sthomasspiritual (or mystical) relationship with him constitutes the bread of eternal life; now he...

ST. THOMAS’

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Roger Sadler, 2010

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 16, 2015

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A Note on Today’s Readings

Jesus’ discourse on the bread of life continues to be the center of our liturgy, as it

has been now for several weeks. Jesus has met physical hunger by providing

material bread (a primary Old Testament sign of salvation); he has said that a

spiritual (or mystical) relationship with him constitutes the bread of eternal life;

now he says that nourishment with his life is given by actually eating his flesh and

drinking his blood. If we eat his body and drink his blood, we will have eternal

life.

In the first reading, God’s Wisdom is personified as a hostess inviting us to eat her

food and drink her wine, thereby receiving her into our lives. Early Christians

understood Jesus as the incarnation of God’s Wisdom. This is, therefore, a

passage that has been seen by Christians as an Old Testament prefiguring of our

Savior who calling us into new life by becoming one with him sacramentally.

The second reading is once again from the letter to the Ephesians. We are

exhorted to let God’s Spirit inebriate us and speak through us in thanksgiving and

song.

“People with a story to tell and a song to sing” is a way Christians have been

described. It is preeminently in liturgy that we carry out that role. We gather here

to be fed physically, spiritually, and sacramentally. Our response is to give thanks

(the word “eucharist” means “thanksgiving”) and, having told our story and sung

our song here, to take it out to our brothers and sisters in the world.

From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year.

Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.

Welcome to St Thomas’! If this is your first time worshiping with us, we extend the

hospitality of Christ and this community to you. Everything you need to participate in the

service may be found in this booklet or in the blue hymnal in the rack in front of you.

If our order and style of service is unfamiliar to you, don’t worry. Just “go with the flow.”

God knows your heart. Take delight in God’s glory, and let your heart be moved by the

words and actions of the liturgy. It will become familiar in time.

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Holy Eucharist

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 16, 2015

Liturgy of the Word

Organ Prelude

All standing, the Celebrant says BCP 355

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

People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

The Celebrant says

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.

Hymn of Praise When morning gilds the skies Hymnal 427

Collect of the Day

Celebrant The Lord be with you.

People And also with you.

Celebrant Let us pray.

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and

also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of

his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy

life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and

the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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First Reading Proverbs 9:1-6

All sit.

Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered

her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table. She has sent out

her servant girls, she calls from the highest places in the town, “You that are

simple, turn in here!” To those without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread

and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in

the way of insight.”

Reader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Psalm 34:9-14

9 Fear the LORD, you that are his saints, *

for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger, *

but those who seek the LORD lack nothing that is good.

11 Come, children, and listen to me; *

I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Who among you loves life *

and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?

13 Keep your tongue from evil-speaking *

and your lips from lying words.

14 Turn from evil and do good; *

seek peace and pursue it.

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Second Reading Ephesians 5:15-20

Be careful how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time,

because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord

is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as

you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making

melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for

everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reader The Word of the Lord.


Sequence Hymn Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart Hymnal 488

Holy Gospel John 6:51-58

Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

People Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this

bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my

flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us

his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh

of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh

and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my

flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my

blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of

the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came

down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one

who eats this bread will live forever.”

Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.

People Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon Fr Uffman

Listen to sermons online at: stthomasrochester.sermon.tv

http://stthomasrochester.sermon.tv/

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Nicene Creed

All stand.

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.

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The Prayers of the People

The Celebrant or Deacon bids the people to prayer, saying

Let this household of faith present itself now before the Lord our God, praying to

the One whose mighty deeds are known to all.

The appointed minister leads the people in prayer, saying

That Christians may reject those values of society that contradict the gospel,

and choose to serve the Lord whose gifts are freedom and fidelity.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

That God may deliver our world from its slavery to violence, and set the nations

free to pursue reconciliation and peace.


That those on whom society has turned its back may not despair but be comforted

to find that Christ’s disciples will not abandon them.


That the sick and homebound of our community may welcome the healing

presence of Jesus in the visits of friends and in the bread of the Eucharist.


That this assembly may find Christ’s words to be spirit and life, and Christ’s flesh

and blood to be the source of life within us.


That those gone before us in faith who ate the bread of life on earth may be raised

up on the last day to live for ever.


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The Celebrant or Deacon concludes

God our Savior, in Christ, your eternal Word, you have revealed the full depths of

your love for us. Guide this holy assembly of your people by the light of your

Holy Spirit, so that no word of mere human wisdom may ever cause us to turn

away from your Holy One, the Lord, who has the words of eternal life, and who

lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy spirit, God for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Peace

All stand.

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.


Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the

Lord.

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The Holy Communion

The Celebrant says an offertory sentence

Offertory The Hovering Angels

Jane Andrews, Candace Leonard, Carolyn Mok, Janeen Thompson

Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of bread and

wine, and money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant. The people stand

while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar. All sing the

Doxology (inside front cover of hymnal)

The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A BCP 361

The people remain standing.

Celebrant The Lord be 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 him 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.

