16th Sunday of Pentecost, Sept 13, 2026 (10:30 am)
All Scripture quotes from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible.
The Liturgy of the Word*
(During the “Season of Creation” we are using an
alternative liturgy as provided by The Episcopal Church.)
The responses of the people are in bold.
Prelude
Entrance Hymn *SEE MUSIC at end of bulletin
Opening Acclamation
Officiant Blessed be the One who creates all things.
People The Holy One’s love is new every morning.
Song of Praise (10:30am only)
The Collect of the Day (remain standing)
Officiant The Creator be with you.
People And also with you.
Officiant Let us pray.
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Readings and The Gospel
First Lesson: 14:19-31 (please be seated)
Reader A reading from The Book of Exodus.
The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to all God’s Creation.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm (10:30am sings refrain only)
1 Hallelujah!
When Israel came out of Egypt, *
the house of Jacob from a people of strange speech,
2 Judah became God's sanctuary *
and Israel his dominion.
3 The sea beheld it and fled; *
Jordan turned and went back. REFRAIN
4 The mountains skipped like rams, *
and the little hills like young sheep.
5 What ailed you, O sea, that you fled? *
O Jordan, that you turned back?
6 You mountains, that you skipped like rams? *
you little hills like young sheep? REFRAIN
7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
8 Who turned the hard rock into a pool of water *
and flint-stone into a flowing spring. REFRAIN
The Epistle: Romans 14:1-12
Reader A reading from The Book of Romans.
Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,
So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
Reader Hear what the Spirit is saying to all God’s Creation.
All Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Celtic Alleluia
The Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
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
Leader Blessed God, whose love calls the whole creation into covenant with you, and who puts in our hands responsibility for the care of the earth and its creatures: we pray for all to whom you have given life and being, saying, “Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.”
For the well-being of the earth; for its resources of water, air, light, and soil, that they may be tended for the good of all creatures, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For the waters of the earth; for their careful use and conservation, that we may have the will and the ability to keep them clean and pure, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For the mineral and energy resources of the planet, that we may learn sustainable consumption and sound care of the environment from which they come, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For the animals of the earth, wild and domestic, large and very small, that they may know the harmony of relationship that sustains all life, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For the creatures of the earth who do us harm and those whose place in your creation we do not understand or welcome, that we may see them as beloved creatures of God, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For all who shape public policies affecting the planet and its creatures, that they may consider wisely the well-being of all who come after us, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For all those engaged in conservation, in agriculture and ranching, in aquaculture and fishing, in mining and industry, and in forestry and timber-harvesting, that the health, fruitfulness, and beauty of the natural world may be sustained alongside human activity, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For the creatures and the human beings of your world who are ill, or in danger, pain, or special need, especially those on our parish prayer list, and for all who suffer from the unjust, violent, or wasteful use of the earth’s resources or their devastation by war, that all may one day live in communities of justice and peace, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
The People may add their own petitions.
Leader For the gifts of science and technology and for those who practice these skills, that they may be wise, visionary, and compassionate in their work, and for the vibrant ministries of Holy Communion, especially…we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Leader For the creatures and the people of the earth whose lives and deaths have contributed to the fruitful abundance of this planet, we pray:
People Merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.
Concluding Collect
Creator God, you call us into being. Inspire us with your extravagant generosity, and sustain us with hope in resurrection life. All this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Amen.
The Confession
Deacon Let us confess our sins against God and God’s creation.
Silence (kneeling in body or spirit)
AllGod of compassion, have mercy upon us. Heal our relationship with all creation. Forgive us for our mistreatment and neglect of the creatures who share the earth with us. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent for what we have done to harm them, and for what we have not done to help them. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may care for one another and for all creatures, according to your will and in the fullness of your love; through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
Officiant 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.
Offering:
The Peace (Please rise in body or spirit)
Officiant Peace with yourself. Peace with Creation.
Peace with one another. The peace of Christ
be always with you.
People And also with you.
Announcements & Offering(please be seated)
Blessing of Birthdays & Anniversaries
AllWatch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever 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/Anthem
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?)
The Great Thanksgiving (Please rise in body or spirit)
Celebrant The Creator be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Creator.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to our loving God.
People It is right to give God 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.
Preface
Celebrant We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God, source of life abundant. From before time you made ready the creation. Your Spirit moved over the deep and brought all things into being: sun, moon, and stars; earth, winds, and waters; and every living thing.
You made us in your image, and taught us to walk in your ways. But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away; and yet, as a mother cares for her children, you would not forget us. Time and again you called us to live in the fullness of your love.
And so this day we join with Saints and Angels in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity, lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing:
Sanctus
Celebrant and People
Celebrant Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God. To deliver us from the power of sin and death and to reveal the riches of your grace, you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive and bear a son, Jesus the holy child of God.
Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He yearned to draw all the world to himself yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross the sacrifice of his life, and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to them, and said:
“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks to you, gave it to them, and said:
“Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation, and remembering Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come, we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine, and ourselves, a living sacrifice. Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth and make us your new creation, the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us, with all your saints, from every tribe and language and people and nation, to feast at the banquet prepared from the foundation of the world. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant As the Wisdom from before Creation teaches us, we now pray,
All Holy One, our only Home,
Hallowed be your name.
May your day dawn,
your will be done,
here as in heaven.
Feed us today,
and forgive us as we forgive each other.
Do not forsake us at the test,
but deliver us from evil.
For the glory, the power,
and the mercy are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant This is Living Bread, given for all Creation.
People All who eat this bread share in Christ’s body.
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 Holy One, you feed us with bread from heaven and the gifts of mother earth. In this communion, you have drawn us into your embrace and you call us to friendship with one another. You have given us the gift of reconciliation. May we who have tasted that gift from you, offer ourselves in peace and humility to one another. And may you always walk among us as friend. Amen.
The Blessing
Celebrant God of the galaxies, God of the starburst and sunlit morning, God of the forest and shining seas, God of the blooming desert and rolling grasslands – shine on us today. And the blessing of the Creator God, the Risen Son, and the Promised Holy Spirit bless you that you might be a blessing to others today and always.Amen.
Recessional Hymn *SEE MUSIC
Dismissal
Deacon Let us bless our God and all Creation. Alleluia, alleluia.
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
Postlude
*Music*
Prelude: Fugue in G Minor Dietrich Buxtehude
Processional Hymn: On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand L99
Offertory Hymn: May our Work and Praise Be One Mark Hill
Communion Hymn: In Remembrance of Me L149
Give Me a Clean Heart L124
Recessional Hymn: Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven H410
Postlude: Caprice sur les Grand Jeu Louis-Nicolas Clerambault
Season of Creation Resources
Welcome to the Episcopal Church's "Season of Creation"! To learn more about why we do this and what more you can do for Creation, scan this QR code!
Episcopal Creation Care
Announcements
Laundry Love: Through Laundry Love, Holy Communion members have supported our University City community since 2017. Each third Tuesday of the month, this ministry shares pizza and conversation, and provides laundry quarters for our neighbors. Join us Sept 15, 6-8 p.m. at Classic Coin Laundromat on Balson Ave. Sign up on our website under the tabs: Service & Outreach > Laundry Love
Sages Luncheon: Thursday, Sept 17, 1pm at Three Kings Public House in Des Peres, MO.
Tower Grove Pride Worship: Saturday, Sept 26 at 3pm
Special Congregational Meeting(s), Sun, Sept 27: We need EVERYONE to participate so that we have a quorum. We will remain in the pews directly after both worship services for a brief election on a Bylaw change and replacing our Diocesan Convention Alternate. Then, those who can stay will adjourn to Mitchell Hall for coffee and conversation as we want your input on expanding, replacing or retiring some ministries/programs.
Trinity Hot Lunch: Every third Sunday is Trinity Hot Lunch (This month it’s the 4th Sunday!), our hot meal ministry at Trinity Episcopal Church. Prepare and serve lunch to our hungry community this Sept 27. Email Scott Ferguson to sign up: scott@scottfergusonphoto.com.
Feast of St. Francis Pet Blessing & Pet Supply Drive: Join us Sunday, Oct 4 for a special in worship Pet Blessing at both services. Neighbors are invited to join us for a pet blessing at 4pm on Oct 3 in Mooney Park.
Please donate new, or gently used, pet supplies (unopened food, bedding, toys, litter, etc) for Holy Communion’s Pet Supply Drive for the APA (Animal Protective Association of Missouri) now through Oct 4! Donation boxes can be found in the lounge and old Narthex.
Save the Date
A Day of Reflection & Prayer: Oct 10 from 1-4pm in the Nave. Drop-in anytime – follow the footprints for silent reflection at your own pace. This includes an opportunity to walk the labyrinth.
Locust Tree Blessing: Join us on Oct 11 after 10:30am worship, as we give thanks and say goodbye to the beautiful locust tree in Holy Communion’s front lawn.
Episcopal City Mission Fundraiser: Thursday, Oct 15 at 6:00 pm
Servers
Preacher: The Reverend Brenda Sol
Organist: Earl Naylor
Crucifer: Chidi Ezenwa
Torch Bearer: Luca Barbato
Readers: Michael Salsich (8), Bradley Currey (10:30)
Intercessor: Shirley Mensah (10:30)
Announcements: Gloria Grenwald (10:30)
Greeters: Pat Redington (8), Bob Lowes (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Elizabeth Hines (10:30)
Streamer: Tyler Schwartz
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, WorshipCast License #13476, and St. James Music Press License #14747.
