Order of Worship:: T Rancis Hurch
Order of Worship:: T Rancis Hurch
Order of Worship:: T Rancis Hurch
Order of Worship:
That being said, we understand that there may be times when it is best to take
advantage of child care, which we have available in the room immediately through the
Kitchen off of the entryway.
In Preparation for worship: We invite you to take a few moments before the service
begins to be still, and rest from the business of your lives. Take time to breathe deeply,
and reflect upon the past week. When you’re ready, you might say the following prayer
or one like it in preparation for worship.
O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and
of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of
heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled
affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; though Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
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The Word of God
Processional: O God our help in ages past Hymnal 680
Opening Acclamation:
All Standing
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.
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Canticle 20, Glory to God: Gloria in excelsis S 280
Jonah refuses God’s directive to call the people of Ninevah to repentance, but he repents
when circumstances cause him to end up in the belly of a giant fish.
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to
the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you
heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood
surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven
away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in
over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at
the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever;
yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who
pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of
thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the
Lord!”
Psalm 29
Afferte Domino
Paul struggles to understand why Israel has rejected Jesus, but reaffirms that the people
of the Old Covenant are the source of the law, and even the Messiah himself.
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the
Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could
wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my
kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the
glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong
the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all,
blessed forever. Amen.
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Sequence Hymn: In Christ there is no East or West Hymnal 529
When Jesus’ disciples are caught in a terrifying storm offshore, he comes to them across
the water and tells them not to be afraid. Jesus’ words can also calm anxious hearts in
our own day.
Gospeller: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to _______.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he
dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain
by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was
a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the
fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw
him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in
fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save
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me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you
of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And
those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
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.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for Church of the Province of South
East Asia The Most Revd Dr John Chew Archbishop of South East Asia & Bishop
of Singapore
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Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
Leader: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
People: That your Name may be glorified by all people.
Leader: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the
world;
People: That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Leader: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
People: That they may be delivered from their distress.
Leader: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Leader:
Silence
Celebrant: Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of
your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our
ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us
in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Confession
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence.
Celebrant: 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.
All stand
Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
For you are the source of light and life; you made us in your image, and called us to new
life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the
company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we
had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus
Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of
us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a
perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, 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.”
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son,
the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may
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faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and
at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. 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 for ever.
AMEN.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
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.
ON RECEIVING COMMUNION: All baptized Christians who are in love and charity
with their neighbors are welcome to receive communion. If you do not wish to receive,
you are invited to come for a prayer of blessing—simply cross your arms over your chest
to let the servers know that you will not be receiving. Prayers before receiving can
be found on pages 337 (the Prayer of Humble Access) and 834 in the Book of Common
Prayer (the red books available under your chairs).
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Communion music:
Post-Communion Prayer
The Blessing
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The Recessional: Praise to the Lord, The Almighty Hymnal 390
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Celebrant says the dismissal
People: Thanks be to God.
Welcome to St. Francis Church. In today’s liturgy water is a major symbol. The Gospel
reading from Matthew is the account of Peter’s attempt to join Christ in walking on the
Sea of Galilee. As Peter’s faith fails and he begins to sink below the waters, he cries to
the Lord for help, and Jesus rescues him.
The Old Testament reading is Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish. His being lost
in the sea resulted from his refusal to obey God. He recovers his faith and affirms his
trust in God. Jonah, like Peter, cries to God for help and is saved.
We also continue to read through the Epistle to the Romans. Today we begin the
second part of this letter, in which Paul begins to wrestle with the question of Israel’s
continuing role in God’s plan. He laments for those Jews who have not accepted Jesus
as Christ and yet remembers that Judaism’s role as God’s chosen people continues.
Water in the scriptures is not only a symbol of life, but also a symbol of death. As
Israel passed from death into new life at the Red Sea, so we gather as a community
which has passed with Jesus from death into resurrection in the waters of Baptism.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman.
