The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost    

PET BLESSING FOR ST. FRANCIS

October 5, 2025 

HOLY EUCHARIST 

11:00 A.M. 

BISHOP: The Rt. Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer

INTERIM RECTOR: The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting; Presider and Preacher

MUSIC DIRECTOR and ORGANIST: Stephen Kennedy 

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.

As discussed during the Annual Meeting, the Rector Search Committee is interested in your input!  Click here and leave us a message https://songforchristchurch.org/contact and share your thoughts.  Members of the Search Committee will be available after church during Coffee Hour, too, to answer any questions, and the boards will be available through the month of February.

THE HOLY EUCHARIST: RITE TWO

From The Book of Common Prayer

Voluntary Improvisation on The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon                  Stephen Kennedy

THE ENTRANCE RITE

Please stand, as able.

Introit Salus popoli

Hymn  380 From all that dwell below the skies

OPENING ACCLAMATION

Presider Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

People And blessed be God’s kingdom now and for ever. Amen.

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.

SONG OF PRAISE The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon  Text by St. Francis of Assisi

Cantors:

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, all / praise is Yours,

all glory, all honor / and all blessings.

All:

To you alone, Most High, do / they belong,

and no mortal lips are worthy / to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir / Brother Sun,

who is the day through / whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, of You / Most High,

he / bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon / and the stars,

in the heavens you have made them / precious, bright, and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and fair and / stormy,

all weather’s moods, by which You cherish / all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister / Water,

so useful, humble, / precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother / Fire,

through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful / and robust and strong.

THE WORD OF GOD

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Presider:  God be with you.

People:    And also with you.

Presider:  Let us pray.

Most present, loving, good Creator, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of the human world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may delight in shared life with your whole Creation in perfectness of joy; through Jesus the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Please be seated.

First Lesson Job 39:1-18

"Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe the calving of the deer?

Can you number the months that they fulfil,
and do you know the time when they give birth,

when they crouch to give birth to their offspring,
and are delivered of their young?

Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open;
they go forth, and do not return to them.

"Who has let the wild ass go free?
Who has loosed the bonds of the swift ass,

to which I have given the steppe for its home,
the salt land for its dwelling-place?

It scorns the tumult of the city;
it does not hear the shouts of the driver.

It ranges the mountains as its pasture,
and it searches after every green thing.

"Is the wild ox willing to serve you?
Will it spend the night at your crib?

Can you tie it in the furrow with ropes,
or will it harrow the valleys after you?

Will you depend on it because its strength is great,
and will you hand over your labour to it?

Do you have faith in it that it will return,
and bring your grain to your threshing-floor?

"The ostrich’s wings flap wildly,
though its pinions lack plumage.

For it leaves its eggs to the earth,
and lets them be warmed on the ground,

forgetting that a foot may crush them,
and that a wild animal may trample them.

It deals cruelly with its young, as if they were not its own;
though its labour should be in vain, yet it has no fear;

because God has made it forget wisdom,
and given it no share in understanding.

When it spreads its plumes aloft,
it laughs at the horse and its rider."

Leader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Gradual Psalm 121 Levavi oculos

1 Cantors:

I lift up my eyes /to the hills; *

from where /is my help to come?

All:

2 My help comes /from the LORD, *

the ma-/ker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your /foot be moved *

and he who watches over you /will not fall asleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over /Israel *

shall neither /slumber nor sleep;

5 The LORD himself watches /over you; *

the LORD is your /shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike /you by day, *

- /nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all /evil; *

it is he /who shall keep you safe.

8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and your /coming in, *

from this time /forth for evermore.

The Epistle           Acts 4:32-35, 5:1-11

A Reading from the Book of Acts of the Apostles

The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 

But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him. 

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.

Leader The Word of the Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Please stand, as able.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Verse:   O give thanks unto the Lord , and call upon his name: tell the people what things he hath done.

The Holy Gospel  Luke 12:13-21

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

All Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Then he told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

Gospeler The Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon The Rev. Julianne Buenting+

The Blessing of the Animals

The Prayers of the People

Leader  Loving God, even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she places her young near your altar. You are attentive to all you have made. God, who listens to every living thing,

All Help us listen as you do.

Loving God, help us provide refuge to every animal and plant with whom we live. Help us be attentive to all you have made. God, in whom all creation subsists,

Help us listen as you do.

