St.

Philip the
Evangelist
Episcopal Church

Homecoming 2010
 Welcome to St. Philip the Evangelist Episcopal Church

Homecoming 2010

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE REV. VIRGINIA A. BROWN-NOLAN

The Rev. Virginia A. Brown-Nolan recently completed 11 years as Rector of St.

Luke’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. During the past twenty-four
years she has served congregations in Maywood, Illinois and Mill Valley,
California and on the staff of the Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan. She has
served as a consultant in congregational development as well as led
conferences, retreats and workshops. She holds Master of Divinity and Master
of Social Work degrees with concentrations in community development and
planning and psychiatric counseling. During a recent sabbatical she continued
her training in holistic healing and hopes to expand that ministry focus
through private consultations and workshops. She enjoys sharing a ministry
of music with her husband Nat Nolan.

VISION STATEMENT

St. Philip the Evangelist Parish will be an inclusive

church where people of diverse backgrounds will
advance the kingdom of God, nurture their spiritual life,
extend assistance and care to the people of the Anacostia
community and beyond.

MISSION STATEMENT

We, the congregation of St. Philip the Evangelist Parish, confess a firm belief in
the Lord Jesus Christ. We will strive to grow in knowledge and love of God
through the leading of the Holy Spirit, so that we can be reconciled to Christ
and to each other. In understanding the call of Jesus Christ to go and make
disciples of all nations, we affirm that our mission is:

1. To seek and serve Jesus Christ in word and deed;

2. To go into the community and the world with the good news of Jesus Christ;
3. To be an instrument through which God heals; and
4. To use our resources to respond to the spiritual, social, and physical needs
of our community.
 Message from the Rector
My brothers and sisters, I bring you greetings in the name
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Each year, we
celebrate “Homecoming” following our return from the
summer break. We do so with enthusiasm and zeal, in an
attempt to fulfill our mission to preach and teach the good
news and “to use our resources to respond to the
spiritual, social and physical needs of our community”.

This year’s Homecoming theme is: “Saints Return with Joyful

Hearts.” We normally attribute saintship to those who carry themselves with
piety, but the reality is that those who affirm their faith and belief in Jesus
Christ are saints.

As saints, we have a purpose driven life that is centered on God. With that in
mind, we have returned from the summer respite, with joyful hearts to
continue the work of ministry.

This task requires our collective efforts, a phenomenon underscored by the

psalmist who says: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)

It is also my fervent desire that our “joyful hearts” will inspire us to use our
human and financial resources to enhance God’s kingdom on earth. As we
embark on the path of bringing our parish to greater heights, may we be guided
by the words of Azariah: “But you take courage! Do not let your hands be weak,
for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7).

We thank our guests and friends who have joined us in our worship service to
celebrate this year’s Homecoming.

May God bless you for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Dr. William B. Lewis

 Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Holy Eucharist

The 21 st Sunday After Pentecost

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP AND HEALING

Processional Hymn …………………………………………….……………………….……………AAHH#590

“We’re Marching To Zion”

Celebrant Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.

People Glory to God forever and ever.

Song of Praise...........................................................................................................AAHH#106
“In The Beauty of Holiness”

SALUTATION
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.

T HE COLLECT OF THE DAY

Loving Jesus: Protect and sustain us with your hand. Open the door of your love that, sealed
with your wisdom, we may be free to serve you with joy. Amen

Lessons
After the Readings, the Reader may say

People Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

Thanks be to God.

1st Lesson Jeremiah 31:27-34

Psalm 119:97-104 BCP pp. 771-772
2nd Lesson 2 Timothy 3:14; 4:5

Gradual Hymn……………………………………………………………………………….………..AAHH#225
“Ride On, King Jesus”
The Gospel………………………………………………………………………….......…………..Father Lewis
Luke 18: 1-8
Gradual Hymn…………………………………………………………….…………………………..AAHH#225
“Ride On, King Jesus”
Introduction of Preacher............................................................................................Kim Harris

Soloist…………………………………………………………………………...………………Michael Harrison

Sermon…………………………………………………………..…...…………….Rev. Virginia Brown-Nolan

Alter Call……………………………………………………………………..………..….…………………..Choir
“Jesus Christ Is The Way”
“I Love You Lord Today”/AAHH#580

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,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
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,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who 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.
P RAYERS OF THE P EOPLE

How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth. God is on the move! All
of those who serve the Lord will be blessed! (Psalm 47:2)

Come we who love the Lord and let our joys be known!

There is a song in our hearts. There are untold melodies on our lips. For our God is worthy of
songs of praise and delight!

The neglected and the orphan have a new song to sing; for God cares for the
downtrodden and the forgotten one of the world.

The homeless and the wayward have a shelter. The captives to addictions and compulsions
have a way up and out.

Before the beginning, God was at work, making provisions for us, taking the desolate and
void, making a place of wonder and delight for our habitation.

“And he set that sun a-blazing in the heavens…”

Our God is an awesome God!

“Then down between the darkness and the light he hurled the world…”

Our God is an awesome God!

The rich, black soil was dense and the mountain ranges high as God spoke the Motherland
into existence. The God of Africa, the High God, reigned in splendor.

God has helped us to preserve our heritage, even in exile.

In strange lands, we have been made to dwell. In different climates, we have learned to adjust.
In different cultures, we have remained distinct. God’s goodness provided for our needs.

