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Welcome to St John's Huntington

8th Sunday after Pentecost

Piano Prelude    Alex Pryrodny, piano

Opening Hymn 594     Alex Pryrodny, piano
"God of grace and God of glory" Cum Rhondda
 

The Word of God

The Acclamation

Priest     Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People   And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The 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 following is said or sung together in unison

The Gloria     S 280

Glory to God in the highest,

and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God Heavenly King,

almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world:

have mercy on us;

you are seated at he right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High,

Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Celebrant            The Lord be with you.

People                And also with you.

Celebrant            Let us pray.

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.

The First Lesson         

A reading from First Kings [3:5-12]

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.”

Lector                   The Word of the Lord.

People                  Thanks be to God.

The following Psalm is said together in unison.

Psalm 119:129-136      Earl Matchett, MC

129 Your decrees are wonderful; *
therefore I obey them with all my heart.

130 When your word goes forth it gives light; *
it gives understanding to the simple.

131 I open my mouth and pant; *
I long for your commandments.

132 Turn to me in mercy, *
as you always do to those who love your Name.

133 Steady my footsteps in your word; *
let no iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Rescue me from those who oppress me, *
and I will keep your commandments.

135 Let your countenance shine upon your servant *
and teach me your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears, *
because people do not keep your law.

The Epistle          

A reading from 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.

Lector                 The Word of the Lord.

People                Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn PB 86     Noelle DeLorenzo, soloist
"Alleluia, He is coming" by Martha Butler

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

People                Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The Clergy proclaims the Gospel

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.”

Clergy                 The Gospel of the Lord.

People                Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon    Rev. Duncan A. Burns, Rector

The following is said together in unison.

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.

The Prayers of the People IV    Claire Mis, Seminarian

Leader:  Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.

We give thanks for our three interns, Samantha Burns, Jack Glicker and Jennifer Low who finish their eight-week internship today here at St. John's. We pray for their continued success and well-being as they move on in their path in Christ.

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

We pray for all our doctors, nurses, and medical staff who put themselves at risk to care for us during this corona virus epidemic. We pray for all our men and women serving in the armed services and all first responders who put themselves at risk every day, especially during this time. May God keep them safe and healthy, and return them home to their loved ones.

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

We pray for those who work for justice. May God give us all strength and wisdom to act for change when it is needed. We ask God to bless, comfort and give hope to those who feel powerless and invisible. Pray for a fairer, more just society, so that "justice and fairness flow like a river that never runs dry.” Help us to follow Your example, by looking out for those who each day feel that they are marginalized, who cannot find hope, who believe that they have little to offer, who are overcome by the challenges of poverty. Help us to widen our horizons, to make space for the stranger, to watch out for those who feel invisible, to give time to the outsider, to talk to the person facing silence, to restore justice and value. Give us the courage to undertake this, the determination to join with others in seeing grace in every human face, and the faith to embrace the opportunity in your name.

Lord in your Mercy

Hear our Prayer

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body,

mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Especially for ...

Tom, Kelly, Anna, Margaret, Martha, Juana, Carmen, Joel, Peter, Joan, Kathy, Scott, Sue, Kim, Janine, Jody, David, Danica, Linda, Bette Lee, Irene, Leslie, Roger, Tom, Patrick, Jim, Irene, Nelly, Colleen, Rick, Shannon, Kelsey, Patti, Hagai, Justin, Tom, Amy, Bill, Kate, Fern, Flor, Patricia, Bill, Lynn, Cory, Frank, Pat, Christopher, Richard, Christian, Gladys, Anthony, Betty, Joseph, John, Carol, Terry, Carol, Roelie, James, Peter, Don

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom. [Leader reads the names of the departed]

Altar Flowers are a gift this week of Nelly and David Lasek in loving memory of Natividad Roman.

Altar Flowers are a gift this week of Antoinette Brink in loving memory of Ida Sutherland.

The Perpetual Light is given this week in loving memory of Natividad Roman by Nelly and David Lasek.

The Perpetual Light is given this week in loving memory of Katherine "Kay" Fisher by her friend, Helen Dreyfus.

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer.

The Celebrant adds a concluding Collect.

Almighty, and eternal God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully accept the prayers of your people, and strengthen us to do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The following is said together in unison

Confession of Sin

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 Absolution

Priest:

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

Celebrant            The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People                And also with you.

Welcome and Offertory

Offertory Anthem     Leslie Valentine, soloist
"Simple Gifts" Shaker song arr. by Aaron Copland

The Holy Communion

The Great Thanksgiving                  Eucharistic Prayer A

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.

The Celebrant proceeds

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

The following is said or sung by all in unison

Sanctus and Benedictus          S125

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. 

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Hosanna in the highest.

Then the Celebrant continues

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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 we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom. All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. 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 for ever. Amen.

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

The Lord’s Prayer (said by all in unison)

      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

A period of silence is kept.

Celebrant            Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

People                Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

The following is said or sung by all in unison

The Fraction Anthem     Agnus Dei     S 164

Jesus, Lamb of God:
have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins:
have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer, redeemer of the world:
give us peace, give us peace.

Celebrant:

Though we are separated from one another spatially, we remain connected to each other in heart and spirit as we contemplate the real presence of Christ in our midst.  We remember that Christ is truly present with us, not only in bread and wine, but in our daily lives. Through this period of our physical separation, we fast from a literal participation in the sharing of communion, while also knowing that we receive the presence of Christ through our desire to share the sacrament. In that spirit let us pray:

Claire Mis, Seminarian:   

In that spirit, let us pray,

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things,

and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there

and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

The Blessing

Closing Hymn LEVAS 217    Alex Pryrodny, piano
"He's Got the Whole World in His Hand" African-American Spiritual arr. by Hezekiah Brinson, Jr.

Please stay for coffee hour via Zoom after this service.

Rev. Duncan A. Burns, Rector
Claire Mis, Seminarian
Alex Pryrodny, Organsist & Music Director

St. John's Virtual Choir
Coral Freas, Parish Adminstrator