13th Sunday of Pentecost, Aug 23, 2026 (10:30 am)
All Scripture quotes from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible. Unless otherwise noted, all music reproduced under copyright license through RiteSong. Streaming permission for music in this service from ONE LICENSE (license #M-739297). All rights reserved.
The Liturgy of the Word
(Our liturgy comes directly from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
This version is the approved Expansive Language Prayer B)
The responses of the people are in bolded italics.
Prelude
Opening Hymn *See Music*
Opening Acclamation
Officiant Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
People And blessed be God’s reign, now and for ever. Amen.
Song of Praise God Welcomes All
The Collect (remain standing in body or spirit)
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Lesson: Exodus 1:8-2:10 (please be seated)
Reader A reading from The Book of Exodus.
Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor. They built supply cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, she shall live.” But the midwives feared God; they did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but they let the boys live. So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and allowed the boys to live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every girl live.”
Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.
The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him, “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”
Reader The Word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm 124 Please pray responsively by half verse (bolded text).
1 If the Lord had not been on our side, *
let Israel now say;
2 If the Lord had not been on our side, *
when enemies rose up against us;
3 Then would they have swallowed us up alive *
in their fierce anger toward us;
4 Then would the waters have overwhelmed us *
and the torrent gone over us;
5 Then would the raging waters *
have gone right over us.
6 Blessed be the Lord! *
he has not given us over to be a prey for their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; *
the snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the Name of the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
The Epistle: Romans 12:1-8
Reader A reading from The Book of Romans.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Come, All You People
The Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Deacon The Gospel of the Savior.
All Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
Contemplative Silence
The Nicene Creed (Please rise in body or spirit)
Celebrant Let us affirm our faith in the words of the 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,
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 (standing or kneeling in body or spirit) Form IV
Leader Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
(Silence)
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
(Silence)
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
(Silence)
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader We give thanks for the many ministries of Holy Communion, this week we lift up . . . Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.
(Silence)
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.
(Silence)
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
Leader We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.
(Silence)
Leader Lord, in your mercy
People Hear our prayer.
The People may add their own petitions
Concluding Collect
Celebrant Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, “Peace I give to you; my own peace I leave with you:” Regard not our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give to us the peace and unity of that heavenly City, where with the Creator and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign, now and for ever. Amen.
The Confession
Deacon Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence (kneeling in body or spirit)
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in 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 our Savior 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 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 (Please rise in body or spirit)
Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements & Offering (Please be seated)
As part of our offering, a basket of food, which will be delivered to the U-City School's Community Cupboard, will also be brought to the altar.
Offering:
Blessing of Birthdays & Anniversaries
AllWatch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide themwherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their heart may your peace which passes all understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Table
Offertory Hymn or Anthem *See Music*
Doxology (Please rise in body or spirit) The Hymnal 1982, #380, vs. 3
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host:
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
Words: Thomas Ken (1637-1711)
Music: Old 100th, melody from Psaumes octante trois de David, 1551, alt.; harm. after Louis Bourgeois (1510?1561?)
Please rise or kneel, in body or spirit
The Great Thanksgiving
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.
For by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a new people in Jesus Christ our Lord, to show forth your glory in all the world.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus
Celebrant and People
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. For in these last days you sent Jesus to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In Christ, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In Christ, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Savior Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said,
“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper Jesus took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said,
“Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, according to his command, O Creator,
Celebrant and People
We remember Christ’s death,
We proclaim Christ’s resurrection,
We await Christ’s coming in glory;
The Celebrant continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Savior of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through whom we are acceptable to you, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with Holy Communion and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your children; through Jesus Christ our Savior, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and for ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray, using the language or version of our hearts,
Padre nuestro que estás . . . Our Father who art . . .
AllOur Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Celebrant These are God's holy gifts, for you, God's holy people.
Deacon This is the table of company with Jesus. It is the table of sharing with the poor and lowly of the world, with whom Jesus identified.
Celebrant So come to this table you who have much faith or you who would like to have more; you who have been here often and you who have not been here in a long time. Come. It is Christ who invites you to meet him here.
People Amen. As the bread and wine are transformed, may we be changed into the likeness of Christ; bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, loving and caring in the world.
