St. Francis Celebration & Blessing of the Animals

St.

Celebration &

of the

Gathering In Joy

Prelude: As the Deer Martin Nystrom

Song of Praise: 405, All Things Bright and Beautiful

The Opening Acclamation

Presider: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People: And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

BCP 355

The Presider says to the people

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

Collect of the Day

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may, for love of you, delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Listening for God’s Word

The First Reading – Job 39:1 18

"Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer? Can you number the months that they fulfil, and do you know the time when they give birth, when they crouch to give birth to their offspring, and are delivered of their young? Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open; they go forth, and do not return to them.

"Who has let the wild ass go free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift ass, to which I have given the steppe for its home, the salt land for its dwelling-place? It scorns the tumult of the city; it does not hear the shouts of the driver. It ranges the mountains as its pasture, and it searches after every green thing.

"Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will it spend the night at your crib? Can you tie it in the furrow with ropes, or will it harrow the valleys after you? Will you depend on it because its strength is great, and will you hand over your labour to it? Do you have faith in it that it will return, and bring your grain to your threshing floor?

"The ostrich’s wings flap wildly, though its pinions lack plumage. For it leaves its eggs to the earth, and lets them be warmed on the ground, forgetting that a foot may crush them, and that a wild animal may trample them. It deals cruelly with its young, as if they were not its own; though its labour should be in vain, yet it has no fear; because God has made it forget wisdom, and given it no share in understanding. When it spreads its plumes aloft, it laughs at the horse and its rider."

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 121 BCP 779 Levavioculos

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5 The Lord himself watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe.

8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.

The Epistle 2 Timothy 1:1 14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am grateful to God whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self discipline.

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation: With One Voice 613: Celtic Alleluia

The Gospel Matthew 11:25 30

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

Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

Rick Pearce

The Nicene Creed BCP 358

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, Form VI

Intercessor and People pray responsively

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world; For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation; For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

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For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble, especially the people of Cuba, Florida and all who are in harm's way during this hurricane season.; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God; For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael, our Presiding Bishop, Daniel, our Bishop, Silvestre, Bishop of Guatemala, Barbara and Laura, our clergy, Sacramento and Juan, our Companion clergy in Guatemala and each one of us in our vocation and ministry. In the Anglican cycle of prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Canada. In our companion Diocese of Guatemala, we pray for Iglesia Episcopal San Juan (St. John's Episcopal Church), Apostol, Chichicastenango, The Rev. Herbert Ruiz. In our own Diocese, we pray for The Diocesan Altar Guild. For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation. We pray for all on our parish prayer list, especially Mary, John, Ed, Ashley, Jeanne, Norma, Kelly, Wendy, Bob, Ernie, Lindsay, Donna, Douglas, Ed, Elsie, Jim, Pat, Karen, Bob, Art, Barbara, Linda, Ruth, Sherry, Kate, Steve, Victor, Tabitha, Lois, those who have Covid, and for all we name now… entrusting them to you. Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.

We pray for all who have died, and all those we name now … (pause) that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. Lord, let your loving kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.

We pray for the more than 25,000 people who have died so far this year from gun violence and for all injured by guns, and for those who mourn and those who give care. Give us the will to reverse our national dependence upon guns, and to address the root causes of violence.

Lord keep this nation under your care. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

Lord God, we pray for the ongoing work of our Parish Profile Committee as it helps us discern what you are calling us to be. Deepen our awareness, Lord, about who we are as a parish, what we want, where our love is and how we want our love to grow. In you Lord is our hope: And we shall never hope in vain.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life, especially celebrating Chloe Joy and Corinne Hope Sayer, who were baptized yesterday. We give thanks for our parish community, our own friends and families, and all other blessings we name now... We will exalt you, O God our King; And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Intercessor and People Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Presider: 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

Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

Celebrating Holy Communion

Offertory Anthem: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Sebastian Temple St. Peter’s Choir

The Blessing of the Animals

All our animal friends are brought up during the hymn for a special blessing.

Presentation Hymn: This Is My Father’s World Maltbie D. Babcock

The Great Thanksgiving, Prayer B

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Presider: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth... Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Sanctus: S125, Holy, holy, holy Lord

The Presider continues

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and

Richard Proulx

made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me." After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me." Therefore, according to his command, O Father, Presider and People

We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;

The Presider continues

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Peter and Philip and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,

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.

BCP 364

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 Breaking of the Bread

The Presider breaks the consecrated bread. A period of silence is kept. Presider: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Presider: 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 Communion of the People

Communion Music: Living Bread

The Post Communion Prayer

Presider and people together

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.

Sending Out

Richard A Williamson

The Blessing

Birthday & Anniversary Prayer BCP 830

O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace; and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Announcements

Our two Listening Circles will resume meeting in October. New members are most welcome. See the Newsletter for more information.

The Closing Hymn: 400, All Creatures of our God and King

The Dismissal

Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

Postlude: All Things Bright and Beautiful

Arr. Robert D Vandall

Worship Ministers

Presider: The Rev. Barbara Ballenger Preacher: Rick Pearce Acolyte: Alex Steers Radtke Lectors: Bill Bacon, BJ Wanlund

Intercessor: Rick Pearce Vestry Steward: Amy Michener Wall Eucharistic Minister: Joani Harkinson, Amy Michener Wall Ushers: Dori Meginley, Linda Toia

Counter: Anne Gibson Altar Guild: Donna Kulp

Organist: Kathy Flaherty Choir Director: Tim Flaherty

Fellowship: Matt & Alicia Mayes Moore

The cover image is stained glass from St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Springfield, PA, used with permission.

Hymn permissions by Rite Song, a one time use reprint license for congregational use.

ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

654 N. Easton Road Glenside, PA 19038-4310 (215) 887-1765

E-mail: stpeter654@gmail.com Website: www.stpetersglenside.org