St. Alban's proclaims to all, through word and deed, the grace of God in Jesus Christ. July 30, 2017 The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost 7:30 AM Holy Eucharist, Rite I According to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)
ADVENT CHRISTMAS EPIPHANY LENT EASTER PENTECOST Our church follows the Christian year (also called the Church year). For millennia, Christians have used this system to organize each year around the life of Christ. The Church Year begins at Advent, as we wait for the arrival of Jesus celebrated at Christmas. During Epiphany, we celebrate Christ revealing himself to the world. In Lent, we prepare for the remembrance of Christ's death during Holy Week and resurrection at Easter. On Pentecost, we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit, who sustains us in our life in Christ during the season known as Ordinary time. We re glad that you re here! St. Alban s is an Episcopal Church, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Worship in our tradition is liturgical, which means that we use written prayers. This is an ancient and biblical way to pray. The liturgy makes worship something the community does, not just the minister up front. It helps us when our own words fail. It ensures we receive a steady diet of God s Word. And it reminds us every week of God s grace in Jesus Christ. Guests: Please complete the hello card located in the pew rack and place it in the offering plate or give it to an usher. If you have any questions, our ushers and ministers are here to help. After the service, stop by our welcome station for a St. Alban s tote bag. Children: Children are welcome in our services. If they get restless, feel free to take them for a walk in the courtyard or lobby. Our 9:00 and 11:15 AM services feature Children's Chapel. Our nursery is open from 8:45 AM-12:30 PM. Restrooms: Men s and women s restrooms are available on either side of the narthex (lobby). Changing tables are available in every restroom in the Parish Hall and office building across from the courtyard. Please silence cell phones and mobile devices. Before the service, please be mindful of those preparing for worship. 2
THIS BULLETIN IS AVAILABLE ONLINE Go to stalbanswaco.org/bulletins and click on the link for today s service. THE HOLY EUCHARIST - 7:30 AM Rite I, according to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Eucharist, meaning thanksgiving, comes from the Greek words for good and gift. Please stand. THE WORD OF GOD Opening Acclamation BCP 323 Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen. The Collect for Purity BCP 323 Summary of the Law and Kyrie BCP 324 Gloria in excelsis BCP 324 The Collect of the Day BCP 180 Celebrant Celebrant The Lord be with you. And with thy Spirit. Let us pray. O God, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Please be seated for the readings. The Old Testament Lesson Genesis 29:15-28 Pew Bible, p. 22 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. 3
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. Lector Psalm 128 The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Beati omnes 1 Happy are they all who fear the Lord, * and who follow in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of your labor; * happiness and prosperity shall be yours. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, * your children like olive shoots round about your table. 4 The man who fears the Lord * shall thus indeed be blessed. 5 The Lord bless you from Zion, * and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. 6 May you live to see your children's children; * may peace be upon Israel. The Epistle Romans 8:26-39 Pew Bible, p. 919 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. 4
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. Thanks be to God. The Gospel (please stand) Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 Pew Bible, p. 795 Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory be to thee, O Lord. 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. Celebrant The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ. The Sermon The Rev. Dr. Nathan G. Jennings The Nicene Creed (please stand) BCP 327 5
Prayers of the (please kneel) BCP 328 Confession of Sin & Absolution BCP 329-331 The Peace (please stand) BCP 332 The Offertory THE HOLY COMMUNION As an act of gratitude and worship, we joyfully respond to God s gift of Jesus Christ by giving towards God s work through his church. Online giving at: stalbanswaco.org/give or text give to (432) 653-0845. The Great Thanksgiving (please stand) BCP 333 Sanctus & Benedictus BCP 334 The Lord's Prayer BCP 336 The Breaking of the Bread BCP 337 The Prayer of Humble Access BCP 337 Invitation to Communion and Ministration of the Sacrament All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Communion. If you would like a gluten-free wafer, tell the priest at the rail. Postcommunion Prayer (please kneel) BCP 339 The Blessing BCP 339 Please stand. The clergy and ministers depart. The Dismissal BCP 339 Thanks be to God. We have been asked to pray for Frahm family Brad Thomas Almuth Ewing Charles Symank Doris Merkh Dorothy Hawkins Leo Quinnius Bruce Barton Joyce Braemar Donna Grelle Justin Forgey Drane Haw Dennis Brent Tiffany Barham 6
