This Sunday at St. John's
A Celebration of
Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m.
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
July 12, 2026
Follow along with Sunday's service
Today's Ministers
Want to know who’s leading different parts of the service?
Altar Guild Dianne Aber, Barbara Davis
Flowers Debbie Graham, Janina Sierakowska
Ushers Joe Kattenhorn, Tony Martin, Bruce Pitts
Sound Bob McConnell
1st Reader Jim Besaw
2nd Reader Emily Besaw
Intercessor Donna Murphy
Altar Server Connie Lightbody
Chalice Bearers Rick Long, Dianne Dunn
July Coffee Hour Paula Copley, Donna Murphy
Music Minister Michael Monnikendam
Presider Fr. Michael Ryan
Prelude
Blessed Assurance
Robert Powell
Word of Welcome
Paul Richardson
Vestry Person of the Month
Blessed Assurance
Voices Found #119
The Acclamation
Presider: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
People: And also with you.
The Gloria
S280 Glory to God
The choir will sing the refrain first and then the congregation is invited to sing the refrain subsequent times.
All
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Let us pray.
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading
Genesis 25:19-34
Lector: A Reading from the Book of Genesis.
These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is to be this way, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.”
When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!” (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
Lector: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm 119:105-112
Presider: We will pray the psalm in unison.
Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.
I have sworn and am determined *
to keep your righteous judgments.
I am deeply troubled; *
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, *
and teach me your judgments.
My life is always in my hand, *
yet I do not forget your law.
The wicked have set a trap for me, *
but I have not strayed from your commandments.
Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *
truly, they are the joy of my heart.
I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *
for ever and to the end.
The Second Reading
Romans 8:1-11
Lector: A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Church in Rome.
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law-- indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
Lector: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Presider: Please stand as you are able for Gospel Alleluia and the reading of the Gospel.
Gospel Alleluia
The organ will play it through first, and the congregation is invited to sing it two times.
The Gospel
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Presider: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!”
“Hear then the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Presider: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Rev. Michael Ryan
A Period of Silence is observed following the Sermon
The Nicene Creed
All stand as able.
Presider: 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:
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.
A Word about the Prayers of the People
Every week, we insert printed prayer cards into this worship booklet. If you have one of these cards, please say the person’s name aloud at the intercessor’s invitation toward the end of today’s intercessions. Green cards indicate the names of person who are sick and suffering, or who have asked to be remembered today in our prayer. Purple cards have inscribed on them the names of the recently departed.
Everyone on our prayer list receives our prayers when we gather to worship on Sunday. To keep the flow of the liturgy consistent, the intercessor offers only a handful of names from the lectern. If you do not hear the name of the person for whom you requested prayer—which may be your own—trust that someone offered that prayer today.
Please take the prayer card you received today with you and offer prayers for that person using the prayer on the reverse side of the card.
The Prayers of the People
Please stand or kneel as you are able.
Intercessor: God of life and love, we give you thanks for our creation and for the gift of eternal life. We offer a special thanksgiving for the birth of Anya Susan Verma, the daughter of Susan Isaac and Arnav Verma. O God of light and life;
People: We praise you and thank you for this precious gift.
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.
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: For all those who have asked for our prayers, especially Karen, Caroline, Jean, Norma, Monica, Alesia, Jeff, Toni, Ethel, Ethan, Alice, Robin, Vernetta, Thomas, John, Joby, John, Randy, and Allan. We also remember in our prayers those close to us who are in hospice care, especially Tom.
Are there others? (Please offer your own prayers for those in need.)
If you received a green card in your worship booklet, please speak the name of the person written on the back.
Intercessor: We pray for the repose of the souls of all those we love but no longer see. We pray especially for Katy George's family as they mourn the death of her mom, Shirley, who died peacefully last week.
And we remember good dog, Freddie, the faithful companion of Eric and Tim Blue, who died this week.
Are there others? (Please offer your own prayers for those in need, the departed and all who mourn.)
If you received a purple card in your worship booklet, please speak the name of the departed written on it.
Concluding Collect
After a period of silence, the presider offers the concluding collect.
Lord Christ comfort these and all who mourn, granting them a peace that passes all understanding, and a vision of the glorious future you are preparing for all those who love, worship, and follow you. Amen.
Almighty God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Confession
Presider: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
A significant period of silence is kept; people kneel or stand.
