• The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

    10:00 AM Rite II
    July 30, 2023

    The Rt. Rev. Shannon Duckworth., Bishop
    The Rev. Jim Morrison, Rector

    The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
    The Liturgy of the Word

    Processional Hymn: Be thou my vision Hymn 488

    The Opening Acclamation

    Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
    People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

    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.

    Gloria Hymnal S 280
    The Collect of the Day
    O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    First Lesson
    Genesis 29:15-28
    Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel?

    Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

    Reader: The Word of the Lord
    People: Thanks be to God

    Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
    1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *
    make known his deeds among the peoples.
    2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
    and speak of all his marvelous works.
    3 Glory in his holy Name; *
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
    4 Search for the Lord and his strength; *
    continually seek his face.
    5 Remember the marvels he has done, *
    his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,
    6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
    O children of Jacob his chosen.
    7 He is the Lord our God; *
    his judgments prevail in all the world.
    8 He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
    the promise he made for a thousand generations:
    9 The covenant he made with Abraham, *
    the oath that he swore to Isaac,
    10 Which he established as a statute for Jacob, *
    an everlasting covenant for Israel,
    11 Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *
    to be your allotted inheritance.”
    45b Hallelujah!

    Second Lesson

    Romans 8:26-39

    The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

    We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Reader:    The Word of the Lord

    People:     Thanks be to God

    Cantor sings Alleluia, congregation repeats, cantor sings verse, congregation sings Alleluia

    Priest:      The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (13:31-33, 44-52)

    People:       Glory to you, Lord Christ.

     Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

    Priest:     The Gospel of the Lord.
    People:    Praise to you, Lord Christ.

    The Sermon                            The Rev. Jim Morrison

     The Nicene Creed (all standing)
    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.

    The Prayers of the People (Form III)

    The Leader and People pray responsively

    Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
    That we all may be one.

    Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
    That your Name may be glorified by all people.

    We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
    That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

    We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
    That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

    Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
    That our works may find favor in your sight.

    Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
    That they may be delivered from their distress.

    Give to the departed eternal rest.
    Let light perpetual shine upon them.

    We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
    May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

    Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

    Silence

    The Celebrant adds a concluding prayer

    Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

    Confession of Sin

    Priest and People

    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.

    Prayer of Absolution

    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

    Announcements

                Birthdays and Anniversaries

    The Offertory 

    Offertory Hymn:   If thou but trust in God Hymn 635

    Eucharistic Prayer C

    Celebrant:  The Lord be with you.
    People:        And also with you.

    Lift up your hearts.
    We lift them to the Lord.

    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
    It is right to give him thanks and praise.

    Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds

    God of all power, Ruler of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
    Glory to you for ever and ever.

    At your command all things came to be: the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses, and this fragile earth, our island home.
    By your will they were created and have their being.

    From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with memory, reason, and skill. You made us the rulers of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.
    Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.

    Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your only Son, born of a woman, to fulfill your Law, to open for us the way of freedom and peace.
    By his blood, he reconciled us.
    By his wounds, we are healed.

    And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:

    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 he who comes in the name of the Lord.
        Hosanna in the highest.

    The Celebrant continues

    And so, Father, we who have been redeemed by him, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

    At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it, or lay a hand upon it, and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be consecrated.

    On the night he was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, 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, gave thanks, 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.”

    Remembering now his work of redemption, and offering to you this
    sacrifice of thanksgiving,

    We celebrate his death and resurrection, as we await the day of his coming.

    Lord God of our Fathers: God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.

    Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.

    Accept these prayers and praises, Father, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN

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

    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.

    The Breaking of the Bread

    At St. Matthew’s we welcome all persons, regardless of denomination, who have been baptized with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to share in the communion at this Altar. Those wishing to receive a blessing only may cross their hands over their heart.

    Communion Music:  Open the eyes of my heart Paul Baloche

    Verse: Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
    Open the eyes of my heart.
    I want to see You.
    I want to see You.
    Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
    Open the eyes of my heart.
    I want to see You.
    I want to see You.

    Chorus: To see You high and lifted up,
    Shining in the light of Your glory
    Pour out your power and love
    As we sing holy, holy, holy.

    Verse

    Chorus 2 times

    End: Holy, holy, holy. We cry holy, holy, holy.
    You are holy, holy, holy, I want to see You.
    Holy, holy, holy. We cry holy, holy, holy.
    You are holy, holy, holy, I want to see You.

    Copyright: 1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. By EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI) CCLI License No. 2542584

    Communion Music:  Ava Maria

    Post Communion Prayer

    Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Recessional Hymn:  Seek ye first   Hymn 711

    The Dismissal

    Priest:       Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
    People:     Thanks be to God.