For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ

our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.

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:

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Celebrant and People Hymnal S 125

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 people stand, kneel or sit.

The Celebrant continues with

Eucharistic Prayer A

If you wish to follow the full text of Eucharistic Prayer A, please turn to page

362 in the red Book of Common Prayer.

The Celebrant continues

… Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

The Celebrant continues

… 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.

Celebrant and People

AMEN.

The Celebrant then continues

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Breaking of the Bread

A period of silence is kept.

The Celebrant says

The Gifts of God for the People of God.

All baptized persons are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

Gluten-free wafers are available at all Communion services. If you require a

gluten-free wafer, please advise the person administering the consecrated Bread.

Unfermented grape juice is also offered at all liturgies. Begun as an act of ecumenical

sharing with Presbyterian and Methodist brothers and sisters, our Bishop has given

permission for the use of grape juice in addition to wine whenever we celebrate the Holy

Communion at St. Thomas’. It is our hope that this practice will further extend the

hospitality of the Lord’s Table to those who may suffer from addiction or who prefer to

abstain from alcohol for other reasons. If you would like to receive grape juice (which is

served in the crystal chalice) please inform the person administering the Wine.

After Communion, the Celebrant says

Let us pray.

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Celebrant and People BCP p. 365

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.

Blessing

Dismissal

Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.


Closing Hymn O Jesus, I have promised Hymnal 655

Organ Postlude Prelude and fugue in E minor att. J.S. Bach

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ALTAR FLOWERS

Given to the Glory of God

in loving memory of her in-laws,

George and Sally Cheavacci,

by Ruth Cheavacci

ASSISTING IN WORSHIP

Lectors: Amy Feller, Ruth Cheavacci

Prayers: Sara Dougherty

Eucharistic Ministers: Lois Giess, Marlene Allen, DeWain Feller

Crucifer: Greg Dunbar

Greeters: Dick Laidlaw, Dawn Wilkins

Paul Cipro, Marcy Meyering

Ushers: Mike Cougler, Janice Corea

Tim and Carolyn Mabb

VPOD: Vicky Rupley

Hospitality Hosts: The Savino Family and the Blair Family

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PARISH PRAYER CALENDAR

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, the Diocesan Prayer Cycle and our Parish Prayer

Calendar, your intercessions are requested for: The Reformed Episcopal Church of

Spain; Prince, our Bishop; Garrett Chapel at Keuka Lake; the altar guild at St. Thomas’.

Your thanksgivings are requested for the following individuals and families in our parish:

Susan Irish; Marlene Liebman; Charles, Gwendolyn, Vika and Diana Linn, Tom Marriott.

Those who are sick or in special need of our prayers: Lisa Bennett, friend of Carolyn Mabb;

Amy Deck, niece of Kathleen Merritt; Ann Fields, sister of DeWain Feller; Ed Grant, relative of Marilyn Meritt;

Karen Hamilton, sister-in-law of Lisa Overacker; Ted Morse; Megan Schrader, niece of Paula Valeri;

Marilyle Sweet Page; Jean Troutner.

Those in continuing need of our prayers: Al Bullwinkel, Ruth Bowman, Margaret

Cheetham, Barbara Copp, Katie Detty, Velma Durland, Mavis Ennis, Barbara Ephessios,

Natalie Findlay, James Gilbert, Art and Maureen Holtzman, Ted Jope, Nancy Klein,

Connie Kless, Gretchen Lane; Marlene Liebmann, Arvin Lovass, Gene Martzloff,

Margy Mayk, Jane McLaughlin, Bette and Sid Mear, Jackie Mewborn, Jeff Moosman,

Fran Moslow, Ron and Lyn Nelson, Bud Parker, Rosaleen Petry, Denise Pieratti,

Craig Powell, Violette Shayler, Marie Sowden, Lois Thomas, Mark Ventress,

Blanche Wagner.

Those serving in the armed forces: Joey Andrews, Kyle Cicora, Christian Dahl, Evan

Davies, John Davison, Luke Dawson, Tom Dimiero, Brandon Griffin, Jared Hicks,

Justin Illes, Adrian Jope, Andrew Kless, Bryant Locke, Cameron Mabb, Thomas Moss,

Craig Peacock, Richard Roessler, Kevin Rogala, Donny Salamone, Jake Silver,

Kevin Taylor.

Those who have died: Charles Stanley, father of Susan Zibuck

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Worship Service Schedule

Holy Eucharist

Saturday - 5:00 P.M.

Sunday - 8:00 & 10:00 A.M.

Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

Evensong Unplugged is on summer break

and will resume after Labor Day.

St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church 2000 Highland Avenue

Rochester, New York 14618

The Rt. Rev. Prince G. Singh, PhD, Bishop

The Rev. Craig D. Uffman, PhD, Rector

The Rev. Andrea Stridiron, Deacon

Robert M. Ferris, DMA, Organist and Choirmaster

Kathleen Merritt, Office Manager

442-3544 - Church Office 473-4216 – Fax

stthomasrochester.org

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