8th Sunday after Pentecost (July 23rd)

The service video will be post here when it is available. You can watch the service live on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stpaulsatx/videos

The Greeting and Welcome The congregation stands and faces the entrance of the sanctuary. We begin with a procession – the cross leading the way – an image ofour new life in Jesus Christ and our journey to Paradise. Some bow as the cross passes, honoring the mystery of salvation

Son of God, Eternal Savior (842)
Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race,
You our Head, who, throned in glory, For Your own will ever plead:
Fill us with Your love and pity, Heal our wrongs, and help our need.
As You, Lord, have lived for others, So may we for others live.
Freely have Your gifts been granted; Freely may Your servants give.
Yours the gold and Yours the silver, Yours the wealth of land and sea;
We but stewards of Your bounty Held in solemn trust will be.
Come, O Christ, and reign among us, King of Love and Prince of Peace;
Hush the storm of strife and passion, Bid its cruel discords cease.
By Your patient years of toiling, By Your silent hours of pain,
Quench our fevered thirst of pleasure, Stem our selfish greed of gain.
Son of God, eternal Savior, Source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us Hallows all our human race:
By your praying, by Your willing, That Your people should be one,
Grant, O grant our hope’s fruition; Here on earth Your will be done.

Invocation
En el nombre del Padre, y del X Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo.
All Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us
All But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
All Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.
All Cristo, ten piedad de nosotros.
Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
All Señor, ten piedad de nosotros.
Silence is Kept
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father:
All Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. 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. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive
us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to
the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all
your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I forgive you all
your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.

The Kyrie

The Prayer of the Day
The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Let us pray.
All Generous God, you give us gifts and make them grow: though our faith is small as
mustard seed, make it grow to your glory and the flourishing of your kingdom; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Readings
Isaiah 44:6-8
This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I
am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him
declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people,
and what is yet to come—yes, let them foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be
afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any
God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.

Romans 8:18-27
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be
revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be
revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of
the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to
decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the
whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait
eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were
saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if
we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit
helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind
of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of
God.
This is the word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Procession The Holy Gospel is read in the midst of the people as a reminder of God coming to us in Jesus Christ. As the Gospel is announced some make a small cross on their forehead, lips, and chest – a prayer that the Word would dwell in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

Thy Strong Word (578)
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank thee While thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
All Glory to You, O Lord.
Matthew 13:24-43
Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a
man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds
all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as
well. The slaves of the householder came to him and said, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your
field? Where have the weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ His slaves said to
him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, ‘No, if you pull up the weeds you might
uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to
the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my
barn.”‘” He proposed another parable to them. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a
person took and sowed in a field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, yet when full-grown it is the largest of
plants. It becomes a large bush, and the ‘birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.'” He spoke to
them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three
measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.” All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds
in parables. He spoke to them only in parables, to fulfill what had been said through the prophet: I will
open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has lain hidden from the foundation of the world. Then,
dismissing the crowds, he went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the
parable of the weeds in the field.” He said in reply, “He who sows good seed is the Son of Man, the
field is the world, the good seed the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one,
and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are
angels. Just as weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son
of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all
evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
All Praise to you, O Christ.

Thy Strong Word (578)
God the Father, light-creator, To thee laud and honor be.
To thee, Light from Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity!

The Apostle’s Creed
All I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into
heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection X of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Children’s Sermon

When Peace Like A River (763)
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way; When sorrows, like sea billows, roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate And hath shed his own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
He lives—-Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought; My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound and the Lord shall descend; Even so it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Sermon

The Prayer of the Church

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (805)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host:
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Prayer Before Reception of Holy Communion
O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly Christ,
The Son of the living God, who came into the world
To save sinners of whom I am the first.
Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Lord,
For I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies,
Nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, But like the thief I profess to you:
Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.
May the partaking of your Holy mysteries, O Lord,
Be not for my judgment or condemnation,
But for the healing of my soul and body.
O Lord, I believe and profess, that this,
Which I am about to receive,
Is truly your most precious Body, and your life-giving Blood,
Given for me for remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen

Service of the Sacrament
The Lord be with you.
All And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
All We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God. From sunrise to sunset this day is holy, for Christ has
risen from the tomb and scattered the darkness of death with light that will not fade. This day
the risen Lord walks with us, unfolds for us His word, and makes himself known in the breaking
of the bread. And though the night will overtake this day you summon us to live in endless
light, the unending sabbath of the Lord. Therefore, with angels and archangels and with all
the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You
and saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Sabaoth adored;
Heaven and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name.
Sing hosana in the highest, sing hosana to the Lord;
Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Prayer of Thanksgiving
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You
created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior.
With repentant joy, we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice
of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of
Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit.
Grant us to faithfully eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us to in His own testament.
Gather us together from the ends of the earth to celebrate, with all the faithful, the marriage
feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Receive our prayers; deliver and
preserve us. To You alone be all glory, honor, and worship, now and forever.
All Amen.

The Consecration

The Acclamation and Invitation
As often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
All Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Behold the Lamb of God, behold Jesus, who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are
those called to the supper of the Lamb.
All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
La paz del Señor sea con ustedes.
All Y Tambien contigo

Sharing of the Peace Greet each other in the name of Christ by saying ‘the Peace of the Lord be with you’ as a sign of forgiveness & reconciliation in preparation
for reception of the Blessed Sacrament.

Lamb of God
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Distribution

Eucharistic Dismissal

Thank The Lord
Thank the Lord and sing His praise; Tell everyone what He has done.
Let everyone who seeks the Lord, Rejoice, and proudly bear His name.
He recalls His promises, and leads His people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.

Post-Communion Prayer
We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary
gift, and we implore You, that of Your mercy, You would strengthen us in faith toward You
and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Announcements

The Blessing

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (700)
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav’n, to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling, All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation, Enter ev’ry trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit Into ev’ry troubled breast;
Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find Thy promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty, to deliver; Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never, Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish then Thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee,
Changed from glory into glory, Till in heav’n we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise!