God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”

Confession
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.

May almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all our sins, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy; come, let us worship.

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me
    in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
    and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Romans 5:1-11
Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person– though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Canticle
Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; call upon him when he draws near. Let the wicked forsake their ways * and the unrighteous their thoughts; and let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion, and to our God, for he will richly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as rain and snow fall from the heavens and return not again, but water the earth, bringing forth life and giving growth, seed for sowing and bread for eating, so is my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me empty; but it will accomplish that which I have purposed, and prosper in that for which I sent it.

Gospel, from John 4:
As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; this happened so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 

Lord’s Prayer
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.

Prayers of the People
Leader: God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty.

Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead.

Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you.….
☩ Lord, in your mercy / Hear our prayer

For the church throughout the world , for Shannon our bishop, for this holy gathering, and for the people of God in every place.….☩

For justice, peace, and freedom among peoples of the earth. For the leaders of this nation & all the nations & all in authority…. ☩ 

For us in our daily life: open our eyes to the people around us; inspire generosity, courage, and compassion in our hearts…. ☩ 

For all who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity. For all who live in fear. ☩ 

Give peace to those who have died, grant them eternal rest, and give comfort to those who mourn….☩

Now we offer prayers and thanksgivings, silently or aloud….

St. Martin’s prayer list 
Sierra O’Leary, Mrs. Gillies, Clyde Holt, Bob Martin, Steve Ward, Susan Korbet, Paul Dunn, Mak Yost, Robert Buhner, Richard Erb, Pat Ottina, Robert Hertzberg, Jaqueline Wren, Nancy Hanger, Sara Boardman, Bill Hamilton, Sandra Trowbridge, Joe Davis, Vera Mallary, Richard Erb (RIP), Susan Clark (RIP)

All: Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never‑failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   (BCP, p. 831)

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God of every generation that has been and is yet to be,
we praise and thank you
    for those who have served and shaped your church.
In our day give us
    new challenges, new insights,
    and renewed confidence in you
and in the great good news of your Son. Amen.

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do more than we can ask or even imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the church, and forever in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.