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 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.
The Presider pronounces absolution.
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 Peace
All stand.
Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
The Liturgy of the Table
The Offertory
The Presider begins the Offertory by saying:
Let us, with gladness, present the offerings and oblations of our life and labor to the Lord.
Offertory Hymn
One Bread, One Body
LEVAS II #151
The Prayer Over the Gifts
Presider and People: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received this bread and this wine and with it we make our offering to you, the fruit of the vine, the grain of the field, the work of human hands. It will become for us the bread of life. Amen.
The presider bows and approaches the table.
The Great Thanksgiving
Presider: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Presider: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Presider: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Presider: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on the first day of the week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.
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:
The Sanctus
WLP #858
Please kneel or stand, as you are able.
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 the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days, you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, 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 Lord 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 he 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 Father,
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory.
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord 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 to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, 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 the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
The Lord's Prayer
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,
forever and ever. Amen.
The Fraction
The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread. Silence is observed.
Presider: Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People: Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome to God's Table to receive the Bread and Wine made Holy.
The Presider: The Gifts of God for the People of God. Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, you are welcome to God's Table to receive the Bread and Wine made Holy.
The Administration and Reception of Holy Communion.
The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately distribute it to the people.
The ushers guide the people to Holy Communion by pew row.
When receiving the bread, please cup your hands together and extend them to receive the bread. The presider or altar server will lay the consecrated bread into your cupped hands, saying: "The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven."
Communicant: Amen.
When receiving the wine, the Chalice Bearer will extend the cup to you saying: ‘The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation’. Guide the chalice to your mouth for the minister to gently tip the cup to drink.
Communicant: Amen.
Communion Music
Michael Monnikendam
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Presider: Let us pray.
Almighty and ever-living God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
The Blessing
Presider: God bless you and keep you. Christ’s face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Holy Spirit’s whisper of well done fill you and bring you peace. And the blessing of the Holy Trinity, one God, be upon you now and remain with you always. Amen.
Post-Communion Hymn
Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove
Hymn #512
Dismissal
Presider: The grace we receive today is not ours alone. Let us go forth in the knowledge that God shall surely call us to be the answer to another’s prayer.
People: We will, with God’s help!
Postlude
Fanfare and Trumpet Voluntary
David Lasky
Stay Connected or Share a Prayer Request
Stay Connected or Share a Prayer Request
We’d love to stay in touch. Share as much or as little as you’d like.
Birthdays
Marlene Gill 07/14
Madelene Cooper 07/16
The Rev. Jane Rohrer 07/17
Anniversary
David and Anna Aubry 07/01
Flower Dedication
Today’s altar flowers are dedicated to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Katy George’s mother, Shirley George.
Today at St. John's
Book Group News - Meeting Today
The Book Group will meet today in Marsh Hall after the Sunday service. The selected title is At Midnight Comes the Cry by Julia Spencer Fleming. Everyone is welcome! If you have any questions, please talk with Maureen Schroder.
Today at St. John's
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Collection
All "loose plate" offerings (i.e., cash and checks that are not related to the fulfillment of one's pledge) will be given to this fund. The Discretionary Fund exists to help those who are in need in the congregation and in the larger community. The funds are entrusted to Father Michael for charitable and pious purposes. Typical uses include helping with food, utilities, and emergency expenses. The church office receives calls DAILY for assistance. Your generosity is appreciated.
Today at St. John's
Merrill Gardens Eucharist Today
Following this morning's service, St. John's will celebrate Holy Eucharist at Merrill Gardens Senior Living Community at 1:00 p.m. in the Movie Room.
All are welcome.
This Week & Beyond
Food Pantry (Urgent Needs)
Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, stew, soup), peanut butter, and pet food needed.
(We currently have enough ramen and mac & cheese.)
Coffee Hour Hosts
Volunteers needed for August–December.
Host as an individual or team—just organize simple treats.
Contact Michael Monnikendam to sign up.
Arts Ministry: “Trees” Exhibit
Now on display in the narthex.
Photos and watercolors by Doug Pascoe and Carolyn McConnell.
Select works available for purchase benefiting St. John’s.
Women’s Fellowship Update
April lunch rescheduled to fall.
Spring Tea: June 6 (featuring storyteller Debbie Demitri).
Book Group
Next meeting: May 3 after the service (Marsh Hall).
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.
All are welcome.