SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

October 1, 2017

Holy Eucharist: Rite II at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 am *For 10:30 a.m. service only

*Prelude: Kay Benefield, Valerie Fleming

Opening Procession: *All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Hymnal 450

Opening Acclamation Book of Common Prayer (BCP) 355

Gloria in Excelsis BCP 356 *Hymnal S 280

The Collect of the Day:

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; 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: EXODUS 17:1-7

From the wilderness of Sin the whole congregation of the Israelites journeyed by stages, as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The Lord said to Moses, “Go on ahead of the people, and take some of the elders of Israel with you; take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the place Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” THE WORD OF THE LORD. People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 BCP 694

1 Hear my teaching, O my people; * incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; * I will declare the mysteries of ancient times. 3 That which we have heard and known, and what our forefathers have told us, * we will not hide from their children. 4 We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of the LORD, * and the wonderful works he has done. 12 He worked marvels in the sight of their forefathers, * in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan. 13 He split open the sea and let them pass through; * he made the waters stand up like walls. 14 He led them with a cloud by day, * and all the night through with a glow of fire. 15 He split the hard rocks in the wilderness * and gave them drink as from the great deep. 16 He brought streams out of the cliff, * and the waters gushed out like rivers.

THE SECOND READING: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

*Sequence Hymn: Come, thou fount of every blessing Hymnal 686

THE HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 21:23-32

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

People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

When Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” And they argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. “What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ He answered, ‘I will not’; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, ‘I go, sir’; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon The Rev. Rob Morpeth

The Nicene Creed BCP 358

Prayers of the People Form IV BCP 388

Confession of Sin and Absolution BCP 360

The Peace BCP 360

THE HOLY COMMUNION

The Offertory: Lord for Thy Tender Mercies Sake Choir

Discretionary Fund Sunday: All undesignated plate offerings and designated checks collected today will support the Rector’s Discretionary Fund.

All stand

*The Doxology

The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B BCP 367

*Sanctus BCP 367 *Hymnal S 124

The Lord’s Prayer BCP 364

The Fraction Anthem BCP 364 *Hymnal S 154

Gluten-free: Please indicate your need to the priest when receiving and a gluten-free wafer will be given.

*Communion Music The Table of Life Bryce Blair Before thy throne, O God Congregation: Hymnal 574 Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing Congregation: Hymnal 344 At the Name of Jesus Congregation: Hymnal 435

Postcommunion Prayer BCP 365

The Blessing

Announcements

*Closing Procession Guide me, O thou great Jehovah Hymnal 690

The Dismissal BCP 366

SERVING TODAY 8:00 a.m. LECTOR: Bob Hembree SERVER: Susan Armstrong EUCHARISTIC MINISTER: Mark Harris

SERVING TODAY 10:30 a.m. USHERS...... Sam Harrison, Rick Cooley GREETERS...... Nancy McAllister, Sherry Mayberry CRUCIFER..……….……………………………..………….………………………Shari Harrison TORCH BEARERS…...... Lilli Kaminski, Rachel Moses SERVER ...... Tiffany Martin EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS…...... Mark Harris, Jim Coleman GOSPEL BOOK...... Michael Raulerson CLERGY CROSS…...………………………..……………………………………..…Kate Jackson LECTORS...... Doug Cooke, Liz Riehl INTERCESSOR...... Gloria Kilner SOUND...... Melissa Brazelton-Reeves ALTAR GUILD.……..Cindy Chorba, Kelly Auman, Lisa Amburn, Debi Houston NURSERY...... Drew Hunter CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL.….…………….…………….Kim Booth, Jenna Andrews YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL…………....…………………….Shelly Hardin, Tiffany Martin CHILDREN’S CHURCH……...... Shelly Hardin, Jenna Andrews COUNTERS...... Valerie Fleming, Jan Maxwell VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH…...... Tiffany Martin

2017 Budget Status as of Sunday 09/24/2017

Pledge Plate Total Budgeted to date $200,345 $38,038 $238,383 Received to date $196,535 $30,064 $226,599 (includes Prepaid Pledges) -$ 3,810 -$ 7,974 - $ 11,784

Rector’s Corner

Today’s Guest Preacher

The Rev. Rob Morpeth has served in his current position on the diocesan staff as Staff Officer for Finance and Administration for 20 years. He was ordained in 1978 and has served parishes in Georgia and Florida before accepting a call to serve in the congregations of the Black Belt in 1990. Bishop Miller called him to his current position in 1997.

