Welcome & Announcements
Welcome to our worship service for the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. It’s always our prayer that God will meet you exactly where you are as we worship God together.
This week our worship is led by Father Will Holt with music supplied by Rhonda Stanton and Zoë Pouliot. The scriptures in our service are read by members of Grace.
Announcements: We continue to collect non-perishable food and toiletries for a nearby food pantry, so please buy a little extra when you shop. You can drop items off during office hours 9-2 Tuesday-Friday.
Capital Campaign: This initiative will address repairs that are needed around our beautiful and beloved church building. If you can contribute, please use the Online Giving link in the website menu or mail to: Grace Church, P.O. Box 447, Paris TN 38242
Stay in touch with Grace Church on Facebook! We have a public page and a private members’ group which you can request to join if you’re not in the group already. We also have a weekly newsletter. If you’re not on that mailing list, drop Jim Lacey an email!
Children’s Resources
- Lectionary-based readings and activities for families for the week of Sept 13
- Together At Home – lectionary based activities for families from St. Mary’s in Memphis
- Coloring Page to Download and Print (relates to today’s gospel)
- Godly Play: The Exodus Encourage your children to breathe the three-breath prayer and ‘get ready’ for this story. In our class we help the children settle in so they can relax and hear the lesson told in a leisurely, old-fashioned way. This expert story-teller will draw them in if they are able to be ready. This is the same story that’s told in our worship service’s first reading.
The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Opening Acclamation and Collect
Opening Hymn: 423 Immortal, invisible, God only wise
1 Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise.
2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
3 To all life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish, like leaves on the tree,
then wither and perish; but nought changeth thee.
4 Thou reignest in glory, thou rulest in light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render: O help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.
Collect of the Day
First Reading: Exodus 14:19-31
Psalm 114
Second Reading: Romans 14:1-12
Gospel Hymn: 653 Dear Lord and Father of mankind
1 Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.
2 In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee.
3 O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
where Jesus knelt to share with thee
the silence of eternity
interpreted by love!
4 Drop thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess
the beauty of thy peace.
5 Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and thy balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
Sermon
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.
Special Music: Amazing Love
Prayers of the People
Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and
humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and
Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations
of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions.
Collect after Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn: 685 Rock of Ages
1 Rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure,
cleanse me from its guilt and power.
2 Should my tears for ever flow,
should my zeal no languor know,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone;
in my hand no price I bring,
simply to thy cross I cling.
3 While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyelids close in death,
when I rise to worlds unknown
and behold thee on thy throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
Blessing and Dismissal