PREPARING FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP Saturday, 25 July 2020 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Included in today's update: A Message from Father Keith, the Liturgy for Tomorrow's Worship,

and Birthdays in the Week Ahead

FROM THE RECTOR

Saturday, 25 July 2020

Dear Friends:

Please forgive the brevity of this week's email message. As I write this, it is only Tuesday afternoon, and it already seems to be an overly long week.

This morning I led and preached the funeral for a young girl, just four years old, who died a violent death at the hands of her mother, who then took her own life. How, I wonder, does one get to this place in their head, even in the midst of a most bitter custody battle? How does one's mind and thoughts come to think this is the best thing to do, the best outcome, the only way to proceed? I don't know; hope that I never know. But I felt compelled, among all the prayers for this young, innocent girl, her father and grandmother and extended family in their grief, to also offer up a silent prayer for this desperate and unsettled mother, who, in her own way, was also a tragic victim in this awful situation.

And tomorrow afternoon, I begin a quick trip out to Indiana to lead and preach at the funeral of a son of a lifelong friend. Another tragic story of prescription drug abuse. Another death of a child, taken far too soon. Another father trying to understand and make sense of a situation where there is no sense to be understood.

In both of these tragedies, one wonders what can be said when there are no words to express the profound sorrow of parents and families burying children out of order - after all, parents should not be burying their children. Some years ago, a parent who had endured just such an event told me: "It's something you never get over; the best you can hope for is to become accustomed to the heartache. And 'heartache' is an appropriate word, since you can only hope for the sharpness of the daily, unbearable pain to become a daily ache within your heart."

Please keep these parents and families in your prayers.

In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ,

and our God who wants only health and wholeness for his children,

I send you blessings, peace and grace in these uncertain, confusing and anxious times.

Blessings! Peace! Grace! And love!

- Keith

BIRTHDAYS IN THE WEEK AHEAD

O God, our times are in your hands: Look with favor, we pray, on these your servants as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

July 26 .... Marv Walters

July 28 .... Marianne Standbridge

LITURGY FOR TOMORROW'S WORSHIP

EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

OPENING PROCLAMATION

The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you. Alleluia!

And also with you. Alleluia! Alleluia!

COLLECT FOR THE DAY (Proper 12)

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, forever and ever. Amen.

COLLECT FOR CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH

Gracious God: through your Fatherly goodness, make Church of the Messiah a Christian community united to serve others; enrich our life in Christ, that we might celebrate and share Christ’s love with the world; and send your Holy Spirit to give us strength and courage to proclaim the Good News of your grace through word and deed. Amen.

LESSONS

Genesis 29:15-28; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

PSALM 128

Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, *

who walks in his ways.

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; *

you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; *

your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

Thus shall the man be blessed *

who fears the Lord.

The Lord bless you from Zion. *

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

May you see your children’s children. *

Peace be upon Israel!

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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Response: Hear us, O God.

PRAYER FOR NATIONAL HEALING AND UNITY

O God, who created all peoples in your own image, we thank you for the wonderful diversity of races and peoples who have come together in this great nation, and strengthened our culture with the many gifts, talents, perspectives and flavors they have each brought and shared. Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, abolish all prejudices that separate us, open our eyes to recognize, and acknowledge, and celebrate your presence in those who differ most from us, until our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SUNDAY WORSHIP MUSIC

Be sure to check out the weekly music and carillon recordings. Go to the Gallery tab on the parish website; select videos; there you will find hymns selected for the day, along with the ringing of Messiah's church bells. This music is presented each week by Hannah Albrecht, Sam Frenkel and friends. Thank you, Hannah and Sam - and all who contribute each week!

SUNDAY SERMON AVAILABLE EACH WEEK

Each week, the text of the Sunday sermon is posted to the website. Feel free to print it out if you find that helpful. And perhaps you might also print a copy and send to someone who doesn't have computer access. This would be greatly appreciated and provide a way for these parishioners to also stay connected.

BISHOP GUTIERREZ PREACHES EACH SUNDAY

Bishop Gutierrez continues to broadcast Sunday morning Eucharist services. You can watch at 9 a.m. on YouTube or Facebook, and any time afterward on the Diocesan Website.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLEDGE UP TO DATE

Thank you to all of you who have dropped off or sent in your pledge over the past several weeks! Your faithfulness has allowed us to stay current with payroll and bill payment. Can it really be the end of July already? - please remember to submit this month's pledge.

Thank you!