St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church
Twenty-Sixth Sunday after PentecostSunday, November 13, 2016
Liturgy of the Word
Prelude Prelude in Classic StyleGordon Young
Entrance Hymn“O God of every nation”Hymn 607
Opening AcclamationBCP p. 355
Gloryto GodHymn S 280
Collect of the Day
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First ReadingMalachi 4:1-2a
A Reading from the Book ofMalachi.
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.
Reader:The Word of the Lord.
People:Thanks be to God.
The psalm will be read responsively by whole verse.
Psalm 98
1Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.
2With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.
3The Lord has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in
the sight of the nations.
4He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.
7With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.
9Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
when he comes to judge the earth.
10In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.
Second Reading2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
A Reading from theSecond Letter to the Thessalonians.
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
Reader:The Word of the Lord.
People:Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn“Thy kingdom come!” on bended kneeHymn 615
Holy GospelLuke 21:5-19
Celebrant:The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People:Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
Celebrant:The Gospel of the Lord.
People:Praise to you, Lord Christ.
SermonThe Rev. Bruce Heyvaert
Nicene CreedBCP p. 358
Prayers of the People: Form IIIBCP p. 387
For the special needs and concerns of this congregation:
For those who are ill: Diane; Jane; Tim Baldwin; Jeep Barrett;Jack Beyer; Jim and Nina Bonti; Chad Brewer; Emily Briell; Susan Covert; Seth Cox; Lynn DeMeester; Jane Escher; Shirley Evans-Lombe; Alice Anne Ford; Neal Gruenfeld; Karen Huey; Pat Kirkman;Anne Layne; Don Lewis; Cherie Martin; Norma Naegele; Sarah Palmer; Rebecca Pascoe; Mary and Richard Quinn; Tom Ratliff;Roberta Rogerson; Betty Sherrod; Julia Starn; CharlieStoehrmann; David Strait; Emilie Throckmorton; Judy Watson; Edward White
For those in need of strength and guidance: Thomas; Annie Bolger; Col. John Bolger, III; the Bunch family; Claudia Cox; The Rev.Mary Curtis; Anne L.; the families of Don Lewis and Regina Lewis Branch;Tyler Martin; Mary Louise Matthews; Ceri Saunders; Jean Anne Snyder-Barrett;Bud Starn; Eugenia Thompson; Travis Tyner; the Vestry; Bob Watson and family; Colin Watson; Craig Watson
For all the blessings of this life. In our parish family cycle of prayer, we offer thanksgiving for: Ruth Cameron, Bob and Jan Carlson, and Edith Cates; for the continuing growth of St. Thomas’.
For all military deployed and at home:
For all who have died: Rose Darroch; Dwight Dickson;Dorothy Felix; H. Aubrey Ford, Jr.; Leta Vivian Frasier;Frances Henrietta Harman; Louise Ami Hurst; Glendora Hewitt Nelson; Donald John Osmolak; Warren Schaeffer; and Elizabeth Von Canon,
Altar Flowers: The flowers on the Altar are given by Ann W. Osmolak to the glory of God and in loving memory of Don Osmolak and Craig Stifler.
Concluding Collect
Confession of Sin and AbsolutionBCP p. 360
Peace
Announcements
Blessing for Anniversaries and Birthdays
Holy Communion
Offertory Anthem A Child’s PrayerPerry
Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer BBCP p. 367
SanctusHymn S 125
Lord’s PrayerBCP p. 364
Breaking of the Bread – Fraction AnthemHymn S 154
Communion Hymns
“Teach me, thy God and King”Hymn 592
“If thou but trust in God to guide thee”Hymn635
Sending Out of Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Celebrant: In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts [to___ ] that they may share with us in the communion of Christ's body and blood.
All: Because we who are many are one body in Christ, we share one bread, one cup.
Postcommunion PrayerBCP p. 365
Blessing
Recessional Hymn“Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to earth” Hymn 598
Dismissal
Postlude Recessional in G MajorJohn Stanley
Those Serving Today
Ushers: Steve Yuskevich and David Patterson; Acolytes: Ellie White and Jenna White; Lectors: Mary Lee Dutton and Jeremy Linney; Intercessor: Lynda Turbeville; Chalice Bearer: Pat Kirkman; Vestry Greeter: Bob Carlson;Coffee Host: Dana Hyde; Altar Flowers: Ann Osmolak; Altar Guild:Anne Monti, Darlynda Patterson, Claudia Cox, and Jan Carlson; Director of Music: Dr. Jo Ann Bowman; Organist: June Burbage; Rector: The Rev. Bruce Heyvaert
Weekly Announcements November 13, 2016
Newcomers! We are so glad that you are here to worship with us today. Whether you are visiting Sanford or looking for a church home, we thank you for choosing St. Thomas’. Also, please help us meet you by identifying yourself to our vestry greeter or clergy. There is an information card that you may fill out and drop in the collection plate.
Assisting Bishop Lee will visit St. Thomas’ next Sunday, November 20. We will have a potluck luncheon following the service and the bishop will meet later with the Vestry. A ham will be provided for the meal.
On Sunday, November 20, the offering will be designated for the Bishop’s discretionary fund (used for religious and charitable purposes, pastoral emergencies, and ministries arising during the course of the year). Checks must be made out to the “Diocese of NC.”
The Men’s Group will meet on Monday, November 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the Lower Parish Hall.
The choir is having extra rehearsals for the annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols. Sopranos and Altos will be rehearsing on Monday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gilman Room.
The St. Jude’s Prayer Guild will meet on Wednesday, November 16 at 10:30 a.m.
Father Bruce is looking for 8 adults willing to take responsibility for one Sunday out of eight to facilitate children’s religious education on Sunday mornings during the Liturgy of the Word. You will have full support and assistance.
Vestry nominations are open. Nomination forms are located in the church office, narthex, and the Lower Parish Hall. Vestry nominations are due by November 27.
The November outreach project will be the Breadbasket. Suggested donations are: plates, pasta, snacks for children, and large jars of tomato sauce.
Our Stewardship campaign is underway. Please prayerfully consider your intentional giving for 2017.
The Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols will be on Sunday, December 11.
The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 8.