THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

July 26, 2026

11:00 AM

Today’s PRESIDER & PREACHER: The Rev. Keith Patterson

MUSIC DIRECTOR and ORGANIST: Stephen Kennedy 

VANDELINDER FELLOW and ASSISTANT ORGANIST: Jimmy Jeffery

VANDELINDER FELLOW and ORGANIST: Dominic Fiacco

We seek to serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.
We strive for justice and peace among all people,
respecting the dignity of every human being.

Welcome

We seek to mirror the love of God and the hospitality of Jesus in our worship and our service to others. We are a community welcoming all races, ethnicities, faiths, genders, orientations, and abilities. Our worship is open to all, and every person is invited to receive communion.

CHRIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS – TELEPHONE: 585.454.3878

TUESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

THURSDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

VOLUNTARY Improvisation Stephen Kennedy

At the ringing of the bell, all who are able, stand.

HYMN 488 Be thou my vision

At the ringing of the bell, all who are able, stand.

THE WORD OF GOD

OPENING ACCLAMATION

Collect for Purity

Celebrant: 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.

SONG OF PRAISE HYMN 437 Tell out my soul, the greatness of the Lord!

Presider: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Presider: Let us pray.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE FIRST READING: Genesis 29:15-28

Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were lovely, and Rachel was graceful and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.

Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife that I may go in to her, for my time is completed.” So Laban gathered together all the people of the place, and made a feast. But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her. (Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her maid.) When morning came, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “This is not done in our country—giving the younger before the firstborn. Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years.” Jacob did so, and completed her week; then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as a wife.

GRADUAL  PSALM 128 Beati omnes

Observing a longer pause at the asterisk. Tone accents are underlined.

Cantor:

1 Happy are they all who / fear the Lord, *
and who / follow in his ways!

All:

2 You shall eat the fruit of your / labor; *
happiness and prosperi-/ty shall  be yours.

3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine with-/ in your house, *
your children like olive shoots round a-/ bout your table.

4 The man who / fears the Lord *
shall / thus indeed be blessed.

5 The Lord bless you from / Zion, *
and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the / days of your life.

6 May you live to see your children's / children; *
may peace be / upon Israel.

THE SECOND LESSON 8:26-39

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Gospeler: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

 People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

GOSPEL Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Jesus put before the crowds another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

Gospeler: The Gospel of the Lord

People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

SERMON  The Rev. Keith Patterson

Please take a moment for silent reflection.

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.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE  form VI

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For Sean our Presiding Bishop, and Kara our Bishop; and for all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.

Silence

The People may add their own petitions

Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.

Silence

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

Silence

The People may add their own thanksgivings

We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

Silence

The People may add their own petitions

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Silence may be kept.

Leader and People:

  Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
  in your compassion forgive us our sins,
  known and unknown,
  things done and left undone;
  and so uphold us by your Spirit
  that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
  to the honor and glory of your Name;
  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrant:

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

Presider: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Parish announcements and offertory sentence

OFFERTORY- To donate electronically, please scan this QR code.

Your monetary offering- whether given in the offering plate or by online donation- supports the worship, pastoral care, and outreach of Christ Church as we seek to love and serve God and our neighbors. Thank you for your generosity.

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE HOLY COMMUNION

OFFERTORY HYMN 447 The Christ who died but rose again

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving Rite II Eucharistic Prayer B,

All who are able stand

SURSUM CORDA

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; For you are the source of light and life, you made us in your image, and called us to new life in Jesus Christ our Lord.  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            

Celebrant and People:

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 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.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

A period of silence is kept.

FRACTION ANTHEM

Invitation to Communion

Presider: The gifts of God for the people of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.

Everyone, without exception is welcome to receive Holy Communion.

If a gluten free wafer is better for you, please tell the minister when you come forward.

The bread and the cup are given with these Words:

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. Please respond: Amen.

The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Please respond: Amen.

Please stand, as able.

HYMN 573 Father eternal, Ruler of all creation

Post-Communion Prayer

Presider: Let us pray.

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.

BLESSING

DISMISSAL

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord   Alleluia Alleluia

Thanks be to God    Alleluia alleluia

ITE MISSA EST and DEO GRATIAS Mass VIII (De Angelis)Mode 5

VOLUNTARY Benedicamus a’6. Voc. Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654)

Upcoming PARISH Events and Activities

Our preacher and presider this week was the Rev. Keith Patterson.

