St. Peter's by-the-Sea

Is it okay to wrestle with God? To doubt, to question, to demand a blessing before you let go?

In this sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, The Rev. Craig Swan turns to Jacob's night at the Jabbok (Genesis 32:22–31) — the moment his past finally catches up with him, and he is left alone to wrestle with a stranger until daybreak. Fr. Craig traces this as both a physical struggle and a spiritual one: will Jacob run from the consequences of his choices, or step into the role he schemed his way into? He connects Jacob's limp — carried away "injured but secure" — to Paul's own hard-won faith in 2 Timothy, arguing that the "victor's crown" was never about accomplishment, but about never letting go of trust through doubt and darkness.

The sermon closes with an invitation: growing into a mature faith means moving past childhood certainty and owning a faith tested by our own struggle — just like Jacob at Peniel.

Scripture Readings

• Genesis 32:22–31 — Jacob wrestles with God at the Jabbok
• Psalm 17:1–7, 15 — "Show me your marvelous, loving-kindness, O Savior"
• Romans 9:1–5 — Paul's anguish for his own people
• Matthew 14:13–21 — Feeding of the five thousand

St. 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

What does it mean to treat every person as made in the image of God? In his sermon at St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Bishop Nicholas Knisely unpacks Matthew 10:40-42 — Jesus' promise that even the smallest act of kindness, a cup of cold water offered in his name, carries an extraordinary reward.

Bishop Knisely makes the case that true kindness flows not from what someone has done to deserve it, but from who they are in relationship with God. Every human being carries the image of God, and if we could see each other the way angels do, we would treat every person with the dignity that is already theirs.

His challenge: start with your neighborhood. Treat people as worthy of respect not because of how they vote, what they believe, or how they behave — but simply because they are human and they are a child of God.

What does it mean to receive peace from someone you failed?

On the Second Sunday of Easter, Fr. Craig Swan preaches on one of the most striking moments in John's Gospel: the risen Christ walking through locked doors to stand before the disciples who had abandoned him — and offering not judgment, but peace.

Fr. Craig explores the shame the disciples carried on that first Easter evening, why forgiveness is less about the other person than about freeing yourself, and how the church's long history of division stands in direct tension with the risen Christ's first words: Peace be with you.

The sermon closes with a challenge for this congregation and this moment: in a time marked by conflict and the need to be right, can we choose relationship over certainty?

Scripture Readings

• Acts 2:14a, 22–32 — Peter's witness to the resurrection
• Psalm 16 — "You will not abandon me to the grave"
• 1 Peter 1:3–9 — A living hope through resurrection
• John 20:19–31 — The risen Christ appears; Thomas's doubt and faith

St. 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

On the night of April 4, 2026, St. Peter's by-the-Sea gathered in darkness to proclaim that Easter doesn't begin after the darkness lifts — it begins inside it.

The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop of Rhode Island, delivered the sermon for this year's Great Vigil of Easter. Drawing on the witness of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bishop Knisely distinguishes between optimism — "I think things will get better" — and hope: the conviction that God is not finished. In a world of war, fear, and exhaustion, he argues that the resurrection was not wish fulfillment. It shattered categories. It was an act of God that no one planned, predicted, or could have arranged — and that death could not undo.

The service includes the ancient Exsultet, five Old Testament readings tracing God's saving acts from Creation through the Valley of Dry Bones, the renewal of Baptismal Vows, the Epistle from Romans 6, and the Easter Gospel from Matthew 28. Fr. Craig Swan leads the Prayers of the People.

Scripture: Genesis 1, Genesis 7–9, Exodus 14–15, Isaiah 55, Ezekiel 37, Romans 6:3–11, Matthew 28:1–10

Keywords: Easter Vigil, Episcopal Church, Bishop Nicholas Knisely, Rhode Island, resurrection, hope, Desmond Tutu, Great Vigil of Easter, Narragansett, St. Peter's by-the-Sea

What if the crowd on Palm Sunday wasn't wrong to shout "Hosanna" -- they just didn't know how big the answer would be?

On the Sunday of the Passion, we hold two moments at once: the joy of Jesus entering Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" and the weight of the full Passion Gospel (Matthew 26:14 -- 27:66), read dramatically by the congregation.

In his sermon, Fr. Craig Swan reflects on the word "Hosanna" -- which simply means "save us." The crowd wanted what crowds have always wanted: relief from the immediate problem. For first-century Jerusalem, that meant freedom from Roman occupation, a restored Davidic kingdom. They got something far larger than they bargained for. Fr. Craig draws a line from that ancient disconnect to our own prayer lives today -- the way we tend to pray for the things right in front of us (health, safety, the needs of our loved ones) while missing the greater reality the cross addresses: release from the bondage of sin itself, freedom from the fear of death, and the restoration of the whole world as the Kingdom of God. "We make God our cosmic Santa Claus," he says -- but the cross has already given us the greatest gift. The call of Holy Week is to lift our eyes to the larger picture.

