St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church
Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 24 Sunday, October 16, 2016
Liturgy of the Word
Prelude Give to our God Immortal Praise Duke Street: Hatton/Jordan
Entrance Hymn “Awake, my soul” Hymnal p. 11
Opening Acclamation BCP p. 355
Glory to God Hymnal S 280
Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading Genesis 32:22-31
A Reading from the Book of Genesis.
Jacob got up at night and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The psalm will be read responsively by whole verse.
Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, * the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved * and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The Lord himself watches over you; * the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, * nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; * it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, * from this time forth
for evermore.
Second Reading 2 Timothy 3:14 – 4:5
A Reading from the Second Letter to Timothy.
As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn “Glory be to Jesus” Hymnal p. 479
Holy Gospel Luke 18:1-8
Celebrant: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus told the disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Celebrant: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Rev. Bruce Heyvaert
Nicene Creed BCP p. 358
Prayers of the People: Form III BCP p. 387
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation:
For those who are ill: Diane; Jane; Tim Baldwin; Jeep Barrett; Jack Beyer; Chad Brewer; Kelly Burke; Mary Jon Coggins; Susan Covert; Seth Cox; Lynn DeMeester; Shirley Evans-Lombe; Ben Flowe; Neal Gruenfeld; Carmen Hoyle; Karen Huey; Ken Jeffries; Pat Kirkman; Anne Layne; Don Lewis; Cherie Martin; Norma Naegele; Sarah Palmer; Rebecca Pascoe; Mary and Richard Quinn; Tom Ratliff; Roberta Rogerson; Betty Sherrod; Julia Starn; Charlie Stoehrmann; David Strait; Judy Watson
For those in need of strength and guidance: Thomas; Annie Bolger; Col. John Bolger, III; the Bunch family; Claudia Cox; The Rev. Mary Curtis; Rockie Dillon; Charlene Jeffries; Anne L.; the families of Don Lewis and Regina Lewis Branch; Tyler Martin; Mary Louise Matthews; Ceri Saunders; Jean Anne Snyder-Barrett; Bud Starn; Eugenia Thompson; Travis Tyner; the Vestry; Bob Watson and family; Colin Watson; Craig Watson
For all the blessings of this life. In our parish family cycle of prayer, we offer thanksgiving for: Joann Thaxton; Lee, Stefanie, Leilah, and Brandon Ubungen and Josephine Fatog; and Colin and Deborah Watson; for the continuing growth of St. Thomas’.
For all military deployed and at home:
For all who have died: Harvey Hugh Arnold, Benjamin P. Davies, Clara Coulderson Smith, and Stanley Joseph Ward.
Altar Flowers: The flowers on the Altar are given by Neal and Kay Heflin to the glory of God and in loving memory of Pete and Ken Peters, Kay’s father and brother.
Concluding Collect
Confession of Sin and Absolution BCP p. 360
Peace
Announcements
Blessing for Anniversaries and Birthdays
Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem Take My Life and Let It Be Karen Huey, Viola
Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer B BCP p. 367
Sanctus Hymnal S 125
Lord’s Prayer BCP p. 364
Breaking of the Bread – Fraction Anthem Hymnal S 154
Communion Hymns
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God” Hymnal p. 711
“Sweet hour of prayer” See insert
Sending Out of Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Celebrant: In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts [to___ ] that they may share with us in the communion of Christ's body and blood.
All: Because we who are many are one body in Christ, we share one bread, one cup.
Postcommunion Prayer BCP p. 365
Blessing
Recessional Hymn “Praise to the living God!” Hymnal p. 372
Dismissal
Postlude Nun danket alle Gott Wilbur Held
Those Serving Today
Ushers: James Jessup and David Patterson; Acolytes: Pat Caviness and Pat Kirkman; Lectors: Jeremy Linney and Louise Spofford; Intercessor: Cindy Julich; Chalice Bearer: Jack Beyer; Vestry Greeter: Katie Hyer; Coffee Hosts: Sam Gaskins and Lynda Turbeville; Altar Flowers: Neal and Kay Heflin; Altar Guild: Elizabeth Schrull, Michelle Morie, and Joann Thaxton; Director of Music: Dr. Jo Ann Bowman; Organist: June Burbage; Rector: The Rev. Bruce Heyvaert
Weekly Announcements October 16, 2016
Newcomers! We are so glad that you are here to worship with us today. Whether you are visiting Sanford or looking for a church home, we thank you for choosing St. Thomas’. Also, please help us meet you by identifying yourself to our vestry greeter or clergy. There is an information card that you may fill out and drop in the collection plate.
If you would like to receive the sacramental rite of Holy Confirmation or to be received into the Episcopal Church when the bishop visits with us on November 20, please speak to Fr. Bruce ASAP!
Let's Get Acquainted Dinners
As a way of welcoming Father Bruce and Deb, we are having "Let's Get Acquainted Dinners" on Friday nights, running through the month of October. Please listen for a phone call or an email invitation for your time to attend one of the dinners. Many of our folks will be coming directly from work so the dinner is casual.
To our St. Thomas’ family,
Many thanks to all of you for the wonderful welcome! We already feel at home here and look forward to many shared stories and experiences of God at work in our lives. Bruce and I are blessed by your friendship and support.
With love,
Deb and Bruce
The choir is having extra rehearsals for the annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols. Tenors and Basses will be rehearsing on Monday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilman Room.
The deadline for submissions to the November Cross Ties is Thursday, October 20. Please send submissions to .
We need Coffee Hosts for October 23 and several dates in November. If you can serve, please sign up in the Lower Parish Hall.
Upcoming Meetings:
Wednesday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. – St. Jude’s Prayer Guild
Tuesday, October 25 at 3:00 p.m. – Pastoral Care Committee Meeting
There will be no Fifth Sunday Luncheon on Sunday, October 30. We will have Coffee Hour as usual that day.