Welcome to
Saint Francis by the Sea
Episcopal Church
July 26, 2026
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
| The Prelude | “Be Thou My Vision” | arr. Dan Forrest |
The Processional Hymn 594 “God of grace and God of glory” Cwm Rondda
Hymn 594 “God of grace and God of glory” (Cwm Rondda) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
1 God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power;
crown thine ancient Church's story; bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us free our hearts to faith and praise:
grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days, for the living of these days.
3 Cure thy children's warring madness, bend our pride to thy control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom's goal, lest we miss thy kingdom's goal.
4 Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of thy salvation be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore, serving thee whom we adore.
The Word of God
Celebrant: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
Celebrant and People: Collect for Purity
ALMIGHTY GOD, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Gloria S278 “Glory to God in the highest” William Mathias
The Gloria S278 “Glory to God in the highest” (William Mathias) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
2. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
3. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, 4. you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us;
5. you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
6. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
7. you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
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 First Reading Genesis 29:15-28
15Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?”16Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. 18Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” 19Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” 20So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her. 21Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” 22So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. 23But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. 24(Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) 25When 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?”26Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. 27Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” 28Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 105:1-11
1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.
3 Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Search for the Lord and his strength; *
continually seek his face.
5 Remember the marvels he has done, *
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,
6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God; *
his judgments prevail in all the world.
8 He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
the promise he made for a thousand generations:
9 The covenant he made with Abraham, *
the oath that he swore to Isaac,
10 Which he established as a statute for Jacob, *
an everlasting covenant for Israel,
11 Saying, “To you will I give the land of Canaan *
to be your allotted inheritance.”
45b Hallelujah!
The Second Reading Romans 8:26-39
26Likewise 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. 27And 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. 28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
29For 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. 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He 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? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who 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. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor 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.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Sequence Hymn 711 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” Seek Ye First
Copyright limitations prevent the reprint of this hymn.
Feel free to use our blue hymnals located in the chair in front of you.
1. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you; Allelu, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Allelu, alleluia!
2. Ask, and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall find,
knock, and the door shall be opened unto you; Allelu, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, Allelu, alleluia!
The Gospel Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
31He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32it 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.” 33He 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.”
44“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.
45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 48when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 50and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52And 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.”
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
The Reverend Mary Kay Brown
The Nicene Creed Please stand, if able.
WE BELIEVE in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
WE BELIEVE in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
WE BELIEVE in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
WE BELIEVE in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
The Prayers of the People from “Hear our Prayer” by Jon White and Lisa Graves
The Deacon says: IN PEACE, we pray to you, Lord God.
HOLY GOD, be in our midst of us now as we pray for ourselves and the world saying Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
WE PRAY for the Church, the body of Christ, that you would be in our midst everywhere we are. Strengthen us, reorient us and send us to be your people in the world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
WE PRAY for the health, welfare and legacy of this nation. We pray for the prosperity and needs of our brothers and sisters across our country and around the world. Embolden us to serve the common good and advocate for the needs of all people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We PRAY for all creatures on the earth, and for the earth itself. We pray for an end to pollution and the apathy that destroys the creation that you called Good. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
WE PRAY for this congregation, give us hearts that long for you and hands that serve others in your name. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
In our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, today for St. Paul’s in the Pines Church, Fayetteville. In our Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer, we give thanks for First Free Presbyterian Church, Morehead City, and Franklin Memorial Methodist Church, Morehead City. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
WE PRAY for those who are sick, suffering, anxious, hopeless, imprisoned, persecuted or alone. We pray for those who are ill and for those who provide them care. Today, we pray for [today’s petitions]. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
WE PRAY for the dying. Comfort the grieving and hold us in your heart, this day and always. Today, we remember [today’s petitions]. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
WE GIVE THANKS for all our blessings in life Lord, only made possible by You including [today’s petitions]. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
The Celebrant concludes with this collect:
LORD, you have promised to be with us whenever we gather in your name. Be with us now. Hear and respond to our prayers. Show us the path to be your people more perfectly. All this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Confession of Sin and Absolution
The Deacon says: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor: People:
MOST MERCIFUL GOD, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Rector stands and says…
ALMIGHTY GOD have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: WALK IN LOVE, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
The Choral Anthem “What Does the Lord Require?” Eric Nelson
What does the Lord require for praise and offering?