Loving God, when Jesus cried out and gave up his Spirit, the earth shook and the rocks split. You are known by the whole of Creation that listens to you. God, to whom all creation responds,

Help us respond to you.

Loving God, help us hear and know you just as the earth and rocks do. Help us to learn from the way in which we see Creation recognize your glorious beauty. God, to whom all creation responds,

Help us respond to you.

Loving God, you are present in your Creation and seek to heal her wounds. You can be found walking in the garden. Open our eyes to see you, the gardener. God, who is present with your Creation,

Help us be present too.

Loving God, we often abandon your creation and cause its wounds. Help us to follow in your footsteps and learn to walk in the garden like you. God, who is present with your creation,

Help us be present too.

Loving God, who hears every voice, knows each cry of injustice, and is attentive to the suffering of the earth: teach us to listen. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may listen to the world you have created and not close ourselves off from it. Reveal to us the ways in which we have failed to hear your voice in how we treat the earth. God, who listens to every living thing,

Help us listen as you do. Amen.

Presider Let us pray together for Christ Church’s search process for the next Rector.

All  Loving God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on this parish and

guide those who shall discern and choose its next rector, that we may receive

a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for

our ministries; through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Confession

Presider Let us confess our sins to God. (Silence)

Minister and People

God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

Absolution

Presider: 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.

The Peace

Presider The peace of Christ be with you always!

People And also with you.

We share a greeting of peace with one another.

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.

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

HYMN 593 Lord, make us servants of your peace

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

The Great Thanksgiving Rite II Eucharistic Prayer B, Expansive language

All who are able stand

SURSUM CORDA

The 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. 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 to 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 Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. For in these last days you sent Jesus to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In Christ, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In Christ, 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 Savior 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 Jesus 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 Christ’s death,

We proclaim Christ’s resurrection,

We await Christ’s coming in glory;

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Savior 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 in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through whom we are acceptable to you, 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 Mary, the Mother of God, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your children; through Jesus Christ our Savior, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours,

Almighty God, now and for ever. AMEN.

 THE LORD’S PRAYER

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.

The Bread and the Cup are given to communicants with these words:

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.

The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.

The Response to each is: Amen.

Communion Anthem   

Exultate justi Lodovico Viadana (1560-1627)

Translation: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just; praise befits the upright.
Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings.
Sing to him a new canticle, sing well unto him with a loud noise.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just; praise befits the upright.

Please stand, as able

Communion Hymn  400  All creatures of our God and King.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER

Presider  Let us pray. (Silence)

All:   Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of 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 Savior. Amen.

THE BLESSING AND DISMISSAL

Presider: Christ, who has nourished us with himself the living bread, make you one in praise and love, and raise you up at the last day; and the blessing of God Father Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and for ever. Amen.

Presider Let us go forth into the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Alleluia, alleluia.

People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

DEO GRATIAS

Voluntary   Carillon [de Longpont], op. 31, no. 21. Louis Vierne (1870–1937)

   PARISH PRAYER LIST

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

The wardens, vestry, search committee, and clergy of this parish.

The sick and the suffering, Kevin Finnigan, Ellen Iaia (Steve’s mother),

Judy (Kevin Finnigan’s cousin), Chris Brennan.

In thanksgiving that Kristy’s Liddell’s mother, Kina Knight, has completed treatment and is in remission.

Recent passing of Sheila Cooney Swigert, Jeremy Cooney’s Aunt

Dan, Adrianna and new daughter, Aoife Gorman

Capt. Charles Lewis, deployed to the Middle East.

Refugees and immigrants, those lacking housing, employment, and the necessities of life.

Those affected by recent storms, flooding, and wildfires.

All those afflicted by poverty, bigotry, violence, war, and oppression.

Those who have died and those who mourn.

Upcoming PARISH Events and Activities

Christ Church has been honored as an inductee of the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame.  The Induction Ceremony will be at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 23rd at The Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame at 600 Main Street, Medina, NY

All Saints Party and Potluck Dinner,

November 1st at 5:30 p.m.

