[Image: Sketch of St. John's Episcopal Church building]
St. John’s Episcopal Church
An Episcopal Congregation since 1847
Pentecost Ten
August 2, 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."
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hymnal Number / Prayer Book Page
| PRELUDE | ||
| 48 | HYMN IN PROCESSION — O DAY OF RADIANT GLADNESS | |
| THE WORD OF GOD | PAGE 355 | |
| S-280 | SONG OF PRAISE — GLORIA |
COLLECT OF THE DAY
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; 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: ISAIAH 55:1-5
Thus says the Lord:
"Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live.
I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you."
THE GRADUAL: PSALM 145:8-9, 15-22
(We will read alternating by half verse, broken at the asterisk)
8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.
9 The LORD is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.
15 The LORD upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.
16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, *
and you give them their food in due season.
17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.
18 The LORD is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.
19 The LORD is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.
20 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.
21 The LORD preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.
22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.
THE EPISTLE: ROMANS 9:1-5
I am speaking the truth in Christ-- I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit-- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
| 657 | SEQUENCE HYMN — LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING |
THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:13-21
Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
| 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
| 301 | HYMN — BREAD OF THE WORLD IN MERCY BROKEN |
| 309 | HYMN — OH FOOD TO PILGRIMS GIVEN |
| POST COMMUNION PRAYER | PAGE 366 |
| BENEDICTION | |
| 414 | HYMN IN RECESSION — GOD, MY KING, THY MIGHT CONFESSING |
| DISMISSAL | |
| POSTLUDE |
The flowers on the altar today are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of
Joe McGuirk on his two-year anniversary in heaven, by Shannon McGuirk.
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.
- ➢ Bedford Department of Social Services Pack the Bus 2026 Event will take place at Bedford on Friday, August 7th 12 - 5pm. This annual event serves about 300 children each year with a new bookbag filled with their list of needed supplies. You may drop your items off at St. John’s by August 2nd or take them to the Bedford Walmart on August 7th. A complete list of needed items can be picked up from the table 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: TBD
LAY READER: TBD
USHERS: GORDON EUBANK AND SHANNON MCGUIRK
ACOLYTE: JEFF EAST
COFFEE HOUR HOST: JULIA BAKER
OBLATION BEARERS: STEVE WANDREI
ALTAR GUILD: PAT AND MIKE RIELEY, CHANDRA SCHMEHL, BONNIE AND CRAIG MCCACKIN
SOUND/AV: STEVE WANDREI
VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH: CRAIG MCCRACKIN
ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Rev. F. Wilson Brown - Rector
Jennifer Horne - Parish Administrator
Mary Anne Eubank - Organist
Tracey Goff-Sexton
314 N. Bridge Street
Bedford, VA 24523
Tel: 540-586-9582
Website: https://stjohnsbedford.org
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ST. JOHN’S VESTRY
MARSHA EAST - SENIOR WARDEN
CHRISTOPHER EY - JUNIOR WARDEN
KATE BURKS MCNEELY - CLERK
BETSY THOMAS
RHETTA WATKINS
SHANNON MCGUIRK
MARTHA NOWLIN
PHILIP BAKER
CRAIG MCCRACKIN
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