What sacrifice, desire, or tribute bid you bring?
To do justice; love mercy; and walk humbly,
walk humbly with your God.
Rulers of earth, give ear! Should you not justice know?
Will God your pleading hear, while crime and cruelty grow?
Then do justice; love mercy; and walk humbly with your God;
walk humbly with your God.
How shall our life fulfill God’s law so high?
Let Christ endue our will, let Christ endue our will with grace.
What does the Lord require?
What does the Lord require for praise and offering?
What sacrifice, desire, or tribute bid you bring?
To do justice; love mercy; and walk humbly,
walk humbly with your God.
The Presentation of Elements and Offerings
The Doxology
Old 100th
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God, all creatures here below.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Eucharistic Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, Prayer C.
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds:
GOD OF ALL POWER, Source and Sustainer of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
People: Glory to you for ever and ever.
At your command all things came to be: shining light and enfolding dark; the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, and this fragile earth, our island home.
People: By your will they were created and have their being.
From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with the capacity for memory, reason, and skill. You made us the stewards of your creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.
People: Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.
Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your eternal Word, born of your servant Mary, to fulfill your Law, opening for us the way of freedom and peace.
People: By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.
And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:
The Sanctus S125 “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” Richard Proulx
The Sanctus S125 “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord” (Richard Proulx) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Celebrant continues:
Therefore, O God, we who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Savior.
On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Remembering now his work of redemption and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,
People: We celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection as we await the day of his coming.
God of our ancestors; Redeemer and Mother of Israel; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only and not for strength; for pardon only and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.
People: Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.
Accept these prayers and praises, Almighty God, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever, and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
a period of silence is kept
The Fraction Anthem S163 “Lamb of God”
Robert Powell
The Fraction Anthem S163 “Lamb of God” (Robert Powell) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
Celebrant continues: THE GIFTS OF GOD for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
WE INVITE ALL to join us and receive the Body and Blood of Christ at his table. If you desire to receive a blessing, please come to the altar with hands crossed over your chest. Gluten-free communion wafers and chalice are available upon request.
The Communion Response “Prayer of St. Francis” Sebastian Temple
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred; let me bring your love,
where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope,
where there is darkness only light,
and where there’s sadness ever joy.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love, with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Post-Communion Prayer
After Communion, the Celebrant says: All stand. Let us pray together: Celebrant and People:
The Blessing
The Recessional Hymn 9 “Awake, awake to love and work” Morning Song
Sing verses 4, 5, 6 only.
Hymn 9 “Awake, awake to love and work” (Morning Song) — please paste a MusicXML score or upload the music image.
4 Awake, awake to love and work! The lark is in the sky,
the fields are wet with diamond dew, the worlds awake to cry
their blessings on the Lord of life, as he goes meekly by.
5 Come, let thy voice be one with theirs, shout with their shout of praise;
see how the giant sun soars up, great lord of years and days!
So let the love of Jesus come and set thy soul ablaze,
6 to give and give, and give again, what God hath given thee;
to spend thy self nor count the cost; to serve right gloriously
the God who gave all worlds that are, and all that are to be.
The Dismissal
Deacon: Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
The Postlude
“Postlude Brevis”
David Lasky
St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church Welcomes You
Happy Birthday: Trish Randall (26th), Clark Edwards (29th), Sharon Watling (30th), Sterling Williams (1st).
Welcome! If you are new to St. Francis or visiting for the first time, we especially welcome you to our community of faith. We ask that you sign our guest register located at the back of the church.
