March 2, 2022 – Ash Wednesday

Lent is the season when the Church prepares for Easter. During Lent the Church invites her members to participate in prayer, penance and active works of mercy. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, and it is observed with a special penitential order. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday and placing them on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”. Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days (40 fasting days, if the 6 Sundays, which are not days of fast, are excluded) before Easter and can fall as early as 4 February or as late as 10 March. Jesus Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Lent may have originated as a mirroring of this, fasting 40 days as preparation for Easter. Every Sunday (including each Sunday in Lent) is observed as a Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, commemorating his resurrection, and thus every Sunday is considered a feast day on which fasting is inappropriate. Christians are called by the Church to observe the ordinary weekdays of Lent by special acts of discipline and self-denial in commemoration of the crucifixion of the Lord. In addition, the ordinary Fridays of Lent are traditionally days of abstinence from flesh meats. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are traditionally days of strict fasting and abstinence. The service is The Holy Eucharist, Rite II, from the red Book of Common Prayer 1979.

Our Celebrant & Preacher today is the Reverend Matthew H. Mead. 


Today’s In Person Worship


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, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament
Isaiah 58:1-12
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.

If you remove the yoke from among you,
the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil,

if you offer your food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,

then your light shall rise in the darkness
and your gloom be like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.

Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.

 

The Psalm
Psalm 103:8-14
Benedic, anima mea

8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.

13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the Lord care for those who fear him.

14 For he himself knows whereof we are made; *
he remembers that we are but dust.

The Epistle
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says,

“At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
and on a day of salvation I have helped you.”

See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; in honor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see– we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

The Gospel
Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”


Today’s Music
Hymn: 150, Forty days and forty nights, Aus der Tiefe rufe ich (Heinlein)

Psalm: 103: 8-14, Gregorian chant, Mode 2

Motet at the Imposition of Ashes: Miserere mei, Domine (Psalm 51), Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652)

Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.
Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci: ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.
Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.
Asperges me hysopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
Audi tui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exsultabunt ossa humiliata.
Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies.
Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri Ierusalem.
Tunc acceptabis sacrificium justitiae, oblationes, et holocausta: tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.
– Psalm 50*:1-11, 18-20, Latin Vulgate

*The numbering of the Psalms is not exactly parallel between the Latin Vulgate and the Book of Common Prayer, because of an ancient discrepancy between the Hebrew Masoretic texts and the Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures in use in the early Church. The Vulgate follows the Septuagint numbering system, while the Reformers who translated scripture into English followed the older Masoretic system.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, *
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only have I sinned *
and done what is evil in your sight.
And so you are justified when you speak *
and upright in your judgment.
Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
a sinner from my mother’s womb.
For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins *
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Be favorable and gracious to Zion, *
and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices,
with burnt-offerings and oblations; *
then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.

– Psalm 51: 1-11, 18-20, Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Sequence hymn: 684, O, for a closer walk with God, Caithness

Anthem at the Offertory: Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake, attributed at various times to Richard Farrant (c. 1530-1580) or to John Hilton (c. 1560-1608),

Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake, lay not our sins to our charge, but forgive that is past, and give us grace to amend our sinful lives: to decline from sin and incline to virtue, that we may walk in a perfect heart before thee now and evermore. Amen

– collected by Henry Bull (d. 1577) in Christian Prayers and Holy Meditations (1568)

Offertory Hymn: 325, Let us break bread together on our knees, Let us break bread together

Sanctus et Benedictus: S-131 Gerald Near (b. 1942)

Agnus Dei: S-166 Gerald Near

Anthem during Communion: Wash me throughly, Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876)

Wash me throughly from my wickedness,
and forgive me all my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults
and my sin is ever before me.
– Psalm 51, v. 2-3; Book of Common Prayer (1662)

Hymn: L-31, King of my life I crown thee now, Lead me to Calvary

This evening’s quartet is Jeanmarie Lally, Jann Degnan, Jeffrey Hoffman, and Simon Cram
Choir members: Jeff Bodenmann, Curtis Chase, Cherrie Greenhalgh, John Hastings, and Margaret Young
Jeffrey Hoffman, organist & director of music

 

 

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February 27, 2022 The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

This is the Last Sunday after the Epiphany.  This period in the Church year is known as the “Epiphany Season” 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 C (the third in a three year cycle: A, B & C) most of the Gospel passages are from the Gospel according to Luke.  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 this Sunday is the Reverend Matthew H. Mead. Our Preacher this Sunday is the Rev. Deacon Chisara Alimole. 


