Saint Francis by the Sea

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.

¹Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. ²And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. ³Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. ⁴Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. ⁵And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. ⁶For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. ⁷God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. ⁸So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. ⁹Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. ¹⁰You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. ¹¹I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ ¹²And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. ¹³You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” ¹⁴Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. ¹⁵And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

¹ Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!

² It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,

³ Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.

⁴ It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.

⁵ For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.

¹I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. ²God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. ²⁹for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ³⁰Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, ³¹so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. ³²For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

²¹Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ²²Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” ²³But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” ²⁴He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” ²⁸Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

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 Deacon says: IN PEACE, we pray to you, Lord God.

LORD GOD, let your love swell within us and shine through our lives that our prayers might lead us into abundant life as we say Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY for the church; that it might be a sanctuary and the wellspring of hope for what is broken in our lives and in our world. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY for the nation, that it might live into its promise and be a place of safety, justice, compassion, and dignity for all people. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY for our local communities, that they might become places inspired by Jesus’ vision for human community. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY for our earth; that our land may continue to provide abundantly for our needs and that we might be effective stewards of its riches. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY in our Diocesan Cycle of Prayer for St. George’s Church, Englehard, and for St. John’s Church, Fayetteville. In our Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer, we give thanks for Grace Holiness Church on Harkers Island, and Grace Presbyterian Church, Beaufort. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY for those who suffer; that they might be delivered from their distress and know your healing power in their lives. Especially, we pray for [today’s petitions]. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY for the dead and the dying; that they might be welcomed into our loving embrace and that they and we might rise again in the glory of your new age. Today, we remember [today’s petitions]. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

WE PRAY and 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:

GOD ALMIGHTY, creator of all that is, known and unknown; the entirety of your presence and power are beyond comprehension, help us to understand as best we can and to live lives in accordance with your will for us to be laborers for your kingdom. 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 Presentation of Elements and Offerings

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 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,

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.

The Post-Communion Prayer

After Communion, the Celebrant says: All stand. Let us pray together:

Celebrant and People:

ETERNAL GOD, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Blessing

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!

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.

Schola Cantorum, our Diocese choir, will sing Evensong at St. Francis by the Sea on Saturday, August 22, at 5:00 PM. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Please join us for this special service.

Annual Music Conference. On Sunday, August 23, we will be joined in our 10:00 AM worship service by the participants in the 36th Annual Music Conference of the Diocese of East Carolina. The guest director will be Christopher “Kit” Jackson, Director of Music and Organist at Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas, where he oversees one of the largest Episcopal church music programs in the country. The guest choir will share some of the beautiful music they learn during the conference.

Meals on Wheels: The Meals Ministry Team continues to serve our community. Our remaining August date is August 25 (chicken pot pie). 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!

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast generally meets on the third Saturday of the month. Our next scheduled meeting begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, September 19. All men of the church are welcome to attend. We look forward to opportunities for service, prayer, study, and fellowship.

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 below which will take you to our PayPal. We thank you for your attendance today and look forward to seeing you again!