Holding hands and raising our voices with Saints, Apostles, and the whole company of heaven, is what we do here at Christ Church. Come to a dinner party to practice the joy. All Saints Day, Saturday, November 1st, here at Christ Church in the Guild Room and Wilder Hall. Cocktails and mocktails begin at 5:30, with dinner around 6. To make it extra fun, we will all bring our favorite food to share with each other. Jimmy, Caleb, and a drumming friend will be here to supply music. There may even be dancing. God will be here, too, so you know it will be amazing! You will not want to miss it. Mark your calendars, wear your party clothes, and expect a night to remember. 

Midweek Eucharist has resumed on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. in the chapel. You are welcome to join us!

Episcopal 101 next on October 9th at 7:00 PM by Zoom

This is the “everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-the Episcopal-Church-but-were-afraid-to-ask” series about following God’s Way of Love as an Episcopalian Christian.  It serves as an engaging (and hopefully fun) preparation to be received into the Episcopal Church.  Becoming Episcopalian may be through

a) Confirmation by the Bishop (if you’ve been baptized already and not Confirmed yet) or

b) Reception by the Bishop (if you were baptized and Confirmed in another Christian denomination) or

c) Baptism and Confirmation together (if you haven’t yet been baptized).

If you are already an Episcopalian and you would like to join, you are most welcome too!

Here's the list of class topics

9/25 Encountering the Holy in Creation and Sacrament

10/2 Encountering the Holy in Scripture

10/9 From Jesus to the Reformation- history and beliefs

10/16 From the Reformation to The Episcopal Church (TEC) now

10/23 The BCP, Liturgy, Church Year

10/30 The Anglican Communion and TEC: how they work

*** Please email Rev. Julianne at julianne@christchurchrochester.org to register and receive the Zoom link.***

MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Christ Church Youth Ensemble will start this month and we want your kids to participate.  Please mark your calendar for the first rehearsal: Sunday, September 7 following the 11:00am Eucharist for about 20 minutes.  This will happen each Sunday. Kids will sing and play instruments together.  They will learn music reading skills, music improvisation skills and learn to work together as a team of musicians.  Jimmy Jeffery, Assistant Organist, will rehearse and direct this ensemble.

Compline, by the Schola Cantorum will return on the first Sunday in October and will be preceded by the first Candlelight Concert.  Compline is observed every Sunday at 9:00pm (October through April) and Candlelight Concerts are on the first Sunday of each month at 8:30pm.  Receptions follow Compline in the Guild Room on First Sundays.

Please contact Stephen Kennedy, music director, to find out how to become a member of one of these ensembles, become involved in helping Pru Kirkpatrick with receptions, or becoming a Compline Usher and Candlelighter.

Our Lectors-

1st Reading-        David Sheridan

2nd Reading- Benny Smith

Prayers of the People- Emmarae Stein

Vestry- Jeremy Cooney, Jim Ford, John Fields, Norma Hopcraft, Kristy Liddell,

Nancy Norwood, Shirley Ricker, Craig Smith, Jim Kurmis

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)

MUSIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please contact Stephen Kennedy, music director, to find out how to become a member of one of these ensembles, become involved in helping Pru Kirkpatrick with receptions, or becoming a Compline Usher and Candlelighter.

CHRIST CHURCH OFFICE HOURS &Staff -

The Rev. Dr. Julianne Buenting, Interim Rector

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. 

CALENDAR FOR THIS WEEK

TODAY: October 5

1:00-3:00 “Let’s Build Together”

8:30 pm Candlelight Concert: Tonight

Ryan Hardcastle, Violist

Cello Suit No. 6, Johann Sebastian Bach

9:00 Compline

Reception in the Guild Room following Compline

MONDAY, October 6

10:00 am Zoom Morning Prayer

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

TUESDAY, October 7

Tuesday Pipes 12:10pm

WEDNESDAY, October 8

6:30 Choir Rehearsal

7:00 pm Zoom Evening Prayer

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

THURSDAY, October 9

11:30 Holy Eucharist in the chapel

7:00 Episcopal 101- From Jesus to the Reformation- history and beliefs (get zoom link by emailing Julianne)

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.

LITURGICAL CALENDARS 2024 or 2025

Please let the office know if you are interested in receiving a calendar.

Email: office@christchurchrochester.org 

Phone: 585-454-3878

FORWARD DAY BY DAY PUBLICATION 

Please let the office know if you are interested in receiving a copy.

Email: office@christchurchrochester.org 

Phone: 585-454-3878

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