[Image: Sketch of St. John's Episcopal Church]

St. John’s Episcopal Church

An Episcopal Congregation since 1847

Pentecost Nine

July 26, 2026

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

St. John’s Mission Statement:

"St. John’s Episcopal Church strives to teach God’s word and do God’s work to improve the spiritual and physical well-being of its congregation and the surrounding community."

Hymnal Number ANNOUNCEMENTS Prayer Book Page
PRELUDE
388 HYMN IN PROCESSION: O WORSHIP THE KING, ALL GLORIOUS ABOVE

THE WORD OF GOD PAGE 355

S-280 SONG OF PRAISE: GLORIA

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.

The people sit.

THE LESSONS

THE FIRST READING: 1 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.”

THE GRADUAL: PSALM 119:129-136

(We will read alternating by half verse, broken at the asterisk)

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: 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.

488 SEQUENCE HYMN: BE THOU MY VISION, O LORD OF MY HEART

THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 13:31-33, 44-52

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.”

SERMON THE REV. WILSON BROWN
THE NICENE CREED PAGE 358
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE FORM IV PAGE 388
THE PEACE PAGE 360

THE HOLY COMMUNION

OFFERTORY

following the offertory the people stand for the presentation of the offering.

380 Hymn PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSING FLOW (VS 3)
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING: EUCHARISTIC PRAYER C PAGE 369
858WLP SANCTUS
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD PAGE 364
764WLP FRACTION ANTHEM: TASTE AND SEE (REFRAIN ONLY)

At Communion, the first chalice is for sipping, the second chalice is for dipping.

If you want to receive communion and you choose to remain in your pew for any reason, please let the ushers know.

COMMUNION HYMNS

325 Hymn LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER ON OUR KNEES
337 Hymn AND NOW, O FATHER, MINDFUL OF THE LOVE
POST COMMUNION PRAYER PAGE 366
BENEDICTION
613 HYMN IN RECESSION THY KINGDOM COME, O GOD!
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR TODAY ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD

AND IN HONOR OF KAY WAFF ON OUR 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY BY JOHN WAFF.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE WELCOME ALL VISITORS AND NEWCOMERS!

CHILDREN ARE WELCOME IN WORSHIP AT ST. JOHN’S SERVICES.

  • Don’t forget to join us each week for coffee hour immediately following the service.
  • Children are invited to join us for Children’s chapel each Sunday if they wish. Parents are welcome to accompany them. Children will be invited to attend following the collect and will return before communion.
  • If you would like to give flowers for the altar the cost is $40.00. Please sign up on the calendar located in the Parish Hall entrance.
  • Tommy Crouch will have a recital at St. John’s on Saturday, August 8th at 1:00 p.m. Tommy is Nancy Hill’s son and is a DMA candidate at James Madison University. All are welcome! The event is free.
  • St. John’s Lunch Buddies Luncheon will take place on July 29th at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome. Please sign up on the sheet outside the parish hall.
  • Bible study will take place on August 26th at 6:30 p.m. in the Rectors office. All are welcome.

☩ LAY MINISTERS OF THE DAY – 10:30 AM ☩

CHALICISTS: TIM BROOKE AND TBD

LAY READER: TIM BROOKE

USHERS: MARSHA EAST AND FRANK WEST

ACOLYTE: RICK REYNOLDS

COFFEE HOUR HOST: AMMY MERRILL WILLIS AND JANICE WILSON

OBLATION BEARERS: TBD

ALTAR GUILD: REVELLE HAMILTON, CATHEY BURKS, HEATHER GARRETT

SOUND/AV: STEVE WANDREI

VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH: SHANNON MCGUIRK

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