Getting Connected at St. Alban's TODAY'S WORSHIP MINISTERS Celebrant & Preacher Curate Deacon Children's Minister Director of Music Vestry Person of the Day 7:30 AM Lay Minister The Rev. Dr. Nathan G. Jennings The Rev. Neal McGowan The Rev. Alberto Melis Jole Cromwell Eugene Lavery Pat Danley Roy James Looking to get involved at St. Alban's but don't know where to start? Email iwanttoserve@stalbanswaco.org and find where your gifts can be put to use to serve others through St. Alban's. ALTAR FLOWERS The altar flowers are given to the honor and glory of God and in thanksgiving for the ministry of The Rev. Alberto Melis, Deacon. For altar flower orders, please contact Susie Farley for info and help. Flowers can be ordered at H-E-B (ask for Cenovia or Karen) and Reeds Flowers and both will deliver to the Sacristy on Saturday. Susie's contact info is: Cell: (254) 744 4611 email: sfarley45@aol.com 7
Getting Connected at St. Alban's GUEST PREACHER TODAY The Rev. Dr. Nathan G. Jennings J. Milton Richardson Associate Professor of Liturgics and Anglican Studies and Director of Community Worship, Seminary of the Southwest A native of Austin, Professor Nathan G. Jennings returned to his hometown when he joined the faculty of Seminary of the Southwest in 2005. Jennings has also served as the Director of the Anglican Studies Program at Seminary of the Southwest since 2008. Jennings is interested in liturgical theology, dogmatic theology, ascetical theology, theological hermeneutics and the way these disciplines intersect and inform one another. His book, Theology as Ascetic Act: Disciplining Christian Discourse, published in 2010, represents a light revision of his doctoral dissertation and argues that Christian teaching and reflection are embodied acts analogous to, and part of, Christian asceticism. Jennings has published various book reviews and articles in journals and collections. He is currently working on a book that will provide a liturgical theology of sacred text and its interpretation. In teaching, Jennings reflects on liturgy theologically as that which enables participation in God and God s work in the world. In addition to the required liturgy and Anglican studies courses, Jennings offers elective seminars in Liturgical and Sacramental Theology, Liturgical Hermeneutics, and occasional seminars on Anglican Divines and Church Fathers. BA, University of Texas MDiv, Yale Divinity School MA and PhD, University of Virginia. 8
Getting Connected at St. Alban's 9
Getting Connected at St. Alban's 10
THIS WEEK AT ST. ALBAN S TODAY 7/30 7:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II 10:15 am Gladness & Singleness of Heart: Our Liturgy, Parish Hall 11:15 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II 2:00 pm AA Women, Outreach Center (1st floor), Rm. 9 MONDAY 7/31 6:45 pm AA, Outreach Center (2nd floor), Rm. 17 TUESDAY 8/1 6:00 pm Al Anon, Outreach Center (2nd floor), Rm. 17 6:00 pm Al-Ateen, Outreach Center (1st floor), Rm. 9 WEDNESDAY 8/2 11:30 am Holy Eucharist, Higgins Chapel 6:45 pm AA, Outreach Center (2nd floor), Rm. 17 THURSDAY 8/3 FRIDAY 8/4 5:45 pm Al-Anon, Outreach Center (2nd floor), Rm. 17 SATURDAY 8/5 6:30 pm AA, Outreach Center (2nd floor), Room 17 ON BREAK FOR SUMMER Morning Prayer (M-F, 7:00 AM, Higgins Chapel) will resume on Monday, September 11. Rector's Wednesday Bible Study (Wednesdays, 10:15 AM, Parish Hall) will resume on Wednesday, September 6. Men's Bible & Breakfast (Thursdays, 7:30 AM, Parish Hall) will resume on Thursday, September 14 Summer office hours are 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday until September 5. 11
St. Alban s proclaims to all, through word and deed, the grace of God in Jesus Christ. ST. ALBAN S SUNDAY WORSHIP 7:30 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Rite I) A spoken service of Holy Eucharist without music. 9:00 AM CHORAL EUCHARIST (Rite II) A majestic, uplifting service of Holy Eucharist with organ and choir. Features Children s Chapel. 10:15 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL Classes for all ages during the academic year. 11:15 AM CHORAL EUCHARIST (Rite II) A majestic, uplifting service of Holy Eucharist with organ and choir. Features Children s Chapel. WEEKDAY SERVICES Holy Eucharist, Wednesday, 11:30 AM, Higgins Chapel Morning Prayer (commonly called the Daily Office) Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM, Higgins Chapel (On summer break; resumes in September) The Rev. Aaron M. G. Zimmerman, Rector aaron@stalbanswaco.org ST. ALBAN S STAFF The Rev. Neal McGowan, Curate neal@stalbanswaco.org The Rev. Alberto Melis, Deacon alberto@stalbanswaco.org The Rev. Judy Filer, Priest Associate Jole R. Cromwell Coordinator for Children s Ministries jole@stalbanswaco.org Ricky Gamble, Sexton Hilary Gardner, Parish Administrator hilary@stalbanswaco.org Rebekah Hughes Newcomer & Ministry Coordinator rebekah@stalbanswaco.org Eugene Lavery, Director of Music eugene@stalbanswaco.org Lori Youngblood, Business Manager lori@stalbanswaco.org ST. ALBAN S VESTRY A PARISH OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TEXAS Jerry Campbell, Sr Warden Claudia Raimondo, Jr Warden Bart Townsend, Treasurer Brennon Arnold, Clerk Pat Danley Kathy Davidson Emily Edwards Tracy Kelly Carol Melis Florence Scattergood Lynn Wisely John Wood The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle IX Bishop of Texas The Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher Bishop Suffragan The Rt. Rev. Dena A. Harrison Bishop Suffragan The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso Assistant Bishop After-hours Pastoral care: (254) 730-1125 www.stalbanswaco.org @stalbanswaco facebook.com/stalbanswaco 305 NORTH 30TH ST. (AT WACO DRIVE) WACO, TEXAS 76710 (254) 752-1773 Summer office hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, M-F