tassone.

ENTRANCE HYMN #542 Christ is the World's True LightSEQUENCE HYMN #543 O Zion, Tune Thy VoiceOFFERTORY ANTHEM Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether (Moore)COMMUNION ANTHEM Behold the Lamb of God (Benham)POST-COMMUNION HYMN #535 Ye Servants of GodTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYAlmighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.FIRST READING Isaiah 49:1-7Reader A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my cause is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.”And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength-- he says, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the slave of rulers, “Kings shall see and stand up, princes, and they shall prostrate themselves, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm 40:1-12 Expectans, expectavi1 I waited patiently upon the Lord; *he stooped to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.3 He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God; *many shall see, and stand in awe,and put their trust in the Lord.4 Happy are they who trust in the Lord! *they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.5 Great things are they that you have done, O Lord my God!how great your wonders and your plans for us! *there is none who can be compared with you.6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them!*but they are more than I can count.7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure *(you have given me ears to hear you);8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, *and so I said, "Behold, I come.9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me:*'I love to do your will, O my God;your law is deep in my heart.'"10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation;*behold, I did not restrain my lips;and that, O Lord, you know.11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart;I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; *I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.12 You are the Lord;do not withhold your compassion from me; *let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 1:1-9Reader A Reading from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.GOSPEL John 1:29-42Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.People Glory to you, Lord Christ. John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).PriestThe Gospel of the Lord.PeoplePraise to you, Lord Christ.

Celebrant The Rev. Craig R. Swan, RectorOrganist & Choir Director Tony B. RomeoFlute Lindsay GearhartTrumpet Nick SchleyerPercussion Joe DeMarco (4pm) Desiree Glazier-Nazro (10pm)ChoirBrian Bannon, Britt Bell, Dan Caramante, Lawren Casagrande, Margret Celico,Carol Cimilluca, Sean Connaughton, Susan Dvorak, Gloria Fontaine,Danielle Grilli-Marzan, Sarah Hamel, Timothy Hoyt, Joan Hudson, Camilla Lee, Mallory Leonard, Tavis Morello, Antonio Rodrigues, Heidi Simone, Susan Stewart, Maureen Winters-Swan, and Kent Yrchick-ShoemakerLectors Angel Hilliard (4pm) Lay Eucharistic Minister Shelley Licurse (4pm)Acolytes Team Clarity (4pm)Ushers Susan Stone, Anthony Capezza, and Jack Florence (4pm) PRELUDE4pmWhere Shepherds Lately Knelt (Courtney) ChoirThe Sussex Carol (arr. Hayes) Sean Connaughton, Soloist10pmA Stable Prayer (Fettke) ChoirGesu Bambino (Yon) Antonio Rodrigues & Timothy HoytO Magnum Mysterium (Ramos) ChoirThe Word of GodTHE PROCLAMATION OF CHRISTMASCelebrant The glory of God has been revealed.People And all the world shall see the salvation of God.HYMN O Come, All Ye FaithfulO come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;Come, and behold him, born the King of angels;RefrainO come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.God of God, Light of Light,Lo! he comes forth from the Virgin’s womb;Very God, Begotten, not created; RefrainSing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation.Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above;Glory to God, In the highest: RefrainYea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning,Jesu, to thee be glory giv’n;Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing: RefrainOPENING ACCLAMATIONCelebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.COLLECT FOR PURITYAlmighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.HYMN OF PRAISE S278 Glory to God in the HighestTHE COLLECT FOR CHRISTMASCelebrant The Lord be with you.People And also with you.Celebrant Let us pray.O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.The People may be seated for the readings.THE FIRST READING Isaiah 9:2-7Reader A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah.The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.Reader The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.PSALM 96 Cantate DominoThe choir will chant the psalm1 Sing to the Lord a new song; *sing to the Lord, all the whole earth.2 Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.3 Declare his glory among the nations *and his wonders among all peoples.4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *he is more to be feared than all gods.5 As for all the gods of the nations, they are but idols; *but it is the Lord who made the heavens.6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence of his presence! *Oh, the power and the splendor of his sanctuary!7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; *ascribe to the Lord honor and power.8 Ascribe to the Lord the honor due his Name; *bring offerings and come into his courts.9 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; *let the whole earth tremble before him.10 Tell it out among the nations: "The Lord is King! *he has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;he will judge the peoples with equity."11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;let the sea thunder and all that is in it; *let the field be joyful and all that is therein.12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joybefore the Lord when he comes, *when he comes to judge the earth.13 He will judge the world with righteousness *and the peoples with his truth.THE SECOND READING Titus 2:11-14Reader A Reading from the Letter to Titus.For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.Reader The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.The People stand for the Gospel procession.HYMN 96 Angels We Have Heard On HighTHE GOSPEL