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Good News Daily
Volume VIII August 10-16, 2008 Number 32
Sunday, August 10
Mark 4:35-41 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat,
so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. (vv.37-
38a ESV)
How can Jesus sleep in the boat when we are in a storm? Doesn’t He understand the ship
is sinking because of the current Doppler radar forecast? Doesn’t He see my son is on
drugs or my marriage is about to hit the rocks? My adjustable interest rate is going up and
I can’t continue to pay the mortgage.
First, you need to realize that earlier in the scripture Jesus had told them to cross over to
the other side. They were listening to God’s will. Second, they were men of the sea who
knew boating. Many were fisherman who kept their boats in good repair.
God wants me to be more sensitive to hear His plan. I also need to do the daily work
and tasks to be prepared. I need to be present in my son’s life. I need to educate myself
on adjustable rate mortgages and not just buy one because a salesman said it was great.
I might need counseling to be a more loving husband. Faith is an action word, not just
sitting on our hands praying.
Monday, August 11
John 3:1-21 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he
cannot see the kingdom of God.” (v.3)
This parable is one of the “pearls” of the Bible. I remember fourteen years ago when God
used the worst moment of my life to transform it into one of the best moments—all due to
the truth of what Jesus taught the Pharisee Nicodemus.
My life had come crashing down, due to alcoholism and living a secret life. I stood at a
crossroad because I had been an actor in church for many years, singing the hymns and
praying the prayers with no real personal relationship with Christ. I had lived my life
under my own strength, and it was a mess. God had always been there, ready to transform
my heart, but I had such a grip on the wheel.
Fourteen years ago, I finally, in my heart of hearts, asked Jesus to be my personal savior. It
wasn’t because I had fixed myself up, but because I was finally ready for Him to fix me up
with a rebirth.
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Tuesday, August 12
Psalm 100 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. (v.1)
Attitude! I know I fail in this area so many times. I let my circumstances dictate my
attitude. I can get so caught up in the troubled moment and forget I serve a God who has
given me eternity.
We are always testing God with one more hoop to jump through and then we can be joyful.
Heal my ailing mother; help me secure that promotion or maybe some financial help.
Please God, jump through this one more hoop.
Reality is that He has already jumped through the highest hoop by giving us eternity
with Him when we accept Christ as our Savior. What more should He have to do to make
us have a joyful spirit and singing? The modern-day atheist at times could easily ask us
Christians, “I thought you all were saved? Why don’t you look saved?” Attitude is a choice.
Wednesday, August 13
John 4:1-26 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a
drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
(v.9)
One day, years ago, I looked around and found myself living in a Christian bubble,
interacting with mostly Christians all day—listening to Christian radio constantly, bible
studies, home groups, and church on Sundays. This is not where Jesus would have been
hanging out because He wanted to touch those that did not know Him.
We can’t witness the transformation God has done in our life if the world never sees us. To
witness is not forcing people to hear Scriptures we have memorized, but instead allowing
them to see our transformed lives. I am a recovering alcoholic due to the grace of God.
Daily, the world needs to see what God can do with a willing heart. Go out and show the
world with a humble heart.
Thursday, August 14
Judges 14:1-19 [Samson’s] father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for
he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled
over Israel. (v.4a)
This was when Samson was telling his parents to go and get a woman they disapproved of
to be his wife. She pleased Samson, but not his parents. God had a plan.
So many times in my own life I have not seen God’s plan in the circumstances around me.
I protest what a friend or family member is doing because I think I’m a better author of
the story then God. In my own life, at times I look at my current situation and choices and
don’t see God’s plan. But God does have a plan to use all things for good.
Yes, it is wise to get good counsel and make well thought out choices. But even at times
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when you see your child rebel or go against your will, the story isn’t over. You can’t just
judge a book by a few pages, or even a chapter. God’s ending is always more interesting
then what we could have written.
Friday, August 15
Acts 7:17-29 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he
was brought up for three months in his father’s house. (v.20)
What a wonderful declaration made over Moses when he was born: to be well pleasing to
God. We all know the great trails Moses had in front of him and how God placed a hand on
his shoulder.
