St. Luke's Episcopal Church
313 Main Street, Chester, Vermont 05143
(802) 875 - 6000
followed by Coffee Hour
Sunday August 9, 2026
Holy Eucharist
10:00 AM
The organ prelude is selected and played by organist Karlaine Livingston.
After the prelude, the church bell is rung inviting the passing populace to our service. A moment of silence is then observed.
The congregation is invited to stand.
Entrance Hymn
# 709 The Hymnal 1982
Minister: Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
People: Glory to God for ever and ever
Minister: Let us pray.
Minister and People:
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.
Song of Praise
#S-280 The Hymnal 1982
Minister: God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Let us pray.
The Collect for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Minister and People: God beyond all seeing and knowing, we meet you in the night of change and crisis, and wrestle with you in the darkness of doubt. Give us the will and spirit to live faithfully and love as we are loved. Amen
First Reading
Genesis 32:22-31
Lector: A Reading from Genesis.
22 Jacob got up at night and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm
Psalm 17:1-7, 16
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Hear my plea of innocence, O God; give heed to my cry; * listen to my prayer, which does not come from lying lips.
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Let my vindication come forth from your presence; * let your eyes be fixed on justice.
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Weigh my heart, summon me by night, * melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.
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I give no offense with my mouth as others do; * I have heeded the words of your lips.
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My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; * in your paths my feet shall not stumble.
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I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; * incline your ear to me and hear my words.
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Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, * O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand from those who rise up against them.
16. But at my vindication I shall see your face; * when I awake, I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.
Second Reading
Romans 9:1-5
Lector: A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans.
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit—2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen
Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn
#679 The Hymnal 1982
The Holy Gospel
Matthew 14:13-21
Minister: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
People: Glory to you, O Christ
13 Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Minister: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon
The Rev. Dr. Bruce MacDuffie
Nicene Creed
Presider and people:
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, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. 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, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who 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.
Prayers of the People
Reader: Friends, God our Savior is our refuge! So let us pray to God, saying, “Incline your ear to us; hear our words.”
Reader: God our Savior, show us your face. Satisfy your Church in your presence. Reveal to us your ways so that we might walk in the light of your truth.
Silence
Reader: Incline your ear to us;
People: Hear our words.
Reader: O God, your eyes are fixed on justice. We pray for all victims of war and violence and famine. Give heed to the cries of those in need throughout the world.
Silence
Reader: Incline your ear to us;
People: Hear our words.
Reader: God of abundance, you have blessed the earth to bring forth plenty. May we recognize the abundance in our own lives, so that those with little may also have their fill.
Silence
Reader: Incline your ear to us;
People: Hear our words.
Reader: O God, have compassion on the people of our region. Show us your marvelous loving-kindness so that trust in your goodness might replace our fears.
Silence
Reader: Incline your ear to us;
People: Hear our words.
Reader: God of blessing, we call upon you, for you answer us in our need. We pray this day for all those desperate for your blessing. Moved by compassion, heal the sick and suffering ones we hold in our hearts this day.
(The congregation is invited to add their petitions and thanksgivings here, followed by silence)
Reader: Incline your ear to us;
People: Hear our words.
Reader: God our vindicator, justify the dead through the mercy of your Messiah. We pray that in the fullness of time, they may awake, beholding your likeness.
Silence
Reader: Incline your ear to us;
People: Hear our words.
Confession of Sin
Minister: Let us confess our sins to God.
Silence may be kept.
Minister and People:
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will.
Amen.
Absolution
Minister: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.
Amen.
The Peace
Minister: The peace of Christ be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Offertory Sentence
Minister: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him faitrhfully.”(Psalm 145)
Offertory Hymn
#52 The Hymnal 1982
Presentation of the Offering
The “Doxology”
Hymn 380 Verse #3
Minister and people:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures here below
Praise God above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Song, and Holy Ghost.
Eucharistic Prayer C
(The people remain standing)
Minister: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Minister: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Minister:
All thanks and praise are yours at all times and in all places, our true and loving God; through Jesus Christ, your eternal Word, the Wisdom from on high by whom you created all things.
You laid the foundations of the world and enclosed the sea when it burst out from the womb; You brought forth all creatures of the earth and gave breath to humankind. Wondrous are you, Holy One of Blessing, all you create is a sign of hope for our journey; through Jesus Christ our Lord; Because you gave Jesus Christ your only Son, to be born for us; who by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, was made perfect man of the flesh of the Virgin Mary his mother; so that we night be delivered from the bondage of sin, and receive power to become your children. And so as the stars sing your praises we join the heavenly beings and all creation as we shout with joy:
The Sanctus
#S-125 The Hymnal 1982
The people stand, sit, or kneel as is comfortable.
