THE WORD OF THE LORD
                                                                                            

Opening Acclamation

Celebrant       Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People           And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.

 

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.

 

Gathering hymn   “Hail thou once despised Jesus”,  v. 1                                              From The Blue Hymnal, 495

 

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 Lessons

 

The First Lesson:  Genesis 29:15-28                                                                                                

A Reading from the Book of Genesis:

Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When 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?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife. The Word of the Lord.                         

People     Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm 105:1-11, 45b (responsively, by half verse)

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 Lesson: Romans 8:26-39                                                                                                                                      

A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

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. [The Word of the Lord.]

                                           

People      Thanks be to God.

 

 

Gospel Acclamation            

 

The Holy Gospel           Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Gospeller       The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People           Glory to you, Lord Christ

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.”

into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”

Gospeller       The Gospel of the Lord.

People           Praise to you, Lord Christ.

 

The Sermon           Natalie, Seminarian            

Natalie’s sermon will be posted here.

 

The Nicene Creed

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.

 

Prayers of the People                                                                                      

Intercessor Oh Lord, we know that all things work together for good for those who love you. Listen to these prayers and the prayers of hearts, that they may bring about the goodness of your kingdom into the world.

 

Intercessor In confidence and trust we pray for the Church throughout the world. We pray especially for our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, our Diocesan Bishops Susan, Jennifer, and Porter, for our staff Fran, Anne, Susan, Walter, Joy, Mary, Nicole, and Natalie our seminarian, for all Bishops of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, for Ascension Church in Beraud, Haiti, and those whom you would name: [a time of silence

Oh Holy Spirit, enliven the Church for its mission.

People that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.

Intercessor We pray for the world: Creator of all, lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace. [a time of silence
People That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.

 

Intercessor Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
People Teach us to care creatively for its resources.

 

Intercessor We pray for the community: God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others [a time of silence
People that all may act with integrity and courage.

 

Intercessor Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours, especially those who live in fear, those who worry about employment, bills, food, and struggle just to find dignity in life. [a time of silence
People May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

Intercessor We pray for those in need: God of hope, comfort and restore all who suffer in body, mind or spirit. We pray especially for Ethan, Bishop Susan, Dick, David, Chris, Gail, Andrei, Jane, Thomas, Kait, Johnny, Emma, Cheryl, Julie, Caroline, George, David, those suffering from COVID 19, and those you would name [a time of silence]
People May they know the power of your healing love.

Intercessor Make us willing agents of your compassion.
People Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.

 

Intercessor  We remember those who have died, especially Stacy Kornegay, Rita Beckham, Mitzi Arena, and those you would now name: [a time of silence]  For those who have died-
People Father, into your hands we commend them.

 

Intercessor We remember those who mourn: especially Stacy’s sons, Carlyle and Christian, and her father, Jack, George Beckham, Mitzi’s family and friends, and those you would now name: [a time of silence] Give comfort to those who mourn.
People Bring them peace in their time of loss.

 

Intercessor For all the blessings of this life, we give thanks to You, Loving God. We thank you especially for David Alton Smith celebrating his birthday this week, and for Fran Gardner-Smith & David Smith, and Betsy & Michael Heilman marking their wedding anniversaries, and those blessings you would name: [A time for silence]

People That your kingdom come in our hearts and lives.

 

Intercessor Those things, good Lord, that your servants have prayed for,
give us grace to work for; and in the purpose of your love answer our prayers and fulfill our hopes for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

 

Adapted from A New Zealand Prayer Book and the BCP.

 

Intercessor:     Together let us pray for St Thomas Church.

All: Almighty God, by your Spirit the whole body of your Church is governed and sanctified, hear our prayer for St Thomas, build in us a renewed vision of your Church; shape our life according to your will; empower us with the gifts to make us one that together we may grow as a church in the spiritual strength of community and reach out to include all people in Christ’s love, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

Confession of Sin

Celebrant       Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.  A time of silence.

All     God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

 

Absolution

Celebrant       Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

 

Offertory Hymn   “Just as I am, without one plea”, v v 1 & 6                                     From the Blue Hymnal 693

 

During this unprecedented time, giving is crucial to our health and viability. Please consider this a time of reflection and an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing ministries of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Contributions can be mailed to the church office (8991 Brook Road, McLean, VA 22102 ) or given online here.  Thank you!

 

The Lord’s Prayer

Officiant      The Lord be with you.

People         And also with you.

Officiant      Let us pray.

 

Officiant and People

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,

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, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

The Peace

Celebrant       The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People             And also with you.

 

The Blessing

Be of good courage, never be afraid

Because God who created you,

Is always with you

And loves you fiercely.

And may the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

 

 

Closing Hymn   “The Christ who died but rose again”                                                            From The Blue Hymnal, 447

 

The Dismissal

Celebrant       Let us go forth in the name of Christ, 
People           Thanks be to God.

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