Meals on Wheels: The Meals Ministry Team continues to serve our community. Our remaining July date is July 28 (chicken broccoli casserole). Thank you for your wonderful support of this ministry. We are able to serve 180 needy folks each month, as well as parishioners who are in need of meals. Remember that Love Meals are always available to anyone at any time; share the love with someone who would enjoy a meal!
Potluck at the Seale Pavilion: Join us for a fun evening and enjoy the ocean breezes and good company! Wednesday, August 12th at 6 pm. Bring an addition to the meal, yourself, and even a friend! Sign up sheet is in the Parish Hall.
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast: generally meets on the third Saturday of the month. Our next scheduled meeting begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 15. All men of the church are welcome to attend. We look forward to opportunities for service, prayer, study, and fellowship.
Lobsterfest 2026
Lobsterfest 2026 will be held on Saturday, October 10, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets will go on sale in early August. Our Lobsterfest team is already hard at work preparing for our largest fundraiser of the year, featuring our popular 1½-pound Maine lobsters, transported directly to us. This year's prices are $28 for a live lobster, $30 for a single cooked lobster (no meal), and $39 for a dine-in or take-out meal, with the same pricing for cash and credit card purchases. Once again, we'll partner with Martha's Mission Cupboard by sponsoring a food and monetary donation drive during the event. Lobsterfest is an all-parish volunteer effort, and we need your help! Volunteer sign-ups are now open.
We have a special need for volunteers to help with exterior order fulfillment, wrapping and bagging cooked lobsters for customers, and for washing utensils throughout the day to keep our dine-in service running smoothly. If you have questions, call or text the Lobsterfest phone at 252-515-0040 or email sfbtslobsterfest@gmail.com. Thank you for helping make this year's Lobsterfest another wonderful success!
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4DADA72DABF49-50365161-lobsterfest
Coffee Hour: We encourage everyone to gather downstairs following our Sunday service for refreshments and to enjoy Christian fellowship. Please also wear your name tag to coffee hour. You may place your name tag on the Parish Administrator's desk at the end of coffee hour and the tags will be returned to the file in the sanctuary. Visitors are especially welcome, and a special note of thanks to our members who host coffee hour every Sunday!
Communion is available to our local homebound parishioners. If interested, please email layministrysfbts@gmail.com and include your preferred contact number. A lay minister will call to schedule a time that is convenient for a visit.
Prayers of the People: For those watching our services on-line, we invite you to send in your prayer requests, praises, and death notices, to be included in the weekly E-bulletins and also during the service. Please email or call the church office with names of people you want to include by 10 a.m. each Thursday. For those attending in person, you may add names to our Prayers of the People list before the service begins. The list is located at the back of the sanctuary, near the visitor registry.
We prayerfully ask that you keep your offerings and pledges to Saint Francis by the Sea up-to-date. Thank you for your faithfulness to our church and to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
You can support our ministries by donations via scanning the QR code in our physical bulletin or using our online portals. We thank you for your attendance today and look forward to seeing you again!
[QR Code for PayPal / Donations]
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Worship Leaders
Rector: The Rev. Mary Kay Brown
Priest in Residence: The Rev. Chris Carlin
Deacon: The Rev. Deacon Robin Smith
Lector: Cecile Shenkan
Prayers for the People: Nora Webb
Torchbearers: Don Sparrow, Rosemary Unger
Altar Guild: Jean Smith
Vestry of the Day: Terry Smith
Music Director: Craig Everett
Bells: Libba Shelton
Audio: Larry Castle
Videographer: Skip Kemp
Chalice: Elizabeth Sheeks, Frances Jenkins
Crucifer: Kelly Sheeks
Greeters: Melanie Hum, Scott Hum
Sunday School: George Grigg, Laura Leslie
Coffee Hour: Elizabeth and Bruce J
Vestry Members
Vestry Class of 2026
Pam Ball, Senior Warden
Sharon Birmingham
Terry Smith
Vestry Class of 2027
John Clarke, Junior Warden
Laura Leslie
Terry Parrish
Vestry Class of 2028
Kathy Driver
Bruce Jobe
Mary Kurek
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