Every Tuesday, volunteers gather at my service site (Church of the Guardian Angel) to prepare the food that will be distributed to our guests on Wednesday Morning. This is a busy day, as a Truck is unloaded and food is sorted into three different bags. It is an exciting time of preparation, but my favorite part of my week is about midway through our day, when we pause from all the business and share a meal. And sharing this meal with everyone who has come to help in the perpetrations, has become my favorite event of the week. I have loved the chance to get to know everyone who is there and to share fellowship, but I am most impressed with how this meal brings everyone to the table, as part of one community.Guardian Angel has made sharing meals together a center of their life together. They gather whenever they can safely, and make sure that everyone is welcome at the table. Watching that process of the community has thought me more about what it means to be …
By now, you've probably seen Father Steve Holt around Guardian Angel. Steve joined us this summer as the new Rector. Now that he's pretty much settled in, we decided to sit down and record this so the wider community can get to know him a little better too.
These past few weeks at Guardian Angels
have been wonderful, as we have gathered for worship (both together in the
church and online), celebrated St. Francis Day with Church of the Redeemer, and
continued the work of the Food Pantry. We know have three weeks under our belt
of in-person worship. It is such a wonderful gift to be able to see each other and to break bread together. In-person worship continues on Sunday, and you can
also join us online using this link (http://rebrand.ly/CGASunday)
In
addition to our gatherings on Sunday Mornings, about 10 people form Guardian Angel
and Church of the Redeemer gathered together last Saturday to celebrate the feast
day of Saint Francis, and to bless the animals. There were very excited dogs
running around in Wyman Del Park, and wonderful service led by the Rev Rebecca
Ogus (Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Church of the Redeemer.
All of us who
gathered on Saturday recited together the Prayer Attributed to Saint Francis.
The Prayer Attributed to Saint Francis is a powerful reminder in these
difficult times, that our faith calls out into the world to bring love, truth,
and faith into the world. For me it at least, it is a reminder that we have the
ability to use our faith to make the world a better place for everyone.
Join us for the Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 3rd, at Wyman Del Park at 5 PM. Bring your animals, pictures of animals, or stuffed animals. We are grateful to be able to join with Church of the Redeemer to celebrate St. Francis Day.
We will regather for in-person worship this Sunday at 10 AM with appropriate precautions taken. If you are unable to join us in person, we will still be streaming on service on our YouTube channel. We look forward to seeing you all again this Wednesday. For more updates, see our Facebook Page. Below is our Covenent for regathering,
Welcome to Church of the Guardian Angel online! In-person public gatherings have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, but we are still connected, still church, and staying safe. Everything you need to follow the service is here. Please join in the prayers and responses printed in bold, and in the hymns and chants. We are glad you are with us today!
GATHERING
Leader: Come Holy Spirit
People: Come Holy Spirit
Leader: Move among us
People: Move among us
Leader: Spirit come
People: Spirit come
Opening Acclamation
Celebrant: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia
Opening Hymn
If you believe, and I believe
And we together pray
The Holy Spirit will come down and set God’s people free
And set God’s people free, and set God’s people free,
The Holy Spirit will come down and set God’s people free (x2)
The Collect for Purity
Almighty 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.
+Gloria
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant: The Lord be with you People: And also with you. Celebrant: Let us pray.
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
WORD
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (2:1-21)
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: `In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'
Reader: This is the word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 104:25-35, 37
O Lord, how manifold are your works!* in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, with its living things too many to number, creatures both small and great.
There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan,* Which you have made for the sport of it. All of them look to you,* to give them their food in due season.
You give to them; they gather it;* when you open your hand, and they are filled with good things. You hide your face and they are terrified;* you take away their breath, and they die and return to their dust.
You send forth your Spirit, and they are created;* and so you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;* may the Lord rejoice in his works.
He looks on the earth and it trembles;* who touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;*
I will praise my God while I have my being. May may these words of mine please him;* I will rejoice in the Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul.* Hallelujah!
A reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians (12:3b-13)
No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn
Leader: Alleluia People: Alleluia
The Gospel
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John (20:19-23).
People: Glory to you Lord Christ
When it was evening of the day of Resurrection, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon: The Venerable Jane O’Leary
A time of silence is observed following the sermon.
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.
The Prayers of the People (Form IV)
Leader
Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. We offer here the prayers for our community.
