July 26, 2020 The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 AM CDT Morning Prayer, Rite II

via Facebook Live and YouTube

St. Alban's proclaims to all, through word and deed, the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

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Prelude Invocation (Five Improvisations) Alec Rowley (1892-1958)

Hymn O worship the King, all glorious above! Hymnal 388

MORNING PRAYER - 9:00 AMRite II, according to the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)

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Words: Robert Grant (1779-1838)Music: Hanover, att. William Croft (1678-1727)

Opening Sentence

Officiant The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. John 4:23

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THE INVITATORY AND PSALTER

All stand.

Officiant Lord, open our lips.People And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Officiant and PeopleGlory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

The Venite and Psalm are said by all in unison.

Venite Psalm 95:1-7 Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

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Psalm 128 Beati omnes

1 Happy are they all who fear the Lord, * and who follow in his ways!

2 You shall eat the fruit of your labor; * happiness and prosperity shall be yours.

3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, * your children like olive shoots round about your table.

4 The man who fears the Lord * shall thus indeed be blessed.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion, * and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

6 May you live to see your children's children; * may peace be upon Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

All sit.

THE LESSONS

The First Lesson Genesis 29:15-28

Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

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Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

All stand.

Gloria in Excelsis Hymnal S-280

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All sit.

Children's Sermon

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The Second Lesson Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs 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 yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; 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; on finding one pearl of great value, he 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 caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Lector The Word of the Lord.People Thanks be to God.

The Sermon The Rev. Neal McGowan

Please stand and affirm our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.

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The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE PRAYERS

The people stand or kneel

Officiant The Lord be with you.People And also with you.Officiant Let us pray.

Officiant 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.

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Suffrage A

Officiant Show us your mercy, O Lord;People And grant us your salvation.Officiant Clothe your ministers with righteousness;People Let your people sing with joy.Officiant Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;People For only in you can we live in safety.Officiant Lord, keep this nation under your care; People And guide us in the way of justice and truth.Officiant Let your way be known upon earth;People Your saving health among all nations.Officiant Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;People Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.Officiant Create in us clean hearts, O God;People And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

Collect of the Day

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, noth-ing 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.

A Prayer for Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect in a time of PandemicO most mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The people may offer their own intercessions and thanksgivings.

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Parish Announcements & Offertory

During the Offertory, as an act of gratitude and worship, we joyfully respond to God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ by giving an offering to the Lord. To give online, visit stalbanswaco.org/give. Read about more ways to give on page 16 of this bulletin.

Anthem Love bade me welcome (Five Mystical Songs) Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back, guilty of dust and sin. But quick- eye’d Love, observing me grow slack from my first entrance in, drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning, if I lack’d anything.

A guest, I answer’d, worthy to be here: Love said, You shall be he. I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on thee. Love took my hand, and smiling did reply, who made the eyes but I?

Truth, Lord, but I have marr’d them: let my shame go where it doth deserve. And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame? My dear, then I will serve. You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat: So I did sit and eat.

The General Thanksgiving

Officiant and PeopleAlmighty God, Father of all mercies,we your unworthy servants give you humble thanksfor all your goodness and loving-kindnessto us and to all whom you have made.We bless you for our creation, preservation,and all the blessings of this life;but above all for your immeasurable lovein the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,not only with our lips, but in our lives,by giving up our selves to your service,and by walking before youin holiness and righteousness all our days;through Jesus Christ our Lord,to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

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Officiant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.

OfficiantThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Hymn Be thou my vision Hymnal 488

Words: Irish, ca. 700; versified Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1880-1931); tr. Eleanor H. Hull (1860-1935), alt.Music: Slane, Irish ballad melody; adapt. The Church Hymnary, 1927

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Organ Voluntary Allegro on a theme of Orlando Gibbons Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

All music reprinted under Church Copyright License #11024469All music broadcast under Church Copyright Solutions License #12099

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TODAY'S WORSHIP MINISTERSOfficiant & Preacher

Organist & Director of MusicSoloistLectors

Audio AssistantLivestream Assistant

The Rev. Neal McGowanEugene LaveryGlenn BealsRebekah Stille, The Rev. Kara LeslieRobert MattsonStephanie Drum

ALTAR FLOWERS

The flowers on the altar are given by Loraine, Doug and Nicole Smithto the glory of God and in honor of Lane’s heavenly birthday.

The rose on the altar today is to celebrate the birth of Reverie Maye Willimas on July 21, 2020. Reverie is the daughter of Makenzie and Gavin Williams.

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Getting Connected at St. Alban's

Pastoral CarePrayer Lists: St. Alban’s maintains a published prayer list, a confidential prayer list (shared only with clergy and pastoral staff) and a prayer list for those on active military duty and their families. To add someone to a prayer list, please secure permission from the person to be added and then contact Hilary at (254) 752-1773 ext. 1002. Hilary needs at least the first name of the person being listed as well as your name and contact information. Individuals remain on our prayer lists for one month unless the request is renewed.

