St. Francis Church Biblically minded. Mission Driven.

The Right Reverend John C. Bauerschmidt--Bishop of Tennessee

The Reverend Joseph B. Howard--Vicar

Order of Worship:

St. Francis Church is a community dedicated to the

transformation of lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ for
the Kingdom of God.

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

The Tenth Sunday after Trinity
Proper 12, Year A

A congregation of the Diocese of Tennessee and the world-wide Anglican Communion

A note for visitors: We’re thankful that you could join us for worship today, and we
pray God blesses you in your time here. The service is printed in your bulletin. If you
have any questions don’t hesitate to ask someone around you!

St. Francis Church wants to encourage families to worship together. In order to be

a community where all ages feel welcome, we provide coloring materials for children to
use during worship and seek to be a community that understands the specific gifts and
challenges that children bring. We encourage you, should you feel comfortable doing so,
to sit toward the front with your children, as little-ones are often more attentive if they
can see what is happening.

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: Be Thou my vision Hymnal 530

Opening Acclamation:
All Standing

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

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

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Canticle 20, Glory to God: Gloria in excelsis S 280

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
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Collect of the Day:

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.

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-12

All sit.

Given the opportunity to ask God for whatever he wishes, Solomon requests the gift of
an understanding mind to better govern the people. God is pleased, and grants Solomon
wisdom and discernment.

A reading from the First Book of Kings:

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what
I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your
servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness,
and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast
love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God,
you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little
child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your
people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for
multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that
I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have
asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies,
but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do
according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like
you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

The Psalm of the day:

Remain seated

Psalm 119:129-136
Mirabilia

129 Your decrees are wonderful; *

therefore I obey them with all my heart.

130 When your word goes forth it gives light; *
it gives understanding to the simple.

131 I open my mouth and pant; *
I long for your commandments.

132 Turn to me in mercy, *
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 as you always do to those who love your Name.

133 Steady my footsteps in your word; *
let no iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Rescue me from those who oppress me, *
and I will keep your commandments.

135 Let your countenance shine upon your servant *
and teach me your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears, *
because people do not keep your law.

Second Reading: Romans 8:26-34

Paul offers the reassurance that at those times when prayer is difficult for us, the Holy
Spirit prays for us and will bring us comfort.

A Reading from Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he
who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes
for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all
things work together for good, for those 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 among many brothers. 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 shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did
not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously
give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—
who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

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Sequence Hymn: Like the Murmur of the Dove’s song Hymnal 530

Holy Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-49a

All stand.

Jesus uses five parables to reveal the unexpected nature of God’s kingdom. He challenges
listeners to stop clinging to easy answers about God’s mercy and justice.

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

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of
mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but
when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants 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 leaven that a woman took
and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered
up. 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, who, on finding
one pearl of great value, 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 gathered fish
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of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into
containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the close of the age.

Gospeller: The Gospel of the Lord

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ

Sermon: The Rev. Joseph B. Howard

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.

The Prayers of the People

Leader: Let us pray

In our Diocese we pray for the Church of St. Mary Magdalene Fayetteville.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray Pray for the Lambeth Conference
and for The Episcopal Church of Rwanda, The Most Rev’d Emmanuel Musaba
Kolini Archbishop of Rwanda & Bishop of Kigali.

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Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;

People: That we all may be one.

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 bishops, priests, and deacons;

People: That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

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: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

People: That our works may find favor in your sight.

Leader: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
People: That they may be delivered from their distress.

Leader: Give to the departed eternal rest;

People: Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Leader: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Leader:

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

Celebrant: O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude
of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for
help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

The Confession

Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence.

Minister and People:

Most merciful God,

we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
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We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

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

Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Then the Ministers and the People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

The Holy Communion

Offertory music selected by the musician
All stand for the Doxology: Hymnal 380 (last verse)

Celebrant: All things come of thee O Lord.

People: And of thine own have we given thee.

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

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Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.

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

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

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:

The Sanctus: S-130

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Please kneel or stand at this time, as best helps you to pray.

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.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

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,

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed by 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 Breaking of the Bread

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.

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.

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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).

Communion music:

Post-Communion Prayer

After Communion, the Celebrant says:

Let us Pray

The minister and people together, pray:

Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Blessing
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The Recessional: Crown him with many crowns Hymnal 494

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Celebrant says the dismissal
People: Thanks be to God.

A Note on Today’s Readings

Proper 12, Year A

Welcome to St. Francis Church. Church. Again this Sunday, as last Sunday, we hear
parables of Jesus concerning God’s kingdom. The kingdom is characterized as hidden, yet
being revealed; as small now, but destined to grow large; as so precious that those who
discover it will give all in order to attain it; as open to all who will accept it.

The first reading, from 1 Kings, is Solomon’s prayer asking God for wisdom. It was
Solomon’s desire for wisdom rather than riches and power which revealed him as a
righteous king. This is a prefiguring of God’s kingdom in which all of God’s people are
a royal priesthood, enlightened by the spirit and wisdom of God.

Our continued reading of the Epistle to the Romans is leading to Paul’s great outburst
of praise and assurance of the certainty of God’s love for us. Here Paul is certain that
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even our weakest and most elementary striving toward God is proof that God is
leading us and has destined us for glory.

The church is not the kingdom of God. It is, in the words of Alexander
Schmemann, the world in the process of becoming the kingdom. When we
gather to celebrate, our movement toward the kingdom is revealed. We are reconstituted
as the church, and we discover ourselves growing toward the kingdom.

From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman.

Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.

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: Dave Gaines
Acolyte/Crucifer: Adam Waltenbaugh Prayer Station: Shelley Sircy
Oblationers: The Chittom Family 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 frjody@stfrancis-tn.net.
_______________________________________________________________________________

St. Francis Church

Biblically minded. Mission driven.
812 Meadowlark Ln
PO Box 697
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
Phone: 851-0790
http://stfrancis-tn.net

Cover Image: The Hidden Treasure, Jesus MAFA, see more at http://www.jesusmafa.com/anglais/accueil.htm
Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN, https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-search.pl

CCLI License No. 2334637

Oneliscence.net No. A-714717

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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