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray for everybody affected by Covid-19 and those who care for them.
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer.
Celebrant: Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Peace
Celebrant: The peace of Christ be always with you. People: And also with you.
Welcome & Announcements
TABLE
+Offertory Acclamation
Celebrant introduces the offertory and we say together:
All things come of thee O Lord and of thine own have we given thee. Amen
Offertory Hymn (505)
1 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God, in every need thou bringest aid, thou comest forth from God’s great throne, from God, the Father and the Son; O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God.
2 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God, increase our faith in our dear Lord; unless thy grace the power should give, none can believe in Christ and live; O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God.
3 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God, make us to love thy sacred word; the holy flame of love impart, that charity may warm each heart; O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God.
4 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God, enlighten us by that same word; teach us to know God's radiant love, and his dear Son, who reigns above; O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up 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 God thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. In fulfillment of his true promise, the Holy Spirit came down on this day from heaven, lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead them into all truth; uniting peoples of many tongues in the confession of one faith, and giving to your Church the power to serve you as a royal priesthood, and to preach the Gospel to all nations. 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:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: Holy and gracious Father, in your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world. On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Celebrant: 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 for ever. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant: And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray,
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
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Celebrant: The gifts of God for the people of God.
Post-Communion Chant
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, you are here with us.
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion - Episcopal Prayer Book for the Armed Forces (1988 – adapted for Guardian Angel)
In union, O God, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, we desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. We remember your death, Lord Christ; we proclaim your resurrection; we await your coming in glory. And through this Sacrament of your Body and Blood celebrated for, and virtually with us, we beseech you to come spiritually into our hearts. Cleanse and strengthen us with your grace, Loving Savior, and let us never be separated from you. May we live in you, and you in us, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
SENDING
Blessing
The Spirit of truth lead you into all truth, give you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and strengthen you to proclaim the word and works of God; and the blessing of God our Creator, our Redemeer, and our Sustainer be with you and those you love this day and forever more.
Final Hymn (551):
Dismissal
Deacon: Alleluia! Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Postlude
Participating in the Service
All who are watching online – you are here with us! Celebrant: The Rev Barbara O’Sullivan Deacon & Preacher: The Venerable Jane O’Leary Director of Music: Noah Stone Reader & Intercessor: Jean Lafferty, Senior Warden Cantor: Craig Bettenhausen, Junior Warden Video: The Rev Vaughn Vigil
Donations: Paypal is guardianangelremington@gmail.com Address for cheques: 2629 Huntingdon Ave, Baltimore 21211
1 Rise up, ye saints of God! Have done with lesser things, give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of kings.
3 Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where his feet have trod; and quickened by the Spirit's power, rise up, ye saints of God!
2 Rise up, ye saints of God! His kingdom tarries long: bring in the day of brotherhood and end the night of wrong.
We are thrilled to announce that a new Rector will be coming to the Church of the Guardian Angel: Father Steve Holt.
Father Steve Holt is coming to us from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, where he has been serving as the Assistant Director for the Homelessness Solutions team. He is also the 1st Vice-President of the Ednor Gardens-Lakeside Civic Association, and has been active in Baltimore since moving here eight years ago. Previously, Steve was the Director of Community Engagement for Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CPHA), and a community organizer with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice in Los Angeles, CA. He holds a Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA.
In addition to his clergy role, Father Steve will also serve as Director of our Food Pantry program, a new professional position at Guardian Angel that we are thrilled to have him inaugurate. Funding for this position is coming from a Community Development Block Grant from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development, administered by the City of Baltimore.
Guardian Angel has long been at the heart of the community here in Remington in addition to our role as a religious institution. Through the Food Pantry, community meals, Homework Club, AA meetings, community association (GRIA) meetings, and various workshops, we love providing a venue for the community to come together. We are excited about the skills and experience Father Steve will bring to that part of our mission as Food Pantry Director.
Steve will start at Guardian Angel no later than July 1st.
From Father Steve:
"I am incredibly excited to be joining your congregation, and to be a part of a church that already plays such an important role in its community. I look forward to getting to know all of you more and to working with each of you as we continue to show our neighborhood the love of Christ."
Our deepest thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past year since Pastor Alice's retirement. Please pray for Father Steve and his family as they prepare to join us.