Before coming to Alabama Rob was bi-vocational in the 1980s earning his living in the restaurant business while supplying and assisting in parishes in the Columbus, Georgia area. He was interim rector of St. Mary’s, Columbus, Georgia during two of these years. In addition he has served as a Chaplain in the Army National Guard and Reserves.

His area of focus theologically is the intersection of science and theology. He holds a B.S. Degree in Urban Planning from Columbus University and an M.Div. from the University of the South. He is married to Susan who teaches first graders at Hueytown Elementary School.

EFM Collect of the Week

O God, who hears us in moments of silence; We thank you for being in control beyond our understanding. We pray that we may listen and know you are real, So that by faith, we can find peace and love. Amen

We are saddened by the death, September 27, of one of our members, Gayle Roadruck. The Epiphany family extends our sympathy, love, prayers and support to her son, David Roadruck, and family.

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord. And let light perpetual shine upon her.

Week of October 1 thru October 7 Today Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. Breakfast 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Volunteers Nancy Brennan, Guy Caffey Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Lectionary 9:30 a.m. Nursery 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Children’s Church 10:30 a.m. Blessing of the Animals 4:00 p.m. Sr. EYC 5:00 p.m. Monday Monday Morning Book Club 10:00 a.m. EFM 6:00 p.m. Tuesday Stewardship Ministry Meeting 6:00 p.m. Office Communications Ministry Meeting 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Healing Service 11:30 a.m. Centering Prayer 1:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m. Nursery 5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. Dinner Volunteers Valerie Fleming Adult and Children Programs 6:30 p.m. Thursday Ministry Council Meeting 6:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross 7:00 p.m. Friday Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study 7:00 a.m. Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:00 a.m. Breakfast 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Volunteers Vince and Kay Meleski Lectionary 9:30 a.m. Outreach 9:30 a.m. Nursery 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist 10:30 a.m.

Please let us know who you are by signing the Guest Book located on our Visitor’s Table at the entrance to the Nave.

See an or Greeter for assistance. Devices are available to aid the hearing of the service either with ear buds for each ear or to slip over one ear if you currently wear a hearing aid.

The flowers on are dedicated to the Glory of God and In loving memory of Cody Duncan by Anita Duncan.

The candles on the altar are dedicated to the Glory of God.

IN OUR PRAYERS For all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit, especially for:

*OUR PARISH FAMILY: John Starnes, Bickie Raspilair, Charlotte Webb, Donna Farish, Bill Black, Grant Armstrong, King Nye, Ada Perkins, Ann Marie Batts, Barbara Nye, Ellie Werden, Missy Sanderson, Jenna Andrews

*OUR EXTENDED PARISH FAMILY: Charles Morris, (Matt Morris’s dad), Michelle Gardner, (Bryce & Cheri Blair’s daughter), Greg & Kim Calvert, (Amy Meredith’s friends), Shirley Kime, (Jenna Andrews’s grandmother), Rose Lyles, (Cindy Bowling’s mother), Susan Burroughs, (Ray Klaver’s friend), Bob Moses (former parishioner), Nancy Martin (Ginny McCrary’s friend), Lance Lester (Marina Dunn’s grandson), Tommy Guay (Shari Harrison’s son-in- law), William Hooper (Will Smith’s father), Becky Cibula (Barbara Gardner’s daughter), Tim Presley (Meg Packard’s son), Russell Beam (Will Smith’s friend), Franklin Pope (Marsha Babb’s friend), David and Launa Raspilair, (Bickie Raspiliar’s son and Daughter-in-law), Mary Libby and Bob Payne, (Bickie Raspilair’s sister and brother-in-law)

**REMEMBERING: Gayle Roadruck, Joan Howard

PARISH FAMILY BIRTHDAYS: October 1 -7 Lydia Raulerson, Ray Warren, Wally Kistler, George Brown, Larry Morris, Rosie Pfeiffer, Kathy Thompson

OUR DIOCESAN FAMILY: Our companion dioceses of Alaska and the Virgin Islands and their bishops, Mark and Ambrose.

DOK PRAYER REQUESTS: There are “Daughters of the King” Prayer Request cards available in the pew. Prayer requests should be placed in the prayer box at the back of the nave. The daughters pray every day.

*Names will remain on the list for two months unless otherwise requested. Prayer Concern names can be submitted by placing a note in the office door mail slot or e-mailing the church office. When submitting prayer concerns, please give person’s full name, the reason for prayer need, sign your name and indicate the person’s relationship to our parish.

**Names of the deceased will appear for one month after date of death.