United in God’s Love, Empowered to Serve, Welcoming All
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY
February 23, 2025
Holy EUCHARIST
11:00 A.M.
INTERIM RECTOR: The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting
MUSIC DIRECTOR and ORGANIST: Stephen Kennedy
We seek to serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
We strive for justice and peace among all people,
respecting the dignity of every human being.
Welcome
We seek to mirror the love of God and the hospitality of Jesus in our worship and our service to others. We are a community welcoming all races, ethnicities, faiths, genders, orientations, and abilities. Our worship is open to all, and every person is invited to receive communion.
CHRIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS – TELEPHONE: 585.454.3878
TUESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THURSDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
As discussed during the Annual Meeting, the Rector Search Committee is interested in your input! Click here and leave us a message https://songforchristchurch.org/contact and share your thoughts. Members of the Search Committee will be available after church during Coffee Hour, too, to answer any questions, and the boards will be available through the month of February.
VOLUNTARY Sechs Trios, Op 47 Max Reger (1873-1916) Sicillano
At the ringing of the bell, all who are able, stand.
THE ENTRANCE RITE
INTROIT Domine, in tua misericordia
HYMN 390 Praise to the Lord
OPENING ACCLAMATION Plainsong
ACCLAMATION Plainsong
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
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.
THE WORD OF GOD
SONG OF PRAISE
Gloria in Excelsis
COLLECT OF THE DAY
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE LESSONS
The people sit.
After each Reading, the Reader says: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
THE FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11,15
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me." And they came closer. He said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there--since there are five more years of famine to come--so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.'"
And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
GRADUAL
Psalm 37:1-12,41-42
EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
Someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.
So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
THE HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 5:1-11
Gospeler: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
All: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
Gospeler: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting
A time of silent reflection is kept after 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
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: I ask your prayers for God's people throughout the world;
Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
People: That we all may be one.
Leader: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
People: That your Name may be glorified by all people.
Leader: We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
People: That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
Leader: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
People: That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Leader: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
People: That our works may find favor in your sight.
Leader: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
People: That they may be delivered from their distress.
Leader: Give to the departed eternal rest, remembering especially Steve Remy
People: Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Leader: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Leader: Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence
Leader: Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored, whom we remember today.
People: Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.
Silence
Presider: O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Presider:
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Silence is kept.
All: Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
Have mercy on us and forgive us;
That we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest, stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
THE PEACE
Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERTORY SENTENCE
Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.
OFFERTORY
Your monetary offering- whether given in the offering plate or by online donation- supports the worship, pastoral care, and outreach of Christ Church as we seek to love and serve God and our neighbors. Thank you for your generosity.
THE HOLY COMMUNION
HYMN 304 I come with joy to meet the Lord
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
All who are able stand
SURSUM CORDA Plainsong
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; Because in the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused a new light to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
SANCTUS
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days, you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, 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, according to his command, O Father,
Presider and People:
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
The Presider continues:
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your children, through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation. 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 forever. AMEN.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
A period of silence is kept.
FRACTION ANTHEM
ALLELUIA, CHRIST OUR PASSOVER
The Bread and the Cup are given to communicants with these words:
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
The Response to each is: Amen.
ANTHEM Prayer of St Richard of Chichester
L. J. White (1910-1973)
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast won for me, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, ay I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly: and all for Thy name’s sake. Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
HYMN 657 Love divine, all loves excelling
Presider: Let us pray.
Almighty and ever-living God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
THE BLESSING
Presider: May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
DISMISSAL
Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
DEO GRATIAS
Mass VIII “De Angelis” Mode 5
VOLUNTARY Fantasia in G Minor, BWV 542 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
CHRIST CHURCH PARISH PRAYER LIST
Please keep these persons and intentions in your prayers this week-
The wardens, vestry, search committee, and clergy of this parish.
The repose of the soul of Steve Remy and consolation for his family and friends who mourn.
The sick and the suffering, remembering Kristy Liddell’s mother Kina having surgery in March.
Refugees and immigrants, those lacking housing and the necessities of life.
