SAINT MICHAEL
and All Angels Episcopal Church
The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost August 3, 2025
11 AM CONTEMPORARY CHURCH
WELCOME
FROM THE RECTOR
The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
Scan to sign up for our small grief groups
We’re so glad you’ve joined us at Saint Michael today. We’d love to get to know you better, so please take a moment to fill out the welcome card, either physically or digitally, that can be found on this page or in the pew back in front of you. Our Welcome Team members are in the hallways today to help you with anything you need.
As we approach the kickoff of a new school year, we encourage everyone to find some ways to serve. We are preparing for a big month of service through Now-Forward (formerly North Dallas Shared Ministries), Jubilee Park and Community Center, and Foster Elementary, just to name a few. To sign up to help, or for more about our service programs, please pick up a copy of the Sunday News.
We continue to offer support to all those in our community still grieving the tragedy in Central Texas. Please visit the grief support page of our website to find a number of digital opportunities for support. Additionally, we will host small grief groups this fall, and if you’d like to join one, please sign up today. Grief takes time, so be good to yourself and please reach out to find the help you need.
As we prepare to worship together, I invite you to take a moment and center yourself on God’s presence. Worshiping, learning, and giving together help us grow closer to who God created us to be, and you’re part of that work. May God bless you today and every day, and I hope to see you again very soon!
CONNECT WITH US
Scan the QR Code to fill out the welcome card, sign up for emails, and register for Saint Michael 101. saintmichael.org/welcome
The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost Holy Eucharist: Rite II
The service begins on page 355 of The Book of Common Prayer.
The Word of God
Welcome
Opening Song “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (standing, sung by all)
Hymn permission used by Rite Song, a one-time use reprint license for congregational use.
The Opening Acclamation and Collect for Purity (standing)
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Celebrant 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 Collect of the Day (standing)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
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 e ver. Amen.
The Lesson (seated) Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. … I, the Teacher, when king over Israel in Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. … I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me—and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun, because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun? For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.
Lector The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.