PreludeCome, thou fount of every blessing H686

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St. James’ Episcopal ChurchAugust 2, 2020

The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Wherever you are on this journey of faith, you are welcome at this table. Wherever you are on your journey of faith, you are welcome at this

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

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.

Praise, praise, honor and glory LEVAS 246

The Lord be with you.And also with you.

Let us pray.Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Reading from Isaiah Isaiah 55:1-5

Thus says the Lord:"Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

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Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you,because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you."

The Word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

The Psalm Psalm 145; 8-9, 15-22

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and of great kindness.The Lord is loving to everyone and his compassion is over all his works.The Lord upholds all those who fall; he lifts up those who are bowed down.The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, and you give them their food in due season.You open wide your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature.The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving in all his works.The Lord is near to those who call upon him, to all who call upon him faithfully.He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry and helps them.The Lord preserves all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked.My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

Lord my soul is thirsting LEVAS 166

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The Gospel Matthew 14:13-211

The Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory to you, Lord Christ!

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. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 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.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 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. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The Gospel of the Lord.Praise to you, Lord Christ!

Sermon The Rev. Al Rodriguez

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Musical MeditationIn remembrance of me

The Nicene CreedWe 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.

Celebrant Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

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Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

In the silence, we are invited to examine the brokenness in our own lives and in the world and to pray that, with God’s merciful help, we might set our feet upon paths of repentance.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against youin 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.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.

The Prayers of the People

Intercessor Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church; People That we all may be one.

Intercessor Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you.People That your Name may be glorified by all people.

Intercessor We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons; People That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

Intercessor 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.

Intercessor Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake, People That our works may find favor in your sight.

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

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Intercessor Give to the departed eternal rest.People Let light perpetual shine upon them.

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

Intercessor Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. Silence The People may add their own petitions.

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 forever. Amen.

Celebrant And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray,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.

Celebrant Let us pray.Loving God, we give you thanks for gathering us and for pouring out your presence among us through your abundant Spirit. 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.

Celebrant Life is short,And we do not have much timeto gladden the hearts of those whomake the journey with us.So… be swift to love,and make haste to be kind.And the blessing of God,who made us,who loves us,

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and who travels with usbe with you now and forever.Amen.

I have decided to follow Jesus LEVAS 136

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