All those afflicted by poverty, bigotry, violence, war, and oppression.
UPCOMING EVENTS
*Shrove Tuesday Potluck and Pancake Supper – Tuesday, March 4th 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Guild Room.
Please use the Sign-up sheet on the bulletin board or email us at office@christchurchrochester.org.
*Ash Wednesday Mass with distribution of Ashes – Wednesday, March 5th @ 5:30 p.m.
Our Celebrant today was the Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting
Vestry- Jeremy Cooney, Jim Ford, John Fields, Norma Hopcraft, Kristy Liddell, Nancy Norwood, Shirley Ricker, Craig Smith, Jim Kurmis
Wardens- Valerie Jutsum Deb VanderBilt
and David Jutsum- Clerk of the Vestry
_______________________________________________________________________
Organists
Stephen Kennedy, director of music and organist
Andrew Johnson, assistant organist
Dominic Fiacco, VanDelinder Fellow
Jimmy Jeffery, VanDelinder fellow
David Higgs and William Porter, associate organists
Choral Scholars
Anna Bjerken
Karen Goldfeder
Caleb Meyerhoff
Michael Cullinan
Thatcher Lyman
CHRIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS &Staff -
The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting, Interim Rector
Stephen Kennedy, Director of Music, stephenk@rochester.rr.com
Steve Iaia, Sexton, stepheniaia9@gmail.com
Lori Frank, Office Administrator, office@christchurchrochester.org.
Office Hours:
TUESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
THURSDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK
TODAY: February 23, 2025
Children's choir right after church
12:00-3:00 “Let’s Build Together”
9:00 pm Compline
MONDAY, February 24
10:00 am Zoom Morning Prayer
https://songforchristchurch.org/monday-morning-prayer
TUESDAY, February 25
Tuesday Pipes 12:10pm
6:30pm Vestry Meeting
WEDNESDAY, February 26
Choir rehearsal 6:30 pm
THURSDAY, February 27
7:00 pm Zoom Evening Prayer
https://songforchristchurch.org/thursday-evening-prayer
LET’S BUILD TOGETHER
Christ Church has a building club for LEGO® fans of all ages! The group gathers weekly in the sacristy between 1:00 and 3:00. Dave Jutsum will supply the LEGO® bricks and pieces.
LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this club.
MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Christ Church Children’s Choir wants your kids! 20-minute rehearsals follow the 11:00 am Eucharist on Sundays. Please feel free to contact Stephen Kennedy and/or Andrew Johnson if you have a child interested in participating or if you have any questions about our program.
Please consider lending a helping hand with Compline set-up immediately following today’s Eucharist.
CHURCH SCHOOL
Available every Sunday for the 11:00 service. Children of any age are welcome! Teachers are on site from 10:45 a.m., and will bring your children down to the sanctuary after the Prayers of the People so that they can join in for communion. Church School focuses on arts & crafts related to the themes of the week’s readings. You can visit the room on the 2nd floor—if you are unfamiliar with the building, please ask an usher, who will be glad to show you the room. Note: Christ Church follows Safe Church practices—at least 2 teachers are always in the room with the children.
DONATIONS, PLEDGE ENVELOPES, AND VISITOR’S BOOK
You can make an online donation or pledge by simply going to the Christ Church website: christchurchrochester.org
There is no service charge when you click the DONATE button.
Please pick up your envelopes in the Narthex
For more information about upcoming events at Church, scan this QR code below.
https://songforchristchurch.org/announcements
Additional items of importance can be seen by clicking the link or scanning the QR code.
Remember to “like” and “subscribe” to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkbAzGxOtsMI1dhb_3dGvg/videos
visit the website, http://www.christchurchrochester.org and
The Song, https://songforchristchurch.org often, for any updates and to access free recordings.
LITURGICAL CALENDARS 2024 or 2025
Please let the office know if you are interested in receiving a calendar.
Email: office@christchurchrochester.org
Phone: 585-454-3878
FORWARD DAY BY DAY PUBLICATION
Please let the office know if you are interested in receiving a copy.
Email: office@christchurchrochester.org
Phone: 585-454-3878