What encourages me is when all of us were born God was well pleased. He speaks to us
just like Moses through prayer, people, and scripture. He has a plan. That love for each
one of us never ends, no matter where we are in life. When I chose years of alcoholism
over God, He never stopped pursuing me. God welcomed me home when I bent my knee to
accept Christ as my Savior.
What if we made our children a healthy breakfast every morning, but they never stopped
to eat it and instead headed out the door for junk food. God waits for us each morning with
a meal for our heart of hearts. Sit with Him.
Saturday, August 16
John 5:1-18 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man
was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. (vv.8-9a)
Jesus was performing another miracle in a needy person’s life. Yes, a miracle, but pay
attention to the work the crippled man had done before Jesus arrived. Sometimes it is not
just sitting on our hands and praying, but also an actionable task we must try.
The crippled man had struggled for 38 years to be first in the pool to be healed. Always
too slow, he never quit trying. He was faithful to do his part even though he was at a
disadvantage.
He couldn’t heal himself. The man needed Jesus, but was the work he did earlier part of
the miracle? Do you need a financial miracle today but haven’t learned to budget properly?
Do you need a relationship miracle today in your marriage but haven’t followed through
on the marriage counseling? God needs all of us to be in action doing our work so He can
bless us with His daily miracles.
by S. M. Ford
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Announcements
Welcome to our guests!
We’re very happy that you chose to worship with us this morning. Please join us after the
service for snacks and conversation, to take some time to get to know us and for us to get
to know you. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Parish work day: I want to thank everyone who was able to participate in our Parish
work day on August 2nd; we accomplished a lot. The plan is to have these work days more
regularly so that we don’t fall behind on many of these tasks, so mark your calendars for
our next work day on September 20 from 9:30-12:00.
St. Francis “Biggest Loser” fitness challenge: If you are interested in participating
in the St. Francis fitness challenge, please sign up on the interest sheet in the entryway or
visit the St. Francis homepage and signup online.
Sharing Our Faith: Evangelism 101, September 6th, 9-2:30pm, at St. George’s:
This one day conference will be led by Carrie Boren, Diocesan Missioner for Evangelism in
Dallas, TX.
Carrie will speak about THE Story of the good news of Jesus Christ, several approaches for
sharing this good news, telling your story, and also congregational evangelism ideas such
as how to be a welcoming community. She will help participants think through making
community service activities evangelistic and how to run an evangelistic event.
The cost is fifteen dollars which will include a boxed lunch and registration fee.
Register at
www.regonline.com/SharingOurFaithEvangelism101
And why should you? Because Christians need to share their faith and people are longing
to hear the good news. A few nuts and bolts on how to do this would be helpful.
October 7: Pet blessing and cookout at Moss-Wright park from 3pm--??. Pet Blessing
will be at 6:00 pm.
If you have an announcement that you would like in the bulletin, please email it to Fr. Jody by Wednesday the week before so it can be
included.
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Bishop of Tennessee
The Rt. Rev. John C. Bauerschmidt
Vicar
The Rev. Joseph B. Howard
Mission Council
Ralph Eddy
Linda Palmer
Thom Chittom
Shelley Sircy
clerk: Nanci Frey
Accompanist
Thomas Duffy
Schedule of Ministry:
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard Reader: Carlene Johnson
Acolyte/Crucifer: Adam Waltenbaugh Prayer Station: Shelley Sircy
Oblationers: Ralph & Karen Eddy Chalicist: Adam Waltenbaugh
To check the schedule online, visit:
http://stfrancis-tn.net and go to congregational resources-->schedule
To get in touch with Fr. Jody for any reason, you can reach him at the Church, 851-0790, his cell, 440-6492 or via
email at [email protected].
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Cover Image: Jonah Cast into the Sea, 3rd-4th century, Catacomb of Peterand Marcellinus
Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN, https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-search.pl
Have a topic you’d like to know more about, something for the inquirers class? Is there
something in particular you’d like Fr. Jody to address at some point in a sermon? Write it
down in this area, tear it off and put it in the collection plate as it comes by.
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