Prelude                                                             The Spirit of the Lord God Is Upon Me (MacDermid)                                                                                                                             Antonio Rodrigues, SoloistEntrance Hymn #76                                                                                                    On Jordan's BankSequence Hymn #66                                                                          Come, Thou Long Expected JesusOffertory Anthem                                                              Awaken and Prepare Us, O God (Hayes)Communion Anthem                                                                          O Heavenly Word, Eternal LightPost-Communion Hymn #72                                              Hark, the Glad Sound! The Savior ComesTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYStir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.FIRST READING                 Isaiah 35:1-10Reader             A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you."Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM                                   PSALM 146:4-9                                                                 Lauda, anima mea4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! *whose hope is in the Lord their God;5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; *who keeps his promise for ever;6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, *and food to those who hunger.7 The Lord sets the prisoners free;the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; *the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;8 The Lord loves the righteous;the Lord cares for the stranger; *he sustains the orphan and widow,but frustrates the way of the wicked.9 The Lord shall reign for ever, *your God, O Zion, throughout all generations.Hallelujah!SECOND READING             James 5:7-10Reader            A Reading from the letter of James.Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.GOSPEL                                 Matthew 11:2-11Priest              The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.People             Glory to you, Lord Christ.                            When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way...

Prelude                                            "Comfort Ye, My People" from Messiah (Handel)                                                                                                     Antonio Rodrigues, soloistEntrance Hymn #73                       The King Shall Come When Morning DawnsSequence Hymn #454                      Jesus Came, Adored By AngelsOffertory Anthem                        Waiting For a King (Martin)Communion Hymn #613                  Thy Kingdom Come, O GodPost-Communion Hymn #57          Lo, He Comes With Clouds DescendingTHE COLLECT OF THE DAYAlmighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.FIRST READING                  Isaiah 2:1-5Reader             A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.In days to comethe mountain of the Lord’s houseshall be established as the highest of the mountains,and shall be raised above the hills;all the nations shall stream to it.Many peoples shall come and say,‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,to the house of the God of Jacob;that he may teach us his waysand that we may walk in his paths.’For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.He shall judge between the nations,and shall arbitrate for many peoples;they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,and their spears into pruning-hooks;nation shall not lift up sword against nation,neither shall they learn war any more.O house of Jacob,come, let us walkin the light of the Lord!ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM                                   Psalm 122                         Laetatus sum1 I was glad when they said to me, *"Let us go to the house of the Lord."2 Now our feet are standing *within your gates, O Jerusalem.3 Jerusalem is built as a city *that is at unity with itself;4 To which the tribes go up,the tribes of the Lord, *the assembly of Israel,to praise the Name of the Lord.5 For there are the thrones of judgment, *the thrones of the house of David.6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: *"May they prosper who love you.7 Peace be within your walls *and quietness within your towers.8 For my brethren and companions' sake, *I pray for your prosperity.9 Because of the house of the Lord our God, *I will seek to do you good."SECOND READING             Romans 13:11-14Reader            A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.GOSPEL         Matthew 24:36-44Priest              The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.People             Glory to you, Lord Christ.                            Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”Priest The Gospel of the Lord.People Praise to you, Lord Christ.In our parish cycle of prayer, we pray forDavid Ousterhout, Carolyn Owens, and Bob & Susan Palmer.