Communion Protocol
Everyone is welcome at God’s table. The Greeters will direct you to the altar rail, where you are welcome to stand or kneel. The host (bread) will be dropped into your cupped hands. When you move to the wine, you may either drink from the cup, or have your host dipped. If you require gluten-free, let the server know. If you prefer a blessing, cross your arms over your chest, and if you are unable to come to the altar rail, let an usher know, and we will bring communion to you.
Communion Hymns *See Music*
The Sending of Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs)
At various times, Lay Eucharistic Visitors take the consecrated bread and wine to those who cannot physically be present for worship. When we do so, the following prayer may be offered:
Deacon We send you forth, bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the Body and Blood of Christ our Savior.
People We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.
Post Communion Prayer (standing or kneeling, in body or spirit)
Celebrant Let us pray.
All Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
Closing Hymn *See Music*
Dismissal
Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia!
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Postlude
✠
*Music*
Prelude: Prelude on Leoni Richard Proulx
Processional Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise H401
Sequence Hymn: Come, All You People SEE INSERT
Offertory Anthem: Blessed Assurance arr. Zach Adams
Communion Hymn: Take My life and Let It Be H707
God is Love, and Where True Love Is H577
Recessional Hymn: I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing L117
Postlude: Praeludium in G Major Johann Walther
Announcements
DioMo Annual Picnic: The Annual DioMO Picnic returns on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Camp MoVal. This is one of the most beloved gatherings in the diocesan year, bringing together friends from across our congregations and ministries for a full day of fellowship, fun, and celebration in the beautiful setting of Camp MoVal. Learn more here: diocesemo.org
Theology on Tap: Join us Thursday, Sept 10 at Schlafly Bottleworks in the Crown room, from 6-8pm.
Sign up for Choir! Weekly choir rehearsals will resume Sept 10 at 7 pm, with our first choral service returning Sept 13 at 10:30 am. If you've thought about becoming a member of the choir, this is your opportunity! Not sure about regular choir signing? Try our monthly Pick-Up Choir, which meets at 9:30 am on the first Sunday of the month (beginning in Oct) to learn the anthem and hymns for that morning's service. Join the fun! Email Mary at mchapman@holycommunion.net to learn more.
Godly Play & Children's Chapel: Children’s programs return Sunday, Sept 13!
The Color Purple Sign Ups: Holy Communion is planning to attend the WashU production of The Color Purple (in the Edison Theatre) on Friday, Sept 25 at 7pm. Tickets are $55 ($50 for ages 55+). Please email Darcy before Sept 9 at office@holycommunion.net to sign up.
Save the Date
Sages Luncheon: Thursday, September 17, 1pm at Three Kings Public House in Des Peres, MO.
Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Retreat & Annual Meeting: Sept 18 & 19, 2026
Episcopal City Mission Fundraiser: Thursday, Oct 15 at 6:00 pm
Servers
Preacher: Kellie McCoy
Celebrant: The Reverend Brenda Sol
Deacon: The Reverend Chester Hines
Organist: Earl Naylor
Guest Musician: Zach Adams
Crucifer: Chidi Ezenwa
Readers: Lisa Hummel (8), Brad Currey or Fran Caradonna (10:30)
Intercessor: Jordan Houry (10:30)
Announcements: Tim Anderson (10:30)
Greeters: Pat Redington (8), Bex Comas (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Elizabeth Hines (10:30)
Streamer: Aris Diaz
Vestry
Joe Donahou, Rector’s Warden
Heidi Volkl, People’s Warden
Jim Wire, Treasurer
Pat Redington, Secretary
Tim Anderson, Bex Comas, Nancy Donohoo,
Gloria Grenwald, Karen Payne, Rudy Walz
Staff
The Rev. Brenda Sol, Rector
314-721-7401 x302; rector@holycommunion.net
The Rev. Chester Hines, Deacon
314-386-7762; chinesj@charter.net
Darcy Brainard, Parish Administrator
314-721-7401 x301; office@holycommunion.net
Mary Chapman, Director of Music
Earl Naylor, Organist
Erin Meadows, Financial Administrator
314-721-7401 x304; financeadmin@holycommunion.net
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988
and WorshipCast License #13476