Minister:
Glory and honor are yours, Creator of all, your Word has never been silent; you called a people to yourself, as a light to the nations, you delivered them from bondage and led them to a land of promise.
Of your grace, you gave Jesus to be human, to share our life, to proclaim the coming of your holy reign and give himself for us, a fragrant offering.
Through Jesus Christ our Redeemer, you have freed us from sin, brought us into your life, reconciled us to you, and restored us to the glory you intend for us.
We thank you that on the night before he died for us Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat, this is my Body, broken for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine, said the blessing, gave it to his friends and said: “Drink this, all of you: this cup is the new Covenant in my Blood, poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
And so, remembering all that was done for us: the cross, the tomb, the resurrection and ascension,
longing for Christ’s coming in glory, and presenting to you these gifts
your earth has formed and human hands have made, we acclaim you, O Christ:
Minister and people:
Dying, you destroyed our death.
Rising, you restored our life.
Christ Jesus, come in glory!
Minister: Send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may be to us the Body and Blood of your Christ.
Grant that we, burning with your Spirit’s power, may be a people of hope, justice and love. Giver of Life, draw us together in the Body of Christ, and in the fullness of time gather us with blessed Luke, the patron of this congregation, and all your people into the joy of our true eternal home.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise.
Minister and people:
Blessed are you now and for ever. AMEN.
The Lord's Prayer
Minister: And now, As our Savior Christ Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Minister and people:
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; 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
Minister: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Fraction Anthem
#S-164 Service Music, The Hymnal 1982
Minister: The Holy Gifts of God for the Holy People of God.
This is the table, not of the Church but of Jesus Christ. It is made ready for those who love God and who want to love God more. So come, you who have much faith and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been for a long time or ever before, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. It is Christ who invites you to be known and fed here. All are welcome to receive communion. (Special COVID precautions may be voiced here.)
Communion Hymn
#309 The Hymnal 1982
Post-communion Prayer
Minister: Let us pray.
Minister and People:
Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
Closing Hymn
#304 The Hymnal 1982
Closing Blessing
Minister: May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and remain with you always.
People: Amen.
Postlude
The organ prelude is selected and played by our organist, Karlaine Livingston.
Announcements
Dismissal
Minister: Go in peace to love and serve our God. Alleluia Alleluia
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia Alleluia
Coffee Hour follows as usual in Willard Hall
Wednesdays at St. Luke’s
Every Wednesday the Eucharist will be celebrated at St. Luke’s at 5:30 PM, a service lasting about thirty minutes. The service will be celebrated in upstairs in the small chapel at the rear of the church unless the weather demands otherwise when the service will be held downstairs in Willard Hall.
Prepare for next Sunday by reading the scripture lessons in advance and find yourself more open to next Sunday’s worship.
First reading: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28;
Second reading, often call the epistle: Romans 10:5-15;
Gospel reading: Matthew 14:22-33.
OUR UPCOMING WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Wednesdays in August:
We will gather for evening prayer at 5:30 P.M. every Wednesday. Various volunteers will lead the prayer time.
August 9 The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
10-11:15 AM Holy Eucharist The Rev. Susan Kershaw presiding.
August 16 The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
10-11:15 AM Holy Eucharist The Rev. Susan Kershaw presiding.
August 23 The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
10-11:15 AM Holy Eucharist The Rev. Susan Kershaw presiding.
August 30 The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
10-11:15 AM Holy Eucharist Rev. Dr. Bruce MacDuffie presiding.
OTHER EVENTS
July 30 Croquet and/or Badminton 6:00-7:30 PM The last croquet event for the summer.
August 6 Memory Café. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Willard Hall,
The Lunch Bunch discussion group is reading the book, Julian of Norwich, by Veronica Mary Rolf. In addition we are also reading the complete translations of the revelations Julian received from God. By reading the two books together, we get background, interpretation, and the opportunity to consider Julian‘s words standing on their own.
We meet on Mondays from noon to 12:45 via Zoom. Please contact Belinda Whipple Worth (belinda.ww@gmail.com) with questions or to receive the Zoom invitation.
Sermon-ettish urging re reading group: The reading group is attempting to pursue spiritual growth through ingesting and learning from the fine book, “Do not Judge Anyone.” A couple of us are concerned that we are not taking the time and concentration effort we feel is truly helpful, and so we stop and urge dismissal before reaching a helpful point settling an insight into our minds and hearts. Please come and share our effort, and help us be patient with this effort. With thanks for your potential participation.