Celebrating birthdays

*denotes active military service

We have been asked to pray forJimmy Pancerella*Hunter Herbert*

Kenneth Scattergood*Joe Bozarth, IV*Blake Bostick*Michael Field*Jerrod Elliott*Vance Jones*Kelley LewisRay Waldon

Tommy Bundrant

AlbertaDorothy StehrPaul Murphy

Caroline McGinleyTom Gallagher

Alfred MackenzieCarlos Sanchez

Kehl FamilyGilbert C

Tina BlackLeigh ClarkCate Boryk

EvaFamily of Gentry Dokter

Barbara ButlerTom Harris

Jackson FamilySlonaker FamilyKellie Revelos

John White

Bob BarkleyBella Vinson

Charlie Young

Deb TownsendDelayne Vaughn

Luke YoungJane Britt

Daniel Watkins

Celebrating anniversariesJosh & Sarah Ritter

Luther & Barbara BrunsonKeith & Dinka Poehl

Tom & Kathleen Stanton

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Getting Connected at St. Alban's

PARISH FINANCIAL UPDATES

Giving regularly towards your 2020 pledge for our ministry budget is more vital than ever. Thank you for your faithful support. You can give in three ways:

• Make a gift online• Mail in a check • Drop a check in the church office mailbox

If you’re a regular giver, please consider setting up automated online giving through your bank or through our online giving option. If you make a gift online, please include your name in the form. Your name is required to apply your payment to the correct contribution statement. If you have questions about online giving, contact our Business Manager, Nancy Bennett, at nancy@stalbanswaco.org or visit www.stalbanswaco.org/giving.

2020 Giving Update July Pledged: $73,976 - July Received: $47,217

Year-to-date Pledged: $517,832 - Year-to-date Received: $410,977

Thank you for your continued financial support of St. Alban’s!

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Getting Connected at St. Alban's

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Children's Chapel

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Children's Chapel

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Getting Connected at St. Alban's

COVID-19 Information and Resources

For the latest updates on our response to the coronavirus, please visit stalbanswaco.org. There you can find links to our livestreams, schedule updates, and more. In light of the clergy's continuing conversations with city leaders and the medical community and Waco, our parish has adopted a phased approach to re-gathering.

For St. Alban’s, this means:• We will not be returning to in-person worship in the near future. • We cannot provide a concrete return date. • We will re-gather following the phased approach recently unveiled by Bishop

Doyle which builds on guidelines from the White House and CDC.

1. Our offices are closed and staff members will be working from home. If you need to talk with a staff member, email or phone is the best way to reach them. A staff email directory is available at www.stalbanswaco.org/staff.2. If you would like to meet with a staff member, please do so via phone or video conference (via Zoom).3. Until further notice, all public worship services and church gatherings have been suspended. 4. Worship & teaching will continue via livestream. Small groups are meeting via Zoom video conferences. 5. We will communicate with you regularly via email, social media, and our website. The rector will send an email update every Friday. Email rebekah@stalbanswaco.org to be added to the email list. 6. For weddings, baptisms, and funerals, we are required to follow the City’s restriction of gatherings to 10 people or fewer. Please contact the rector with questions about these services.

Additional Information• Stay informed at cdc.gov and waco-texas.com• Please let us know if you have pastoral needs or financial difficulties. We are here

to help.• We are continuing to pay our hourly workers to ensure we can rapidly return to

regular worship when that becomes possible.• If you are able to deliver groceries or run errands for parishioners, contact

Deacon Alberto Melis at alberto@stalbanswaco.org. • While some church expenses are decreasing at this time, others are not. Our

vestry is monitoring our church finances closely. Thank you for your continued faithful giving to St. Alban’s.

• A COVID-19 relief fund has been established. Just select “COVID-19” from the funds listed in our online giving platform or write “COVID-19” on the memo line of your check.

• Please pray. Here is a prayer for all those affected by Coronavirus: Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy. Sustain and support the anxious, be with those who care for the sick, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may find comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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Getting Connected at St. Alban's

From the Rector: On Not Celebrating Holy Communion

For the time being, Morning Prayer will continue to be the liturgy for our Sunday worship services, including this Sunday. In doing so, we are following the guidance of the Bishop of Texas, who wrote recently to the clergy of the Diocese that Morning Prayer is "the most appropriate act of worship given physical distancing." Thus, St. Alban's will not conduct services of Holy Eucharist via Livestream.

The Anglican understanding of Holy Communion, following our understanding of the real fleshly incarnation of our Lord, is that it is an in-person meal shared by real people who eat and drink the elements. This requires three things: the gathered congregation, an ordained person to lead the prayers, and the bread and wine. Since it is not possible to have these things during this time, we will wait. When we can come together again with all these things, we will assuredly "Celebrate the Feast"--and what a celebration it will be!

In the meantime, perhaps this time without the Eucharist will help us remember the many ways God's people have experienced times of exile. They have found, as we are finding again, that God is present with us even when (and sometimes especially when) we are in hard places. As baptized people, Christ is with you and Christ is in you. He is with you now, fully, and always. You can experience that now in reading his Holy Word. And it is confirmed in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. To not celebrate Holy Communion does not make Jesus Christ any less alive. His resurrection stands.