The tenth Sunday after pentecost: The Transfiguration of our Lord

Sunday, August 6, at 10:00 am

Stream the service on Facebook.

The form for this service can also be found in The Book of Common Prayer, page 355. Spoken responses are in bold typeface.

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Prelude: “Duo” Louis-Nicholas Clerambault

The Entrance Rite

Hymn 129: “Christ upon the mountain peak”

1. Christ upon the mountain peak
stands alone in glory blazing;
let us, if we dare to speak,
with the saints and angels praise him.
Alleluia!

2. Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the Law
shout through them their joyful greeting.
Alleluia!

3. Swift the cloud of glory came.
God proclaiming in its thunder
Jesus as his Son by name!
Nations cry aloud in wonder!
Alleluia!

4. This is God’s belovèd Son!
Law and prophets fade before him;
first and last and only One,
let creation now adore him!
Alleluia!


Opening Acclamation

Priest     ✠ Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People     The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

The Collect for Purity

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.


Gloria
: “Glory to God in the highest”

The Collect of the Day

Priest     The Lord be with you. 
People     And also with you.
Priest     Let us pray. 

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

First Lesson: Exodus 34:29-35

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Reader     The Word of the Lord.
People     Thanks be to God.

Psalm 99

1  The Lord is King;
let the people tremble; *
he is enthroned upon the cherubim;
let the earth shake.

2  The Lord is great in Zion; *
he is high above all peoples.

3  Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; *
he is the Holy One.

4  “O mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity; *
you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.”

5  Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and fall down before his footstool; *
he is the Holy One.

6  Moses and Aaron among his priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.

7  He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.

8  O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; *
you were a God who forgave them,
yet punished them for their evil deeds.

9  Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God
and worship him upon his holy hill; *
for the Lord our God is the Holy One.

Second Lesson: 2 Peter 1:13-21

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Reader     The Word of the Lord.
People     Thanks be to God.

Hymn 427: “When morning gilds the skies”

1. When morning gilds the skies,
my heart, awaking, cries,
may Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall,
this rings my curfew call,
may Jesus Christ be praised!

2. When mirth for music longs,
this is my song of songs:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
God’s holy house of prayer
hath none that can compare with:
Jesus Christ be praised!

3. No lovelier antiphon
in all high heaven is known
than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to thee eternal Word
thee eternal Psalm is heard:
may Jesus Christ be praised!

4. Ye nations of mankind,
in this your concord find:
may Jesus Christ be praised!
Let all the earth around
ring joyous with the sound:
may Jesus Christ be praised!

5. Sing, suns and stars of space,
sing, ye that see his face,
sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God’s whole creation o’er,
both now and evermore
shall Jesus Christ be praised!

Alleluia

The cantor sings a verse, then all repeat the Alleluias.

The Gospel: Luke 9:28-36

Priest      The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke. 
People     Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Priest     The Gospel of the Lord. 
People     Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon
The Rev. Raymond L. Harbort

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.


The Prayers of the People

The leader and people pray responsively 

I ask your prayers for God’s people throughout the world; for our Bishops; for this gathering; and for all ministers and people. Pray for the Church.

Silence

I ask your prayers for peace; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. Pray for justice and peace.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all victims of violence, and for the poor, the sick, the hungry, the oppressed, and those in prison. Pray for those in any need or trouble.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him.

Silence

I ask your prayers for the departed. Pray for those who have died.

Silence

I ask your prayers for those on our parish prayer list, and for those we now name:

Silence. Additional petitions may be included here.

We pray for our sister church of St. Mary’s, Sololá, in our companion diocese of Guatemala.

Silence

Praise God for those in every generation in whom Christ has been honored. Pray that we may have grace to glorify Christ in our own day.

Silence

The Celebrant concludes

Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask: Help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant us for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession of Sin

Celebrant           Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.                       

Celebrant and People

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 Celebrant pronounces an absolution. The people stand.


The Peace

Priest     The peace of the Lord be always with you. 
People     And also with you.

The ministers and the people greet one another in the name of the Lord, saying “He is risen!”