Scripture Readings

• Isaiah 50:4-9a -- The Suffering Servant: "I gave my back to those who struck me"
• Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -- "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord"
• Philippians 2:5-11 -- "He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death"
• Matthew 21:1-11 -- The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
• Matthew 26:14 -- 27:66 -- The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Holy Week & Easter at St. Peter's

• Maundy Thursday, April 2 -- Shared meal 5 PM + Holy Eucharist 6 PM at St. Augustine's, Kingston
• Good 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 and preaching
• Easter Sunday, April 5 -- Festival Eucharist with brass and timpani

St. 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

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 Readings

1. John 4:5-42 — The Woman at the Well; "living water"
2. Psalm 139 — "You knit me together in my mother's womb"
3. 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?

1. Genesis 12:1–4a — God calls Abram to leave everything
2. Psalm 121 — “I lift up my eyes to the hills”
3. Romans 4:1–5, 13–17 — Abraham’s faith reckoned as righteousness
4. John 3:1–17 — Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night; “For God so loved the world”

1. Palm Sunday, March 29 — 8:00 AM & 10:15 AM
2. Maundy Thursday, April 2 — Shared meal 5 PM + Holy Eucharist 6 PM at St. Augustine’s, Kingston
3. Good Friday, April 3 — Stations of the Cross 12 PM; Liturgy 7 PM (joint service with St. Augustine’s)
4. Easter Vigil, April 4 at 7 PM — Deanery-wide event; Bishop presiding & preaching
5. Easter Sunday, April 5 — Festival Eucharist with brass, timpani & full choir

St. 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 Lent

The Holy Eucharist Rite One

Great Litany, Eucharistic Prayer 1

Sunday, February 22, 2026

The Word of God

GREAT 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 times

Holy God,

Holy and Mighty,

Holy Immortal One.

Have mercy on us.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (BCP p. 325)

Celebrant

The Lord be with you.

People

And with thy spirit.

Celebrant

Let 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 Lessons

FIRST READING Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

The 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.

Reader

The Word of the Lord.

People

Thanks be to God.

Silence may follow.

PSALM Psalm 32 Beati quorum

Remain 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 5:12-19

The 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 more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Reader

The Word of the Lord.

People

Thanks be to God.

Silence may follow.

SEQUENCE HYMN #445 Praise to the Holiest in the Height

All stand.

GOSPEL Matthew 4:1-11

All stand.

Priest

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

People

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

‘One does not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,

and serve only him.’”

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Celebrant

The Gospel of the Lord.

People

Praise be to thee, O Christ.

THE SERMON The Rev. Craig R. Swan

THE CREED

All stand.

I believe in one God,

the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

and of all 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 shall 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 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 PEACE (BCP p. 332)

All stand.

Celebrant

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People

And with thy spirit.

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

The Holy Communion

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

The Celebrant says

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and make good thy vows unto the Most High. Psalm 50:14

OFFERTORY ANTHEM Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone (arr. Martin)

The Great Thanksgiving

SURSUM CORDA S 112 Lift up your hearts

The People remain standing.

Facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

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.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was in every way tempted as we are, yet did not sin; by whose grace we are able to triumph over every evil, and to live no longer unto ourselves, but unto him who died for us and rose again.

Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,

SANCTUS S 114 Holy, holy, holy (Willan) (BCP p. 333)

Celebrant and People

The people kneel or stand.

Then the Celebrant continues

All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of 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, he brake 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 ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, 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, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Savior Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy divine Majesty, 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; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.

And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion.

And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him.

And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord;

By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (BCP p. 336)

The Celebrant then continues

And now, as our Savior Christ hath 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,

forever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

FRACTION ANTHEM

PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS

The following prayer may be said. The People may join in saying this prayer

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.

INVITATION

The Celebrant says

The

ENTRANCE HYMN #135 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

SEQUENCE HYMN #542 Christ Is the World's True Light

OFFERTORY 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 Fair

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

O 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 24:12-18

Reader 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.

Reader

The Word of the Lord.

People

Thanks be to God.

PSALM Psalm 99 Dominus regnavit

1 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 God

and 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 God

and worship him upon his holy hill; *

for the Lord our God is the Holy One.

SECOND READING 2 Peter 1:16-21

Reader 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.

Reader

The Word of the Lord.

People

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Matthew 17:1-9

Priest 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.”

Priest

The Gospel of the Lord.

People

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

ENTRANCE HYMN #372 Praise to the Living God

SEQUENCE HYMN #601 O Day of God, Draw Nigh

OFFERTORY 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 Above

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

Set 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 58:1-9a

Reader 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.

Reader

The Word of the Lord.

People

Thanks be to God.

PSALM Psalm 112:1-9, [10] Beatus vir

1 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 2:1-12

Reader 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.

Reader

The Word of the Lord.

People

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL Matthew 5:13-20

Priest 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.”

Priest

The Gospel of the Lord.

People

Praise to you, Lord Christ.