Our new rector the, Rev. Martin Pommerenke, will begin on next Sunday, August 2nd.

SAVE THE DATE - AUGUST 16

PARISH PICNIC WITH FR. MARTIN

We will have a picnic at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Penfield and celebrate our new rector! +++

PARISH PRAYER LIST

Please keep these people and intentions in your prayers this week-

For Martin our rector, and his husband Christopher as they settle in here. For the wardens, vestry, and clergy of this parish, especially Fr. Steven Metcalfe. For the sick and the suffering, Bob Brennan, Norma Kurmis, Cora McCallum, Kevin Finnigan, Ellen Iaia (Steve’s mother), Antonio Taylor, Judy (Kevin Finnigan’s cousin), John Ford, David Tinkelman, Capt. Charles Lewis, deployed to the Middle East, Kristy’s Liddell’s mother, Kina Knight, Jim Ford’s friend Tom, John D’Amanda, and Meg Love’s brother, Tim.

For refugees and immigrants, those lacking housing, employment, and the necessities of life. Those affected by poverty, bigotry, violence, war, and oppression. In thanksgiving for the many blessings we have been given.

RRRN (Rochester Rapid Response Network) has a fund to support our immigrant neighbors in urgent need: things like grocery shopping, rent relief, and other things that cost money. This fund comes entirely from individual contributions via Venmo. If you would like to contribute, their Venmo handle is @rocrapidresponse.

+ + +

There is no LEGO® building club today.

Every Monday is ZOOM Morning Prayer. Go to the website for a link. (Services & Events)

Every Tuesday is Tuesday Pipes

Every Wednesday is ZOOM Evening Prayer. Go to the website for a link. (Services & Events)

CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK

TODAY/TONIGHT

SUNDAY July 26

9:30-10:30 Lectio Divina in the Guild Room

1:00-3:00 Let’s Build Together LEGO® BUILDING CLUB

MONDAY, July 27

10:00 am Zoom Morning Prayer - Leader is Hugh Gray

https://songforchristchurch.org/monday-morning-prayer

11:00am , July 27 Study of the Gospel of John -Zoom- contact Mary for the link - 4marytrees@gmail.com

TUESDAY, July 28

Tuesday Pipes 12:10pm

WEDNESDAY, July 29

7:00 pm Zoom Evening Prayer - Leader is Jean Pedersen

https://songforchristchurch.org/wednesday-evening-prayer

Each Sunday, from October through April, the Office of Compline is observed and performed by the Christ Church Schola Cantorum at 9:00 PM in the church. All are welcome to attend this 30-minute candlelight liturgy.

MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Compline by the Schola Cantorum serves a nearly full church each Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. We therefore need more ushers and candlelighters. Please consider participating in what the City Newspaper branded as “the place to be on Sunday nights”.   

Our Lectors today-

1st Reading-    Andrew Shelton

2nd Reading-   Emmarae Stein

Prayers of the People- Joel Wilson

Vestry- Jeremy Cooney, Jim Ford, Jim Kurmis, Norma Hopcraft, Kristy Liddell,

Nancy Norwood, Shirley Ricker, Fred Scipione, Craig Smith,

Wardens- Valerie Jutsum & Deb VanderBilt

David Jutsum- Clerk of the Vestry

Organists 

Stephen Kennedy, director of music and organist

Jimmy Jeffery, assistant organist

Dominic Fiacco, VanDelinder Fellow

David Higgs and William Porter, associate organists

Choral Scholars

Anna Bjerken 

Amelia Harkey

Maya Watters 

Mary Reins

Caroline Barata

Andrea McGaugh 

Caleb Meyerhoff 

Daniel Perez (ESM/CC Choral Scholar)

CHRIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS &Staff -

The Rev. Martin Pommerenke, Rector, rector@christchurchrochester.org

Stephen Kennedy, Director of Music, stephenk@rochester.rr.com

           Steve Iaia, Sexton, stepheniaia9@gmail.com

           Lori Frank, Office Administrator, office@christchurchrochester.org

Office Hours:

TUESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  

WEDNESDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  

THURSDAYS - 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Remember to “like” and “subscribe” to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkbAzGxOtsMI1dhb_3dGvg/videos

visit the website, http://www.christchurchrochester.org and

The Song, https://songforchristchurch.org often, for any updates and to access free recordings.

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Christ Church would like to make sure our parishioner records are up to date! Please remember to update the office with your contact information if you have recently changed address, your email address or your phone number.
Email: office@christchurchrochester.org