The Holy Communion

The Celebrant introduces the Offertory with a sentence of Scripture.

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During the Offertory an anthem is sung, and the Altar is prepared with the elements of Holy Communion.

The Offering is brought forward.

Hymn 383: “Fairest Lord Jesus”

1. Fairest Lord Jesus,
Ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son;
thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,
thou my soul’s glory, joy and crown.


2. Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring,
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
who makes the woeful heart to sing.

3. Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer,
than all the angels heaven can boast.


The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B

The Celebrant faces the People and sings

Priest    The Lord be with you.
People     And also with you.
Priest    Lift up your hearts.
People     We lift them to the Lord.
Priest    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People     It is right to give him thanks and praise.


The priest continues

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because you sent your beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Sanctus: “Holy, holy, holy Lord”

The priest continues 

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,

Celebrant and People

We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;

The Celebrant continues

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 ever-blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Paul the Apostle, 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 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.

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


The Fraction

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.

The Celebrant sings the Antiphon, then all repeat it.

Celebrant: The bread which we break, alleluia, is the communion of the body of Christ.

Then all repeat the Antiphon.

Priest The Gifts of God for the People of God.


Spiritual Communion: Act of Reception

During Communion, you are invited to say the following prayer form for receiving Spiritual Communion. Know that the grace of God is made present in your heart, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.

In union, blessed Jesus, with the faithful gathered at every altar of your Church where your blessed Body and Blood are offered this day, I long to offer you praise and thanksgiving, for creation and all the blessings of this life, for the redemption won for us by your life, death, and resurrection, for the means of grace and the hope of glory.

I believe that you are truly present in the Holy Sacrament, and, since I cannot at this time receive communion, I pray you to come into my heart. I unite myself with you and embrace you with all my heart, my soul, and my mind. Let nothing separate me from you; let me serve you in this life until, by your grace, I come to your glorious kingdom and unending peace. Amen.

Come Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart in the fullness of your strength; be my wisdom and guide me in right pathways; conform my life and actions to the image of your holiness; and, in the power of your gracious might, rule over every hostile power that threatens or disturbs the growth of your kingdom, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 324: “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”

1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.

2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heavenly food.

3. Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of Light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

4. At his feet the six-winged seraph;
cherubim with sleepless eye
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”


After Communion, the priest says

Let us pray.


Priest and People

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son 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 Lord. Amen.

Welcome & Announcements

The Blessing

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.


Dismissal

Priest     Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
People    Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.


Postlude:
“A Mighty Fortress is Our God” Eleanor Whitset


Service Participants

  • Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Raymond L. Harbort

  • Organist: W. Edward McCall

  • Eucharistic Minister: Widgette Kelly

  • Thurifer: Alex Kelly

  • Crucifer: Will Boyd

  • Lector: Widgette Kelly

  • Ushers: Joe DeTato, Ted Hopkins

  • Altar: Widgette Kelly, Sara Frister

  • Livestream: Emma Ward

  • Flowers: Kim Jacobsen


    Choir:
    George Achilles, Trudie Benton, Wendy Brumbaugh, J.T. Capps, Carol Fox, Laura Pankoe, Shelley Reed, Mike Roberts, Sue Roberts, Amber Robinson, Anne Shute, Jim Shute, Caitlin Stein, Marian Wentworth


Online giving
is available through Realm E-Giving and PayPal. We thank you for your generous giving to St. Paul’s.


Today: Visit to HAM

Today, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and other members of St. Paul’s are traveling to Philadelphia to join the Church of the Holy Apostles and the Mediator (HAM) for worship. Members of HAM joined us for worship via our Sunday livestream just a few weeks ago. Today’s event is a further opportunity for solidarity between our two church communities.


Funeral for Mary Rose

The funeral for Mary Rose will be held at St. Paul’s this afternoon at 4:00 p.m, with a public committal to follow in the Columbarium Garden. A reception will then be held in the Parish Hall.


Weekday Worship

Mass for the lesser feast of Edith Stein (philosopher, monastic, & martyr, d. 1942), will take place this week on Wednesday, August 9 at noon in the Chapel.


Wanted: Master Carpenter

The Altar Guild is looking for someone who can assist with upkeep and repair of wooden items used in our services. Please contact Carol Fox for more information.


Our historic and beautiful stained glass windows need our help. The plexiglass protective coverings have yellowed which obscures the windows from the outside and darkens the windows on the inside. We hope to replace this covering on 12 windows. In addition, some of the windows need partial restoration to make repairs and prevent further deterioration. As such, we are starting a pop-up campaign to raise funds. Please address any questions to Maureen McGraw or George Wiemann.


Community Meal: August 27

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the July 23rd Community Meal such a big success.  The next meal is scheduled for Sunday, August 27th.  The Community Meal helps those who are food insecure in the community by providing a nutritious and delicious meal.  Volunteers are needed to help with the food preparation and serving.  We will also need greeters, servers, and volunteers to help with setup and cleanup.  Food should be delivered to the church by 12:30 on August 27th.  If possible, the food should be delivered warm and ready to serve.  Please review the signup here and consider signing up to help with the meal.  Thank you in advance for your continued support.  Mary Lou Parry, Outreach Committee.


Driver needed for the Community Meal

Please consider being a van driver for the monthly community meal.  We were fortunate enough to have a driver for the June meal and were able to help some additional people.  A permanent driver for St. Paul’s would be very helpful.  To qualify, an online course offered by Code Blue (CSSH) must be taken. If you are interested, please contact Mary Lou Parry using the church directory.  Thank you for your consideration in this effort.  


SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Our next meeting is at 7:30 PM on August 8th, the usual 2nd Tuesday of every month.  Join us on Zoom (login credentials can be found in the most recent Weekly E-Notes email). Contact chair Jim Massey with any questions. All are welcome!


CARING FOR FRIENDS

Caring for Friends has resumed our meal packing at the church. Our next meeting will be Saturday, August 19 from 9:30-11:30am. We are asking for anyone who would like to cook at home to bring the food to church on the 19th to pack. Please include a list of ingredients for all meals. Casseroles with a protein source, meats like meatloaf, chicken, beef, turkey breasts with a side of rice or potatoes are some other ideas. Donations of canned goods are appreciated, especially fruits and vegetables. Hope you can make it. Please contact Myra Parker, Mary Smith, or George Wiemann with any questions.


Forward Day by Day Devotionals for August-October

Forward Movement is a ministry of The Episcopal Church dedicated to forming adult Episcopalians in the faith. Forward Day by Day is one of its publications: a devotional booklet with brief meditations on a passage of Scripture appointed for each day. Paper copies for the three-month period of August-October are now available in the entranceway to the Parish Hall.


Christmas in Doylestown UPDATE:

Merry Christmas!!!! We are happy to announce 4 houses have been obtained for this year’s CID house tour!!! Our next step is creating teams to beautify the houses, most importantly the Leads at this point in time.

If you would like to participate in this part of CID please watch for a “signup-genius” email in the next few weeks to sign up as either: 1. Lead/Co-Lead Decorator

Or 2. “Helping Hands”

Your effort no matter how big or small is greatly appreciated and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! Thank you, Lisa Farina & Mary Lou Parry


Summer Office Hours

During the summer months, the church office hours will be reduced on Friday afternoons. From June 16 through August 25, the office will close at noon on Fridays. In September, the office will once again resume its normal schedule.


Bulletin Announcements

Wednesday is the deadline for submitting announcements for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin. Please submit relevant announcements to Angie in the Parish Office. Any announcements submitted after Wednesday will be included in the following week’s printed bulletin.


LITTLE FREE PANTRY

The Little Free Pantry continues to be a huge asset for the community.  Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated by those suffering from food insecurities in the area.  The need continues to be great for supplies such as snack bars, small cereal boxes, fruit cups, pudding and Jell-O cups, pretzels, and crackers.  Thank you for your help and support. Questions? Contact Mary Lou Parry using the church directory.


ALTAR FLOWERS

Today’s flowers are given by the Folkes family to the glory of God, and in loving memory of Mark Folkes.