October 17, 2021, The Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

This period in the Church year is known as “The Season after Pentecost” or “Ordinary Time.”  The term “ordinary” refers to how the New Testament passages are generally read in order or in sequence, as opposed to being arranged by specific theme as in other seasons.  During this season the Gospel passages focus on the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and how he is revealed to the world as the Christ.  In Year B (the second in a three-year cycle: A, B & C) most of the Gospel passages are from the Gospel according to Mark.  The Old Testament Lesson and the Psalm are chosen because they relate to the words and message of Jesus.  The New Testament Lesson is independent of these readings and is almost always taken from one of the Letters in the New Testament that reflects the common life and mission of the first Christian community.

Our Celebrant & Preacher today is The Rev. Matthew H. Mead.


Today’s In Person Worship

  • Every Sunday at 8am the Eucharist (Rite 1) is celebrated in the Church.  The service is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 323, and includes 2 pre-recorded hymns, and lasts about 45 minutes. Weather permitting coffee and tea are available in Garden afterwards.
  • Every Sunday at 10am the Eucharist (Rite 2) is celebrated in the Church. The service is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355.  See below for detailed music information.  The service lasts about an hour.  Weather permitting coffee and tea are available in Garden afterwards.
  • Healing Prayers are offered at the Bolton Altar following both services.
  • Please review these Guidelines before attending worship at Christ Church.

Today’s Live-Stream Worship & Sermon Archives


Sunday Offerings & Financial Donations to Christ Church

Christ Church is supported by the generosity of members and friends who donate time, talent, and money to the church to ensure that it is open, staffed, safe, and active. God has given each of us many gifts and we are called to use them to build up the church and to show the spread the love of God to our community. Click on the Donate Button for a variety of ways to support Christ Church, including one-time donations, annual pledges, and raising funds through FaceBook or Amazon.


Today’s Propers (Collect & Lections from Holy Scripture)

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Old Testament

Isaiah 53:4-12
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the LORD shall prosper. Out of his anguish he shall see light; he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge. The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm 91:9-16 Qui habitat

9             Because you have made the LORD your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,

10           There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.

11           For he shall give his angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.

12           They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13           You shall tread upon the lion and adder; *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet

14           Because he is bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver him; *
I will protect him, because he knows my Name.

15           He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; *
I am with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and bring him to honor.

16           With long life will I satisfy him, *
and show him my salvation.

The Epistle

Hebrews 5:1-10
Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son,  today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Gospel

Mark 10:35-45
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”  When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”


Parish Prayer List

Please note that names are listed alphabetically by last name of the person being prayed for (if it is known).  We do not list last names for privacy reasons. For pastoral emergencies call or text one of the clergy: Father Matt (914.471.0260), Deacon Chisara Alimole (914.338.5194), or call the parish office (914.738.5515).  If you have any updates (birthdays, prayers additions, etc., please let us know.) Please submit names you wish to be included by Tuesday morning, to Marie at: marie@christchurchpelham.org.

Our prayers are asked especially for: Marion, Shane, Rosemary, Rob, Marcia, Mike, Anne, Alexander, Ginny, Craig, Barbara, Mary, Ralph, Everton,  Jed, Marcia, Sammy, Monica, Rebecca, Janet, Amina, Alexia Grace, Alison, John, Emma, Peilin, Hildy, Martin,  Jason, Yen, Terry, Erica, Susan, Sue, Xandra, Sigi, Joyce, Julie, Scott, Sherrie, Michelle, Karen, Lisa, Laurelyn, Rob, Drue, Rob, Bill, Andrea, Sue,  Lael, M & D, Sandy, the Salvatore family, Dean, Danielle, Morris, and Katie.

We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week and in the coming week:  Etta Gumbs (October 11), Ginny Cragin (October 18) and Vicki Brundage-Kish (October 18).

We pray for those in our Armed Services especially: Joseph, Kevin, Jack, Leopold, Philip, Jake, Matthew, Robert, Philip-Jason, Nicholas, Sam, Jack, Helen, Mitchel, Alec, Tia, Tyrese, and Terrence.

We pray that all elected and appointed officials may be led to wise decisions and right actions for the welfare and peace of the world, especially Joseph our President, and Kathy our Governor.

The flowers on the Altar are in Loving Memory of Mrs. Sue Wen Meng, mother of Katherine Meng Kenworthy.

We pray for those who have died, especially (__________and) for those who have died from COVID-19.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.  Amen


Today’s Music

Prelude:  Chorale-Prelude on “Rhosymedre”      Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
(My song is love unknown)

Entrance Hymn: 423  Immortal, Invisible, God only wise  St. Denio

Gloria in excelsis: S280 Glory to God in the highest    Robert J. Powell (b. 1932)

Psalm: 91: 9-16, Tu enim es Domine          Anglican chant, Edward John Hopkins (1818-1901)
(text reprinted above with the lectionary propers)

Sequence Hymn: 324 Let all mortal flesh keep silence, Picardy

Anthem at the Offertory: O Lord, how manifold are your works     Alfred V. Fedak (b. 1953)

Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are truly very great; you are clothed with honor and with majesty.
You cover yourself with light as with a garment, and stretch forth the heavens like a curtain.
O Lord my God, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your riches.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever.
O Lord, rejoice in your works.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live, and sing praise to my God while I have my breath.

Psalm 104: 1-2, 24, 31, 33-34 (KJV), alt.

Hymn at the Offertory: 380, v. 3 Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Old 100th

Sanctus et benedictus: S129 Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might   Robert J. Powell

Agnus Dei: S163 Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world    Robert J. Powell

Anthem at Communion: O how amiable are thy dwellings Ralph Vaughan Williams
O how amiable are Thy dwellings: Thou Lord of hosts!
My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord: My heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young: even Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: They will always be praising Thee.
The glorious Majesty of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper Thou the work of our hands upon us.

O prosper Thou our handywork.
O God our help in Ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Psalm 84, Book of Common Prayer (1662) and Psalm 90, metrical version by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Hymn: 690 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah Cwm Rhondda

Organ Voluntary:    Short Prelude and Fugue in G major, BWV 557 attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Today’s choir is Jeff Bodenmann, Curtis Chase, Simon Cram, Jann Degnan, Linda Gerra, Cheryl Greenhalgh, Mboti (Missy) Kisob, Melody Joy Rubin, and José Ruiz
Jeffrey Hoffman, organist & director of music

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