St. John’s Episcopal Church
An Episcopal Congregation since 1847
Pentecost Eighteen
September 27, 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
Prayer Book Page
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
450
HYMN IN PROCESSION — ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME!
THE WORD OF GOD
PAGE 355
S-278
SONG OF PRAISE — GLORIA
COLLECT OF THE DAY
O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; 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: EZEKIEL 18:1-4, 25-32
The word of the LORD came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.
Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.
THE GRADUAL: PSALM 25: 1-8
(We will read in unison)
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.
3 Show me your ways, O LORD, *
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
5 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.
6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O LORD.
7 Gracious and upright is the LORD; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.
8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.
THE EPISTLE: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
492
SEQUENCE HYMN — SING YE FAITHFUL, SING WITH GLADNESS
THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 21:23-32
When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.”
SERMON
THE REV. WILSON BROWN
THE NICENE CREED
PAGE 358
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
FORM V
PAGE 389
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 A
PAGE 361
S-129
SANCTUS
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
PAGE 364
FRACTION ANTHEM (SPOKEN)
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
302 HYMN
FATHER WE THANK THEE WHO HAST PLANTED
309 HYMN
O FOOD TO PILGRIMS GIVEN
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
PAGE 365
BENEDICTION
435 HYMN IN RECESSION
AT THE NAME OF JESUS
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE
THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR TODAY ARE GIVEN TO THE GLORY OF GOD BY WINSTON BURKS
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.
- ➤ Lunch Buddies will take place on September 30th at 11:30 a.m. We will meet at the Liberty Station Restaurant. Please sign up on the sheet outside the parish hall so we know how many to expect.
- ➤ Socktober and Undy Sunday: Outreach will be collecting new socks and underwear for Bedford Christian Ministries and Bedford Domestic Violence services for the month of October. Please leave your donations in the bin outside the parish hall.
- ➤ Where there’s a Will there’s a way! What would it take to make sure St. John’s is financially strong not just next year, but for generations to come? On October 4th, Frank West will introduce “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way,” a new sustainability initiative focused on growing St. John’s Endowment Fund through planned and legacy giving. You’ll hear where St. John’s currently stands compared with similar churches in our diocese, why a stronger endowment matters to our future, and some surprisingly simple ways each of us can help build long-term financial stability for the parish. Please join us during Adult Forum, and look for a brief presentation during the worship service as well. Materials will be available for anyone interested in making a lifetime gift to the Endowment or including St. John’s in their estate plans. The goal is simple: to make sure the ministry we value today is still thriving many years from now.
- ➤ Blessing of the Animals will take place on Sunday October 4th at 5:00 p.m. All Pets are welcome.
- ➤ Fall Clean up will take place on Saturday October 10th from 9 a.m. to Noon. Many Hands make light work! All are welcome to help make the church sparkle!
- ➤ Parish Picnic will take place on Sunday October 11th at Liberty Lake Park. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and paper products will be provided.
- ➤ Bishop Karin MacPhail will be visiting on Sunday October 25th. There will be several confirmations. Please join us in welcoming the bishop.
☩ LAY MINISTERS OF THE DAY – 10:30 AM ☩
CHALICISTS: KATE BROWN AND TBD
LAY READER: STEVE WANDREI
USHERS: MARSHA EAST AND FRANK WEST
ACOLYTE: JEFF EAST
COFFEE HOUR HOST: MARSHA EAST
OBLATION BEARERS: STEVE WANDREI
ALTAR GUILD: IRENE AND ANDY CATLIN, JOHN AND KAY WAFF, BRENDA CHURCH
SOUND/AV: TBD
VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH: KATE MCNEELY
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