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. Coffee Hour follows.
  • 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.  Coffee hour follows.
  • Healing Prayers are offered at the Bolton Altar following both services.
  • Please review these Guidelines before attending worship at Christ Church.  (Updated 2/26/2022)
  • This Sunday at 5pm the Eucharist (Rite2) is celebrated in the Church. The 5pm service last about 25 minutes, is offered as announced, and is from the red Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 355.  A brief reception follows in the Bell Tower.

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

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.

Old Testament
Exodus 34:29-35
mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

The 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

The New Testament

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.  Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.   

Luke 9:28-36-43a
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.  On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.             


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, Mark, Marcia, Elizabeth, Zachary, Anne, Ginny, Ralph, Ethan, Barbara, Russell, Fran, Randy, Mary, Ralph, Ursla, Marcia, Scot, Sammy, Ted, Ryan, James, Monica (in hospital), Rebecca, Janet, Jackie, Amina, Celine, Alexia Grace, Alison, Emma, Pelin, Hildy, Martin, Nate, Yen, Erica, Rosalina, Walter, Susan, Ariana, Danielle, The Salvatore family, Dean, Sue, Xandra, Sigi, Joyce, Julie, Scott, Robert, Sherry, Michelle, Rob, Drue, David, Rob, Bill, Andrea, Sue, Lael, M&D, Sandy, Morris, and Katie.

We give thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week and in the coming week Marion Altieri (March 2), Kim de Beaumont (March 4) and Toni Kavanagh (March 4)

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

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

Organ Prelude: In quiet mood Florence Beatrice Price (1887-1953)

Hymn: 436, Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates, Truro

Gloria in excelsis: Hymn 421, All Glory be to God on high, Allein Gott in der Höh

Psalm: 37: 1-12, 41-42, Noli æmulari  Anglican chant, John Joubert (1927-2019)

Sequence hymn: 711, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, Seek ye first

Anthem at the Offertory: Te Deum in C, Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

We praise thee, O God: We acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heav’ns, and all the Pow’rs there-in.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy Glory.

The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets: praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee;
The Father of an infinite Majesty,
Thine honourable, true and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory O Christ.
Thou are the everlasting Son of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the Kingdom of Heav’n to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the Glory of the Father.

We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage.
Govern them and lift them up forever.
Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name
ever world without end.

Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted. Let me never be confounded.

Te Deum laudamus, translated in the Book of Common Prayer (1662)

Offertory Hymn: 380, v. 3 Praise God from whom all blessings flow (Doxology), Old 100th

Sanctus et Benedictus: S-114 from Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena by Healey Willan (1880-1968)

Agnus Dei: S-158 from Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena by Healey Willan

Anthem during Communion: O nata lux de lumine, Thomas Tallis (1505-1585)

O nata lux de lumine,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
dignare clemens supplicum
laudes preces que sumere.

Qui carne quondam contegi
dignatus es pro perditis
Nos membra confer effici,
tui beati corporis.

– 10th century Latin hymn for the Feast of the Transfiguration

O light born of light,
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
mercifully deem worthy and accept
the praises and prayers of your supplicants.

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh.
for the sake of the lost ones,
grant us to be made members
of your holy body.

Hymn: 680, O God, our help in ages past, St. Anne

Organ Voluntary: 3. Toccata in G Major from 12 Pièces pour orgue, Théodore Dubois (1837-1924)

This morning’s quartet is Jeanmarie Lally, Jann Degnan, José Ruiz, and Simon Cram
Jeffrey Hoffman, organist & director of music

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