From around the world, we of the Diaspora continue to lift our sounds of exultation to
our God.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. (Psalm 8:11)

Regal Power and Sovereign Majesty is the name of our God.

God is in this house! God reigns with power and love! Our God is an Awesome God.

CONFESSION

The Deacon or Celebrant says

Let us confess our sins to God.

Silence may be kept.

Minister and People
God of all mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
opposing your will in our lives.
We have denied your goodness in each other,
in ourselves, and in the world you have created.
We repent of the evil that enslaves us,
the evil we have done,
and the evil done on our behalf.
Forgive, restore, and strengthen us
through our Savior Jesus Christ,
that we may abide in your love
and serve only your will. Amen.

A BSOLUTION

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ,
strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.

T HE P EACE

Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you

People And also with you.

Announcements………………………………………………………………………….………………...Insert

OFFERTORY

WE OFFER OUR GIFTS AND RECEIVE GOD’S COMMUNION AND HEALING

Choral
Anthem…………………………………………………………………………………..……….…………..Choir
“Going Up Yonder”

Presentation Hymn…………………………………..……………………………………….……...AAHH#650
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

Holy Communion

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 our thanks and praise.
Celebrant

We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God.

Source of life abundant.
From before time you made ready the creation.
Your Spirit moved over the deep
And brought all things into being;
Sun, moon, and stars;
earth, winds, and waters;
and every living thing.
You made us in your image,
and taught us to walk in hour ways.
But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;
And yet, as a mother cares for her children,
You would not forget us.
Time and again you called us
To live in the fullness of your love.

And so this day we join with Saints and Angels

In the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,
Lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing (say):

Celebrant and People

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

The Celebrant continues

Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God
To deliver us from the power of sin and death
and to reveal the riches of your grace,\
you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,
that she might conceive and bear a son,
Jesus the holy child of God.
Living among us, Jesus loved us
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,
healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself,
yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then , the time came for him to complete upon the dross
the sacrifice of his life,
and to be glorified by you.

On the night before he died for us,

Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, gave thanks to you,
broke it, and gave to them and said;
“Take, eat; This is my Body, with is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.
Again, he gave thanks to you,
gave it to them, and said:
“Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the new Covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all
for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
do this for the remembrance of me.”

Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation,

and remembering Christ, crucified and risen,
who was and is and is to come,
we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,
and ourselves, a living sacrifice.

Pour out our Spirit upon these gifts

that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.
Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth
and make us your new creation,
the body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us,
with St. Philip and all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
to feast at the banquet prepared
from the foundation of the world.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
to you be honor, glory , and praise.
for ever and ever. Amen.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to sing:

T HE L ORD’ S P RAYER

The Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread

to share in the body of Christ.
We who are many are one body
For we all share in the one bread.

Fraction Anthem

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:

have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace.
Celebrant
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you,
And feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Communion Hymns……………………………………………………………………………………….Choir
“Pr ai se God”
“I Know It Was T he Bl ood”/AAHH#267

Post-Communion Prayer

God of abundance,
you have fed us
with the bread of life and cup of salvation;
you have united us
with Christ and one another;
and you have made us one
with all your people in heaven and on earth.
Now send us forth
in the power of your Spirit,
that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world
and continue for ever
in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

The Blessing

Recessional Hymn………………………………………………………………………………….AAHH#595
“When The Saints Go Marching In”

Dismissal

We're glad you came to join with us

In our worship time today
We hope that you have felt God's love
In a new, refreshing way
For you're so welcomed in this place
And we hope you'll come again
To join with us in fellowship
And to make some special friends
 Kim Harris – Chairman

Theresa Harris – Co-Chairman

Joyce Crocheron

Elaine Thompson

Lema Crooks

Stanley Harris

Sharon Harris

Deborah Bagby-Coley

Loraine Bess

Rev. Virginia Brown-Nolan

Rev. Dr. William B. Lewis
Nathaniel Nolan, Guest Trumpeter
And to all that participated and attendees

Blessings from St. Philip to you all!

 By Stanley L. Harris

Far from home God’s Saints have been

For they were on a journey
And on an assignment from God
Their assignment from God was their ordained
Mission they were called to do,
Preaching, teaching, healing,
Saving lost souls, too.
Proclaiming, God’s gospel in the name of Jesus,
That He will come again.
God’s people and His earth will be free from sin
Just as it was when God’s earth first began
With great expectation and joy in their hearts
Returning to their homeland
In the city of peace, (Jerusalem)
Being with and seeing their beloved brothers,
Sisters, relatives, and friends.
For God’s Saints, it has been a long, successful
Journey along with their assignments.
It is God’s gospel and His word
That His Saints believe.
After serving God and His people
With their servant hearts
God’s Saints return with joyful hearts.
One of seven men chosen to help the apostles in the work of the
church at Jerusalem. He fled to Samaria when the Christians in
Jerusalem were being persecuted by Paul. There he preached and
healed many people. An angel sent Philip to meet the Ethiopian
chancellor, traveling from Jerusalem to Gaza. This man became a
Christian and was baptized. Philip then went and preached in every
town along the coast from Ashdod to Caesarea. Philip’s four
daughters were also involved in making God’s message known.
About twenty years later Paul stayed at Philip’s home in Caesarea.

Acts 6:1-6; 8:4-8, 26-40; 21:8-9